Mercury (The Winged Messenger)
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Pale Ale - Belgian
- ABV:
- 4.8%
- Score:
- 80
- Avg:
- 3.52 | pDev: 11.93%
- Reviews:
- 107
- Ratings:
- From:
- Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- Michigan, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 9
- Gots
- 96
SCORE
80
Good
80
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 107
| Ratings: 536
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Reviews by ThickNStout:
ThickNStout from Georgia
2.89/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
12oz bottle from IAmJacksHopTongue (thanks man). Bottled 12/04/14. Served in a Bells snifter.
Pours a hazy, pale yellow with about a finger of thin white head. A white rail of a halo remains, leaving zero lace.
Smells bready, yeasty, hay and some vague spice. Meh.
Flavors of pear, hay, pepper, bread and some vague floral bitterness. Light, dry, airy and easy drinking though not particularly flavorful.
Crisp, light, thin body with lively carbonation. Aftertaste is semi bitter and mildly fruity with pear skins, sweet bread and a yeasty spice.
Mercury is flighty and light much like the movement in Holst's work (that I listened to while drinking). It is fairly refreshing and unassuming but ultimately not for me.
Jun 04, 2015
2.89/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
12oz bottle from IAmJacksHopTongue (thanks man). Bottled 12/04/14. Served in a Bells snifter.
Pours a hazy, pale yellow with about a finger of thin white head. A white rail of a halo remains, leaving zero lace.
Smells bready, yeasty, hay and some vague spice. Meh.
Flavors of pear, hay, pepper, bread and some vague floral bitterness. Light, dry, airy and easy drinking though not particularly flavorful.
Crisp, light, thin body with lively carbonation. Aftertaste is semi bitter and mildly fruity with pear skins, sweet bread and a yeasty spice.
Mercury is flighty and light much like the movement in Holst's work (that I listened to while drinking). It is fairly refreshing and unassuming but ultimately not for me.
Jun 04, 2015
More User Reviews:
maximum12 from Minnesota
2.31/5 rDev -34.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12 oz. bottle split with my wife to wash the taste of CW17 out of our mouths. Per the label, packaged on 12/4/14.
The pour is vaguely hazed yellow that could be used for a urine sample. The nose is so weak I doubt it could curl five pounds: light fruits on a distant breeze, not much else.
Mercury is channeling some odd hefeweizen vibe. Middling wheat component is muddled by the fruity esters & white grapes, which is the one taste that jumps out. Dim spiciness that leans into white pepper. The finish is an odd yeastiness that isn’t funky, but leans into dirty farm soil, which clashes blade-on-blade with the fruit aspects. Six ounces? About three too many. Light & effervescent, which is one of the few positives I can draw from this rather unsettling experience.
Bell’s doesn’t miss often, but this is a big cut at a curveball in the dirt. Not undrinkable, but not enjoyable, & I’m really happy I only seized on a single. Sub-mediocre.
Feb 01, 2015
2.31/5 rDev -34.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12 oz. bottle split with my wife to wash the taste of CW17 out of our mouths. Per the label, packaged on 12/4/14.
The pour is vaguely hazed yellow that could be used for a urine sample. The nose is so weak I doubt it could curl five pounds: light fruits on a distant breeze, not much else.
Mercury is channeling some odd hefeweizen vibe. Middling wheat component is muddled by the fruity esters & white grapes, which is the one taste that jumps out. Dim spiciness that leans into white pepper. The finish is an odd yeastiness that isn’t funky, but leans into dirty farm soil, which clashes blade-on-blade with the fruit aspects. Six ounces? About three too many. Light & effervescent, which is one of the few positives I can draw from this rather unsettling experience.
Bell’s doesn’t miss often, but this is a big cut at a curveball in the dirt. Not undrinkable, but not enjoyable, & I’m really happy I only seized on a single. Sub-mediocre.
Feb 01, 2015
superdoopersauce from Illinois
4.39/5 rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
These Bell's planet series beers have been great, this one especially -- a drinkable, low-ABV, malt-forward Belgian with tons of Midwestern influence and flavor to the max!
Jan 02, 2015
4.39/5 rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
These Bell's planet series beers have been great, this one especially -- a drinkable, low-ABV, malt-forward Belgian with tons of Midwestern influence and flavor to the max!
Jan 02, 2015
humuloner22 from North Carolina
3.79/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Alright this is not the best beer they have produced by any stretch. But I am not going to jump on this group-think mentality and blow it out as a piece of garbage. Now, I don't expect much from this style so I really didn't but its not bad really.
Appearance: light straw yellow. Looks like a farmhouse or Belgian style ale.
Aroma: Some yeasty esters, very much a Belgian style ale in that regard. Some herbal notes clove, etc. Not a really bad aroma reminds me of a light farmhouse ale, not a lot of the funk but similar in style.
Taste: Nice clean citrus and yeast flavor. Its really not that bad of a beer. Honestly this one was much better than Venus in my opinion.
Overall: Its a one time deal, get over it, they are trying something different and there is this new thing where everyone is shitting on Bell's but honestly this beer is not that bad.
Feb 07, 2015
3.79/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Alright this is not the best beer they have produced by any stretch. But I am not going to jump on this group-think mentality and blow it out as a piece of garbage. Now, I don't expect much from this style so I really didn't but its not bad really.
Appearance: light straw yellow. Looks like a farmhouse or Belgian style ale.
Aroma: Some yeasty esters, very much a Belgian style ale in that regard. Some herbal notes clove, etc. Not a really bad aroma reminds me of a light farmhouse ale, not a lot of the funk but similar in style.
Taste: Nice clean citrus and yeast flavor. Its really not that bad of a beer. Honestly this one was much better than Venus in my opinion.
Overall: Its a one time deal, get over it, they are trying something different and there is this new thing where everyone is shitting on Bell's but honestly this beer is not that bad.
Feb 07, 2015
Duff27 from Illinois
2.27/5 rDev -35.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Jan 16, 2015
2.27/5 rDev -35.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Jan 16, 2015
larryarms847 from Illinois
3/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours golden yellow with a slight rusty hue and a finger head of bubbly foam.
Tons of black pepper in the nose, not appealing. Some slight funk and clove to note as well, but again not appealing.
Ugh, the black pepper aroma carried over into the sip. Not good. Way too much black pepper/herbal spice and not enough sweet.
Bubbly, spicy, not good.
Overall, Bell's need to re-evaluate this recipe (IMO).
Dec 20, 2014
3/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours golden yellow with a slight rusty hue and a finger head of bubbly foam.
Tons of black pepper in the nose, not appealing. Some slight funk and clove to note as well, but again not appealing.
Ugh, the black pepper aroma carried over into the sip. Not good. Way too much black pepper/herbal spice and not enough sweet.
Bubbly, spicy, not good.
Overall, Bell's need to re-evaluate this recipe (IMO).
Dec 20, 2014
RyBrew54 from Illinois
2.84/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Packaged 12/4/14 so was probably best consumed fresh rather than nearly 2 months later. Pours a very light head that dissapates quickly (odd for this style). Nose was a lighter bready yeast that reminded me more of a euro lager than a Belgium pale. Taste was a huge let down as it had a skunkiness and profile more similar to a Heineken. The biscuity malt and forward floral dry hops I enjoy in a Belgium PA were missing almost completely. A real dud from a well respected brewery
Feb 01, 2015
2.84/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Packaged 12/4/14 so was probably best consumed fresh rather than nearly 2 months later. Pours a very light head that dissapates quickly (odd for this style). Nose was a lighter bready yeast that reminded me more of a euro lager than a Belgium pale. Taste was a huge let down as it had a skunkiness and profile more similar to a Heineken. The biscuity malt and forward floral dry hops I enjoy in a Belgium PA were missing almost completely. A real dud from a well respected brewery
Feb 01, 2015
lilsmizzul1225 from Indiana
4.06/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
SO much better than Venus (obviously not as good as Mars) but I love the unfilteredness of the beer. Very solid and although I probably give it more credit than it deserves, for a unique series of beers, might as well enjoy it.
The unfiltered part of the beer makes this beer pretty great!
Dec 19, 2014
4.06/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
SO much better than Venus (obviously not as good as Mars) but I love the unfilteredness of the beer. Very solid and although I probably give it more credit than it deserves, for a unique series of beers, might as well enjoy it.
The unfiltered part of the beer makes this beer pretty great!
Dec 19, 2014
fgilbert2 from Michigan
3.6/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Jun 06, 2015
3.6/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Jun 06, 2015
xShoWTeKx from South Carolina
3.7/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Jan 18, 2015
3.7/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Jan 18, 2015
mendvicdog from Maryland
3.54/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Apr 07, 2016
3.54/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Apr 07, 2016
ohiobeer29 from Ohio
1.57/5 rDev -55.4%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2
Not very good should have listened to the reviews nice try bells still love you guys for black note so it's all good!!!
Jan 25, 2015
1.57/5 rDev -55.4%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2
Not very good should have listened to the reviews nice try bells still love you guys for black note so it's all good!!!
Jan 25, 2015
jaymo18 from Virginia
3.19/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Dec 29, 2014
3.19/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Dec 29, 2014
Kegatron from Pennsylvania
3.75/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan 14, 2015
3.75/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan 14, 2015
Fargrow from Michigan
4.24/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A beautiful pale straw beer with a bright white head. As someone who doesn't really enjoy Belgians, I was very impressed with this. The malt was able to shine through the pungent Belgian yeast. This would be a great beer if you wanted something a little different on a hot summer day.
Mar 18, 2015
4.24/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A beautiful pale straw beer with a bright white head. As someone who doesn't really enjoy Belgians, I was very impressed with this. The malt was able to shine through the pungent Belgian yeast. This would be a great beer if you wanted something a little different on a hot summer day.
Mar 18, 2015
argock from Virginia
3.88/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12 oz brown bottle into a clear glass tulip. Bottled 12/4/14 on back label. Purchased at Market Street Wineshop (Charlottesville, VA).
A: Lemon yellow, slightly hazy, 1-finger white head with decent retention but minimal to no lacing.
S: Belgian pils malt sweetness with lemon, apple, and pear with fairly aggressive peppery, phenolic yeast note. Hops are not all that prominent, a little herbal touch.
T: A bold flavor despite the lowish ABV with strong pils breadiness, lemon mixed with apple, pear, and apricot, and finished with phenolic peppery yeast esters. Hop bitterness is medium, more than I would have expected from the nose.
M: Solid medium body with high carbonation and dry finish.
O: A very good Belgian pale ale, but really nothing terribly special. Solid all the way though.
Dec 25, 2014
3.88/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12 oz brown bottle into a clear glass tulip. Bottled 12/4/14 on back label. Purchased at Market Street Wineshop (Charlottesville, VA).
A: Lemon yellow, slightly hazy, 1-finger white head with decent retention but minimal to no lacing.
S: Belgian pils malt sweetness with lemon, apple, and pear with fairly aggressive peppery, phenolic yeast note. Hops are not all that prominent, a little herbal touch.
T: A bold flavor despite the lowish ABV with strong pils breadiness, lemon mixed with apple, pear, and apricot, and finished with phenolic peppery yeast esters. Hop bitterness is medium, more than I would have expected from the nose.
M: Solid medium body with high carbonation and dry finish.
O: A very good Belgian pale ale, but really nothing terribly special. Solid all the way though.
Dec 25, 2014
emottram from Massachusetts
3.4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jun 17, 2015
3.4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jun 17, 2015
Monkeyknife from Missouri
3.85/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Feb 08, 2015
3.85/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Feb 08, 2015
Bill235 from Ohio
3.72/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Jan 08, 2015
3.72/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Jan 08, 2015
DefenCorps from Oregon
3.99/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Been a while since I've tried a new Bells beer.
Light yellow with a thin, white head with decent retention and lacing. The nose is rustic with bread, mild honey, moderate spice - pepper and mild phenols ,- and a great hop character, earthy and mildly lemony. I do get a mild orange peel and grains of paradise character as well. The palate opens with a dry, crisp, snappy cracker malt character and a wonderfully complementary hop flavor and bitterness, a blend of earth, lemons and green grass. The mid palate has some of the yeast expression, spicy and mildly phenolic. Drying and crisp on the finish, this beer is light in body, highly carbonated and has lingering flavors of crackers, earth, lemon and a little floral character. Excellent.
Dec 31, 2014
3.99/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Been a while since I've tried a new Bells beer.
Light yellow with a thin, white head with decent retention and lacing. The nose is rustic with bread, mild honey, moderate spice - pepper and mild phenols ,- and a great hop character, earthy and mildly lemony. I do get a mild orange peel and grains of paradise character as well. The palate opens with a dry, crisp, snappy cracker malt character and a wonderfully complementary hop flavor and bitterness, a blend of earth, lemons and green grass. The mid palate has some of the yeast expression, spicy and mildly phenolic. Drying and crisp on the finish, this beer is light in body, highly carbonated and has lingering flavors of crackers, earth, lemon and a little floral character. Excellent.
Dec 31, 2014
DarkLordPsycho from Pennsylvania
3.68/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Jan 05, 2015
3.68/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Jan 05, 2015
yancot from Canada (ON)
3.5/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Apr 13, 2015
3.5/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Apr 13, 2015
vande from Illinois
3.29/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Feb 13, 2015
3.29/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Feb 13, 2015
Cynic-ale from Texas
3.48/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Jan 29, 2015
3.48/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Jan 29, 2015
Mercury (The Winged Messenger) from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating:
80 out of
100 with
536 ratings
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