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

ngandhi

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Light and not very grainy on-tap with a distinct noble hop character that makes this the ultimate summer beer. Somewhat floral, but moreso soothing than anything else. While the bottles have varied from ambrosia to wet bread, the draught has been consistent. Oberon is somewhat spritzy, but has enough malt character to prevent this from washing out. While Three Floyd's Gumballhead challenges, defies, and excels beyond the style of a pale American wheat, Bell's Oberon is the benchmark and few can rival its subtle craft.

Relax, relax.
ng

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2004 19:58:25 | More by ngandhi

koolkat

United Kingdom (England)

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

THe beer pours a nice very light yellow. It has some nice wheaty overtones without all of the clove and phenolic tastes usually found in wheat beers. All in all a decent beer that is rather drinkable on a hot summers day.

As far as drinkability goes I am sure I could easily plow through a sixer of this stuff and still not tire of it. Alltogether nothing remarkable but still a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2004 01:34:19 | More by koolkat

bnuttz

Wisconsin

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

twelve ounce bottle serving

Appearance: a nice golden hue, very cloudy, yeast sediment is present, a nice head on this one

Smell: smells of yeast, and wheat, there is some fruitiness in there too

Taste: bread, and and fruit, a slight hoppy aftertaste. This is a great one for the summer, I can picture myself drinking quite a few of these around the grill

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2004 01:22:01 | More by bnuttz

elmocoso

Nebraska

3.33/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Seems like this could be a good session beer.

I poured into tow glasses and the first was crystal clear, the second one poured with a plump of sediment. Ahhh, brewers yeast!

There seems to be more nose on the yeasty glass. It is a sharp fruitiness in the nose and mouth, Esters from the yeast, i suppose.

The taste is bread and malt and a has a little of a wine/champaign puff to it. It definitely grows on you.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2004 02:49:51 | More by elmocoso

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

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

A summer wheat. Mmmm. Poured a cloudy darkish yellow. It's best taste feature is it's dryness, as noticed by wife, the wine connosieur. Comparitably to a good champagne, although better IMHO. Some fruityness, little hops, but oh that dryness. It kept that feature thoughout.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2004 14:41:29 | More by bewareOFpenguin

jahred

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hmmm - I'm not usually a fan of American-style wheats, but I've heard got things about Oberon. Pours a darky, cloudy yellow color with a thick white head. The scent is a bit disappointing - almost nothing. Maybe just a very slight yeasty scent, and as the beer warmed just the faintest hint of hops.

The taste was much better, though. Floral, fruity and sweet wheat, with a slight balancing hoppy aftertaste. Very, very juicy (for lack of a better word). Lots of bananas and apples.

Full-bodied and easy to drink. I hope to be opening up many of these this summer.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2004 14:32:42 | More by jahred

jimdkc

Missouri

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

Cloudy golden color with a small white head that disappeared down to a thin film quickly. Smell is mildly malty with wheat and a hint of lemon. Taste starts like other wheat beers: lightly sweet malt, wheat and yeast flavors and a lemony fruitiness... but then finished with a nicely spicy hop finish. Not enough hops to overpower the wheat beer feel, but enough to be a bit different for a wheat beer. Mildly sour aftertaste. Light to medium body, not too much carbonation. Very refreshing and drinkable. A very good American wheat.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2004 04:05:20 | More by jimdkc

stewart124

Ohio

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

After opening a bunk bottle I tried again and poured a winner. The off beer had a skunked feel to it. I tried to make my way through it but couldn't make it past a couple drinks.

Pours a pale orange with a cloudy haze and slight white head. Smells of a sweet fruity aroma but this is mild. The taste is a smooth creamy body with hints of fruits and that hefe character that we look for in these brews. Hits the tongue and dries it out a bit with the esters swimming all over the mouth. Very soothing as it hit the throat and pleases the tastebuds. Decent hefe and I can't wait to drink it on a warm summer afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2004 01:30:44 | More by stewart124

marcellaproust

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Didn't get much of a head on the pour; couldn't detect a smell either in the glass. But the taste charms: refreshingly lacks the overkill on banana and clove. I taste wheat and yeast for the first half, and subdued hops finish out the second. Mouthfeel is wonderful--it's a "light" summer beer in taste profile but the body is weighty enough to hold its own. A pretty beer, as most weiss are - cloudy and lemonade-yellow.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2004 02:57:31 | More by marcellaproust

FFudnam

Michigan

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

2004: Just purchased my first case (this year, heh.) and the Oberon maintains its wonderful flavor profile. I wholeheartedly agree with the review written by feloniusmonk. Could I have said it better? Perhaps, but his review sums it up nicely.This stuff rocks my world.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2004 22:23:37 | More by FFudnam

moulefrite

Massachusetts

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

This is a good wheat beer, but it ain't no German. A darned good faker though, the beer pours a vibrant pastel golden yellow, and offers up a nice snowy head and above average stick. Aromas are somewhat sour-they lack any of the hallmarks of the style, ie. banana, clove, bubble gum...more emphasis on hop here. Flavors are of a hoppy version of a German Weisse, with a good dose of sticky malt to boot. A sour aroma remains in the glass as i finish this thing? A nice job, and one I'll revisit, but gosh darned it, not in the same league as its percursers.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2004 00:37:32 | More by moulefrite

jsolack

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance:
This has to be one of the cloudiest beers I've ever drank. It looks like banana puree... Head is very think and lasts. Lots of lacing.

Smell:
Sweet bread and yeast are the first two things I smell... defenitly different than a typical Hefe... no banana smell.

Taste:
A very sweet and tasty brew. Very grainy in mouth with a bread like finish. Very good.

Mouthfeel:
Super thick and creamy in mouth. Coats tounge well.

Drinkability:
A great brew. Unique taste and smell along with great feel in the mouth makes this beer a winner.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2004 22:21:05 | More by jsolack

proc

Michigan

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

2004: Ah, spring has arrived.
This year's version of Oberon is a bit more cloudy that last year. It pours out to a wonderful, pastel, bright yellow in the glass with a nice head. The aroma is still that of wheat and yeast. This year's version is less hoppy than previous years and more on the fruity side. This, in my opinion, makes this beer a wonderful summer treat. I'll take Oberon and its citrus/wheat taste over a traditional banana/clove hefe' any day. Yes, I am a homer on this one. It still screams summer to me. Its not complex, nor should it be. Satisfying and delicious? Yes.

2003:Oberon still rocks. This year's version is quite different from year's past. It pours out to a pastel-golden color in the glass. Cloudy, but not as "orange" in color as in year's past. The signature Bell's yeast taste has been subdued and this IMO, is a good thing. The taste is more straightforward in the style of a hefe/wheat without the ultra-agressive hop presence of year's past. This may be the most refreshing version of Oberon ever. Yum. I'm going to get one right now....

2002: Somewhat more carbonation this year. Lighter in citrus taste as well. Pours to a cloudy, golden color with white lacing on the glass. Still an excellent summer thirst quencher. This wheat beer is in a class of its own. There is no other wheat beer that tastes like it.

2001: A fantastic summer beer. Unfiltered, somewhat yeasty, with a light citrus taste. This is what a summer beer is all about. A treat during the warm months.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2004 02:09:50 | More by proc

GreenWBush

Oregon

2.93/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Presented as part of a Bell's Oberon "kick-off" at a local bar. Basically, the promotion sucked me in on promises of "free tastings" and "give aways!"

I was hoping that this might be a Bell's sponsored event, but it in fact was the local beer retailer yes-man get together. I felt completely out of place with the utter creepiness of suits drinking Oberon out of the bottle, wolfing them down like they're going out of style.

So the sample ended up being a shotglass full of Oberon and a Bell's keychain bottle opener. Whoop de freckin' doo.

Focus. Back to the beer. Oberon, fresh 2004 sample, 12 oz. bottle.

Pours out the "Oberon Orange Juice" much like other weiss-beers with a few yeasty chunks and some scary black floaties. When I was just handed the bottle, I asked for a glass and the douche-bag took it upon himself to pour it into a glass for me. That *wasn't* what I was asking for. Worst. Pour. Ever. The beer managed a decent lacing, nevertheless. The Mrs. pour revealed only a slight head, a no-no for the style.

The nose was all banana-clove yeastiness, with a larger than normal dallop of hops and a strangely bubblegummy aroma.

There's a strange amount of bitterness here. It almost seems sour, a hint of brettonmyances. Overall there was a nappy foot-funk underlying all flavors in both samples. There is also a strange amount of raggedness to the beer that had no place in the style. I don't think this would really be that refreshing of a summer drink except for the mouthfeel. The puckery hop consistency and the slightly thin mouthfeel all make this quite easy to shwill (for people that like that) but not really drinkable, in my book.

Not one of my favorites from Bell's, and I fear I might not like it at all if offered in a blind hefe-weiss taste off.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2004 01:16:52 | More by GreenWBush

merlin48

Kentucky

3.38/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle pours a hazy, honey, golden color..short lived white head fades quickly without any lacing. A wee bit of sediment is observed on its way to the bottom of the glass. Aroma is impressive, with oranges, vanilla, and a hint of cloves.. Mouthfeel has moderate carbonation, some creaminess, and some hops twang. Taste has banana and cloves, but a biscuity yeast seems to dominate...this ale may be past its prime. The finish is of tart fruit, like green apples, and this seems out of place. Overall, it's pleasantly drinkable, and the carbonation sticks around to hold everything together. Not my favorite Bell's, but worth a try if you get a fresh one.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2004 05:46:09 | More by merlin48

UnionMade

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a turbid harvest gold, some chunky yeast floats in suspension, settling to the bottom after a few sips. A thick off-white head tops the liquid, settling into a squat layer about an eighth inch thick, keeping like a champ. Blobbly lace clings to the glass.
The aroma is fairly authentic. Soft wheat malt supports mild banana and phenolic clove, with a suggestion of strawberry. No apparent hops, with a slightly minerally quality to the malt.
The flavor starts out light, just a soft wheaty malt and yeast that pervade throughout. The clove is much stronger than the aroma suggests, providing a pleasing spiciness atop mild banana and pear esters. A bit minerally in the finish, the banana dropping out considerably in favor of a delicate wheaty tartness. No aftertaste, snapping off clean in the swallow. Medium bodied, with a smooth, slightly powdery mouthfeel supported by spritzy carbonation.
Not quite up to german standards, but much better than most american interpretations. A solid summer thirst quencher, not quite appropriate for the January weather I drank it in, but I cranked up the heat and wore flip flops and shorts in an attempt to recreate the experience. Not really, but it sounds like a good story, right?

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2004 09:23:29 | More by UnionMade

DrunkMcDermott

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served on-premise at KBC. Cloudy, good color but no real head. Lemony flaver, certainly sptrizy and refreshing. KBC's taproom, the "Eccentric Cafe," though, leaves a little to be desired. Exposed brick just makes it seem cold, not much of crowd (of course it was a football Sunday and they had no TV). Seemed to be run by artsy college students.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2003 14:40:16 | More by DrunkMcDermott

stoutman

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Soft yellow brew, the color of scrambled eggs. Pleasant with a unique, almost lemony nose: few things edible or otherwise come to mind: it's not woody or bready, not particularly fruity or citrusy. The palate IS obvious: very smooth, creamy, dry, quenching. not malty, not hoppy, yet medium bodied: it must be all about yeast. But that aftertaste...typical of all Bells...

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2003 03:51:03 | More by stoutman

Beaver13

Colorado

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

Bell's Oberon Ale poured a very hazy/cloudy yellow gold with a nice white head with fine bubbles. It had a wheaty, citrusy aroma. It had a nice slight citrus taste with a hoppy finish. Wheat beers are normally my favorites, but this is a good specimen.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2003 06:32:32 | More by Beaver13

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

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

A nice American version, but not in the class of the great German hefe's. Nothing at all to put you off, but doesn't pour as impressive as the best versions, and the taste is subtle (but relatively bland overall). In my area, we happen to have a lot of choices for German hefe's, so I've had most of the best. Good effort from Bell's, but if you can get the German hefes, by all means seek them out.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2003 08:12:28 | More by JohnnyDuvel

goindownsouth

South Carolina

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

Very intriguing. I am generally not a Weissbier type, but this one just drew me in. The color, foggy and clouded, was yellow as yellow could be. There was a head...for a little while...but then it was gone. Often with brews of this style, one tends to be overwhelmed by the earthiness or complexity and depth, but I was not in this case. It goes down smooth and is quite refreshing and palate clensing. This could go well with a myriad of foods. Seek and ye shall find.

Zum wohl!

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2003 16:29:31 | More by goindownsouth

Ave

Iowa

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

Sadly, as with most bells products, this beer can a very erratic pick, when it’s wrong it very wrong, but when its right....oooo baby! Look out. One of my all around favorites. I’ll be reviewing the beer in its optimal state, one that unfortunately is easily lost.

It pours an all cloudy yellow ocher, with a grand fluff or bright white. Viscous tracery throughout. Lightly lemony wheat nose, yummy orange spice. Buttery yeast & wheat, profile with just a touch of toasted….. something lingering in the back. Bright finish with a slight hop return. When it’s right, it’s got an amazing breadth of flavor going on, all at once, all in harmony. When it’s wrong….gah, it’s like watching your best friend get beat up.

Pairs amazingly well with swordfish.

Ave

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2003 21:21:51 | More by Ave

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: 12 ouncer, long neck brown bottle. The single obverse main label is a dark Orange colored affair, which looks like it has a child-like sketch of a flaming sun set against a blue background. Labeled as Oberon Ale – my sample looks just like the BA Database picture – erm… hold on, well except for the fact that the label on my bottle is the right way up!!!
No freshness date or strength listed.

Appearance: The Sun on the label hints at the Summer Beer nature and the look of the beer is no surprise, but its quality is. A hazy lemon gold color, with a solid thick white head that has good retention. Well conditioned. Not much lacing.

Nose: Wheat is definitely the dominant characteristic in the odor, but it mixes with yeast with a fresh dough smell. A bit delicate.

Taste: Lovely smooth introduction but it does have quite a grainy feel when it gets to the middle. Pale-Malts with some fruit citric aspects, but the lemon hints are only slightly acidic. Finishes with a hint of apricot – and maybe even some hops. Dry wheat ending. Really enjoyable.

Mouthfeel: Smooth drinking body, not exactly creamy but it is a beer that has no sharp edges at all. A very wholesome Wheat Ale.

Drinkability: 0-12 fluid ounces in about 3 minutes, this did not last long at all. Damn this hard to put down. VERY drinkable!

Overall: A lovely wheat beer, which I imagine is a great thirst quencher on those warm sunny Summer days. Oh yes, bring me a Six-Pack of these and a Hot Sunny Day and I would be happy. Oh wait don’t bother, I actually have hot sunny days most of the time in Southern California – yeah, just bring me another Six-Pack of Oberon please.

A warm “the Sun has got his hat on, hip, hip, hip, hip, hooray” to FeloniousMonk for this Beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2003 04:00:18 | More by TheLongBeachBum

WVbeergeek

Ohio

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

Appearance: Hazy golden with a tint of orange here white vibrant frothy head, lacing is scattered but full in spots. Aroma: Contains some citrus notes bready yeast notes and sharp malt sweetness along with a light flowery hop aroma. Taste: Refreshing as all hell, not every crazy about American wheats but this one is so damn crisp and balanced right amount of breadiness, sharp malted wheat tones, what makes it is the citric bit of coriander kick in the finish very nice ale nicely constructed one of the best Summer brews I have tasted out there. Mouthfeel: Medium to light perfect carbonation some residual oily sensations on the palate nice brew. Drinkability: Wow, pick up a case and enjoy simply best lawnmower beer out there with flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2003 19:41:04 | More by WVbeergeek

beerguy101

California

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

Light gold color. Medium head. Aroma is fruity and sweet. A medium bodied American Wheat ale. Malts are fruity and slightly sweet. Hops are fairly floral. Well balanced. Very nice wheat beer. Light and refreshing. Flavorful wheat beer. Very nice. Mild tasting yet, so well constructed wheat beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2003 02:31:01 | More by beerguy101