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

Star80

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours out a cloudy golden yellow color. There were some chunks at the bottom which I managed to put into the beer. Head is very fluffy and white due to the wheat malting. Some lacing. Smells sort of like a good hefeweizen. I can smell banana, fresh fruit (strawberry?!), and some vanilla spice. Nice! Taste has an up front snap followed by banana flavors; finished off by a little hop kick where I usually get clove spice from the German hefe's. Not too rich in the mouthfeel. This could be a good beer to prepare someone for a real German HefeWeizen. In otherwords, this beer isn't as complex as some of the other wheat beers of the world, but is very drinkable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2005 19:57:05 | More by Star80

karst

Missouri

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Oberon is the color and scent of a summer afternoon poured into a pint glass.
Head nearly white sustained by nice beading from the higher level of carbonation. Lace persists, although not much of a test since this brew drinks fast. Great with a pulled pork sandwich like the one I am having from Sweet Water Bar-B-Que (famous in the Ft. Leonard Wood area).
Americanized version of a Hefe Weizen (without German Weizen flavors and aromas of banana esters and clove-like phenols) brewed with Saaz hops. Spicy and fruity, O.G.1.057

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2005 16:03:06 | More by karst

Frozensoul327

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very good offering from the Bell's family of beers. Poured out to a dark golden yellow color with a medium head that maintained a presence all the way to the bottom of the glass. Strong notes of citrus and fruits were detected from the get go. Flavors of wheat, citrus and biscuts were noted most. This brew also had a unique smoothness, almost reminding me of butter. Finished smooth and slighly bitter. Not a bad beer at all. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2005 16:32:57 | More by Frozensoul327

jasonpeckins32

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass with an orange wedge. A cloudy pale gold color with a decent white head that leaves nice lacings around the glass. It smells citrusy, a lot like oranges. Also smells of strong of hops, and some wood-like notes. This beer tastes of mildly bitter hops at first, followed by a lemony-orange flavor that is finished with a warm bread taste. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied. This one makes a wonderful summer beer. Definitly worth a try!

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2005 19:00:30 | More by jasonpeckins32

whynot44

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Light/medium body, very cloudy golden color with a moderate white head that subside to a nice lace.

Aroma is mild, a bit of fresh bread, yeast and coriander.

The taste is also tangy, yeasty wheat with a touch of citrus, a bit of hops bite and a dry finish. Very good.

This will be an excellent summer refresher, should go very well with a little beer can chicken..

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2005 06:07:10 | More by whynot44

deejaydan

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy, hazy yellow orange. Nice head and lacing on this. Aroma is faint, yet fruity. Perhaps it's my consumption of these on hot summer days, but the aroma also reminds me of a barbeque. Taste is slightly dry and spicy of hops. Not the thick, rich sweet malt that I was used to in previous batches. Mouthfeel is okay, a bit thin for me but well carbonated. This is *THE* Midwest summer beer, at least for now. It's hard to imagine a ride on a boat, or a backyard grilling session without oberon.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2005 21:16:07 | More by deejaydan

SupaCelt

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The appearance was of a super cloudy, copper toned, glass full of sludge. A fresh keg spewed forth this less than ready to be served offering. It had a tannish wheat style head and produced no glass garnish. It just was not looking like a proper way to start the Oberon season.

The nose had orange peel scents and yeasty accents. Smells light and wheaty.

The taste was just unimpressive. I hope this glass was just a premature serve, because this was not the stuff I once knew. There was an unpleasant bitterness that didn't fit the picture quite right. It is hard to characterise. Watery and off bittered with no help of a sweet backbone. WTF? Disappointment to be sure.
I remember this particular beer being a heck of alot mo' betta around the turn of the century ( maybe 98, 99, 00 ). I used to look forward to its arrival during those days. Yeah, it was about the only micro I had ever dipped into in those dark ages. Malt liquor and other macros were my bread and butter and Oberon was my only trump card. Still, I think it has depreciated in character and taste since then based on the last few sixers I've drained. Now I had a crummy glass off tap too. I am shocked and hurt. I want my Solsun back! I have hope.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2005 07:59:08 | More by SupaCelt

Gaisgeil

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

If you are in the mood for a beer you don't have to think much about and a lot of at once, look no further. This is a great summer session beer. Not anything spectaclar, but quite tasty and best to drink when fresh.

Nose is a bit bready and fruity, hints of spice, quite nice. Taste is very smooth and refreshing. Quite fruity, a bit herbal almost, notes of citrus and a bready undercurrent. Finish is quick and fruity, again, nice.

This was one of the first micros I've ever had, and the first Michigan one period. The 2005 version is the best I've had yet. Worth a try if you've never partaken, there seems to be two distinct groups when it comes to Oberon, those who love it and those who loathe it.

Slàinte!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2005 09:21:42 | More by Gaisgeil

soper2000

Texas

2.8/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

From scrawled notes:
Arrives at the table with some doubts. The beer is a super light, almost yellow orange but with a decent head, which quickly recedes. Aroma is of malt and wheat. I don't get many bannana or hop notes from the nose. Taste is well balanced but just lacking something for me. Starts grassy, has a little citrus kick in the middle and finishes with wheat accents. Mouthfeel seems a little too thin in my opinion. While it's very drinkable, this just does nothing for me. In a way I was hoping for beer more in the vain of Gumballhead, but what i got was more crossover beer/Berghoff-esque. Will try again, but I'm not too excited about it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2005 01:49:54 | More by soper2000

unit555

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A well crafted beer overall. The appearance was clear with a deep yellow color. The head had a light appearance but persisted the whole way to the bottom of the glass.

The aroma was nice with strong smells of citrus and wheat that carried into the taste. The beer was quite drinkable and would have been better outdoors on a nice day (instead of the continual crappy winter we are currently suffering in Pittsburgh).

The only downside to this beer was the mouthfeel. Too much bite on the tongue keeps me from following the first beer with a second.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2005 15:59:11 | More by unit555

RushLimbmalt

Minnesota

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

A bit out of season, but what the heck? Pours a cloudy yellow and has no head after a few seconds. It has a very yeasty, buttery aroma with a few citrus notes. The flavor is refreshing, light, but with a full body, and a decent bitterness that persists throughout... Not bad at all. It is nothing like a German wheat, but it is it's own beer. I hope to try a fresher example this upcoming summer.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2005 08:55:01 | More by RushLimbmalt

shippos

New York

2.63/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

courtesy of ninjaworm via bif 13

poured a hazy yellow with a large frothy white head. freash grain aroma with a doughy raw bread quality. sweet body at first and a fairly balanced mass-appealing taste to follow. probably pretty good during the summer, but note any other time for my tastes. I do get a citrusy note in the end followed by some alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2004 04:32:05 | More by shippos

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.1/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Typical summer ale, light bodied, light-medium carbonation and a cloudy pale yellow. Pours a one-fingered, white head that settles quickly but leaves some lace. Looking for the wheat and not finding it, this is a pale without the bitter hoppy aftertaste. 12oz bottle $1.75, from Liquor Barn, Lexington, KY.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2004 23:24:31 | More by jdhilt

mntlover

Tennessee

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours cloudy with light orange hints on yellow background nice yeasties floating around. White head with lace, good looking beer. Aroma is grainy wheat light bananna and clove with citrus hints, little subduded. Taste is wheaty with tangy citrus tangerine mixed with banannas finishes lightly peppery with hints of clove and a touch of bitterness. Unique flavored wheat not bad but think I prefer the more traditional flavor. Mouthfeel is good a good medium nice almost creamy. Drinkability is good the citrus element is a little strange but growing on me as I finish. Thanks to merlin48 for the sample.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2004 20:47:56 | More by mntlover

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a nice clear amber with a bleach white head. Loads of carbonation filling up all sides of the glass. Smells of orange peels, among other fruits, and relatively spicey. A great sniffer indeed. Tastes very malty at first, with a well balanced middle when the hops start showing, and finishes very hoppy with a nice spciy bite. Well done. A great brew, the first I've had from Bell's, and based on this it won't be the last. Recommended, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2004 04:22:15 | More by santoslhalper

walleye

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

#101 on rate beer.com starting over with a mich beer.poured hazy golden with average size white head with lots of floaties. aroma malts, fruity, yeast, orange and hints of lemon.flavor sweet with some bitterness orange,banana, and hint of honey. had this after working outside in the heat (88)and the beer was very cold It was pretty good as it warmed the taste started to deminish

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2004 01:52:19 | More by walleye

nortmand

Virginia

1.95/5  rDev -49.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

That's a yeasty bitch! Pours opaque orange, with a ton of yeast floaties(too damn many), I'd better find something to read on the pot for tomorrow morning.
Smell's,,,,neutral. Maybe some citrusy wheat?
Just not real flavorful, but there is a bit of wheatiness and a background citrus flavor. Oh, wait yeast sandwich. Virtually no aftertaste.
Mouthfeel.... well, it''s carbonated, that's gotta count for something, right?
Actually pretty drinkable, not much there, so not much there to complain about. Oooohhh... Larry Bell, you're tricky.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2004 23:32:27 | More by nortmand

BrewMaster

California

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

I'd heard about this beer and I was looking forward to trying it when I went out to Michigan on business. I was not disappointed and I am not a huge fan of wheat beers, but this one was great.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle. The beer was a cloudy yellow orange color. The aroma was full of pear, apple, and pale malt aromas.

The first thing I noticed in the flavor was the buttery character to it. Very unique and good. The malt is very bready and has the distinct wheaty taste. There are also some light notes of citrus, particularly orange.

The beer is very soft and comforable on the palate and is a good all-around beer. I could drink this beer all day if I could get a hold of it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2004 21:28:33 | More by BrewMaster

meathookjones

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This poured out a very murky and cloudy yellow with a white head that almost shot up over the top of the glass. The head stuck around for a bit and left rings of lace as this was drank. The aroma was yeasty with a bit of spice and a lemony zip to it. Also there was a good amount of sweetness present in the nose. The flavor started off with doughy malt and lemony notes and a bit of banana. There were also notes of various spices through that taste. It finished with a dry spicy after taste. Mouthfeel is medium and feels pretty heavy on the tongue. This is pretty tasty and wheat beers are usually not my thing, but I could drink a lot of this if I was in the mood. Great example of the style and a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2004 13:11:44 | More by meathookjones

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Saw this in the store but shyed away from it since Im not the biggest wheat beer fan around. Went to dinner that nite and it was the only decent thing on tap. Poured a nice lite hazy orange color. Not a lot of aroma-slightly floral,almost a touch grassy. Nice crisp flavor-touch of citrus. Some fruit notes in there but I cant honestly say what kind. Very well balanced and refreshing. Good summer beer or a great alternative to anything heavier you might have with a meal.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2004 22:20:50 | More by lackenhauser

sweethome

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy yellow - ahhh - unfiltered Bell's Beer! Virtually no head on this pour. Yeast is evident on nose, with fruity hint - apricots?

Champagne-like mouthfeel. A bright beer. Pineapple, yes...apricot and plenty of Bell's signature - hops. The finish bites back nicely. A complex beer closest to a belgian white style - but done in an American (Bell's) fashion. Summer beer delivered well.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2004 01:22:41 | More by sweethome

Gavage

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy yellowish orange color with a 1" head. The aroma was of strong citrus and yeast. The flavor was decent as the wheat gave a grainy texture to the brew, while citrus and yeast tones were strong. Possibly a touch of honey flavor in there too. Kind of sweet for wheat brew.

The mouthfeel was dry and smooth at the start. The finish was dry with a light graininess. Enjoyable, and an overall nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2004 23:50:30 | More by Gavage

BarrelBrother

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Oberon Ale is my favorite summer brew plain & simple. I love weiss type beers in the summer because they are so refreshing. Oberon is unusual and simply damn tasty with a slice of lemon. The appearance is the usual cloudy weiss look but a bit more golden. The aroma is unique with citrus notes and nutty overtones. The taste is solid with a drinkability to last all summer long!! Sit on your deck and sip an Oberon as the sun sets on a weekend evening; almost heaven (IMHO). If you like summer weiss brews, this one will become one of your favorites quickly.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2004 04:26:27 | More by BarrelBrother

donnebaby

North Carolina

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

Served very cold. Cloudy light gold color with a milky thin froth. Nose was sweet pear.

Basic taste, with some light toastiness in the aftertaste.
Shallow carbonation. Smoothed out as it warmed.

Not too impressed with this beer, which seemed to be a basic wheat summer brew. Good looks and nose, but not even very drinkable. Would've liked a little more of a thick mouthfeel.

Will have to try this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2004 18:36:08 | More by donnebaby

99bottles

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at KClinger's.

Apperance: Body is a very hazy yellow-peach color and has a foamy, rocky head of about an inch with below average retention.

Smell: Interesting. A dry and hoppy breath of Saaz and some citrus flavors of lemon and orange.

Taste: This is a unique beer. It's like a witbier but not quite. The taste has light spicy nutmeg, some clove, and loads of citrusy orange and lemon and a really odd sweet aftertaste. It's like cake-mix. It's um, different. Yeah. Different.

Mouthfeel: Nice and light, like a witbier ought to have. The taste gets in the way though.

Drinkability: I could see these going fast if it's your style. But it's just a little too strange for me. But, I did finish my pint unusally fast, trying to figure this one out. So, drinkability is good.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2004 17:34:25 | More by 99bottles