Hell Hath No Fury Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

NODAK

Tennessee

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is spicy with cloves definitely present. Sweet as well, with dark fruits and sugar...some alcohol.

Pours black in the pint glass...small brown head that is loose and fades pretty fast.

Taste has some dark fruits, sugar, and cloves upfront in the body of the beer. Backend has some yeastiness to it, as well as a small alcohol twinge to it, and a typically (for style) minor bitterness bite. Finishes with Belgian sugars remaining on the tongue.

A solid take on a Belgian style here....tasty, drinkable, and to style. When paired with its tripel, I must admit that Bell's does Belgians quite well!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 02:40:09 | More by NODAK

bernardus1212

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a brandy snifter.

Pours almost black with a tan head

Smell of malts and belgium yeasts, chocolate, coffee, and allspice.

A crisp beer with a smokey spice with some chocolate and coffee. Really enjoyed this. Bells comes up with some wild stuff. Ive had bber in the similar style but this was unique. Going to pick up some more of this.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 23:08:53 | More by bernardus1212

rapidsequence

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. This is the 2010 fall release.

Appearance: Pours black like a stout with a brown head. The head fades very quickly and the lacing is little more than a few spots. Uninspiring.

Smell: Spicy, lots of clove. Fruity esters from the Belgian yeast and a little roasted malt. Good but not the best.

Taste: For not having the most interesting aroma, this beer tastes great. It integrates the Belgian and stout characteristics better than most "Belgian stouts" I've had. There's quite a bit of spicy clove and some anise, powdery yeast, and dark fruit, then the roasty and chocolate flavors swirl around perfectly. A touch of bitterness, then a long bready, yeasty finish with a touch of cocoa.

Mouthfeel: Pretty nice. Smooth with lots of carbonation that stays soft, not sharp. Lots of heavy residual feel and flavor.

Overall: The Bell's website describes this as a beer that was conceived as a dubbel, but they ended up with a recipe for a stout. It really works well with the Belgian yeast elements leading the way, complemented perfectly by the roasted malts.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 01:20:35 | More by rapidsequence

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

A. Extremely dark brown color that passes for black, short-lived one finger tan head that leaves behind some minimal lacing on the inside of the glass.
S. Smells just like a cross between a stout and a Belgian dark, tons of roasted aroma mixed with raisins, dark fruits, and a heavy dark malt medley.
T. Flavor of plum pudding and a bar of baking chocolate with all sorts of other dark fruits mashed up on top, and a cup of black coffee on the side. Finishes semi-chalky and really nicely dry, almost Irish stout-like in the end. It practically screams “Belgian Stout!” by now.
M. Lightly carbonated on a medium yet smooth and silky body, somewhat coating on the tongue but that is bearable because I happen to enjoy the flavor that I am being coated with. I heartily recommend giving this one a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 20:39:56 | More by WastingFreetime

mattcrill

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed multiple fresh samples of this at the 11th Annual Indiana Microbrewer's Fest

Aroma: Dark fruits, musty yeast notes, plums, raisins, and a bit of candy-like sweetness.

Appearance: Jet black throughout with a rich chocolate, fluffy looking head.

Flavor: Dark fruity notes continue, some Belgian yeast notes, bananas, clove, and a touch of lactic bitterness on the back of the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full, a touch creamy, lightly carbonated.

Overall impression: Nicely done. I can't wait to try this when it comes out in bottles. I think this would age well. Full, rich, and complex. Another standout from Bell's. Strongly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2006 19:25:15 | More by mattcrill

kirok1999

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours surprisingly dark, nice dark head with good lacing that lasts quite a while.
Smells of chocolate, bananas, dark fruit, raisins.
Tastes dark....sweet enough to fit the style, yet some weird notes that take it in a different direction. A good one. Banana fruit comes through, slight wheat notes that combine with the darkness very well. Very mild cocoa taste in the finish. Very interesting.
Oily feel with mild carbonation.
Very nice brew. I bought a single bottle but now will buy a 6 or two to stock up.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2006 01:06:48 | More by kirok1999

Westsidethreat

California

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours an extemely dark brown, almost black. Looks like a wierd mixture of cola and coffee. Head started fizzy but mellowed out to a dark brown beige pillow on top of the brew. Lots of sediment at the bottom of the glass.

S: Cherry, roasted barley, prunes and cinnamon

T: Alot of fruit up front. Starts with cherries but then transitions to sticky dark fruits right across the tip of the tongue. A plentiful malty backbone binds the sugars to a fairly substantial roasted barley terrain that really becomes more apparent as the beer warms. The roastedness is more distinct than your everyday Belgian strong dark ale, but its not over bearing. There's a buttery aspect hidden in there, perhaps a touch of diacetyl.

M: Full body, silky. Very nice.

D: This beer reminds me a lot of Three Philosophers. I thought this beer was well balanced with fantastic drinkability. I would highly recommend this beer to

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2006 20:54:49 | More by Westsidethreat

neenerzig

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an oversized wine glass. This beer pours a very dark brown color that does not let in any light. Had a small tan brown head 1/4 inch when poured that settles instantly to a medium sized ring lining the inside of the glass. Had some decent lacing as well. Sweet aromas of dark fruit and roasty malt are present along with perhaps some vanilla. The taste is very much in line with the smell-dark fruits, vanilla, some slight spice, roasted malt and a hint of caramel thrown in. Rounded out with a bit of hops on the back end. Nicely balanced indeed. Has a smooth and frothy, creamy like and sort of syrupy, full bodied mouthfeel with minimal carbonation. Very nice and easy to drink. Another excellent brew from Bell's!

Eric

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2006 17:41:26 | More by neenerzig

PeatReek

California

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours with just a touch of dark tan head and barely any fizz, quite unlike the explosive pour of many true Belgians. Body is opaque with hints of burnt umber around the edges where the light does (barely) get through. Head is already down to a rim by the time I take the first whiff.

The aroma is very mild; perhaps I poured too cold as it doesn't seem to be throwing anything up into the air. Hints of raisin and port and chocolate-covered-cherry goodness. Each sip starts with a mild buzz on the tongue, giving over quickly to a roasty, sweet, and... savory flavor. Like chocolate covered beef jerky, but without the salt. Prominent star anise flavor - yes! That's what it is; now that I taste it, I would almost call this a licorice porter.

"Hell hath no fury ale" is barely bitter, very malt balanced, only subtley alcoholic, and lacks that certain astringent bite characteristic of many Trappiste ales like Rochefort. In short, I love it. I'm not at all a purist when it comes to Belgian-style ales, and I'm definitely a fan of this sweet, raisiny, licoricey interpretation. I'll probably put away my other bottle to age for a few months or years, but I will be sorely tempted by it in the meantime.

(Batch 7673, bottled October 2006)

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2006 21:18:23 | More by PeatReek

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired via trade from northertimber, so a big “Thank you” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep black color with a thin tan head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is loaded with Belgian yeast, chocolate and dark fruit, with a touch of hops.

T: The taste is rich and very-well balanced with flavors of dark chocolate, Belgian yeast and a touch of dark fruit. The malt character is very hearty and the hops presence is mild. The after-taste is bready and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, sticky finish.

D: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, good representation of style, good kick to it, I could certainly drink quite a few of these. This is a good beer to stick with for an evening.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2007 02:23:21 | More by TheManiacalOne

MmmIPA

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Westmalle goblet and the batch number is 7673.I enjoyed this while listening to the new Disavowed cd.This beer is to be savored!

This has to be the best looking belgian beer I have ever seen.Upon opening the bottle I thought I smelled some yeast.Thick brown head that sizzles away.Fades to a big patch of brown in the glass and a nice ring.I taste chocolate,dark fruits and malty goodness.I smell the dark fruits in the beer.This taste more like a RIS or a porter.The color of the beer is very dark red/black.The taste lingers in your mouth for a bit.This beer seems a bit sticky and Bells may have had a hell of a time cleaning out the fermentation tanks.I like this beer,I cant taste any hop flavor in it.I would for sure have this beer again if I can find it on tap or bottle.I cant taste the booze at all.It has a very creamy mouthful and goes down very easy.The beer poured out like sludge,when the beer warms up you can really smell the dark fruits.I cant get over the chocolate taste in here,it is very good.I want another one for my cellar to replace the one I just had.Very good beer from Bells and worth a try if you happen to see it in stores.Great job Bells.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2007 14:59:35 | More by MmmIPA

madtowndmb1

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I just bought a single of this beer because it is pricey to jump into a sixer at this price. I really am enjoying this, nice chocolate to black color. Smells of a nice malty scent and has just a lace around the edge of the glass. The best part is the length that the flavor lingers! It will stay with you for awhile which is great. I would recommend buying this beer if possible. But start with one if you can, because it's a one, maybe two per sitting beer!

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 03:04:25 | More by madtowndmb1

wagenvolks

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to SirSketch for the LIF win!
12 oz. bottle into a Unibroue tulip.

Pours dark as night with a seal brown color, capped by a finger's width of custard-brown head. Foam quickly recedes to a ring of bubbles and a few patches. Great aroma, too. Roasted chocolate and caramel malts give way to a rich, complex smokiness. Dark fruits and gentle floral notes chime in as well.

The flavor is as intricate as the aroma, with luxuriously rich and dark chocolate notes paired with smoky, roasted malt. An earthy, somewhat spicy hoppiness finishes the sip, and the 7.7% abv is quite well masked. Mouthfeel is medium in body, creamy, nicely carbonated, and finishes smooth with a roasted nuttiness. All in all, a solid offering for Bell's, not surprisingly. Gladly have again...

And with great pleasure, I announce that Obama is on the cusp of being declared the next president of the United States!!!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2008 03:15:32 | More by wagenvolks

BeaBeerWife

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Finally out this year. Nice -n- Dark, slight coffee esters and a bit of raisin / prune in the smellings as well. Also..definitely deep dark sweet flavs like molasses. Deep rich dark taste, mild belgian-yeast flavs. Lots of residual sugars, syrupy on the glass! Real nice, although no head to speak of. I'm going to let the rest of what's left in my bottle sit and warm up some more!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2008 00:23:11 | More by BeaBeerWife

jsp2

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle purchased at whole foods in a 6 pack for $14.99. (yikes).

This is a great tasting, strong dark beer. Very thin head on the pour. Very sweet and malty taste stands up well to the supposed 7.5% alcohol. Very clean and well balanced with no shortage of flavor.

Once again I am very impressed with beers from this brewery and this is no exception. Top quality interpretation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2008 01:34:13 | More by jsp2

Yetiman420

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Unibroue tulip glass.

Pours a surprisingly dark color with a 1.5 finger light tan head. No indication of style on the bottle description - just alcohol content.

Roasted malt aroma. I'd guess this as a robust porter at this point. Still taken back by the darkness of this Belgian dark (which sounds like a weird comment).

First sip impression. Silky mouthfeel and great flavor. Bells is delivering once again up to this point.

Really no Belgian flavors to this one. The typically spicy yeast is hidden by the (wonderful) roasted malt. I suspect this is another instance of Bell's loose interpretation of a style which is fine by me. Belgain and style don't go together anyway.

Back on track. Soft and silky in the mouth.

The only downside to this beer is the lack of distinct Belgian flavor. It really didn't impact my rating. I wonder how people would rate this one blind.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2009 01:35:03 | More by Yetiman420

mynie

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Damn dark dour. Very nice shade of black, actually. Looks wonderful against the gold lettering of my Duvel glass. If--this is a silly suggestion, I guess, but if you got a glass with a gold rim or lettering this is the beer to pour into it.

Smells firm, smooth and stouty. Like a BPA and a firmly hopped English porter. For reference, this smells a lot more like De Dolle's export stout than it does their Stille Nacht. The yeast is subdued and there's no real spiciness. Judging it as a strong stout, however, this smells exceptionally smooth and complex.

Tastes very good, though not quite as good as I had hoped. Big stout malt, roasted to a point where they don't resemble dark chocolate so much as milk chocolate that's been a little burnt. The hops are dry and not too intense (not surprising, since this was bottled 7 months ago), but still provide a nice balance to the malt. The yeast comes in fairly strong at the end, and while it has a little bit of Belgian burniness to it I really can't quite place it.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2009 04:05:32 | More by mynie

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark, dark brown in color, with a substantial amount of carbonation, and a head that overflowed my glass - Oops.... perhaps I poured too hard. The retention is fantastical!

S: Belgian funkiness, with brown sugar, raisons for sure, and many other dark fruits and spices.

T: Full bodied, spicy, and VERY upfront maltiness. The sugar is there and hits hard at first, but then the yeast takes over. Very nice.

M: The ABV is hidden well due to the fact that I feel the balance is astoundingly great. The yeasty fluffiness and carbonation work extremely well in this setting.

D: Bravo Bells! I tried this stuff last year and remembered really liking it. I thought I would give it another go to see if my tastes had changed... Nope!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 00:05:39 | More by Chaney

DoctorDog

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 12 oz bottle poured into a tulip. Batch "9999" stamped on the back label. Thanks to Franz4 for passing this along.

A: Very dark brown. ~1 1/2 brown head, which gradually to a thin incomplete cap.

S: Dark fruit mix with a nice spicy kick, carrying a distinctive "Belgian yeast" odor.

T: Dark fruits...figs/plum/raisin, hints of chocolate and coffee. Lightly spicy with a touch of cloves. Very enjoyable mix.

M: Moderately high carbonation, with a medium-full feel. Very creamy and goes down smooth. Very good.

D: Excellent. Great flavor and feel, and easy drinking....would be happy to have a few of these in a row.

Future outlook: Quite good....Might need to snag a few more of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 03:44:36 | More by DoctorDog

arvjunk

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Deep brick red/brown; dark; nice one and half finger head; nice lacing

S - Dark Fruit; raisins, plums, turbinado sugar, molasses, bittersweet, coffee, roasted malts, figs

T - Roasted malts all over this giving way to figs, raisins, chocolate and coffee. Slightly bitter in the finish. Sweetens slightly as it warms in a rich, yet subtle way

M - Creamy medium bodied; thick w/o being sweet

D - Great fall beer; not a warmer, but definitely not light. Drinks smooth.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 10:25:15 | More by arvjunk

farrago

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nicely full two finger head of dark brown foam, a more aggressive pour creates larger bubbles and hurts retention, lacing streaks possess admirable thickness. Pure black liquid, darker than most imperial stouts, maybe a glint of brunt orange. Big, sassy nose of cinnamon stick, ginger, anise, milk chocolate, caramel and graham crackers, then loamy with fresh, soft forest floor matter and a saline edge, due to the latter smoky rather than roasty, overall good punch into your nostrils and then longlasting presence. Medium-bodied, more muscular than heavy, sinewy forward progress from sip to swallow. While generally dry, the robust chocolate, cocoa, coffee aspects heard loud and clearly. Licorice, toffee, cinnamon and spiced orange peel come next. You'd think that dryness would create more room for the herbal matter and earth but it sort of recedes here, more mineral water and dried straw instead. Yeasty but not bready, shy murmur of apricot, peach, apple fruit. Carbonation plays it lowkey, there when you look for it. Smooth finish leads easily to subsequent sips.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 02:53:44 | More by farrago

damndirtyape

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle (batch 10735), bottled on 10/18/11, poured into a Shaker pint glass.

Appearance: Quite dark and black, cola brown gets let in at the edges. The head is a dark tan, but this dies back to a think ring which eventually goes away completely. Not much in the way of lacing either. Not much to look at for a Belgian strong dark ale.

Smell: What it lacks in appearance it makes up for in aroma. Smoky, molasses, earthy hops.

Taste: Definitely one to let warm up a bit. Tastes a bit unusual when cold - a little too sweet. Once warmer, dark fruit, smoke, a bit of chocolate and coffee, a hint of toffee, and a mild bitter finish - part black coffee, part pine resin.

Mouthfeel: Mild carbonation, thick, creamy, and sticky all at the same time.

Overall / Drinkability: While the alcohol is well hidden, this does show up not to far into the glass, so the point on this beer about "giving you the courage to face the devil" is duly noted. The smoky aspect was not expected, and adds something quite different to the beer. On my first sip I did think this was a stout rather than a Belgian, but as I drank more, the Belgian character came out more and the smoky flavor was a nice touch. I can't say it's terribly drinkable, one is enough for me per evening, but overall, quite a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 23:33:23 | More by damndirtyape

zeff80

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a coffee-like, black color with a mocha, one-figner head. The head quickly dissapated.

S - It smelled of malt and dried fruits. Possibly some orange, too.

T - It has a caramel-like maltiness. Also, a spicy hop quality and some bittersweet chocolate.

M - It was smooth and slightly creamy. A heavy-bodied beer.

D - An oustanding Bell's product. It almost reminds me of an RIS or great porter.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2007 04:09:10 | More by zeff80

Zraly

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours lovely, dark black with a brownish head. Very stout-like in appearance and smell. A little bit different from what I was expecting, but nice all the same.

Tasting notes comprise of roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, rum, and phenols. Thick and medium-to-full bodied. Rich and creamy finish, and leave the palate dry. This style follows suite with the new trend of "Belgians Stouts" (e.g., Buffalo Stout). The interesting mingling of flavors here reminds me of hot chocolate (malts) with cinnamon and spice (e.g., yeast/phenols).

A wonderful sipper that could be enjoyed with a chocolate dessert or as dessert itself.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2008 23:36:49 | More by Zraly

adamette

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 12 oz. bottle into my Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale pint glass. This is one beer that I admit that I purchased on image pretty much alone. I cannot find anywhere on the label what type of beer it is. I get home, look it up on BA and it is my most favorite style....cool!

A No light gets through, not even direct light. Head of a stout medium to dark brown frothy head which dissipates in two minutes. Looks like a stout really. After pouring I notice some sediment and so I investigate....sure enough there is yeast at the bottom of my glass..

S Stout dark, roasted malt smell only a little alcohol and do I smell dark cherry sweetness?

T Nice sweet malt taste with a bit of dark roasted character. The taste moves away from the perceived smell of a stout but this is certainly darker/roastier then other Belgian Strong Dark Ales that I have had. I don't get much hops. Taste is even from beginning to end and there is a nice sweet syrupy nectar like stickiness to it that lingers for a while. I like that for this style.

M Full for sure with dark roasted tastes, later nectar like thickness.

D One or two only for me. This is a big beer and that ABV could easily creep up on you if you are not careful. I had no problem finishing two pints though due to the interesting taste and mouthfeel.

Notes: Glad that I took the leap and tried this. Of course it was not THAT much of a leap since it is from Bell's, a consistent producer of good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2009 01:17:12 | More by adamette