Bells Brewery

I don't understand why people want to question whether or not a brewery is "worth the hype" because they don't care for a small subset of their offerings. There is a similar post by someone questioning if Russian River is all that and a bag of chips!! Really, Russian River!! I don't have a problem with it, it is what makes this forum great. But I think it's a little backwards. Why are we trying to tear down breweries that are trying to be experimental? It is these brewmasters that have been leading the craft revolution out of the dark ages of mass market swill; without them we would still be toasting the High Life. Thanks Larry (Bell's); Thanks Sam (DFH)!!!

Also, do these same people 'question the hype' of breweries that only have a single, albeit amazing, beer (think Heady Topper). Food for thought...

 

Probably the best Amber I have had to date.

Love me some Bell's.

Cheers

 

I can say with 100% certainty that I had it on Oct 19, 2012.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/282822498500887/

 

As a matter of fact, it's hot and humid, I just got off the bike and in defense of Bell's, I just cracked open a nice thick imperial stout! yah right, I raise a cold glass of Obiwan (AKA: Oberon!)!!

I love me some Bell's too.

Prost!!!!

 

...worst beer THAT I'VE HAD. Thought that went without saying.

But really, I'd find it hard to believe that they could make a less appealing beer. Not too fond of the taste of rubber, personally.

 

Black Note was released in January of this year. I'm not sure about prior years, but was most certainly not in the fall with the most recent release....

 

Please review post #67 above. Maybe over there in Illinois you got it Jan.

Or perhaps that's when the bottles were available.

 

I'm not really sure. All I can say is that I bought a case from Bells back in January. But I like your idea better, hopefully its released again in the Fall. That would be excellent!!!

 

Bells is one of my favorite breweries. Do I like all of their beer, no.

For the OP:
Oberon is an American Wheat, but the yeast give it more flavor than many.
Oarsman is their take on a Berliner Weis, it will be tart.
Pale Ale was recently changed to use the Michigan Malt that Bells uses. It always was more like a European Pale Ale than a hop forward Pale Ale.

For Alextricity
The Lager of the Lakes is most like an old school American Lager. Not fond of that one myself, but a strong rubber aroma is one sign of yeast autolysis.

Oh and Founders - more misses than hits for me. We all have different tastes.

 

Oberon is friggin' fantastic when you're having a grill-out or party in your backyard this time of the year. If you're sitting at home pouring Oberon into your snifter and writing a review on BeerAdvocate.. you're doing it wrong.

 

One time in college my girlfriend asked me to buy her some Blue Moon on a Friday night and I got here a six pack of Oberon instead. SHE WAS PISSED, not because she didn't get her Blue Moon (she liked the oberon quite a bit) but because I didn't respect her request.

Bell's taught be a valuable lesson that. Respect peoples requests and don't make decisions for them (even if you are right, I mean I was right, right?!) before you consult. Thank you Bells.


EDIT: In regards to Oberon, I think sometimes people on BA forget a lot of things about Breweries and beer drinkers. There is a specific culture surrounding taste on BA, not that everyone agrees on all beers, but in generally the people found on this website like bigger flavor, higher ABV at times, love their hops, there sours, their RIS, their bourbon barrels. But there is a whole group of people (and one MUCH larger than craft beer nerds) who can still appreciate craft beer but don't want their palates wrecked. They buy beer and breweries will tap (no pun intended) into this group of people. And so we have beers like Oberon which we call "gateway beers" but in reality TONS of people think of this beer as their higher end beer, the pricier get away from Coors. And that is ok, and that doesn't take away from the other products Bell's is creating. It just means they made a nice, light, yeasty beer that is super accessible, subtle, and that they obviously know wont make beer nerds go nuts, but will sell like CRAZY, will bring in huge profits, and that a lot of people associate as THE Bell's beer.

 

I agree that the standards (pale, amber, porter) are pretty meh, and I didn't care for oarsman, but when it's over 90F and 80%+ humidity, and you just finished doing some heavy outdoor activity, Oberon really hits the spots (yes, it hits them all). The only Oberon hype I've ever encountered was because of this, not some bowl you over with flavor character. Just a quenching, flavorful, well-balanced brew.

 

So you like one of the big beers that bells gets fanboys falling over themselves over and can't get into two of their oldest offerings that have made them the kind of money which allows them to make the big crazy beers that cost an arm and a leg and tie up space in the brewery. So you also don't like one of their newer more mild ones, either That's cool. Doesn't mean they have a problem with what they're doing. You do. Drink and learn. Not everyone likes face blasting palate destroyer beer. You gotta remember too. Larry is a die hard Cubs fan.

 

I'm glad the Batch 9000 and Black Note got a mention, but nobody has mentioned "The Oracle". Whats up with that?!

 

this may sound stupid but oberon is great because it is part of a lifestyle, not because its a great craft beer that deserves high reviews. the beer represents relaxation. its about a boat being launched on the first day of summer with a cooler full of ice and oberon. its about beaches, grilling, fishing, swimming, and camp fires. is it a great beer? no but its good and refreshing and it always has a spot in my fridge.

in regards to other bells beers, not all are going to please everyone. some are going to be simple and mild. as a whole however, i think its one of the top breweries in the country. two hearted is one of the best IPAs created and if you factor in how easy it is to get on a regular basis and how affordable it is, then id think it might be the best that ive had. their stouts are just awesome, great specialty beers, just all around great. as a matter of fact, if i could pick one brewery for the rest of my life then bells would be it. two hearted, expedition, double cream, black note, hopslam, oracle, oberon, and hell hath no fury could keep me busy all year. that doesnt even take into acount their one time beers like 9000 and this one goes to 11. i cant say there are too many other breweries that i could say that about. this might actually be a good thread topic.

 

I feel Oberon is very good for the style, and Oarsman is one I really like. Not a fan of their Pale Ale, Lager Beer, or Third Coast; the rest of their seasonal/annual lineup is great. From their specials I am not a fan of the Raspbery/Harvest/Wedding ales. Pretty excellent for a brewery overall

Oracle is probably my favorite, rivaling Expedition and Black Note. Batch 9000 is past prime but was very good before

 

I just had an Expedition Stout that I've had laying around for a while now. It was bottled 8/21/12 I think. Very very good.

 

Two Hearted is in my monthly rotation but admittedly the rest of their yearly selection is relatively weak. Judging Bell's on Oberon is unfair IMO, and Hopslam, Hell Hath No Fury, and This One Goes To 11 all hold special places in my heart.

 

Selling Oberon allows Bell's to keep the lights on and make bigger beers. I think a lot of BA's forget about year-round offerings/non-rare seasonals are the money-makers for Breweries and those people buying cases of Oberon probably mean more to Bell's than someone buying a couple of Hopslams.

 

It is made with brewers licorice, not black licorice. It has no anise flavor. Believe me, I hate anise and it has no trace of it. Kalamazoo stout is an excellent American Stout. Don't hesitate to try it.