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

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

sabrills70

North Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a slightly cloudy straw color with a thin head that disappeared rather quickly. Decent lace, but not great. Smell was yeastywith slight hops and even less malt. Some lemon hints noted as well. Taste is a bit too bitter, that is to say too much I think for a wheat ale. Its over bitterness takes away from its drinkability on a hot smmers day. It is still a very good brew, but not a great one like Bell's is capable of. I do have to add that the six pack I purchased from my local beer store had their entire supply of this at room temp and the package very clearly indicates to "KEEP REFRIGERATED". This may have altered its taste. I guess I will just have to visit the brewery since my parents noe live about 10 miles from there.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2003 01:50:56 | More by sabrills70

ManekiNeko

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2003 version served chilled in a pint glass.

Appearance: Cloudy, golden yellow with a modest white head. Only retains a small ring of bubbles after a minute or so. No lacing to speak of.

Smell: Buttery, yeasty, and vanilla aromas, with faint orange and honeysuckle if you look for it. Wow!

Taste: A yeasty, bready taste with lemon and orange flavors in the background. Nummy.

Mouthfeel: Slightly buttery mouthfeel, but very light on body.

Drinkability: Oh great beergods, why doth thou taunt me so? Such heavenly ambrosia is only available to me via the kindness of other BA's. There's a certain Joni Mitchell song from the Blue album that pretty much says how much of this stuff I'd love to have.

Again, a hearty thanks to feloniousmonk for opportunity to try this.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2003 06:02:56 | More by ManekiNeko

dmarch

Pennsylvania

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

Orange-golden in color with a thin white head. Appears to have a high level of carbonation. Aroma is a lot of yeast and some orange peel. Taste is predominantly wheat with a lot of yeasty flavor as well. I won't go out of my way for this, but I can see myself drinking this if I ever find myself in Michigan.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2003 15:58:53 | More by dmarch

Morris729

Texas

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

Pours a hazy orange-golden color with a creamy white head that dissipates into a fair amount of lace. Nose is sweet malt and yeast with some faint notes of orange zest. The same sweet malt is also present upfront in the taste along with some wheat followed by a bit of soured yeast. Touch of fruit towards the end with a mild bite of citrusy hops in the finish. Light to medium in body with a lively and refreshing active carbonation. A nice summer beer. Thanks to feloniousmonk for the sample!

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2003 02:59:31 | More by Morris729

Elemental

Oregon

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

The color is wonderful, nice and pale but hazy with a slight orange hue to it. There is a nice medium amount of head, with a wonderful aroma. Nice and wheaty with a grassy earthy smell. As I kept drinking I noticed more and more fruity (orange) smells coming out. The taste is slightly tart with a nice body. Good mild hop flavor and bitterness which is what you expect from the aroma Overall a pretty good beer (and I am not a Hefe drinker, but of all the hefes I have tried this is on of the better ones out there)

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2003 01:01:47 | More by Elemental

Bruiser81

Kansas

3.4/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer was a light orange color and very cloudy with a solid white head, which didn't stick around long. The aroma was nice, orange peel, coriander, wheat, and a sort of grassy hop character. The taste wasn't bad but not near as deep as the smell. A slight bready flavor hits up front followed by a citrus-wheat flavor. At the back of the throat is when the slight hoppiness kicks in for a nice finish. A bit of yeast in the aftertaste. The carbonation is low so it goes down very smooth. A thin to medium mouthfeel. This beer would be very drinkable during those hot summer days.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2003 02:48:59 | More by Bruiser81

Fabric8r

Montana

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

Poured a slightly hazy yellow typical of a heffe. Bell's Pale Ale was more hazy than this though. Anyway this was a delightful beer, refreshing with a hint of the wheat flavor. Do they use honey at all? I am not sure if I could taste the residuals of honey, but the flavor made me think of it. Good beer, refreshing, wished I had more than the one bottle from tavernjef.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2003 18:14:23 | More by Fabric8r

nomad

Kansas

2.93/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a beautiful, tasty-looking orange color that was very murky but concealing plenty of carbonation. Had a thin sponge head sitting eternally and lots of good wheat beer lace. Smell was faintly of summer fruits and serious hay and wheat tones. Taste was a firm wheat with fruity tones to it. A long bready finish slowly rolled into hops. But, like many a good American wheat beer, this has it all except the yeast to give the great scents and flavors of a traditional hefe (see Paulaner, Weihenstephan).

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2003 19:44:43 | More by nomad

PhantomVodoo

Ohio

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

Cloudy yellow to golden color. Head is just slightly off-white. Lots of yeast sediment in the bottle.
Nice aroma that really does smell like a summer afternoon. Wheat is prominent with lemon and orange citrusy notes. Some yeast as well.

Wheat is also prominent in the taste. Tart and crisp, yet relatively smooth. Nicely balanced. Citrus not as noticeable in the taste as in the aroma. Yeast plays a role here to.

Good mouthfeel.
Good drinkability.

Overall, this a good wheat ale. Nice summer beer woth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2003 23:14:17 | More by PhantomVodoo

Tballz420

Minnesota

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

Now this is a fine summer drink. It pours out cloudy with a large foamy white head. Its a murky gold color with sediment actually visable (maybe i didnt mix it in well enough?). Its taste is quite good, citrus flavor in front of a spicy hop bite in the back. One of the better hefes that i have had. Try it out on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2003 20:22:09 | More by Tballz420

freed

Oregon

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

A light, dry, transparent straw color, quick head. Smells of the yeast, and an unleavened bread feeling takes over. The taste is very pleasing, much like the bread. Somewhat dry feel with a nice bitter taste and a fresh citrus quench. One of the best Wheat's I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2003 16:24:53 | More by freed

granger10

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a nice orange color with a nice sized head that leaves a solid amount of lacing down the sides of the glass. Aroma of yeast and hops with a slight fruitiness. The main flavors are of tarty fruits, esp. orange. Saaz hops are used and are a perfect complement to the tartiness. Grainy malts seem to be in the mix as well. Coriander is also a strong flavor in this beer. I don't really know if this should be called a hefe but I do know that this is one great beer from one great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2003 13:24:44 | More by granger10

TheDM

Indiana

3.2/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This brew poured a very large invigorated head of finely sized white bubbles and a cloudy orange unfiltered yeasty body. It had a decent hop aroma and was slightly fizzy in its initial mouthfeel while coming to a smooth finish with its mild hop flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2003 22:25:46 | More by TheDM

xgrigorix

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Twelve ounce brown bottle - no freshness / bottling date.

Pours cloudy yellow / orange with a fluffy white head that won't quite. Loads of sticky lace left behind.

Nose is clean and fresh, with citrusy lemon notes.

Has substantial body, smooth & creamy. Is this really a wheat beer?

Sweet & raw grain flavors up front, goes slightly spicy in the middle. Finishes lemony, tart, tangy, & dry.

This one just begs for a piece of cheese to enjoy with it!

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2003 11:57:02 | More by xgrigorix