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

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Biff_Tannen, Feb 11, 2015.

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  1. Biff_Tannen

    Biff_Tannen Initiate (0) Dec 8, 2013 Missouri

    As I sit here drinking this pretty "blah" Bell's Mercury, I got to thinking....Almost without exception, this brewery's beers only fall into these 2 categories (at least from what's available to me and what I've had). Let's go through it:

    World Class:
    Hopslam
    Oracle
    Expedition Stout
    Two Hearted
    Black Note

    Average at Best:
    Amber Ale
    Best Brown
    Oberon
    Oarsman
    Mercury
    Venus
    Smitten golden Rye
    Mars
    Midwestern Pale Ale

    What the hell do they have against making a "very good" beer? I have never seen a brewery with such a wide gap in quality among their most popular beers. I'm sure everyone else has noticed this too? What's the deal???
     
    #1 Biff_Tannen, Feb 11, 2015
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  2. semibaked

    semibaked Pooh-Bah (1,897) Mar 27, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Obviously you have your opinions, I definitely disagree with you, I think Amber, Best Brown, and Smitten are all world class in their styles. I think Venus was an experimental beer that just didn't work.
     
    #2 semibaked, Feb 11, 2015
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  3. Tripel_Threat

    Tripel_Threat Grand Pooh-Bah (4,302) Jun 29, 2014 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You take that back about Best Brown right now...
     
    #3 Tripel_Threat, Feb 11, 2015
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  4. Oktoberfiesta

    Oktoberfiesta Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2013 New Mexico

    You can't get them all right. I'm sure they are trying.
     
    #4 Oktoberfiesta, Feb 11, 2015
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  5. Vitacca

    Vitacca Pooh-Bah (2,250) Sep 15, 2010 Montana
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Coming from the guy who started the Hype Slam thread...
     
    #5 Vitacca, Feb 11, 2015
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  6. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Because nobody can hit a home run every time at bat.

    And until after the elections for who is the International Standard Palate, we won't know for sure how accurate your lists are since if you lose that election your lists are only a matter of personal preference.
     
    #6 drtth, Feb 11, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2015
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  7. Jeph222

    Jeph222 Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2014 Pennsylvania

    I think it's just your personal opinion. Oberon is an outstanding beer.
     
    #7 Jeph222, Feb 11, 2015
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  8. PostRockandCats

    PostRockandCats Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2014 Florida

    I think you can say this about any brewery, honestly. It's about preferences.
     
    #8 PostRockandCats, Feb 11, 2015
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  9. forrestbetts

    forrestbetts Zealot (551) Nov 29, 2007 Illinois

    Best Brown is awesome. So is Third Coast Old Ale and their porter. Somewhat agree on some of the others being "average", but I have to respect Bell's (read: Larry Bell's) commitment to no gimmicks, releases, hype, lines, and other nonsensery.
     
    #9 forrestbetts, Feb 11, 2015
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  10. surfcaster

    surfcaster Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2013 North Carolina
    Trader

    The beers you consider "average at best" just happen to correspond to styles that are typically rated lower and less popular to many on this site.

    Maybe you follow this trend.
     
    #10 surfcaster, Feb 11, 2015
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  11. Eddiehop

    Eddiehop Pooh-Bah (2,122) Jun 28, 2014 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    99% of breweries that make world class beers, also make average beers. Sure, there are breweries that are a notch or two above the rest and able to brew a variety of styles and kill it, bit they also have a few turds. Just the way it is IMHO. It's hard to do everything great.
     
    #11 Eddiehop, Feb 11, 2015
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  12. Biff_Tannen

    Biff_Tannen Initiate (0) Dec 8, 2013 Missouri

    This response always confuses me. So why couldn't they figure out it "didn't work" before they bottled it and sold it for $18/6 pack?
     
    #12 Biff_Tannen, Feb 11, 2015
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  13. Hendrick24

    Hendrick24 Pooh-Bah (1,949) Sep 6, 2013 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    As a fan of Bells, their Cherry Stout confounds me.
     
    #13 Hendrick24, Feb 11, 2015
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  14. Tripel_Threat

    Tripel_Threat Grand Pooh-Bah (4,302) Jun 29, 2014 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Kalamazoo Stout is another great one. And second on Third Coast Old Ale.
     
    #14 Tripel_Threat, Feb 11, 2015
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  15. semibaked

    semibaked Pooh-Bah (1,897) Mar 27, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Maybe they enjoyed it, so they put it out.
     
    #15 semibaked, Feb 11, 2015
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  16. semibaked

    semibaked Pooh-Bah (1,897) Mar 27, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Also I say Venus for $13 to $14 for a 6pk around here.
     
    #16 semibaked, Feb 11, 2015
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  17. Biff_Tannen

    Biff_Tannen Initiate (0) Dec 8, 2013 Missouri

    You just proved part of my point. Their opinion of what a good beer is clearly isn't very consistent
     
    #17 Biff_Tannen, Feb 11, 2015
  18. mmars010

    mmars010 Zealot (576) Aug 29, 2012 Virginia

    Special double cream stout, third coast ale and amber ale are all,very good but not great IMO.
     
    #18 mmars010, Feb 11, 2015
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  19. semibaked

    semibaked Pooh-Bah (1,897) Mar 27, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    No I didn't
     
    #19 semibaked, Feb 11, 2015
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  20. PostRockandCats

    PostRockandCats Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2014 Florida

    THIS. I happen to like Doppelbocks and other dark malty lagery tasties, but they are regularly rated lower on BA. A truly awesome example of an unpopular style will always rank lower than an average example of a popular one.
     
    #20 PostRockandCats, Feb 11, 2015
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