Oarsman Ale
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store

Oarsman AleOarsman Ale
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From:
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Pale Wheat Beer
Ranked #173
ABV:
4%
Score:
80
Ranked #26,161
Avg:
3.53 | pDev: 15.3%
Reviews:
661
Ratings:
2,343
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 22, 2023
Added:
Apr 12, 2009
Wants:
  89
Gots:
  368
Kettle-soured wheat ale.

First brewed in 2008 at our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, Oarsman Ale grew out of our desire to explore the tradition of session beers and to create a unique, flavorful experience for everyone, no matter what the occasion.

Tart and refreshing, this sessionable, bright Wheat Ale exudes citrus and lemony aromas from Cascade hops and trades sour intensity for finesse. A perfect companion for any occasion, Oarsman Ale is a beer based in tradition, but with that distinctive Bell’s twist.

A perfect beer to compliment any menu.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Guden:
Photo of Guden
Rated by Guden from Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

Jun 13, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of Bouleboubier
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey

4.02/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
(16 oz nonic glass pour at the brewery)

Clear gold liquid, little foam... Grapefruit on the nose, little else... Lactic lemon (or Key lime) graham cracker crust flavor; not quite as nutty yeasty as many kettle sours, but not far off... Smooth and slow flow, but with an attenuated dry underbelly... basically a Berliner Weisse; Given its abv, I could get down with this, especially for food pairings (about to have whitefish dip with it); only saw it in my market a couple times, but I'll be on the lookout now (2185)
Aug 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.74 by SoundMakesSense from Indiana

Mar 05, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by LAM01833 from Massachusetts

Jul 31, 2022
 
Rated: 4.03 by slimntubbs from Pennsylvania

Oct 31, 2021
 
Rated: 3.69 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 13, 2021
Photo of EMV
Reviewed by EMV from Pennsylvania

3.69/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz can into a Lagunitas masonglass

L: Slightly hazed light golden pour with fluffy white head. Nice ring of lacing.

S: Lemon citrus and wheat/grains.

T.F: Slightly tart... lemon citrus and wheat. A little yeast... light hops. Crisp and easy drinking. Light bodied with fizzy carbonation. A bit of tart lemon at the finish.

O: Very sessionable.... easy drinking with good flavor. They hit what they were aiming for.
Mar 19, 2020
Photo of jft944
Rated by jft944 from Tennessee

3.59/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Nice sour.
Nov 07, 2019
 
Rated: 2.93 by consmienor

Oct 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by DioS from Georgia

Sep 12, 2019
 
Rated: 3.76 by arrowsmith_ from Pennsylvania

Jul 30, 2019
Photo of Amendm
Reviewed by Amendm from Rhode Island

3.59/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A 12-oz. can needed a strong pour to reach a thin finger of creamy white froth with short retention and sliding spots of lacing. Very hazy translucent yellow straw color. Light smell of wheat and lemon, very faint herbal hops. The taste is lightly tart as semi-sweetness battles for 1st place, low bitterness. Wheat malt and toasted Wheat Thins balance well with tart lemon peel. The tartness is stronger at the end and complicates the finish, a tart candy bite lingers. Light body, below average carbonation. Not overly tart, fruitiness from ale yeast keeps things honest. Perfect time of year for this beer.
Jul 27, 2019
Photo of SaltofOH
Reviewed by SaltofOH from Ohio

3.29/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Can dated 5/9/19. Bell’s Tulip! First beer in this glass!

A: pours a hazy bright yellow with one finger of foamy yellow head that leaves behind a thin skim of spotty foam.

S: sour acetic note, wheat. Mild.

T: much like the nose, ever so slightly sour, wheaty, refreshing.

M: light, crisp, soft, mildly carbonated. Clean.

O: I could really dig this with food. Very refreshing, and not so sour as to be off-putting. I’m not a huge sour guy, so I don’t think I could buy a six of this, but I’d buy it for a party.
Jul 03, 2019
Photo of goingbrokeonbeer
Reviewed by goingbrokeonbeer from South Carolina

3.69/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pour a golden yellow color with a nice white head. The smell is a lemon citrus with a touch of wheat. The taste follows the smell with a slight tartness. Overall this is a good summer beer that I’ll be having more of.
Jun 11, 2019
Photo of Nass
Reviewed by Nass from Florida

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
I dig the can artwork, great use of color. There is a canned on date on the bottom. The pour is a hazy yellow sort of like lemonade in the pint glass. The aroma is barnyard funk, lemon tart & the taste is the same along with some citrus zest on the finish. I like this beer although it might not be for everybody. Cheers! B
May 28, 2019
 
Rated: 3.7 by aprabhu from Kentucky

May 19, 2019
Photo of beersampler6
Reviewed by beersampler6 from Michigan

3.69/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pretty damn tasty considering I don’t normally enjoy wheat beers! Tried this one on tap at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe. Pours a hazy darker yellow-golden color with a small amount of foaming white head and a little spotty lingering lacing. Smells surprisingly faintly of wheat, tart fruit, some bright lemon and orange citrus and weaker malt. Taste follows the nose, very nice and light and refreshing. The wheat aftertaste wasn’t too strong or overpowering and there was some nice tartness at the finish. Just a hint of sourness. Light, mild, clean mouthfeel and just enough carbonation. Quite enjoyable!
May 09, 2019
Photo of Caveworm
Reviewed by Caveworm from Ohio

4.27/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Oarsman Ale | Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store. Poured from the bottle into a pint glass, this sports a four finger thick head, webbed lacing, and a medium gold body.

I don't smell much tartness, just wheat.

Okay now I'm getting the tartness. This definitely makes it more lively and refreshing.

Medium-light mouthfeel with mild carbonation.

Oarsman Ale | Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store stands with me at an overall 4.25
Apr 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.82 by markallmon from Tennessee

Mar 17, 2019
Photo of RockHop
Reviewed by RockHop from Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Paired this with a meal featuring olives and feta, and creamy tartness of this brew was a good match. Straw gold color with a couple fingers of head. Light and refreshing with slight lemon notes. Tartness is there, but not overpowering. Reads as a very light brew; probably too light.
Mar 07, 2019
Oarsman Ale from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 2343 ratings