Why are Bell's beers either World Class or really "average"?

So it's safe to assume you don't really like American pale wheat ales?

 

Another vote for Expedition Stout and I think their Brown was a standard 10-15 years ago.

 

Approachability makes the world go round.

 

HAA

Hypeslam Oracle and Black note "world class"...

These threads crack me up

 

I say this pretty often. Opinions are like a-holes, we all have one.

 

The opinion on the whole Bells lineup is pretty subjective and, while I like Oberon and don't love it, am happy to see that it's there for the people who freak out when it hits for the season. Same with Best Brown, Cherry Stout, etc...

What isn't subjective is the QUALITY of beer that Bells makes. I can't recall any Bells brews that I've had that I haven't felt like they were made well and were without fermentation flaws, and for as many beers from other "world class" breweries I've picked up fermentation flaws in beers from, that's an immense accomplishment. I'm not a huge fan of Best Brown, but I know Bells practices are solid, so I'd happily drink one if offered or if the pickins were slimmed in comparison to the normal catalog in my local area.

 

Trollolol

 

Who's the Hop King?

 

Amen! I went to a big festival in GR last fall and they had Kal-Haven on tap. I never left their table, literally.... I'd also take Q-Falls in a can!

 

Did you have any in the late 80s? Those had batch variations and often diacetyl.

Now they are consistant, don't have diacetyl, analyze the beers in a well equipped lab, and have a sensory lab where they do tasting panels on the beers. I will put my $ on a Bells beer over some of the other loved MI breweries on this site.

 

Hah thankfully I was barely born at the point that their beer was inconsistent, apparently destiny had me slated to drink Bells beer at its prime.

And I do agree with choosing Bells over other local breweries. I feel blessed that there are two other breweries in our state th at I'd put on that same level, though just a hair behind Bells quality control.

 

While I agree that no brewery has perfect offerings across the board, and also agree that Bell's stands a head above some of the rest, I do think their range of 'okay' to 'awesome' is much broader than the local litmus test of Founder's.

(I do also have to add that I REALLY enjoy a lot of the brews listed as mediocre here...)

 

This and so many breweries make lots of different beers of the same style, I don't need 10+ different IPA's from the same brewery. Bells does a great job making lots of different styles, mores so than almost anyone else.

 

I liked the Mars offering and I really enjoyed the Two-Hearted I had the other day. I would definitely buy that again as a change of pace from what I usually get. On the other hand, I didn't like the Venus at all. I bought a 6 pack based on how much I liked the Mars. I still have 5 of them sitting around.

 

I've always felt this way.. I love Bell's and they've always been one of my favorite breweries, but they can be hit or miss. They've brewed some of my favorite beers, and some of their beers are just "meh".. But that goes for alot of breweries though. But at least Bell's attempts all styles and doesn't play it safe. It's easy for a brewery to focus on and nail the sexy styles and get all of the critical acclaim while ducking other styles.. whatever though..

 

Yeah, and what's the deal with ABinbev making BCBS and Bud Select?

 

A beer that Bell’s make that I think if very good (not world class and not average) is Bell’s Porter. According to BA this beer is rated 87 which means “very good”.

Cheers!

 

Because breweries can't survive only making IPAs and imperial stouts like you seem to want. They also have to make some more neutral flavored beers to appeal to casual beer drinkers and people who enjoy a variety of styles. In reality a lot of their "mediocre" beers are great examples of the style.

 

OP are you fucken kidding me?