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

zbuc919

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Oberon... the taste of summer here in Michigan!

Had this on tap and in the bottle many times, pours a nice hazy golden orange color. Tastes like a citrusy wheat beer, perfectly refreshing. My favorite beer in the wheat category. Often served with an orange however I prefer a lemon to swipe around the rim prior to each sip to provide a little sour with the citrusy sweet wheat. Delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 03:24:56 | More by zbuc919

MadCat

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at the Taphouse on Queensway in Hampton, VA.

Appearance: Served in a pint glass, a light ambery color, one finger of white head, some lacing

Smell: Wheaty, a little hoppy, some barley malt, not too strong of an aroma

Taste: More wheat flavor, decent hop bitterness, but none of the classic Hefeweizen flavors (which is why it is an American Pale Wheat Ale)

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, good carbonation, kinda creamy feel

Overall: Good, but not as good as I was hoping for. This was the only Bell's brew they had at the Taphouse, so that is why I picked it. I don't intend to buy this again, but I will still try other Bell's brews.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 01:08:02 | More by MadCat

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

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

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: on-tap

06-01-2011 02:46:13 | More by ExtraStout

Treebs

Illinois

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

Had on draft at the Salty Dog Cafe in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

A: Poured a nice cloudy orange with some nice straw colored tints around the edges when sun passed through. Quickly disappearing thin white head that leaves a little film on the top with no real lace to speak of.

S: I pick up some citrus and some wheat with the little malted barley as well. Nothing really jumps out as special to me.

T: The taste pretty much followed the nose. A nice citrus with a little bitter hops. Nice wheat flavor that carried on through out each drink. Again nothing really stood out or popped.

M: Light to medium bodied. Very crisp and smooth. Nice mouthfeel but leaves a little dry.

O: Pretty standard pale ale for me. Had some nice flavors but nothing that specifically brought me back for more.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 12:33:13 | More by Treebs

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden straw yellow, slightly cloudy, with a nice white head that holds up well and leaves lovely maze-like lacing.

Smell is very faint, even as the beer warms up. Main smells I get are ripe wheat, a bit of hops, and a touch of yeast. The smell, like the taste, is warm and clean.

Tastes warm, crisp, and clear. Starts out quite grainy, in a pleasant way. A nice gentle hop flavor/bitterness comes in late and lingers through the clean finish. Overall, it's very smooth and pleasant, though it doesn't have a ton of depth or complexity.

Body is medium-light, with above-average carbonation. Stays in the mouth for just as long as I want it to, then finishes crisp and clean.

A very good summer session beer. Refreshing, clean and crisp, with a nice dry finish.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 02:49:02 | More by zeledonia

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

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

A: Served a hazy orange to light amber color with a proper frothy white head on top. This head persists and gives great lace to the sides of the glass as you drink it down.

S: Light roasted grains, wheat and some honey sweetness mix with fresh citrus and floral hops. Very clean crisp smell and pleasant all the way.

T: Sweet honey, banana, wheat and light roast of grains balanced by a citric and floral hop profile. Amazing balance as the sweet and bitter dance back and forth with each other. Touch of vanilla comes through as well as some pleasant esters from the yeast.

M: Light to medium body with a smooth carbonation that is perfect for style.

D: Hard to pass on a second one of these as the flavors and overall balance of this beer are so clean and easy to drink. It has a refreshing quality that stands on its own. Again Bell's has put together a great beer!

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2011 02:10:55 | More by scottbrew4u

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

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

on tap at new wave in philly

Pours a completely clouded orange color with some golden hues. Fluffy white head with splotchy lacing and faint filmy retention.

Strong scents of fruit with orange and grapefruit. Bready malt, citrus juice and faint pith.

Some bitter hoppiness right up front with orange and grapefruit. Plenty of juicy flavor, but tempered by bready malts and wheat. Some slight caramel with wheat and faint sweetness. Finishes with citrus and hops, light dryness.

Medium body, drinks nicely, easy on the tongue, crazily easy to drink from top to bottom.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2011 03:41:09 | More by xnicknj

SeaUrchin

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

iv had this beer many many times, when i get dragged to a dive bar in the summer its always on tap, have had bottles but this review is on tap, served into a pint glass, now its time to write how i feel about the sun god

appearance - pours a golden orange, decent head and moderate carbonation. just how i remembered it

smell - a bit of malts up front with the smell of cold bread that was baked that morning, finishes with a slightly citrus note

taste - starts with a bit of hops that fades into a refreshing bread and lightly roasted malt notes, finishes with a slight citrus note, after taste has always been a bit of a turn off for me, i cant identify it but its a bit bitter and a bit tart, but not in a sour kind of tart, just enough to get me salivating

mouthfeel - a light smooth feeling over the tongue, almost like skim milk

drinkability - easy to drink, goes down smooth

overall - this beer will always represent summer to me and for that i must have one every year, generally not my first choice but always an option, its a tried and true beer for those hot summer nights

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2011 06:18:10 | More by SeaUrchin

burkyburk

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Light color, barely any head.
S-Smells like summer! Summer fruits/light bread.
T-Wheaty/bready, notes of citrus fruits, particularly orange and lemon.
M- Very light and refreshing.
O- It was quickly compared to Blue Moon by my peers. I found it a bit more pleasing, more flavorful. A great "day at the lake" beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2011 20:41:15 | More by burkyburk

OldGreyBeerd

Pennsylvania

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

A - A golden color, slight haze with orange tone.

S - Light citrus with wheat and yeast.

T - Crisp with mild hops overtone. A little tangy.

M - Mild creaminess but with a tingle and bite on the after taste.

First time I had this beer was on tap into a pint glass. It had a creamy head that held to the bottom. I liked it enough to pick up a case of bottles. Bottles are a little more carbonated, but still provide a good pour and taste close to the draft.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2011 22:31:34 | More by OldGreyBeerd

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

2.5/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served on tap at Buffalo Wild Wings in Brownsburg, IN (advertised as a Summer seasonal), in a flavor-concealing frosted glass. Not my favorite serving style, so I let it sit for about 10 to get a feel for the beer itself, not just the temp.

A: It's an orange-golden mixture, thicker than a PA, but nowhere near a bock. There's just a little bit of head, but what's there stays for the duration.

S: Nothing strong. Sweet teases in the form of berry and some subtle leafiness. Really though, it's quite weak. I walked over to the jukebox at one point, and my main whiffs still comprised mostly of fried chicken from the kitchen (even with my nose in the glass). Oh well; some of the best beers I've had lacked prominence in the nose. If God wanted us to just smell beer, he wouldn't have given us taste buds. Not a deal-breaker for me, personally.

T: Uh-oh...turns out the weak nose was a warning for the taste that followed. Cheap, cheap, cheap! Some pronounced grainy qualities, but other than that, it's a weak BMC. Hops are just an afterthought once you get past the disappointing skunkiness.

M: Super carbonated, even for a draft. I can only imagine it's to distract from the taste...

O: No thank you. It's strange, because I've heard such good things about this brewer (usually with an honorable mention of their Two-Hearted Ale). What are you doing, Bell's? Just because it's summer doesn't mean you can sell cheap, cold beer with less flavor for the same price.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2011 22:09:41 | More by BarryMFBurton

JM03

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Mad Mex in Cranberry Twp, PA

Pours golden/honey color with a bubbly white head.

Surprised to pick up some hoppiness in the aroma. Wheaty, orange/citrusy.

Tastes are nice and refreshing citrusy, wheat, and a hint of the hop bitterness.

Overall an enjoyable - sessionable brew. Could easily drink multiples

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 19:01:01 | More by JM03

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

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

On-tap at Rooster's Beak.

A: It is a clouded pale yellow color with a thick two fingers of white head that has good retention and lacing.

S: Lots of wheat, lemon, pear, and a touch of spice.

T: Grassy flavors, some lemon, and pear.

M: The body is light and highly carbonated with a clean finish.

O: This is refreshing and quite quaffable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 03:17:01 | More by bucklemyshoe

FRivard

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap from Mr. B's in Rochester

Appearance is a pale golden color lots of carbonation and a whisp of pale white head

Smells of orange citrus abound citrus hops all over the nose

Tastes of orange lemon zest and biscuits

Mouthfeel is light bodied with a nice clean finish

Overall I finally got around to a formal review after thousands of servings over the past ten years my spring time staple extremely drinkable a go to around the BBQ pit and just about any other activity outside in the spring/early summer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2011 16:23:21 | More by FRivard

KTCamm

New Jersey

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

Served on tap at the Lake Bluff Brewing Co tap room in Lake Bluff, IL. This and the Bells Amber were the two guest beers on tap.

Light yellow pour, loads of foam that sticks around for some time.

Taste and nose - really wheaty. Light citrus in there too. Almost wants to become a hefe, but not quite there, and so retains that APW profile. But the dominating force here is the wheat.

Overall - a good to very good beer. Good for warmer weather I am sure. But well short of the Bells Amber!

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2011 13:50:49 | More by KTCamm

brewdenver

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint from Pearl Street Pizza, Indianapolis, IN.

A: Nice appearance off tap. A tad cloudy, golden in color. Medium lacing and fingers with a decent head off the pour that died relatively fast.

S: Citrus, slight grapefruit, orage, resin are some notes to the nose here. Enjoyable to smell with a nice character all around.

T: Balance of hops, malts and specialties really make this an easy drinking beer with some real character. Finishes a tad earthy and slightly dry.

M: Spritzy and medium modies on the tongue and cheeks.

O: Truly a beer for the summer. Just wish I could get this in CO.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2011 11:59:33 | More by brewdenver

carlspeed

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I love this beer. I have had it on draft at Buffalo Wild Wings, and shortly after, out of a bottle into a glass.

The beer is a good spicy wheat ale, and tastes like summer. It has an orange glow, and goes down smoothly.

Want an orange? Throw one in. This beer drinks no differently than Blue Moon or Shock Top, however, it's better and has an even higher ABV% content!

Try it today!

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2011 02:17:42 | More by carlspeed

ChugginOil

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This brew settles a foggy orange with a fingers worth of white fluffy head that quickly dissipates. Some spotty lacing is left clinging to the glass.

The nose is subtle, offering some pale qualities including some wheat and a dash of orange and corriander.

The taste follows suit for the most part. Some wheat and sweet malt are noticed up front, followed by the citrus fruit characteristics.

The mouthfeel is medium and smooth, without filling me up. A great summer ale that can be drank all day and night.

Overall, a case of this is in order for our Memorial day weekend camping trip this summer. However, it leaves my palate unsatisfied, demanding more. Could crank it up a couple notches.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2011 00:28:50 | More by ChugginOil

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

A really great beer for the spring and summer. The beer is an orange golden color with a nice head on it. The aroma screams citrus more specifically orange. The taste is citrusy just like the aroma. The aftertaste is juicey and refreshing with a little tingle in the back of the tongue. The wheat gives the beer a light mouthfeel which in turn makes this brew quite good.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2011 02:20:19 | More by Knapp85

Kelly88

Kentucky

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Cock and Bull. Served in an imperial pint.

A- pale yellow. Pretty hazy. Bright white head that settles to a hybrid of a cap and a solid ring. Really not as murky as most wheat beers.

S- the first time I've actually smelled wheat in a wheat beer. Small amounts of lemon and a few traces of clove. Nice smelling beer.

T- kind of a more low key version of the nose. The wheat is combining with a sweetness that I can't put a finger on. With out this mystery sweetness this would be a pretty bland beer. A slight alcohol taste on the finish.

M- very light and very Nice. Smooth and light on the sip and a nicely timed carbonation bite on the swallow. This is the best aspect of this beer.

Overall an easy drinker that is only about 5 steps above bmc in my opinion. Smell and flavors leave alot to be desired but the drinkability and feel are great for a hot summer day or when the reds have a come from behind victory on opening day.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2011 22:24:47 | More by Kelly88

beerhan

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this year's first batch fresh on tap

A-Golden color with decent carbonation and some floaties. Very thin white head, medium carbonation.

S-Lemon, citrus, grass. Very simple.

T-Lots of citrus and no hoppiness to it. Very sweet, wheaty.

M-Very drinkable, goes down smooth and is refreshing.

O-A decent summer beer. A little to heavy though in comparison to other wheat beers. I was a big fan of this when I was younger but this really doesn't do it for me anymore.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 15:26:10 | More by beerhan

AmericanGothic

Iowa

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

On-tap at Red's for Oberon Day 2011. Served in a pint.

A: Medium gold color, sligtly cloudy. Decent head and excellent lace.

S: Faint wheat and muted hops.

T: Light hop spices, semi-sweet malt with a bit of minerals in the finish. As the beer warms, biscuit, then esters emerge.

M: Very light, well carbonated, medium creaminess.

O: Flavors are all clear, but too understated.

I like this, but I was somehow hoping for more. Will look forward to trying it again to see whether another tasting reveals anything more.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2011 23:31:39 | More by AmericanGothic

RodneyX

Missouri

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

An amber beer that smells of malts and hops and has a white head that leaves behind some lacing. This smells pretty wheaty and citrusy also. It is crisp and tastes like a slightly heavier than normal wheat beer with more flavor and more hops than I would expect. I would drink bottles of this and glad I can find it at a lot of bars.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 03:44:42 | More by RodneyX

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Off tap at Grami in Chicago this beer was served to me with an orange slice. The color was hazy lemon yellow with two fingers of rocky, yellow-tinted head. The cap retained itself beautifully and the lacing was in solid bands. The aroma was light but inviting: wheat and crystal malt. The flavors were similar. I tasted crystal malts, wheat, a little sweetness and some bread-iness which gave it a doughy quality and a slighty bitter finish when the touch of hops came through. Rather light and subtle, yet possessing finesse. For this reason, coupled with the light body/carbonation, would make it a great session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2010 00:53:02 | More by thekevlarkid

ninaturner

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: Golden with a hint of orange. About a one finger head. Unfiltered bits cause a cloudy look.

Aroma: Great aroma. Citrus -- orange and tangerine. The wheat also comes through with regard to smell.

Taste: Light, citrus...barely any bitterness. Mild carbonation.

Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is good. You can taste some of the filaments, but adds to the character of the beer and is very good. Slightly thick compared to other beers of this style.

Drinkability: Highly drinkable.

On-tap is SO much better than the bottle.. makes a world of difference, but both are great. One of my favorite beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2010 19:27:19 | More by ninaturner