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

None impress me-sorry

 

I agree with the other posts that you can have your opinion of those 'average' beers, but you created two lists that skew more beers into the average category which makes Bell's look like it's a pretty average brewery. But you also left out a number of their other beers that most of us would put into the top category or slightly less. The stouts that they brew and bottle (Cherry Stout, Java Stout, Rye Stout, Kalamazoo Stout, etc.), the Consecrator Doppelbock, Third Coast Old Ale and so on, all are well above-average beers. Bell's is a world-class brewery and I think their beers support that position.

 

I've not tried it. I think it's a Pavlovian reaction to SA's Cherry Wheat. *shudder*

 

Hey man, a handful of world-class beers is pretty damn good. Most breweries hover around high-80's low-'90's (according to biased locals typically, mind you) and never put out something even approaching world-class. As far as I'm concerned, Bell's are doing pretty damn well.

 

It's obviously personal taste and partly related to style, but I had almost this exact same conversation with a friend this weekend -- I'm not a big Oracle fan, and I mentioned how Bell's brews 4 beers that I would drink anytime, but nothing else that I even consider above average...(I have not tried Third Coast yet, although I have a few bottles)...

 

Try 'em and decide on your own.

 

Kalamazoo -89, Java Stout - 88, Consecrator - 86, Third Coast - 92, Rye Stout - 87. The lowest of the bunch mention is Cherry Stout at 80. I don't know who you're hearing not great things from, but it's not your fellow BA's here.

 

You forgot Third Coast.

Also, Mars > Oracle

Lastly, I think Venus was quite good. But it's hard to know how to process it because there simply aren't many bears like it.

 

Only one that is worse is 3F's.... Their beer either blows me away or just straight blows.

 

I find all of Bell's beers pretty average. Most overrated brewery to me

 

Bell's Cherry Stout is SO much better than SA Cherry Wheat (and I actually like Cherry Wheat). But they're obviously completely different styles in the first place. So, give the Bell's cherry stout a try if you haven't already.

 

What rating does Bell's have?
It is over-rated compared to what other breweries' ratings?

 

It's a Michigan thing

 

Anyone else beside me love the Oarsman

 

I haven't had a Drie Fonteinen beer that straight blew But seriously. to the OP. I can think of no brewery that covers a broad range of styles and every beer they make is on top of its class. Bells makes great beers and has been for a long time.

 

I love Expedition but if I never see their other beers again, I'd die happy.

 

I personally find their beers (which are highly rated) are rated too high (overrated). They're not bad but not great like they are made out to be

 

Totally agree. I think Oracle is way off balance.

 

I totally agree. I've often thought that craft breweries should just be limited to making dipas and bba + imperial stouts. Having a staple brand that caters to a massive range of the beer market spectrum is just not cool. Bad for business, I tell ya, Bell's making all these crappy beers!