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

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

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

Pours a dehydrated urine yellow in Bell's tulip.

Smell is nice and refreshing with hints of lemon and fresh cut grass.

Taste is pale malts and straw. Lemon zest come through but not as strongly as with the smell. Just not that much going on here for me.

Mouthfeel is light bodied but nicely carbonated.

Overall this was o.k. Not that complex, but refreshing for a summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 01:01:55 | More by TrappistJohnMD

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle thanks to Veldrid. Poured into Founder's snifter.

A- Pours a hazy yellowish golden with a thin layer of white head that quickly recedes, slightly below average carbonation.

S- Wheat, pale malts, oranges, a tiny bit of lemons, about average to just over slightly average aroma strength.

T- Light citrus- oranges and lemons mixed with pale malts and a little bit of wheat finishes with hint of tartness followed by a slightly sugary citrus pale malt aftertaste that lingers for a tiny bit.

M- Fairly thin, average carbonation, goes down easily.

O- I liked this beer for a summer beer. Nice light refreshing mouthfeel mixed with a nice lemony taste that balanced with the wheat. Another nice Bell's beer, nothing that stands out, but definitely a beer that I could drink again and is nice on a hot summer's night.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 00:19:16 | More by jaasen64

Alextricity

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Served on-tap at Ciccarelli's at 21 and Hayes.

Appearance: A decent, summer looking beer. Nothing to get excited in the pants about, but it certainly looks summery. Clear and golden in color ... seemingly no lacing, and virtually no head.

Smell: Very interesting ... seemed floral. Wheaty. Somewhat citrusy... but the main smell -- AND taste -- is something I can't quite pinpoint.

Taste: Quite simply one of the best Summer beers I've had. It tastes much like the smell. I can't exactly explain what it's like but it's incredibly tasty and smooth... citrus. Wheat. Flowery.

Mouthfeel: This really makes the whole thing. Oberon is pleasantly unexpectedly SUPER creamy almost. I couldn't believe how smooth it was... maybe this is because it was on tap, but I had to slow myself down from finishing the whole tall glass in just a few moments.

Overall, an incredibly tasty beer ... I figured it'd be good, but I wasn't expecting this. I feel robbed because I paid SEVEN BUCKS for a tall glass at Ciccarelli's, but I'm not faulting Bell's for that, obviously.

RE-REVIEW 4/11/13: I still really enjoy this beer. The smell and taste aren't don't wallop your face, but a summer beer shouldn't -- Oberon has a nice spiciness and citrus taste. The best part about it is the mouthfeel, which is super smooth, and it makes this beer drink easily. I like to liken the feel to that of orange juice. A must-try beer for the summer, or for any time of year -- just get it as fresh as possible.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 03:37:01 | More by Alextricity

Ed_Johnson

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great summer session beer. Got a slight head with carbonation and nice lacing in my glass. Can smell the yeast along with the coriander and the taste demonstrates some hops and slight malts balanced well. Medium mouthfeel. Very smooth finish. A good example of what a wheat beer can be.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 18:08:03 | More by Ed_Johnson

maximum12

Minnesota

2.6/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

On-tap at The Apple Valley Tap House.

Pour is classic wheat: clouded yellow. Smell is the same: clouded yellow.

Oberon has a cult following, but I keep trying, & for the life of me can't figure out why. One sip & there's the nice wheat, but also a ton or orange & grain that bash each over the head & can't agree on anything. This beer always seems disjointed to me. The tastes that come together in other brews don't play nice here.

Walked away from about 11 ounces. I've tried several times, & now I give up. It's a Bell's beer I simply don't like.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 02:50:40 | More by maximum12

jnezda

Texas

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

Poured with cloudy orange hint witha great head that stuck around for the duration. Being served in a stemmed bulb glass the hints of citrus and wheat came across nicely. The taste was a great depicition of an American wheat and the mouthfeel was that of a great summer beer light and crisp with good favors and low carbonation.

Overall a beer I would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 20:35:18 | More by jnezda

rlee1390

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Very cloudy orange, some carbonation, two finger head.

S-Wheat, orange, lemon, some spice (clove) notes. With a tad bit of citrus hops.

T-Oranges, wheat, lemon, some grass, good balance, slight bitterness.

M-Light to medium bodied, some carbonation, but slightly watery.

O-A wonderful summer beer, balanced sweet and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 14:23:12 | More by rlee1390

mcintire78

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Beautifully cloudy, straw to pale gold in color. Good carbonation with little head or lacing.

Smell: Noticeable smell of wheat with a hint of lemon and spice.

Taste: Carbonation up front, fading into wheat, citrus and malt, and ending with a bit of crispy sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Significant carbonation that fades into gentle finish.

Drinkability: High, but dangerous with almost 6% alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 01:10:31 | More by mcintire78

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

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

I poured this into a perfect pint glass, it has a light hazy gold color to it with a nice small sticky white head that is hanging around for a while. The smell light of nice wheat notes and some light lemon also. The taste is nice of wheat and some spice and lemon grass. The mouth feel is nice and smooth and nice carbonation and overall a nice summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 02:30:36 | More by chefhatt

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

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

from notes during my inet down time 2012.

12 oz brown bottle with a great looking orange label that gives me some pleasure of warm summer evenings. Poured into a standard pint glass.

A - Hazy golden with some light orangish hue. Haze provides some real funk going on in the shape of a midwest tornado in the center of my glass. Very light to no head once it settles being snow white in color.

S - Wheat grain aroma with a sweet malt character. A bit of spice and light hop presence in the nose.

T - Very summer like. Fruity and sweet of lemon, grass, and wheat malt. Some good spice going on here with a simple and light hoppy bitterness with the finish. Very refreshing brew.

M - Smooth and fairly light in body. Has a thickness to the mouthfeel or makes you think it with all the cloudiness in the look of this ale. Easy to drink and one of the better summer wheat ales you can drink.

O - I've always been a big fan of Bell's Brewery, and I need to do more reviews on their offerings as they really are top notch. This is one of the best American Pale Wheat ales in the world. It's more less a style that's kind of half assed if you ask me, but there are a few brewers who have taken the time to do it right and offer a solid warm weather seasonal and Bell's is one of those brewers who took time with the Oberon Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 21:03:43 | More by BradtheGreat7

SometimesIfart

Michigan

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

Poured from a keg into a lager glass by my buddy Drake. He poured a bit of a monster head, With tons of lacing. The beer is a murky gold color. The smell is of wheat and lots of it, With some very light malt and perhaps of lemon grass?. The taste follows the smell largely. With some squeezed orange coming through and some slight grape in the mix. The mouthfeel adds some tartness, though a bit too tart for what it is. Overall, A good wheat ale, Would I buy it? Sure, I I needed something that was easy to drink for a medium price that is a nice change from the usual.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2012 00:17:14 | More by SometimesIfart

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

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

A-slightly cloudy golden color with a nice white head and decent lacing

S-wheat, lemon zest, hints of spice

T-slightly sweet wheat malt, lemon, hints of tropical fruit, moderately bitter hoppy finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp

O- a nice wheat ale, crisp summer seeion beer

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 22:10:10 | More by MDDMD

woosterbill

Connecticut

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

Mini-keg into a 25cl Duvel tulip, enjoyed as a palate cleanser (of sorts) at Knifestyle's birthday tasting. Thanks, Chris!

A: Hazy pale gold body with a thin, fine white head that settles into a ring and leaves spotty lace. Nice.

S: Delicate, pure wheat graininess. A little spicy a little citrus. Really soft and nice.

T: A bit fuller than the nose, with solid malt sweetness, mildly tart wheat, and a crisp, clean, mildly bitter finish. Tasty.

M: Light, lively, creamy. Perfect.

O: Very good APWA. Refreshing, tasty, and simple.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2012 22:05:40 | More by woosterbill

socon67

New York

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

Had at US Cellular Field

A - Pour is golden\orange with a haze. Nice lacing and a quickly shrinking foam.

S - Good smell of citrus and hops. Has a scent of fresh fruit and some floral notes too.

T - Very enjoyable ale that has a base of fresh grain. Flavors or lemon are tasted, and some tropical fruit. Finish is a mild hoppy bite.

M - Very sessionable, and feels so smooth. Perfect to sit back and enjoy a summer night. Minimal carbonation. Very flavorful wheat ale.

O - First taste of something from Bell's. Now I want more.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 03:52:37 | More by socon67

bmwats

Louisiana

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Growler pour into a plastic cup...in my hotel room.

A: Light golden hue. Pours about a half finger, foamy white head. Settles slowly, leaving a blanket, a beer ring, and substantial sticky residue. Lots o' beer ring lacing.

S: Wheat, paper, and just a touch of lemon and an indistinct subtle spice....maybe parsley or basil.

T: Wheaty, with just a bit of bite, and some subtle floral and fruity components.

M: Light body. Kind of a stale feel with a brassy finish.

D: Goes down really soft and easy.

Atmosphere is really good. Nice hue, decent head, and a lot of persistent lacing. Nose is subtle combination of wheat, citrus, sweet notes, and Italian spice. Very well done. Flavor is very wheaty with soft, but distinct flora and fruit. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: growler

07-17-2012 03:50:04 | More by bmwats

tone77

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a cloudy dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head and some debris floating around. Smell is of lemons, some wheat. Taste is wheat, lemons, tangy up front but then a bit mild. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is an average beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 15:56:14 | More by tone77

davey101

Connecticut

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

On tap, had a few ten ounce pours into a tulip glass. Pours a golden yellow body with a small white head. Decent lacing. Aroma is of wheat, grass, light spice, and some citric hops. Flavor follows the nose. Somewhat boring, but quite refreshing on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 02:13:34 | More by davey101

JWU

Pennsylvania

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

12oz. bottle poured into a curved pint glass.

A- a hazy goldenrod with orange hints. Two fingers of fairly white head dissipates quickly

S- I get wheat malt, toasted bread, minerals, and a hint of spice and floral hops.

T- Smooth wheat malts have a toasted quality, and lead way into a bit of a citric taste (wheat beer citrus, not hoppy citrus), some minerals, and a hint of floral hops. Quite refreshing.

M- A smooth light to medium body. Dries on the back end from the wheat malt.

O- A very good, refreshing summer ale that's not over the top with spice, citrus, or sweetness. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 00:21:49 | More by JWU

phishsihq

Colorado

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

The beer pours an interesting yellow-orange color, hazy with a big, fluffy white head. Wheat aromas dominate the nose, with very slight hints of grain, clove, spice and banana present. Wheat again dominates the pallet, but this time it is met with some citrusy lemon and orange flavors. A medium hop bitterness and a slightly bready aftertaste linger for a while. Crisp and smooth, Oberon is medium-light in body, moderate in carbonation and finishes smooth. Reminds us of hot humid nights and fireflies.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 00:20:30 | More by phishsihq

TheSeeker61

Georgia

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

Great summer session. Got a slight head with carbonation and the floaties which I didn't notice when I drank a few of these last summer. Can smell the yeast along with the coriander and the tongue demonstrates some hops and slight malts balanced well. The mouthfeel is mdium. I really like this one. Tastes better than I rememebered. Probably grab a growler of this from my favorite beer and wine shop and enjoy once again. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 19:58:14 | More by TheSeeker61

Jfriz25

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance- Pale golden with a cm or two of snow white head. Lots of floaters and tiny bubbles.

Smell- Honestly not much there, some light wheaty malt.

Taste- Same as the smell maybe a little floral on the finish but its subtle.

Mouthfeel- On the light side of medium.

Overall- A solid refreashing summer beer. Thats the best I can say about it but I'm also not a huge fan of most wheat beers. Glad I got to try it in a pick a 6 becuase I probably wouldn't have gotten a 6 pack.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 20:39:31 | More by Jfriz25

jeffreymstein

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I've been drinking the Oberon as a sessionable summer fallback for a while.

The pour is a nice hazy orange with very little head.

Smell has a hint of citrus, but nothing crazy.

Tastes tangy, a little sour with a bit of citrus. Has a similar feel to Magic Hat #9

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 23:05:44 | More by jeffreymstein

bubseymour

Maryland

3.1/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

a - extremely bright orange color like tang. Lots of floaties and yeast in there which never sits well with me. minimal head.

s - some faint malt but I really don't smell much else

t - not overly impressed. Tasted metallic and crisp with not much else going on. Tastes like a mediocre American Pale Ale but the wheat taste is missing.

M - acceptable

O - I thought this was a very average pale ale. Ok if offerred but is really very run of the mill.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 18:56:48 | More by bubseymour

draheim

Washington

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

12oz bottle (bottled 5/22/2012; thx ChicagoJohn) into a tulip. Pours a hazy pale yellow w/ a 2-finger sudsy head that leaves copious lace. Wisps of sediment settle in stratified layers inside the glass.

Aroma has a musty, minerally quality. There's some floral hoppy notes but mostly I'm getting this weird old wet basement smell that I just also got from a bottle of Gumballhead. And no, it's not the glass. Maybe the water really is different in other parts of the country, and so they condition it differently too...? no idea, but I don't like this smell.

Taste follows nose. Pale wheat malt and some floral hops, but there's also this metallic taste that I attribute to the water. The bitter hops and sweet malt cancel each other out nicely, there's a nice mellow softness that I attribute to the wheat malt. A hint of lemon.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, balanced, drinkable.

Overall, a tasty but not especially interesting summer wheat beer. Not sure what that dank musty basement aroma/taste is from the water, but it doesn't make this beer any better.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 22:32:10 | More by draheim

TheDinger

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Actually had this from the mini keg to a pint glass. Pour was very nice with amber, golden, wheat tone and an awesome 2+ finger pillow head. Nose was a touch weak with cloves, citrus, grapefruit and some florals. Taste was right on for a 100+ degree summer day. A nice blend of wheat, hops and fruit to make me come back for more. Not too complex, but not simple either. I think Bell's got this just right. A little tart on the front end that gives way to a subtle bitter ending. Feel is a good bit of carbonation, perhaps a bit skinny, but lively on the tongue. Overall- Very solid effort. It's not an over the top wheat, but yet a nice blend of the characteristics. Grapefruit/citrus notes are nice edition. Well balanced and will be finding another mini keg to tap soon.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 16:41:29 | More by TheDinger