Bell's Best Brown - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

daliandragon

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I like the label with the bored looking owl sitting on top of the chain link fence post. Definitely barren looking. Attractive beige head sits above a translucent orange brown body. In the nose I detect a wintery mix of vanilla, dark fruit, brown sugar and caramel.

I find this beer very easy to drink. The taste is pleasant without being terribly complex and goes down very easy. Key notes in the flavor are nutty toasted malt and caramel. Hops don't seem evident but the sweetness factor is thankfully low and this finishes very clean for the style.

Slight over carbonation may muffle the flavor a little but hard to say. This isn't a great beer but it is tasty and reasonably flexible and I could see this being a good go-to winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 03:22:00 | More by daliandragon

TheBigBoy

Pennsylvania

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

Out of single bottle. One of the better brown ales I've tasted. Not like Newcastle but more like a Hobgoblin or Americanized brown with good brown beer taste that works for my palate. Not overpowering, not sweet, but very smooth with a hearty brown ale taste.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 03:51:34 | More by TheBigBoy

Tschnab

New York

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- a great brown pour with a khaki head that is 2 fingers high, plenty of lace trails the glass.

S- very malty, leading to carmel and toffee like aromas, followed by a nuttiness and breadiness.

T- the taste confirms the nose completely. the flavor is quite full for the abv, and the malty sweetness is balanced by a good bitterness and nutty earthiness.

O- a very very sessionable brown ale that goes down the hatch quite well. Not so roasted, not so malty, just a really well balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 03:42:10 | More by Tschnab

Dope

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A nice mahogany brown with a huge fluffy offwhite head. Great lacing and retention.

S: Toffee, nuts, molasses and brown sugar.

T: Not too sweet like a lot of brown ales. A nice nutty toffee flavor backed up with a little molasses.

M: Medium body but seems like just a little too much carbonation. Needs to be a little more still in my opinion.

O: A decent brown ale. A little sweeter and a little less carbonation would make this amazing.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 20:42:29 | More by Dope

rangerred

Tennessee

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a hazy medium brown with a nice 2 finger head. Excellent head retention and lacing.

Smells of caramel and toasted malt. There is also a certain yeasty smell.

The taste is very malty with strong caramel/toffee and also a slight sour yeasty flavor. There is a bitterness that really kicks in at the end that is nutty and hoppy. The mouthfeel is very creamy and pretty thick.

Overall I think this is a very good beer and a good example of the style. I wish it was available locally because I would definitely seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 20:47:41 | More by rangerred

TheDinger

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into a pint glass.

A- Rich, medium mahoganoy with a clear tint when held to light. A nice 2 fingers of off white/tan head that stays for a bit. Nice lacing throughout.

S- On the soft side, but picking up carmel, nut and some small fruit notes. Grain as well, but again subdued.

T- This is where less is sometimes more. Not overly complex, but a very smooth, well-rounded brown. The carmel hits up front and is followed by a touch of bitterness that makes this hard to sit down. A little bit of the nuts come through with the hops.

M- Dry with a little carbonation to keep it interesting. Not overpowering which I like in my browns. Medium feel.

O- A great effort by Bell's. It's not overly complex and that is to it's benefit. A great balance of carmel, nuts, grain and hops. A great session beer that went down fantastic on a chilly evening. Simple, but well done and very tasty-

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 14:22:34 | More by TheDinger

kevinjosephlee

Georgia

4.78/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bottle poured into a glass.

A: A clear, dark, mahogany (coppery red, when held to the light) with a thick, off-white head with intense lacing.

S: Malty, caramelly, grainy notes. Also a rich chocolate-y sweetness. Another pleasing scent that I can't quite place but may be butterscotch.

T: Malts dominate this beer (as expected). Nutty, molasses sweetness, finishes dry and smooth. Moderate bitterness.

M: Some roasted astringency. Lighter body with some carbonation tingle.

Notes: This beer hits all the right marks for the style. Very drinkable. I am a fan of Bell's offerings. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 01:05:35 | More by kevinjosephlee

bnes09

Illinois

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

Deep mahogany color. Big cream colored head. Good retention and pleasant lacing.

Mildly toasted aroma with caramel and almonds.

Nutty, roasty and smooth malt flavor. Well balanced with a spicy, herbal hop bitterness. Sweet caramel mid-drink to finish.

Medium bodied. Mild carbonation. Rich and creamy with a dry finish.

Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 00:39:10 | More by bnes09

tewaris

Minnesota

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

Pours a hazy rust brown color with an off white creamy head. Good retention and lacing. Aroma is, well, browned malts ;-) Tastes slightly sweet with a good specialty malt character manifesting itself in caramel flavor and roast. Just a hint of hoppiness at the end with a long, comforting aftertaste. Good body, rather high carbonation. Plenty of residual sweetness. A good brown ale.
4, 3, 4, 3.5, 4

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 18:54:59 | More by tewaris

Immortale25

Florida

3.96/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter. Says packaged on 10/10/11.

A- Pours a dark reddish brown with an 1/8 inch white head that soon disappears to a ring with bubble formations on the surface. Lacing's not bad.

S- Smells fresh and sweet with toffee-like caramel notes, brown sugar and some chocolate. Has a mustiness to it that is quite unique. Not smoky, but musty like a wet basement. I wouldn't call it an off aroma, just something I've never smelled in a beer before.

T- Chocolate and dark toasty bread dominate the flavor profile, both of which not being too heavy...and that's pretty much it.

M- Has a light feel with normal viscosity and medium-high carbonation.

O- Not too much to say about this beer, but sometimes the plain ones can be the most enjoyable to session. Definitely another win for Bell's, although the name doesn't necessarily live up to the execution.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 02:35:11 | More by Immortale25

jar2574

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Brown ales seem much maligned these days, with all the emphasis on hops. But even a person who isn't generally a fan should recognize this brown ale one as a good one.

Pours with a rather thin head, but the staying power is tremendous. 10 minutes after pouring, it's still standing strong. Color is brown with moderate density. Lacing is perfect, coating the glass all the way down.

Smell is rather faint, a little nutty, and malty, not hoppy. This is the weakest part of the beer.

When you taste this beer, the first impression is the amazing, creamy mouthfeel. Extremely creamy and dense for a rather low ABV beer. Excellent mouthfeel.

The taste itself is extremely mellow. Slightly nutty, less sweet than most brown ales. Makes for a good, easy drinking session beer.

The things that make this beer good are the appearance, mouthfeel, and drinkablity. The lack of complexity in the taste holds it back from being an awesome beer. But it would be a good beer to introduce a new beer advocate to.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 01:49:17 | More by jar2574

thain709

Pennsylvania

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

A - Served with a clear brown body that had some ruby highlights...the head was tan in color and creamy...it held up pretty well and left some patches of lace on the mug

S - Very malt forward with hints of caramel, toffee, nuts, and some faint fruits...pretty solid for a brown

T - Again, being a brown ale this is very malt forward...the toffee and caramel flavors reign supreme...the nuttiness and fruity flavors are in the middle of the beer and they help to add some character...I would have liked some more nutty nuances...there is a surprisingly high hop presence at the end of the beer...it's earthy and goes well with the other flavors

M - Medium bodied...a little thin and not enough lingering on the palate

O - I would not turn down another one of these...I feel Bell's did a nice job making a classic English Brown Ale

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 21:25:14 | More by thain709

bum732

Maryland

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

S: Malty and toasty with a very bisquity aroma, slight herbal component.

L: Hazy orangish brown, creamy light tan head with good retention and lacing.

T: Malty up front with a prominent bisquit note. Medium low herbal bitterness leading. Soft pear notes as it warms. Finishes very dry with a dry cocoa note.

M: Creamy medium full body with medium carbonation.

Great, big and bold for the style while still being kept in check. Really enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 02:28:58 | More by bum732

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from the bottle into a nonic glass. Bottled on 10/4/11.

A- Poured a brownish orange color, two finger fluffy head

S- Lots of sweet roasty malts, caramel, and grains

T- Very sweet maltiness, some roasted malts, caramel, toffee, barley, rich flavor reminiscent of a milk stout without the big chocolate notes. Light tartness on the finish. Overall a very sweet brown ale.

M- Very creamy, silky, somewhere between medium and fuller bodied, more fuller bodied than most brown ales I've had

O- This brown ale has a great mouthfeel, very smooth and creamy. The taste of this beer was good at first, the sweetness of this beer became a bit much for me as got about half way through the beer. Very rich and sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 23:18:14 | More by Hoptometrist

warnerry

Michigan

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

Bottled 9/7/11

A - Pours a clear amber/brown with a lot if suspended material and one finger of tan head. Leaves some lacing.

S - Caramel malt with some nutty aroma. A bit of roasted malt.

T - Roasted malt and nuts. A bit of caramel malt and some sweetness on the finish.

M -- Medium mouthfeel with a mix of sweet and dry roast on the finish.

O -- Pretty good, but I have had much more flavorful brown ales. Wouldn't turn one down, but probably wouldn't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 01:38:42 | More by warnerry

garuda

Pennsylvania

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

A - Hazed, but bright deep ruby, off white creamy head with great retention and some lacing.

S/T - Very nice smooth roasted malt character competing with a robust smokiness, with an underlying caramel malt sweetness throughout with hints of chocolate here and there. Touch of hops at the end adds bitterness, but really no additional flavors.

M - A little light in body with the smooth cask conditioning. finishes quite clean.

O - Solid brew. I really enjoyed the complexities going on. I'd definitely get it again.

Serving type: cask

11-15-2011 00:06:15 | More by garuda

engagechad

Virginia

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

This bottle was purchased as a single from Wine and Beer Westpark in Glen Allen, VA - bottled Nov 30th 2010 drank on april 21st 2011 - poured into tulip

Pours a light browny amber with a creamy tan head. Beer is clear and pure, perfect lacing and beautiful head.
Smells of licorice and dark fruits, tastes bitter but not from hops and feels pretty smooth. It's an easy drinking brown that is quite tasty, nothing fancy or spectacular though.

*re-review*
11-13-11

Pours nice, murky orange brown, nice head. Smells perfect, brown sugar, deep malty sweets with spice. Taste is effin boss. Smooth and tingley at the end, aftertaste is sweet brown sugar.

I had to re do this one because I loved it the second go around.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 20:48:12 | More by engagechad

Pintofbrown

Iowa

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

This was served in a glass stein.

Appearance- The head is khaki colored and rises to about one and a half fingers of bubbly foam. There are a nice amount of tiny bubbles on top that leave a dappling of craters. The body is the color of raw cinnamon sticks with some darker auburn notes.

Smell- There is a sweet bread malt that is the most dominant, as it certainly should be. I was also surprised to pick up a little grassy hoppiness, and I'm not sure I like that.

Taste- Bread malt leads the way and picks up notes of brown sugar. In the finish, there is a good amount of earthy hop and some more bread malt. This is pretty average for a brown, and I'm glad the grassy hop didn't transfer well to the palate.

Mouth feel- Bells can do mouth feel all day. You know it is Bells if it drinks easy. A great medium body and a rich, creamy finish on this brown ale.

Overall- This is a decent brown ale, but it is hard to say what Bells was trying to do with it. They had some hops in the nose, but they weren't utilized well on the palate, in fact, I"m not sure they needed to be there at all. And the malt they used was far too reserved.

Just because this is a brown, doesn't mean it needs to err to middle of the road flavor profiles. Either bump it up, or put something on the taste buds that makes it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 21:13:54 | More by Pintofbrown

joek440

District of Columbia

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

A - Poured from tap into a pint glass. Reddish brown body which was cloudy. Head was very thin by the time it was brought to the table.

S - Main smell is citrus hops. Didn't pick up much complexity beyond there.

T - Malty initial taste followed by medium hop flavor. Well-balanced on both ends

M - Crisp and light feel with medium carbonation.

O - A fresh and inviting ale. The hops are noticeable but are well balanced with the malt. Enjoyable brown ale.

(reviewed 10/21)

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 18:14:39 | More by joek440

doughanson78

Washington

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

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Thanks to storminspank for this.

A: Medium brown color with good clarity. One finger light tan head with ok retention and alright lacing.

S: Cola and some light chocolate. A touch of vanilla and some nuttiness. Maybe a hint of toffee.

T: Cola and bittersweet chocolate. Nuttiness, caramel and toffee are light. A hint of coffee in the finish.

M: Light bodied, hinting on watery. Medium high carbonation. Lightly fizzy.

O: For a style I really don't enjoy, this is not half bad. I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 23:23:27 | More by doughanson78

dorianmarley

Ohio

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

Appearance is chestnut brown. Very creamy head that stays forever. Super sticky lacing. This pour could be a model for a magazine or commercial.

Nose is a nice mix of hops and malt. Slightly roasted character with hints of vanilla and chestnut.

The flavor brings to mind a warm fire. The malt is roasted and sweet. There is a defined vanilla flavor, with roasted chestnuts. Mild hop finish. The whole beer is very mild.

Mouthfeel is extremely smooth. The head lasts for the entire time, giving each sip a foamy, fluffy texture. Mild carbonation. Truly a pleasure to drink.

Overall, the flavor is good, but that is not this beer's most defining feature. It has super-model looks and divinely fluffy texture. This is as a beer should be, and what makes Bell's one of the best around.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 23:34:17 | More by dorianmarley

MrTopher

California

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks Brian (not on BA) for taking a road trip from DC to CA and picking this up on the way and letting me snake one.

A – Pours a dark rich walnut color that has some nice light brown head that has a nice retention level.

S – Nose is pretty subtle if nonexistent, there is a little sweetness (caramel, toffee, brown sugar) but nothing overwhelming.

T – Sweet caramel, toasted malt, and some toffee. No hop presence in the taste all just nice inviting malt flavors and a good nut character.

M – Decent on the body, and the carbonation was perfect.

O – Good stuff, I don’t always drink the brown ales, but this I would rank up there. I think I still prefer Lost Coast Downtown Brown over this, but it’s still really good.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 19:08:11 | More by MrTopher

cratez

Ontario (Canada)

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

12oz bottle purchased at Siciliano's Specialty Market in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Pours a deep brown hue with copper edges, one finger of beige foam, some chill haze, and rings of lacing on the tumbler glass.

Smell is toast, caramel, toffee, earthy and grassy hops, dark bread, brown sugar, fruity yeast, cocoa powder, and a mild nuttiness.

Taste is toffee, caramel, toasted brown bread, nondescript fruitiness, unsweetened chocolate, light earthy-grassy hop bitterness with musty-nutty flavours on the cough.

Mouthfeel is lush, medium-bodied, silky texture through the middle, firm carbonation, balanced bitterness precedes a bone dry, toasty finish.

Overall, Bell's Best is a great easy-drinking brown ale. The style tends to bore me if it's not done properly, but there's enough flavour here to keep things interesting. I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 02:47:16 | More by cratez

rundocrun

Iowa

2.95/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12-oz bottle into a pint glass.

A - Pours a deep walnut-brown color with a 1/2 finger of off-white head that fades quickly. No lacing on the glass.

S - Not much going on in the nose aside from a very mild sweet brown sugar aroma. Possibly some herbal hop character.

T - Flavors of burnt sugar, mild caramely sweetness and a vague bitterness that doesn't really seem to come from hops, alcohol or anything else. There are also some mild esters toward the finish that recall plums, figs, raisins, etc.

M - Thin body. I'd have to say this one is definitely over-carbonated. What few flavors are evident in this beer are overpowered by the intense tingling carbonation that hits the tongue with each sip.

Overall - Not really that great of a beer. Aroma and flavor both leave a lot to be desired and the carbonation level is a problem for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 01:01:12 | More by rundocrun

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap at royal tavern in philly

Pours a semi-clear chestnut brown color with a light layer of tanned head on top. Dissolves almost completely, leaving a few spots of lacing on the glass.

Plenty of toasted nuttiness and bread crust in the nose. Caramel and lighter sweetness with some leafy hop notes.

Malty and nutty up front with light sweetness. Toasted notes of chestnut and some faint oily hops. Malt backbone is fairly thick with some bread crust and caramel. Finishes slightly dry and sweet.

Medium body, decent carbonation, slightly chewy and dry on the tongue. A drinkable, smooth brown ale with a nice nutty flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 14:37:22 | More by xnicknj