Bell's Oberon Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

daledeee

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had a draw of this while in Wisconsin, This prompted me to by a six pack. The tap beer was GOOD! Good head nice taste. I bought a six pack of it to bring home. I opened the beer. No head. The nose was still OK. Some fruit, yeast and malt. The taste still had some bite. But overall it was just flat tasting compared to the keg stuff. The only thing that saved the review is that this is good tasting beer. Good malt character and some bite. I will try this again. It must be the batch.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2003 16:29:56 | More by daledeee

MissOrch

New York

4.08/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I poured one of these for me, and one for a friend. Hers was a lovely, smooth, cloudy caramel color, and mine poured lots of yeasty, chunky sediment. The head on both was thin and fine, with delicate lacing down the sides.

The beer smelled strongly of apricots and slightly yeasty. The fruity smell was more tart than sweet, and reminded me of Magic Hat's #9. There was no sweetness or tartness to the taste. It was very crisp and clean, a little yeasty, and a very light mouthfeel. This is decent summer ale, light, no heavy tastes, although the flavor is slightly lacking. It's extremely drinkable, however. I had two, and that's a lot for me in one setting (short attention span).

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2003 07:17:20 | More by MissOrch

BierReise

Florida

3.18/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Looks like a Belgian Wit, deep honey colored with thin white head., wnd little retention. Aroma is a bit yeasty with heavy wheat malt presence. Very crisp on the palate which reminds me of a belgian style. Flavor is mediocre. A somewhat generic bland flavor to it that reminds me of Blue Moon's white. No great flavors really jumping out at you. Finishes slightly bitter, and a little stale.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2003 13:06:07 | More by BierReise

Mitchster

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

OG=1.057, 6.0% ABV.

Brewed with wheat malt and Saaz hops.

One of my favorite things to look forward to in the summer, Bell's Oberon is my quintessential summer beer. Poured with the yeast, the lovely brew is milky peach with occasional flocculant clumps of white yeast floating down the side of my goblet. The head is decent sized, but quickly thinning, white in color atop fine bubbles. The retention and lacing are "just" good, which prevents it from getting an exceptional rating for appearance. Carbonation is less than most wits, in the mild to moderate range. Aroma is tantalizing: husky, sweet pale malts, a very fruity ferment with notes of peach, red apples and pears, filling it out is wet, yeasty bread dough and barely detectable alcohol. Hops are barely discernable, if at all. Mouthfeel is unbelievably smooth and creamy for a bottled beer..it covers the tongue and leaves a pleasant lingering sweetness with a wet finish akin to an authentic English Mild. Taste begins with bready malts, has just a smidge of hops balancing out the fruitiness, doughy yeast fills the mouth, ending in a silky smooth, very mild bitterness.

Addenum: I have been drinking this beer for at least 10 years (back when it was called Solsun) and my only beef is that it is the most inconsistent of Bell's brews, even varying between bottles of the same 6-pack. I have tried this about 10 tens this year (2005) and all 10 times it has sucked. If I were to go by this years experience, I would be hard pressed to give it a 2.5. Since the move to Comstock, this is now a yeasty pungent swill. Somebody has fucked up big time. The rating above is based upon my prior tastings, and I can't recommend it any further.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2003 15:06:07 | More by Mitchster

jcalabre

California

3.23/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Originally sampled on 2 October 2002. This beer pours a cloudy yellow color. The flavor has a nice bite on the palate. It very much reminds me of a white beer. I think that this is a pretty good American wheat. Not one of Bell's best, but certainly very good.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2003 20:35:19 | More by jcalabre

hotstuff

Indiana

3.03/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured a large envigorating white creamy head with fine bubbles. The aroma appeared to be citrusy. The lacing was sparse on the sides of my glass. It was bitter tasting and it left a lingering aftertaste. I was expecting a better brew than what this one turned out to be.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2003 08:09:09 | More by hotstuff

Brent

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm not sure what I have here. Certainly a wheat, lightly tart and clean, but not at all a phenolic German, a fruity Belgian or an insipid American. Surpising caramel malt notes well balanced with the wheat flavors. Not like any wheat I've had before. Not spectacular, but interesting and ejoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2003 07:16:17 | More by Brent

Winter

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy golden orange with a fluffy white head. A lot of particles are visibly suspended in the body. Aroma consists of wheat, citrus, baking pizza dough, some sweetness and just a hint of banana. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, starting off smooth then turning crisp. Pleasant wheat flavor with a hoppy bitterness in the middle. A citrus finish rounds things out and has a lingering grainy quality to it. A very refreshing summer ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2003 10:29:43 | More by Winter

francisweizen

Australia

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

An excellent American wheat beer. This pours a nice peach-y colour with an ample, creamy head. The aromas are of wheat, yeast, and spice. The taste? A combination of the afforementioned three things. The mouthfeel, not too thick and never too thin. The drinkability? Endless. One of the best American wheat beers.

Cheers to KennyD for the sample!
-F

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2003 12:49:13 | More by francisweizen

mmthompson33

Kansas

4.47/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is a king among summer wheat beers. Take a while to stare down the artsy sun on the label, and it will put you in the mood for an Oberon. It's a Saturday afternoon type of beer - a great lead in to a long night. Fruity, lemonish and light. The perfect summer beer. If this beer were an artist it would be Van Gogh.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2003 21:47:14 | More by mmthompson33

BigHead

Arizona

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A golden orange, cloudy beer with a thin head. I detect the wheat presence in the aroma along with tangerines and hints of lemon. The wheat malt provides a nice texture, smooth, crisp flavor. An array of fruity flavors, but mild and very refreshing. A mild hop presence. Very drinkable, as noted on the bottle, a great summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2003 14:18:15 | More by BigHead

dwarbi

New York

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours almost no head. Fizzy. VERY cloudy. Looks almost solid. Apricot/Peach/yellowish color. Nice, strong wheat aroma, some cloves. Strong presence on the tongue. Oddly bitter aftertaste. Not as crisp and refreshing as most wheats. Very earthy. I could have a few in a sitting, though. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2003 17:52:08 | More by dwarbi

ZAP

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an enjoyable wheat beer although it lacks the strong banana and cloves smell and taste I love in Hefe's...The nose on this is yeasty with a strong whiff of sweet pinneaples..body is light...low carbonation...Nice sweetness...Extremely thirst quenching...a great, easy drinking summer beer with a nice taste but lacking in special qualities I like in my Hefe's..seems ot be a mix of a Whit and an American Wheat and a great hybrid at that...If you want a traditional Bavarian Hefe this isn't it...if you want a tasty easy drinking summer wheat beer then this is for you

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2003 16:00:14 | More by ZAP

Loki

North Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled in a 12 oz bottle.

Poured a cloudy honey color witha a faint head that remained throughout and provided good lacing.

The aromas from Oberon where honey, orange peel, banana bread, cinamon, wheat, and floral hints.

Tastes of honey, citrus, butterscotch, and orange cream. Medium body, smooth, with a faint bitter finishes that goes down very smoothly.

A slightly unique wheat beer, but fantastic and one of my new overall favorite beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2003 20:57:47 | More by Loki

MJR

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a pale gold with only a touch of cloudiness, less than expected actually. It's foamy white head starts off small and stays that way, leaving a fair amount of lace on the glass.

Smell: Fresh smelling aroma of wheat, spicy Saaz hops, chalky yeast, and lemony citrus.

Taste: Spicy and tart with a nice balance between the tart wheat, citrus notes, and the bready, chalky yeast. Has a relaxed and very unassertive flavor profile. Finishes with a smooth spiciness. Very refreshing!

Mouthfeel: It's creamy and rich from the start, which turns a bit crisp on the finish. Medium in body from the suspended yeast.

Drinkability: Good for what it is. I'm not a fan of the American wheat style because I think, for the most part, it's a boring, bland style of beer. However, this one is pretty good, and I could see myself drinking a few of these when the weather turns hot and sticky during the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2003 15:17:28 | More by MJR

maxpower

Missouri

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bright orange-yellowish color with small suspended yeast particles floating around, has a small white head that doesn't last, light citrus aroma, light bready, malty flavors it leaves a flowery aftertaste.It has a very creamy and full mouthfeel, not as spicy and fruity as I remember, still very enjoyable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2003 17:07:09 | More by maxpower

jeffboo

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer says Summer to me. Yes, it does speak, and it says- shhhhh don't say anything, listen to me bubble. Look at my cloudy golden, orange color with slight white head. Smell me - I'm all about spice and everything nice, like clove and vanilla,earthy hop, and a hint of sweet malt to tempt you. Come, taste me, I'm quite yummy if I do say so myself. My aroma follows into the flavor- spicy and yeasty, clove and vanilla, citrusy hop, orange rind finish. My medium body is perfect for holding these flavors, maybe a touch heavier than needed but still refreshing as a summer quencher. I look to my glass to reply but, alas, she is gone........

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2003 07:19:11 | More by jeffboo

marburg

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It looks good.

Too bad that's kind of where it ends.

Oberon is, in my opinion, one of Michigan's most over-rated beers. It's by no means a bad beer, but I just don't think it deserves the attention it receives.

Pours more or less like any other wheat beer -- a little cloudiness in its orange-gold color with a big white head. Mild citrus aromas but fairly undistinguished and simple. Taste is smooth, malty, fruity, and a little buttery up front; but it moves to a crisp hop bitterness at the back. To me, the flavors just don't match up. It's jarring more than balanced. It's OK, but it's certainly not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2003 11:08:40 | More by marburg

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a foggy darker yellow color with a medium white head. Aroma of yeast and light hops. Light bodied with flavors of hops and fruit but not in big doses. Finish is crisp and progressively bitter throughout the glass. I found this to be a little mundane but it was not too bad.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2003 06:28:42 | More by Dogbrick

bditty187

Nebraska

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cloudy honey-yellow/orangey hue, the white head peaked at a finger’s worth before quickly fading to a soapy residue, minimal lace. The nose is a nice combination of toasty wheat, hints of tart lemon with a whisper of floral/earthy hops… inviting, somewhat weak though. Tasty palate, excellently constructed… mildly tart, yeast is noticeable, faintly citric… fruity… light doughiness. Oberon has lots of subtle (and tasty) qualities about it. Medium-light body, ideal… perfectly carbonated… silky smooth. Highly drinkable and now I see why this ale is a summertime sensation. I’d recommend trying one of these; it is a unique blend between a Hefeweizen, American Wheat, and a Wit.

Thanks feloniousmonk!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2003 19:10:54 | More by bditty187

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz brown glass, longneck bottle. No freshness date.

This ale poured a slightly hazy, light golden yellow color with small white foam (cloudy if the lees were poured). The smell was pleasant: malt, citrus, bread, a light fruitiness. The taste was sharp with a hint of grapes and grain with a not unpleasant tartness, and a bit of floral hops in the finish. The mouthfeel was crisp and relatively clean with medium-light body. There was a pleasant long lasting, lingering tart/sour flavor that was pleasing. This ale was very drinkable and refreshing.

Thanks to feloniousmonk for this bottle!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2003 21:36:00 | More by UncleJimbo

Gusler

Arizona

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On the pour, a magnificently chill hazed golden yellow color, the head is mountainous in size, creamy in consistency, and as it erodes, the lace left behind is a fine cover upon the glass. The aroma of yeast, orange peels, sweet malt, quite a treat for this old nose. Sweet with lots of malt, the top middling in feel to the palate, finish has a moderate acidity, the hops spicy in their persistent bite, dry as a desert bone aftertaste, quite a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2003 12:00:43 | More by Gusler

brakspear

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A cloudy pale gold body, with significant yeast sediment and a very slight head. With all the yeast in the bottle, this would be a great wheat beer from which one could culture yeast.

The aroma is a citrusy wheat nose, with a slight sourness from perhaps the yeast.

The taste is very smooth with a slight crispness. The wheat malt is evident, with a tangy sweetness, orange notes, and a slight bready yeast flavor. Very refreshing.

This was a very pleasing domestic wheat beer that would be great in the summer months.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2003 10:41:13 | More by brakspear

purplehops

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Oberon pours a cloudy deep straw yellow with a white head that leaves some lacing on the sides of the glass. The aroma is earthy with citrus and some faint floral notes. The taste starts crisp and wheaty and then moves to flavors of lemon and orange with notes of coriander and mace. The finish is stronger citric and spice flavors balanced with faint malt flavors. The aftertaste is lingering lemon/orange and coriander flavors. The mouthfeel is smooth with some chewiness to it.
Overall a good wheat ale. A nice balance of malt to citrus and floral hops with a touch of spice. A little more carbonation in the body and a little more sparkle on the tongue would help make this a much better and more refreshing ale IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2003 03:59:17 | More by purplehops

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This opaque, orange amber beer pours with a solid two-finger head that shows excellent retention. It slowly fades to a rcoky layer of foam and produces a delicate lace. There is a yeast component to the aroma, but wheat and hops are the dominate notes. Also a hint of clove and coriander in there as well. Impressive. The taste is very crisp, with the wheat snap right up front. Coriander/cilantro notes are evident, with a slight sweetness creeping in. A bit of hop bitterness is coupled with some light alcohol notes. The yeast contributes to the flavor but is not evident as "yeast" as in many wheat beers. There is no breadiness to the flavor. The finish has a crisp, wheat tartness that is very refreshing. Decent bitterness lingers on the aftertatse. The mouthfeel is solid, but not remarkable in any way. Perfect for enjoying any time of the year. The drinkability is darn near exceptional. This beer refreshes, satisfies, quenches, and then gets out of the way. I hope to get a few of these for the summer. I remember when this beer was on the Top 50 list, and I thought to myself "I will probably never get to try that beer." Well, thanks to cretemixer for sending me a couple of these great brews that only months ago I believed to be inacessible.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2003 10:17:46 | More by aaronh