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Amber Ale
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- From:
- Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- American Amber / Red Ale
Ranked #39 - ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 86
Ranked #18,366 - Avg:
- 3.84 | pDev: 11.72%
- Reviews:
- 1,049
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 26, 2024
- Added:
- Mar 12, 2001
- Wants:
- 182
- Gots:
- 668
The beer that helped build our brewery; Bell’s Amber Ale features both toasted and sweet caramel notes from carefully selected malts, balanced with herbal and citrus hop aromas. Capped by a clean bitterness, it’s incredibly versatile with food, but very tasty on its own.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JAA:
Reviewed by JAA from Florida
3.59/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.59/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Okay, i really couldn't care less about a beer's label art, but a Heron? Come on, it doesn't exactly scream "Buy me". However, out of the bottle and in the glass, it appears more respectable. A good lookin' dark and cloudy amber with a nice and fluffy, one finger head. The head didn't stay long, but fortunately, neither did the beer. Probably due too it's outstanding drinkability. More on that later.
Kind of a let-down on the aroma. A faint cararmel note is about the only identifiable smell in there.
The taste however, did not disappoint. A good example of the style. Not overpowering in the hops department. A biscuity malt foundation, mild bitter hoppiness, and a clean white grape finish. Nothing overpowers.
Mouthfeel is, dare i say it(?), a little watery. Come on, it's one of their weakest brews, they can make a beer for a hot, sunny, sunday afternoon and not be called wimps.
This beer is exactly what i called it in the last paragraph. A five and a half percent amber ale, meant to be a refreshing, yard work beverage. The only shame that Bell's should feel is the similarity of Budweisers' American Ale. Or maybe, they should feel pride that a giant of the industry picked one of their products to clone.
Don't get me wrong though, this is a far superior amber ale when compared to Budweisers'.
Jun 09, 2009Kind of a let-down on the aroma. A faint cararmel note is about the only identifiable smell in there.
The taste however, did not disappoint. A good example of the style. Not overpowering in the hops department. A biscuity malt foundation, mild bitter hoppiness, and a clean white grape finish. Nothing overpowers.
Mouthfeel is, dare i say it(?), a little watery. Come on, it's one of their weakest brews, they can make a beer for a hot, sunny, sunday afternoon and not be called wimps.
This beer is exactly what i called it in the last paragraph. A five and a half percent amber ale, meant to be a refreshing, yard work beverage. The only shame that Bell's should feel is the similarity of Budweisers' American Ale. Or maybe, they should feel pride that a giant of the industry picked one of their products to clone.
Don't get me wrong though, this is a far superior amber ale when compared to Budweisers'.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Megamike1984
3.77/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.77/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I liked it. I didn't really get a citrus taste. It was more malty with carmel and medium toastiness. The hop flavor was more grassy maybe a little piney. Though like I said, I didn't really get a citrus note.
Feb 26, 2024Reviewed by scottishdrinker from Scotland
3.62/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
3.62/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
16 oz (473 ml) can into a pint glass. Amber or iced-tea color. Smelled of faint grains, pine, grass, etc.
Taste was typical ale taste. not bitter at all. No idea what the ibu was. Mouth feel was dry, crisp, refreshing
Overall a very good ale. Tastes best imho when kept at 50-55 F (10-13 C).
P.S.: I don't get the obsession with ice-cold. Too cold and you run the risk of ice crystals/ruined flavor.
Jan 21, 2024Taste was typical ale taste. not bitter at all. No idea what the ibu was. Mouth feel was dry, crisp, refreshing
Overall a very good ale. Tastes best imho when kept at 50-55 F (10-13 C).
P.S.: I don't get the obsession with ice-cold. Too cold and you run the risk of ice crystals/ruined flavor.
Rated by guitarguyny from New York
3.5/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Not impressed, especially for the price. Too bitter/hoppy. Not what I was expecting.
Oct 19, 2023Reviewed by Cathartes from Massachusetts
3.99/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Full disclosure - I bought this entirely so I could keep the bird artwork :)
12 oz bottle acclimated to 43°F and poured into a nonic pint.
Pours a slightly cloudy, partially bronzed/rusted orange with a 1 finger sudsy off white head, leaving little lacing.
Initial aroma is plum/prune, dried cherry, fresh wood, caramel, and a tiny hint of dutch cocoa powder?
After agitating I'm hit with a funky dairy like yeast with a hint of plum/prune.
Initial taste before swallowing is very sweet, a little dairy funk, dried cherry, toffee, caramel.
After swallowing I first get slightly tart with some black and red cherry, then Dutch cocoa powder, then prune, then dry metallic bitterness, all three on the top middle and sides of the tongue, then dry metallic bitterness that isn't too strong, lasting into the aftertaste where it's joined by a surprisingly strong fresh and bright grassy taste.
Mouthfeel is not too eventful honestly, but it does feel good. It's got some body, which slows one somewhat when drinking it. It's almost, spongy? I don't know if that makes any sense, it's just the only descriptor I can find to convey my feelings on it. Good mouthfeel, just not too much going on.
Overall it's in a nice place, not simple and not complicated. I find personally that this can decide my feelings on a beer will be pleasant or lackluster depending on whether I go into it feeling not particularly enthused or hyped up. In this case I wasn't really looking for anything special and that made me look at this one retrospectively as something that would be great as one to drink with attention and while enjoying, but casually, and not while really analyzing, or just as a turn your brain off beer. I definitely enjoyed the mix of cherry/caramel/chocolate flavors, it's funny because every time I go into an amber ale my brain really tells me to expect a pale ale, and then I'm always impressed and pleased by what I taste. The grassy flavor was surprisingly strong, and definitely unexpected. I can't say it worked well but it didn't bother me at all.
I will likely buy again but it's not one I'll be regularly seeking out.
Oct 13, 202312 oz bottle acclimated to 43°F and poured into a nonic pint.
Pours a slightly cloudy, partially bronzed/rusted orange with a 1 finger sudsy off white head, leaving little lacing.
Initial aroma is plum/prune, dried cherry, fresh wood, caramel, and a tiny hint of dutch cocoa powder?
After agitating I'm hit with a funky dairy like yeast with a hint of plum/prune.
Initial taste before swallowing is very sweet, a little dairy funk, dried cherry, toffee, caramel.
After swallowing I first get slightly tart with some black and red cherry, then Dutch cocoa powder, then prune, then dry metallic bitterness, all three on the top middle and sides of the tongue, then dry metallic bitterness that isn't too strong, lasting into the aftertaste where it's joined by a surprisingly strong fresh and bright grassy taste.
Mouthfeel is not too eventful honestly, but it does feel good. It's got some body, which slows one somewhat when drinking it. It's almost, spongy? I don't know if that makes any sense, it's just the only descriptor I can find to convey my feelings on it. Good mouthfeel, just not too much going on.
Overall it's in a nice place, not simple and not complicated. I find personally that this can decide my feelings on a beer will be pleasant or lackluster depending on whether I go into it feeling not particularly enthused or hyped up. In this case I wasn't really looking for anything special and that made me look at this one retrospectively as something that would be great as one to drink with attention and while enjoying, but casually, and not while really analyzing, or just as a turn your brain off beer. I definitely enjoyed the mix of cherry/caramel/chocolate flavors, it's funny because every time I go into an amber ale my brain really tells me to expect a pale ale, and then I'm always impressed and pleased by what I taste. The grassy flavor was surprisingly strong, and definitely unexpected. I can't say it worked well but it didn't bother me at all.
I will likely buy again but it's not one I'll be regularly seeking out.
Reviewed by reynoldsmc75 from Minnesota
4.73/5 rDev +23.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.73/5 rDev +23.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Old school traditional ale with tons of taste without the excessive hop overload. The color is brilliant and
the taste is outstanding. Decent head, with a solid body and feel. I’m truly surprised this beer is not rated 90+.
To each their own, but this is in my opinion a must buy & try beer. Thank you again Bells!
Oct 07, 2023the taste is outstanding. Decent head, with a solid body and feel. I’m truly surprised this beer is not rated 90+.
To each their own, but this is in my opinion a must buy & try beer. Thank you again Bells!
Reviewed by SWOhio-aquifer from Ohio
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Though I rated this already. First time I tried this was about 20 years ago. It was one of the first craft brews available in the Midwest. Still damn good near perfect balance. It's a shame bell's get bought out because this recipe won't last too long.
Sep 14, 2023Reviewed by Deaconmark from Illinois
4.13/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.13/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The toasty taste hits the buds pretty quick. Nice mouth feel without being overly sweet. Nice almost burnt malt taste, yet not burnt. It has hops to hold up the malt and a tremendous balanced beer for the style. A real stable beer that has proved itself to be a standard. I have to get this more often.
Jun 03, 2023Reviewed by branko7 from Illinois
4.06/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.06/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This amber ale is well-rounded and tasty. You can taste both the sweet and toasted malts, there's a noted presence of hops, and a curious, almost Belgian-tasting hint on the edge. Add a nice mouthfeel and a pleasant light brown color. Excellent.
May 06, 2023Reviewed by ramseye4 from Virginia
3.49/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
3.49/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Relatively thin appearance, amber color (duh), lots of sentiment floating lazily about, minimal head
Aroma is malty but extremely faint. I had to get my nose wet to really smell it
Malty sweetness in the taste. Toffee, some caramel, a bit of booze in the finish
Superb mouthfeel
Overall it’s very drinkable, and pleasant, just unexceptional
Apr 21, 2023Aroma is malty but extremely faint. I had to get my nose wet to really smell it
Malty sweetness in the taste. Toffee, some caramel, a bit of booze in the finish
Superb mouthfeel
Overall it’s very drinkable, and pleasant, just unexceptional
Reviewed by Reef from South Carolina
4.18/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at WECO Beergarden.
Clear reddish orange, one finger fine white head, spotty lacing, surface continents and ring.
Malty aroma dominates, light pepper and caramel present.
Lightly sweet malt, caramel, ginger, brown bread flavors.
Good carbonation and light hoppy bite.
Crisp, with a good combination of flavors. More refined than many other Amber Ales. I’m always glad to see it on a tap list.
Apr 19, 2023Clear reddish orange, one finger fine white head, spotty lacing, surface continents and ring.
Malty aroma dominates, light pepper and caramel present.
Lightly sweet malt, caramel, ginger, brown bread flavors.
Good carbonation and light hoppy bite.
Crisp, with a good combination of flavors. More refined than many other Amber Ales. I’m always glad to see it on a tap list.
Amber Ale from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
3408 ratings
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