Bells Brewery

not my debate. since you mention your words & context, to be fair, i do think you should factor in or recognize what you taste that doesn't impress you is not automatically related to "quality". sorta' like it wouldn't exactly be cool for us to jump to questioning the 'quality ' of your palate just because something doesn't appeal to you that we might think is fine or appealing to others.

 

I with you on Oberon, but I love Oarsman. Bells was making a great Berliner Weiss-style beer in Oarsman, before it was a trendy style (like now). Great, sessionable, refreshing beer.

 

Hopslam one of the Best DIPA
Expedition Stout one of the Best not BA Stouts
Third Coast Ale is amazing and unappreciated
Haven't had a chance to get black not, but everyone seems to love it.
I can't think of any brewery that 100% of what they make is considered GOLD, but Bell's comes very close.
I'm not a fan of Oberon, or the Oarsman either, but they do make a lot of quality beer.

 

I've had Oberon in the bottle and have been disappointed. Oberon from a keg is much better and i can drink it without complaining. I saw mini kegs for $19.99 today. I may consider getting one of those but I would need help with that of course.

 

I know that Oberon gets a lot of excitement around it in Michigan because it marks the beginning of summer. Anyone who has ever lived up north knows that the first hint of the end of winter is a big deal. Anyone who has lived up north also knows that this is rather ironic because Oberon is released in March, about 3 months before summer weather even begins to peek its head out.


It turns out living in the south is at least good for one thing.

 

From a jaded West Coaster born and raised in San Diego - Bell's is one of the greatest breweries/producers of fine ales on the planet - and i've traveled most of it - keep up the good work!

Wish we got any of them out West - especially Two Hearted Ale - my goodness that shit is gold!

 

Not saying its a bad beer but am i the only one that thinks oarsman is slightly mis-categorized. I remember it being a little tart, like a wit or some saisons, but not to the extent of most BW's I've had.

 

Mini-kegs FTW!

 

They changed the Oberon recipe years ago...it used to be unfiltered and cloudy in appearance with a much fuller mouthfeel...not to mention when it first came out in bombers and was called Solsun...cant remember exactly when but this beer used to taste so amazing...I love several Bells beers and they are my favorite brewery but when they changed this magical beer, its never been quite as good...

 

Expedition is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Kalamazoo stout is severely underrated in today's world of big stouts. My third favorite no-frills stout behind SN Stout and Deschutes Obsidian. Wonderful brew.

 

Bells has alot of great beers, but I'm gonna touch on Christmas ale, I think it is to winter what oberon is to summer!

 

The problem is you're comparing an imperial IPA to 3 standard style/session beers. I don't think I've ever expected to be blown away by a Pale Ale from any brewery or any beer with 5% abv or lower...I mean seriously, Oarsman is a solid lawnmower beer! Know your styles and their purposes and you'll appreciate more beer, not just the big, over the top specialties.

 

Bells does not filter their ales. The brewery has said that sometimes the yeast will drop out quicker than others. My local bar will rock the keg now and then to keep the yeast in suspension.

The name change came from a Cease and Desist letter from the Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma Brewery in Mexico, as they said the name could be confused with their Sol brand of beer.

Has the beer's recipe changed, I don't know, but it is a simple beer style. In a print interview, Larry Bell had said it has changed, better process control leaves less diacetyl in the beer.

 

wild one, one of the best sours in the game. period.

 

any more than a knuckle deep and you're asking for trouble

 

Show me a person that loves every beer a particular brewery makes, I'll show you a liar. With the exception of breweries that only focus on 1 or 2 beers. Bells couldn't possibly put out that many beers, and have every beer drinker think that they are all fantastic. I'll tell you this, if I'm at a buddy's house and he hands me a Bells beer. I dont care what it is, I'll drink it.