-
Stop lurking! Stay logged in to search, review beers, post in our forums, see less ads, and more. Thanks! — Todd
Roundhouse
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- American Amber / Red Ale
Ranked #12 - ABV:
- 7.5%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #10,980 - Avg:
- 4 | pDev: 8.5%
- Reviews:
- 135
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Aug 25, 2022
- Added:
- Feb 25, 2009
- Wants:
- 30
- Gots:
- 91
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good


Notes:
Substantial amounts of late-kettle hop additions and dry-hopping yields a heady blend of fruity aromas of pineapple, peach and citrus. Those aromas continue into a crisply bitter hop presence across the tongue, but the judicious use of toasted and caramel specialty malts prevents the hop intensity from overwhelming the palate.
Locally sourced Michigan honey creates a smooth, dry finish that pulls everything together.
The India Red Ale style is a variation on the IPA, but with more caramel and toasted malt character and a reddish hue.
Roundhouse was first brewed at our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo in 2009.
Locally sourced Michigan honey creates a smooth, dry finish that pulls everything together.
The India Red Ale style is a variation on the IPA, but with more caramel and toasted malt character and a reddish hue.
Roundhouse was first brewed at our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo in 2009.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota
3.99/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Notes from 2016:
Deep crimson coloring, slim beige head.
Big, bold, juicy aromatics, brash hops, rich malts. Ripe fruit.
In the mouth: Hop, hop, hoppy, malt, malt, malty. Big on big and rough and ready. Vibrant hop attack on the palate, with massive malt backing it up. Boom, boom, boom. Tasty stuff, indeed. I like this.
Jul 04, 2021Deep crimson coloring, slim beige head.
Big, bold, juicy aromatics, brash hops, rich malts. Ripe fruit.
In the mouth: Hop, hop, hoppy, malt, malt, malty. Big on big and rough and ready. Vibrant hop attack on the palate, with massive malt backing it up. Boom, boom, boom. Tasty stuff, indeed. I like this.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.56/5 rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.56/5 rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Had this as the 3rd beer in a 6 beer taster flight at the source in Kalamazoo. Server got the order wrong and put this in the #4 spot. I always crack up when they try and fool you or simply don't give a shit.
Anyways, pours the expected reddish light brown auburn territory SRM color scheme, looks healthy, nothing chunky or floaties in it, 1/2" off white head, relatively dense. Aroma was hoppy. A mixture of Amarillo (heavier) and Citra (lighter) push weight, mostly the Amarillo, but enjoyable aroma especially for style. Mixture of caramel and citrus grove. Lands somewhere in the mind between Celebration, Nugget Nectar and Loakal Red.
Taste is also placing itself in the above average category, while there is definitely a caramel component to the malt bill, the honey addition like hopslam seems to give it a drying effect and keep it from being syrup heft thickness and stickiness all for the better. You gotta be a clown to think this is sweet. Every time I find myself knocking red/amber ales, something like this comes along and shows that there are about a half dozen good ones out there.
Sep 20, 2019Anyways, pours the expected reddish light brown auburn territory SRM color scheme, looks healthy, nothing chunky or floaties in it, 1/2" off white head, relatively dense. Aroma was hoppy. A mixture of Amarillo (heavier) and Citra (lighter) push weight, mostly the Amarillo, but enjoyable aroma especially for style. Mixture of caramel and citrus grove. Lands somewhere in the mind between Celebration, Nugget Nectar and Loakal Red.
Taste is also placing itself in the above average category, while there is definitely a caramel component to the malt bill, the honey addition like hopslam seems to give it a drying effect and keep it from being syrup heft thickness and stickiness all for the better. You gotta be a clown to think this is sweet. Every time I find myself knocking red/amber ales, something like this comes along and shows that there are about a half dozen good ones out there.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3/5 rDev -25%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -25%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Canned 9/14/16; drank 10/11/16 @ the Yarchives.
Semi-opaque ruby red appearance.
A rough pour yielded a huge, noisy, khaki head; frothy tree-rung lace.
Honey, caramel & mild grapefruit notes in the nose.
Sticky, medium-thick mouthfeel.
Caramel & honey flavors up front; mild grapefruit bite on the finish.
A sticky, sweet American barleywine mess; insulin injection sold separately. I've had my last.
Sep 02, 2019Semi-opaque ruby red appearance.
A rough pour yielded a huge, noisy, khaki head; frothy tree-rung lace.
Honey, caramel & mild grapefruit notes in the nose.
Sticky, medium-thick mouthfeel.
Caramel & honey flavors up front; mild grapefruit bite on the finish.
A sticky, sweet American barleywine mess; insulin injection sold separately. I've had my last.
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
3.73/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz can into a pint glass. canned 8/3/17,so about 10 months old. do'h!
murky brownish red body with small off white head leading to decent enough lacing.
aroma is malty.
all malt on the taste, slight hop hit towards the end.
well above medium on the mouth, slightly bittersweet on the finish.
overall, given the age, drinkable and not unpleasant in any way. I'm a little ticked off at myself for picking this up at a trusted place and not checking the date properly. will re-review if i ever come across a fresher one.
Jul 05, 2018murky brownish red body with small off white head leading to decent enough lacing.
aroma is malty.
all malt on the taste, slight hop hit towards the end.
well above medium on the mouth, slightly bittersweet on the finish.
overall, given the age, drinkable and not unpleasant in any way. I'm a little ticked off at myself for picking this up at a trusted place and not checking the date properly. will re-review if i ever come across a fresher one.
Reviewed by Lahey from Michigan
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a pretty good red. Has a clear red/amber color. Light caramel and hop smell. Flavor is that of a hoppy red ale. Crisp and enjoyable. Mouthfeel is thinnish but appropriate for the style. Overall a good beer. I appreciate the hops involved, gives it a little more haracter to the beer. Worth a try by anyone interested.
Apr 21, 2018Reviewed by BillRoth from Maryland
4.25/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Enjoyable. Honey was an asset to a decent body, flavor and malt bill consistent with abv. Decent hoppiness..maybe more PA than IPA, but still very tasty
Jan 20, 2018Reviewed by HorseheadsHophead from Colorado
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Hazy, dark crimson red that almost looks light brown in the glass. Topped by a big, creamy tan head that dies down after a few minutes, leaving copious lacing.
S: Sweet citrus; blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, orange peel, pine, earth, hop spice; caramel, honey, dark brown bread.
T: Lots of juicy citrus; blood orange, ruby red grapefruit. A lot of pine sap, and fennel/hop spice. Smooth caramel malt backbone, sweet, but not cloying. Honey adds extra sweetness, culminating in a nice cherry note on the finish. Mild to moderate citrus-pine bitterness provides balance.
F: Medium-bodied, moderately-carbonated. Smooth and slick with both residual sugars and hop oils. Finishes slightly sweet but with lots of balancing bitterness.
O: A solid red ale. I'm really enjoying it.
Jan 06, 2018S: Sweet citrus; blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, orange peel, pine, earth, hop spice; caramel, honey, dark brown bread.
T: Lots of juicy citrus; blood orange, ruby red grapefruit. A lot of pine sap, and fennel/hop spice. Smooth caramel malt backbone, sweet, but not cloying. Honey adds extra sweetness, culminating in a nice cherry note on the finish. Mild to moderate citrus-pine bitterness provides balance.
F: Medium-bodied, moderately-carbonated. Smooth and slick with both residual sugars and hop oils. Finishes slightly sweet but with lots of balancing bitterness.
O: A solid red ale. I'm really enjoying it.
Reviewed by PA-hunter from Pennsylvania
3.75/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured 12oz can into snifter glass. 7.5%
Appearance- Pours a dark amber with a noticeable red tint. High, fluffy light tan head. Low clarity
Smell- Dark grainy, aroma similar to dark bread. Hops and honey linger in the nose as well.
Taste- A dark malt base, rye like. Builds sweeter, some caramel as well. Honey is another taste that comes in, adding more sweetness. Hop bitterness mixes, more of a grassy bitter hop rather than grapefruit or pine. Ends with an earthy bitterness, still retaining some of that honey taste.
Mouthfeel- Medium in body with active carbonation.
Overall- An interesting red ale. Smooth, subtle flavors that blend well. NIce addition with the honey. Nice rye like malt profile as well.
Jan 04, 2018Appearance- Pours a dark amber with a noticeable red tint. High, fluffy light tan head. Low clarity
Smell- Dark grainy, aroma similar to dark bread. Hops and honey linger in the nose as well.
Taste- A dark malt base, rye like. Builds sweeter, some caramel as well. Honey is another taste that comes in, adding more sweetness. Hop bitterness mixes, more of a grassy bitter hop rather than grapefruit or pine. Ends with an earthy bitterness, still retaining some of that honey taste.
Mouthfeel- Medium in body with active carbonation.
Overall- An interesting red ale. Smooth, subtle flavors that blend well. NIce addition with the honey. Nice rye like malt profile as well.
Reviewed by NathanBeets from South Dakota
3/5 rDev -25%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -25%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Without a doubt my least favorite brew from Bell’s.
If you see it, I guess I would buy a can just to give it a shot. But I regret buying the six pack.
Dec 27, 2017If you see it, I guess I would buy a can just to give it a shot. But I regret buying the six pack.
Reviewed by TheRougeBastard from North Carolina
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
interesting this one...I swear I'm tasting apple, and liking it! Roundhouse is a very unique spin on the IPA, if that's what is it is (India Red Ale???) . Extremely drinkable even at 7.5%, does Bell do anything that's questionable...haven't found one yet!!
Dec 10, 2017Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a a deep amber color with a very light tan colored head thumb sized with descent lace.
Aroma is nice caramel malts smells a little chewy with a good dose of citrus hops mango, orange and sweet honey.
Taste is like the nose good rich amber ale, caramel malts, sweet honey and hop grapefruit rind bitterness with some citrus flavor.
Mouthfeel is solid medium or a touch more with fairly level carbonation.
Overall a good solid drinkable amber ale from a good dependable brewery, can't go wrong here.
Dec 08, 2017Aroma is nice caramel malts smells a little chewy with a good dose of citrus hops mango, orange and sweet honey.
Taste is like the nose good rich amber ale, caramel malts, sweet honey and hop grapefruit rind bitterness with some citrus flavor.
Mouthfeel is solid medium or a touch more with fairly level carbonation.
Overall a good solid drinkable amber ale from a good dependable brewery, can't go wrong here.
Roundhouse from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
601 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!