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Quinannan Falls
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:
- India Pale Lager (IPL)
- ABV:
- 6.3%
- Score:
- 89
- Avg:
- 3.97 | pDev: 9.57%
- Reviews:
- 197
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 18, 2020
- Added:
- Jun 07, 2010
- Wants:
- 83
- Gots:
- 98
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good


Notes:
Formerly Bell's Quinannan Falls Lager
Literally born in a dream: Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery, dreamt that he was at the mystically hidden retreat of Quinannan Falls, somewhere in the boreal north.
Neither Quinannan Falls nor the beer actually existed outside his imagination, but he remembered enough about it to sketch a recipe and label, which was put into full form by Michigan artist Kathleen Kalinowski, the following morning.
The end result is a dry-hopped lager that possesses a crisp, dry bitterness you would expect from a German pilsner, but the use of highly aromatic Simcoe hops from the Pacific Northwest, evoke the fragrant pine forests that inspired this beer.
Literally born in a dream: Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery, dreamt that he was at the mystically hidden retreat of Quinannan Falls, somewhere in the boreal north.
Neither Quinannan Falls nor the beer actually existed outside his imagination, but he remembered enough about it to sketch a recipe and label, which was put into full form by Michigan artist Kathleen Kalinowski, the following morning.
The end result is a dry-hopped lager that possesses a crisp, dry bitterness you would expect from a German pilsner, but the use of highly aromatic Simcoe hops from the Pacific Northwest, evoke the fragrant pine forests that inspired this beer.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by rapayn01 from Kentucky
3.75/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Backfilling here. I had what was likely a taster at a local pub back in July 2016. On Untappd, I posted that it was "Pretty tasty for a lager. Surprisingly, actually." Since I'm not a fan of the style, that's pretty high praise. Will look to give this another try this summer.
May 04, 2020Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.84/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this as beer #4 in a 6 beer flight at the source in Kalamazoo at the end of May 2014. Right off the bat I kinda chuckled at the commercial tug job referencing the Simcoe hop as an aromatic one.
Pours light and yellow like a lager should. 1/2" white head. Nice aroma on it, I like higher hopped lagers. Bit of that mythical forest in the aroma.
Taste was cool. Bright, crisp, hoppy. Surprised the Simcoe hop worked as well as it did. Gave off a C hop like forest effect. While only 45 ibu, it does come across a tad higher than that. I hope they bring this out west with their new foray into distribution out here. Just not enough hoppy lagers on shelves. Not enough appreciation for the drinkability of something like this, no Chicago pours, just lots of goodness you can pound 12 oz at a time, and it doesn't get tiring or oppressive. Falls into equal territory between ipa and ipl given that the yeast isn't really discernable as a lager, but the other qualities (hopping aside) support the designation.
Sep 20, 2019Pours light and yellow like a lager should. 1/2" white head. Nice aroma on it, I like higher hopped lagers. Bit of that mythical forest in the aroma.
Taste was cool. Bright, crisp, hoppy. Surprised the Simcoe hop worked as well as it did. Gave off a C hop like forest effect. While only 45 ibu, it does come across a tad higher than that. I hope they bring this out west with their new foray into distribution out here. Just not enough hoppy lagers on shelves. Not enough appreciation for the drinkability of something like this, no Chicago pours, just lots of goodness you can pound 12 oz at a time, and it doesn't get tiring or oppressive. Falls into equal territory between ipa and ipl given that the yeast isn't really discernable as a lager, but the other qualities (hopping aside) support the designation.
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland
3.89/5 rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.89/5 rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
IPL. 12 ounce container canned about 4 months ago. That should be good, right?
Pours, like many an IPL, unnervingly clear. Pale yellow. The color is indistinguishable from Bud, although it's much less fizzy.
Smells sharp, sweet, and pleasantly yeasty with a decent little hop kick. Reminds me of the good old imperial pilsners, though perhaps a bit less hoppy.
Tastes astringently sweet up front--not horrible but not great. It gets hoppier in the middle and finishes with a very fine yeast profile. The beer is solid, but were it not for a rough front end it would be much better.
Nov 29, 2018Pours, like many an IPL, unnervingly clear. Pale yellow. The color is indistinguishable from Bud, although it's much less fizzy.
Smells sharp, sweet, and pleasantly yeasty with a decent little hop kick. Reminds me of the good old imperial pilsners, though perhaps a bit less hoppy.
Tastes astringently sweet up front--not horrible but not great. It gets hoppier in the middle and finishes with a very fine yeast profile. The beer is solid, but were it not for a rough front end it would be much better.
Reviewed by JimboBrews54 from Michigan
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
If two hearted had a light beer, this would be it. This definitely has a lot of those bitter notes, but this has the lighter side of the coin because of the lager instead of the IPA notes.
Oct 08, 2018Reviewed by Brewno8it from Missouri
3.45/5 rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Look: Average yellow color and foam head of an adjunct lager.
Smell: Piney and grassy.
Taste: Light to smooth medium body, piney and resinous taste. Hop bitterness forward.
Feel: The feel is my favorite part of this IPL. Reminds me of a session IPA.
Oct 01, 2018Smell: Piney and grassy.
Taste: Light to smooth medium body, piney and resinous taste. Hop bitterness forward.
Feel: The feel is my favorite part of this IPL. Reminds me of a session IPA.
Reviewed by garymuchow from Minnesota
3.75/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Very pale and very clear. Full white head. Initial aroma is of pale malt and some soft yeast, but not much for hops, if any. Hops show up in the taste but they are soft and well blended. Good hit on the bitterness and and strong hop finish with some drying. I should probably give this a try when it's fresher to see if the aroma and taste has more evidence of hop flavors.
Clean and lager crisp.
Drinks very nicely.
A gift from an employee. Thanks Anne.
Sep 22, 2018Clean and lager crisp.
Drinks very nicely.
A gift from an employee. Thanks Anne.
Reviewed by beersampler6 from Michigan
3.56/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.56/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A little disappointing as I expect great things from this usually-reliable local brewery. Nice clear golden color with a little lingering head and some nice sheets of lingering lacing. Smells off though - kind of sour and dank, but not in a good way. Tastes much better - some grassy and herbal hops, grain, malt and caramel with just a hint of vanilla. Smooth mild mouthfeel and great carbonation. Likely wouldn’t try it again though. Bell’s has so many other better beers.
Sep 18, 2018Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a pale yellow gold color with a foamy white head that lasts quite a while. No discernable aroma. Tastes of lemon. Dry crisp finish. Smooth mouth feel.
Aug 18, 2018Reviewed by Newbeergeek1 from Maine
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another very solid beer from one of the best breweries in the USA. Nice color, nice head, no overwhelming anything in the taste just all very well put together. I had never heard of this brew until I saw it at a Total Wine one Orlando. BSed on the brewery I said what the hell. Glad I did. II would buy it again if I see it.
Aug 13, 2018Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Pours a very clear golden with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has nice lemongrass hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a nice lemongrass flavor
M-A light bodied well carbonated beer
O-A nice refreshing lager beer
Aug 12, 2018A-Aroma has nice lemongrass hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a nice lemongrass flavor
M-A light bodied well carbonated beer
O-A nice refreshing lager beer
Reviewed by WesWes from New York
3.97/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
The beer pours a pale straw color with a thick frothy white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a clean, crisp pilsner malt and German hop aroma. It's light and refreshing, but I don't get an overwhelming dry hop aroma. The taste is good. It has a smooth, pilsner malt flavor that goes down easy and finishes dry and bitter. It has a good deal of German hop flavor, but nothing too crazy. The mouthfeel is fine. It's a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a tasty lager that makes good use of both malt and hops, but nothing really stands out. That's alright though. It's an easy drinking beer regardless.
Aug 06, 2018Reviewed by Tripel_Threat from Michigan
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from can to goblet. Light straw colored clear liquid with a finger of foam. Nice piney hop aromas float up from the glass, with some crackery malt. Flavor is bready malt complimented by a nice peppery bite and a slight pine finish. Clean and refreshing.
Aug 04, 2018Reviewed by jkrich from Florida
3.9/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is a new product down here in the Florida panhandle - one that I have always wanted to try. Poured from a 12 oz. dated can: clear, golden-yellow with a foamy, white head. Canned less than a month ago, this one is very fresh.
Quite aromatic for a lager, this one seems to have some pumped-up European style hops.
Perhaps you can describe this as a pilsner on steroids, but "India Pale Lager" will do. The lager begins with a dry and crisp mouthfeel and ends with a satisfyingly bitter hop profile; hints of lemon and vanilla and flavorful cracker-like malt. This may be the lager's answer to champagne with sharp carbonation and a dry finish.
I am very pleased to see this available down here. Thirst-quenching and immensely quaffable at 6.3 percent ABV. I will certainly look for this one again at the liquor store.
Jul 29, 2018Quite aromatic for a lager, this one seems to have some pumped-up European style hops.
Perhaps you can describe this as a pilsner on steroids, but "India Pale Lager" will do. The lager begins with a dry and crisp mouthfeel and ends with a satisfyingly bitter hop profile; hints of lemon and vanilla and flavorful cracker-like malt. This may be the lager's answer to champagne with sharp carbonation and a dry finish.
I am very pleased to see this available down here. Thirst-quenching and immensely quaffable at 6.3 percent ABV. I will certainly look for this one again at the liquor store.
Quinannan Falls from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
682 ratings
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