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

sbxx

Illinois

2.68/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Bottled 3/20/13
Poured into pint glass

Appearance - Very cloudy honey color. 2 fingers of foam. Thick, splotchy lacing.

Smell - Musty wheat.

Taste - Wheat, malt, background citrus.

Mouthfeel - Medium body, light/med carbonation, wet finish

Overall - One of the most overrated beers I've had to date. Is it bad? No. But I have no idea why I keep hearing about it. Glad I just have the one to try and not a full six pack.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 00:12:09 | More by sbxx

smalenberg

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured to a pint.

A - Aggressive pour will foam out of the pint before the bottle is empty if you aren't careful. Big white foamy head leaves lace on the glass throughout the enjoyment of it. Poured the whole glass and got a big shot of yeast at the end. Probably could have treated it more like a home brew to limit the haze a bit, but as a wheat, it should have that character anyway. Golden yellow with tinge of amber to it and cloudy as any German hefeweizen.

S - Yeast and lemon and some floral/grassy hop character along with wheat malt character. Yeast and wheat gives a bready quality to the nose that is followed by the citrus.

T - Don't put a wedge of lemon in this American wheat because it tastes like it is already there in just the right proportion. Citrusy and refreshing.

M - Kind of grainy and fuller than you might expect. Somewhat of a medium body. Slightly drying.

O - This beer makes me think of summer and on a Michigan spring day that was preceded by a snow squall it helped me think warm thoughts. This is an easy drinker that you can enjoy in sunshine or even to let you imagine that sunshine when the sky is overcast. Great summer brew. I'd enjoy this spring through early fall with an Indian summer, but it really is a style that lends itself to nicer weather.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 20:02:11 | More by smalenberg

malloyca

District of Columbia

3.46/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy orange gold with a medium, foamy head. Faint aromas of yeast, mild citrus and some spice. Pleasant and grainy on the palate, there is a lot of carbonation in this which lends nice mouthfeel but obscures the flavors a bit. For this style, though, that's ok. Very refreshing. I would not hesitate to throw six of these in an iced bucket in the back yard on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 22:05:31 | More by malloyca

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

3.99/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - a yellow-orange dull glowing Cloudy color. big chunky head. Rushing carbonation upon pouring, slows down.

S - YEAST. i usually question my self on if i'm smelling or tasting yeast, but it's definitely here.

T - I can taste actual wheat. A touch of banana, of course. Hints of orange and lemon. None of that sticky sweet manufactured tasting bubblegum that I have tasted in my recent German Weissbiers. The hops are subtle but definitely there, providing balance (not much is required, because there is not a lot of malt sweetness either). despite this, this beer is full flavored with tasty wheat and bread and some yeast. Light but has substance. Refreshing yet interesting.

Mouthfeel - Refreshing but not over carbonated. and not thin like water either.

O - very good. One I'd buy a six pack of in the summer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 00:03:13 | More by TastyAdventure

screamking

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass.

For my first outdoor beer review I can think of no better way to start the summer than Bells Oberon. It pours a very hazy golden yellow, with a thick 2 1/2 finger white foamy head. Lacing already forming when I swirl it around. The nose on this is very typical for the style, nothing special. I've never been too much of a fan of the aroma on a wheat beer and this doesn't change things.

This beer tastes so crisp and refreshing. The sweetness comes on first with lots of orange and lemon citrus. Then gets washed out by a punch of bitterness. With lower ABV this is a great summer session beer. I wasn't too impressed at first, but then again for what it is it gets it right.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 22:55:38 | More by screamking

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not a huge fan of this style, but definitely like Bell's Oberon.

Poured into a snifter. Not particularly thrilled with the appearance here: a fizzy white head dissipates pretty quickly, leaving traces of swirl and minimal lacing. Color is pale and hazy, but sort of bright piss yellow, or natural dried grass/light wheat.

Wheat/light bread aromas are present, as well as slightly sweet and a little bit spicy banana.

Taste is similar, but with more intense features; for example the sweet/spice characters are more prominent, and blend well with the natural wheat/fruit.

Feel is crisp, refreshing and carbonated.

Overall I enjoy this beer in a style I do not typically go after. It's perfect for a warming weather consumption as I find it refreshing and drinkable, with a somewhat low ABV. I like it, and I am glad I grabbed a few bottles. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:27:28 | More by rodlavers

Dave_in_GR

Michigan

4.09/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served from a bottle into a pint glass. Appearance is great, a light yellow-orange color with lots of carbonation and a finger-width of foamy white head. Smell is dominated by citrus flavors, but with some spices (coriander?) as well. Taste is very similar, with the sharpness of the coriander blending nicely with the citrus and wheat flavors. Mouthfeel is very light bodied and clean - quite a bit of carbonation as well. This is a great summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 21:56:26 | More by Dave_in_GR

Beerstorian

District of Columbia

4.59/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Served in a glass, beer purchased a week or so after it came out. This is a great all-around beer. Nice citrusy taste on the front end, with good flavor on the back. A good go-to beer for people who want to have a beer but don't know what they want. Good head retention, nice color.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 13:16:05 | More by Beerstorian

MichaelNickerson

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Pours a cloudy, light orange with a dominate white head which disappears rather quickly.

Smell: Mild aroma with initial scent of wheat and yeast, followed by a strong orange fruit aroma.

Taste: Heavy wheat flavors followed by intense citrus oranges. Lacks much carbonation, but otherwise is quite smooth.

Mouthfeel: Average dryness. Reminds you of the summer months of sunshine and relaxation. Doesn't quite leave you wanting another sip, but makes you crave summer-like food.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 00:50:32 | More by MichaelNickerson

mfnmbvp

Illinois

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

12 oz. bottle, with bottled on date reading 03/07/2013, so this beer was bottled exactly three weeks ago today. My first bottle this year, and probably about as fresh as I'm gonna get it! I am highly indebted to this beer for being one of the beers that opened my eyes to the world of craft brewing. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Semi-aggressive pour yields a disappointing quarter inch of white fizz, which quickly dies out. Cloudy lemon-orange colored body with a small bit of sediment floating around.

S - Smells of yeast, wheat, bit of fruit sweetness. A fairly weak aroma, to be honest.

T - Very grainy; wheat, corn, yeast. Some light, crisp, citrus fruits. Lightly bodied, light carbonation, tastes pretty damn fresh.

M - Feel is crisp and fruity, yet leaves a dry feeling behind.

Overall, while my tastes may have changed since I had my first Bell's Oberon Ale, it remains a flavorful and highly drinkable beer, by all means. This beer is the classic epitome of a summer beer, in my opinion, and it will always hold a special little dirty drunken place in my heart. Nothing ridiculously complex, so don't go expecting a 5 star beer, yet this is a must-have, must-drink, all summer long type of beer.

Bell's Oberon Ale ---3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 04:05:00 | More by mfnmbvp

tronester

Oklahoma

3.49/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy yellow with lots of floaties. Smells like grain and a bit of vinegar. Taste begins with a dry earthy, citrusy flavor, followed by some grain, and finishing with some tartness. Mouthfeel is good. Overall a decent beer, though not my favorite from Bells.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 23:51:54 | More by tronester

SerBennett

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Just picked up my first six pack of Obie 2013 from Kroger. One of the best things about living in Michigan? Bell's. As always, Bell's did not disappoint.

Appearance: Bright, pale and hazy gold. The bubbles are fun to watch, and the lacing is great. When it pours, it's beautiful. Nice one finger head. Perfect.

Smell & Taste: Smells of oranges, citrus, wheat. I'm not sure if it's the description on the bottle tricking my mind, but when you smell it, you can't help but think of Summer and being outside with some friends. The taste is amazing. Sweet at first, typical wheat ale, but the magic comes after that. There's a slight bitterness, as well as a fruit-like taste. It's Oberon, and there's something really great about it.

Mouthfeel: Feels great.

Overall, I couldn't wait for Oberon to come out. It's a great wheat ale made by a great Michigan brewery. It's one of the best things about Spring. I will be buying many more six packs and mini-kegs in the months to come.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 13:34:30 | More by SerBennett

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz Bottle from Total Wine Tampa FL for 2$

Appearance - Hazy gold colour with an average size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some faint acing. The head lasted for 3-4 minutes. There are also some particles floating around in it.

Smell - Breads/grains, lemons, corn

Taste & Mouth - There is a below average amount of carbonation and I can taste corn mixed with some malts and grains. There is also some light hops and some lemons. It ends with a malty/grainy aftertaste with a light fruitiness.

Overall - Quite drinkable, but also quite boring. Not a whole lot of flavour going on. A good beer to session I suppose but not something I'd pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 02:47:03 | More by spinrsx

JonesyMSU

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

Bell's Oberon Ale is one of my favorite wheat ales. I'm from West Michigan, so I have a natural affinity for this brew, but I've had lots of beer in my days (especially while attending Michigan State University) and Oberon will always be a favorite of mine.

It's smooth, dark pour finishes with a decently thick head and is accompanied by orange and wheat aromas. It has a slightly bitter and hoppy after-taste, but has a smooth and warm, yet slightly dry feel on the palate, which adds to its crispness. Accompanied by an orange slice, this 'American wheat ale with the color and scent of a summer afternoon' is perfect for accompanying warm weather and summer parties with your friends. Beware - the bottles aren't twist-offs. I would say that this beer is somewhat similar in respects to the orange-like qualities of the Blue Moon Belgian white, but surpasses it and others in its class and will be enjoyed by wheat-loving beer enthusiasts.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 03:07:33 | More by JonesyMSU

klkatz

Pennsylvania

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

given to us by a neighbor from michigan (thank Lori and Mike)... they suggested drinking with an orange... though in some bars it's a lemon... tried orange... i can see it's good for summer, but no for me.

smells tangy, citrusy - 3

appearance - dark orange, hazy, nice thick head for a wheat... - 4

good mouthfeel - hard to distinguish the nuances of taste

bubbly and refreshing...

overall 3.5

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:33:49 | More by klkatz

Sieves

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A perfect compliment to a summer afternoon. This beer pours well with grilled fish or steak. This seasonal brew is available from April to October. Best served in a chilled glass this beer will provide a modest head. Usually served with an orange slice, this beer will satisfy any thirsty mouth.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2012 02:56:45 | More by Sieves

ckollias

Maryland

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

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy dark yellow hue with a white wispy head and minimal trail down the glass.

S: Malty wheat aroma with a grassy background and slight hops.

T: Similar to the smell there is a malty wheat aroma that is on the grassy side and finishes slightly hoppy.

M: Medium body and carbonation

O: Good wheat beer – refreshing on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 19:46:02 | More by ckollias

blackcompg

Illinois

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

Poured from their 12oz bottle, from a 6-pak that my mother in law brought me from MI...

Appearance - Pours a finger of white eggshell head, body is a golden opaque lite orange, leaves some nice webbed lacing after the session.

Smell - wheat bread, faint citrus, lite minerals and light coriander.

Taste - full wheat flavor, bready malts, light citrus of orange and lemon, some light coriander spice, longer into the finish I get some meadowy hops and just a touch of grapefruit pith.

Mouthfeel - Lighter side of medium, silky smooth, but not quite creamy. Carb is heavier side of medium, but very smooth and foaming which gives a wonderful smoothness and excellent drinkability. Finish is clean and crisp and just slightly dry.

Overal - The perfect blend of a wheat beer and a pale ale, very refreshing, this beer tastes like summer, and pretty sessionable at 5.8%. Highly recommend for almost any meal, or for enjoying with friends on a warm evening.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 02:09:10 | More by blackcompg

Mavigo

Michigan

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

Had this plenty of times before, summers over so I'd figure I'd have one more, poured into a pint glass.

A: a hazy orange-gold, with not much head and some lacing.

S: Smells like wheat, hops

T: very mellow flavor, tastes like wheat, yeast, hops

M: On the more carbonated side but doesn't have any negative effects on the beer, makes it more refreshing, airy, light, crisp, easy going. A definite summer beer.

O: Great beer from the homeland and from one of my favorite breweries, this is a must have beer for any form of summer relaxation, captures the the essence of summer. Try one.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 01:31:30 | More by Mavigo

kangarooAdam59

Connecticut

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

Glad to be back in Michigan to sample/re-review an old favorite from when I lived in Michigan.

A: hazy pale yellow colored body and left a one finger white head that died within thirty seconds. Some nice ringy lacing was left. Some light slow carbonation was seen rising.

S: some moderate flavors of wheat along with notes of orange and lemon.

T: basically the same with a slight added hops to it and a nice bit of light sourness to it.

M: light with a decent amount of carbonation hitting the tongue, but in a nice and acceptable way for the style.

O: this is a good summer beer that is quite drinkable and makes me want to move back to Michigan just so I can have it in the summers.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 03:10:37 | More by kangarooAdam59

tectactoe

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had both in bottle and on tap. Oberon pours a cloudy, pale golden-orange color. Slight amounts of sediment in the beer actually look inviting rather than scary (like pulp in your orange juice). Thin, wispy white head that leaves decent lacing on the glass. It's hard to get a powerful nose from this stuff, but what you do get is full of orange zest, mild clove, mild cooking spices, a tad of grain, and a bit of wheat. The taste is very closely tied to the smell - nice and robust for a wheat-style beer, backed with a citrusy-orange peel flavor and a nice kick of spice that hits about halfway through and lasts til the end. Hops are present, but faint and come out near the latter half of the taste. Some graininess is also present, but not overpowering or notably predominant. A hint of clove can also be detected from nearly start to finish. Medium-thin bodied with a soft amount of carbonation make this beer easy to drink.

Oberon is a great summer time wheat beer with a somewhat unique flavor profile for this style. A solid choice all around.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 12:44:47 | More by tectactoe

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is hazy pale yellow in color. It poured with a quarter-finger high off white head that died down and left lacing on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are moderate aromas of wheat in the nose along with notes of orange peels.
T: The taste has a very slight amount of sourness along with flavors of wheat, notes of orange peel and hints of spices.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and clean on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very flavorful for the style and is also quite drinkable. It is a good summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 01:42:53 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

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

A: Pours a very hazy to cloudy pale golden yellow in color with moderate amounts of fine dark sediment near the bottom of the glass. The beer has a quarter finger tall fizzy white head that quickly reduces to a very small patch of extremely thin film and a very thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of wheat with some lighter notes of citrus/orange rind and pepper spiciness.

T: Light to moderate amounts of orange rind and some peppery spiciness. Nice light wheat flavor in the background, behind the citrus and spiciness. Light amounts of bitterness but it does not linger.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: Extremely easy to drink and enjoyable, would be very refreshing on a hot summer afternoon. Nice and light, I'm glad I got this one to review (since after my move it is no longer distributed to where I live).

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 17:24:00 | More by dbrauneis

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

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

Two of them, both served from a bottle, poured into a cup at the baseball park in Chicago. Tigers 8-6 over the White Sox. Not the ideal container, but it will do at the ballpark!

Kind of orangey and hazy, great head and lace, great looking beer.

Very malty and fruity, bready notes, sweet citrus, wheat. Slightly spicy and hoppier than most wheat beers. Very nice, one of my new favs from bell's.

Body is light and easy to drink, yet thick and chewy like a wheat beer should be.

Definitely try this one if you like wheat beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 20:28:00 | More by AlCaponeJunior

Mojo

Alabama

3.55/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a very cloudy (due to lots of particulate) pale gold. There was about a one finger white head with good retention and a fairly good amount of lacing. Smell is very subtle with some bread, apples, oranges, and grassy notes. Taste is very mild, almost no bitterness, just about perfect for a hot summer day. Honestly I expected more from this, but it is not bad at all, just not spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 03:47:49 | More by Mojo