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

FanofHefe

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel tulip; bottled 10/18/11. Deep black body with about a one-finger tan head. The head dissipates quickly and leave a little bit of lacing.

Dark malt is the primary aroma, but also some sweet, dark fruit. The Belgian yeast seems to be yielding notes more along the lines of a hefeweizen like banana, but the yeast notes are definitely present.

The flavor has a quick bitter, roasted malt bite, follow by the sweeter, ester-like tastes from the yeast. The dark fruit flavors are along the plum and raisin variety.

Medium texture in the mouthfeel with a slight notice of the alcohol. Different than others I've had. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 02:09:31 | More by FanofHefe

Kromes

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into a tulip glass. Very dark black with a thick tan colored head.

S: Roasted malts with a definite belgian yeast aroma in the background. Smells very sweet and roasted, almost smoked.

T: The roasted aroma continues in the flavor, but there is a sweetness there that evens it out. A little bit more fruity and a little more depth in the flavor. A bit of spice and prunes in there also. Finishes sweet and roasted....almost burnt, which is very unique.

M: Heavier body and a little syrupy with good carbonation to lighten the beer up a bit. Sweet on the tongue.

O: Not like anything I've had before. More roasted than most stouts or even some smoked beers. The sweetness and the esters and spice from the belgian yeast give it some nice flavor. You have to slowly acclimate yourself to this beer. It's almost like stepping into a cold pool. At first it's very overwhelming, but then you get used to it and the flavors in the beer really come through.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 00:22:11 | More by Kromes

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Duvel tulip glass. Bottled 10/18/11.

Appearance: A stout like dark blackish brown with a moderate amount of bubbles clinging to the glass. About two fingers of tan head that quickly fade into a few thin patches. Lacing is fairly light.

Smell: Some Belgian yeast and cloves with dark fruits including raisins, figs, and dark cherries. Also a big presence of dark roasted caramel malts giving a mildly sweet chocolate aroma with a hint of coffee. Smells somewhat sweet but balanced.

Taste: Dark fruit taste upfront with hints of dark cherries, plums, and raisins. Moderate amount of Belgian yeast and clove adds a bit of a funky kick. Midway comes a very noticeable presence of roasted malts with caramel, toffee, chocolate, and a light hint of coffee. Kind of tastes like a Belgian dark ale mixed with a English porter. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Very crisp and smooth. Slightly boozy feeling but the heat is very tame.

Overall: An interesting and tasty take on a Belgian dark ale. Very well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 06:20:00 | More by MattyG85

clint1019

Michigan

3.18/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Black in color with a chocolate colored head that dissapated very quickly.

S - Surprisingly I'm not getting much of anything. If anything maybe a slight sugary aroma. Not much else.

T - Roasty almost smokey malt flavor.

M - Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

O - A decent beer, but nothing that I would seek out.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 01:15:24 | More by clint1019

iDrinknewglarus

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Quite dark, looks like a stout. A small, but frothy mocha head emits from the beer, and slowly fizzles away like most belgiums tend to do and leaves a ring around the glass. Does not lace the glass at all.

S: A blend of american stout with blegium yeast and phenolics. Roasted malt, belgium yeast, fig, raisin. Smells sweet.

T: I get quite a bit of dark fruits. Chocolate cherries, figs, raisins. A slight bit of roast, I'd say it was more prevalent in the aroma. Quite sweet, would make a good dessert beer. Slight alcohol when it warms.

M: Light-medium. The carbonation is medium-high, ever so slightly prickly that slightly interrupts the smooth character that this beer possesses. It dries your mouth out, but after a while leaves a sticky, sugary coating all over.

This beer was good, but not mind blowing. It tasted like an american interpretation of the style, and to be honest, the americans haven't quite got ahold of it yet.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 18:58:12 | More by iDrinknewglarus

bb0bbby

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Bob's Bar Columbus, OH (They said it was super fresh)

A: Dark brown. Buddy thought it was a porter. Great head & lacing.

S: Dark fruits & dark sugars.

T: Crisp & clean. Dark fruits & molasses aftertaste with slight alcohol aftertaste. Kind B Tasty!

M: Medium body, perfect amount of carbonation.

D: I had 3 of these and then changed to Bell's 10,000. I wanted to switch back but had to leave.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 03:47:32 | More by bb0bbby

agomega

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a deep dark black with a light tan head. Head resides slowly leaving behind a thin covering on top.

Smell:The smell is like sweet cola with some hints of fruitiness and caramel.

Taste: Smooth bready malt flavor with a hint of roasted malt balancing out some of the sweetness and a fruity ester finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium thick body, but goes down smooth. Easy to drink.

Overall: Overall a pretty decent beer, but not as interesting or complex as other beers in this style.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 23:15:28 | More by agomega

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer on tap at a local beer bar. Like most Bell's beers this one went under the radar for me for a while, trying to fix that currently.

Beer is brown to black with a mild haze, tan head, small bubbles, low retention, low lacing, low carbonation.

Beer smells very roasty, very strong, sweet, mild yeast.

Beer is basically a stout in my opinion. Mild yeast contributions might push this into the Belgian style ale category. Very roasty, decent finish, I'd have it again. Belgian stout.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 02:45:05 | More by drabmuh

TheDinger

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Very dark/opaque black color with a small 1/2 finger head and spotty lacing that left quickly. Smell is dark malts, coffee, figs and a hint of molasses. Very good aroma that is rich and full. Taste follows the nose with a very smooth balance of sweet and bitter. Initial notes of coffee and chocolate followed by some hops. As the beer warms the flavors become quite impressive. Mouthfeel is a little disappointing and toward the watery end for a BSDA. Adequate carbonation. Overall- A pretty good effort by Bell's on this brew. I was wanting a little more rich malty flavor but still was impressed. Falls a little short of say a Brooklyn #2, but still a pretty good BSDA. Wouldn't turn one down-

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:17:47 | More by TheDinger

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep brown with a tight, mocha head that leaves little chunks of lacing.

Smells of some sweet adrk malts.

Tastes of sweet fruits, a bit of roasted notes, and some spice. Fruits lead off with raisin and figs. Some cocoa and dark sugar add a bit of depth and a good amount of sweetness. A touch of spice rolls on the end with some clove.

Mouthfeel is medium with a slightly crisp amount of carbonation.

Overall, a decent effort that would fall in line with most American attempts, but still can't stand up to the classics of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 01:33:37 | More by ocelot2500

TheSarge

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this one into a Chimay chalice.

Poured with very little head, and what was there dissipated in seconds. It was a dark khanki color. The body is black, and doesn't show off any hues when held up to sunlight.

The aroma and taste is figgy, sweet caramel, and cola.

Feels full in body, mildly carbonated, and has a boozy finish.

Overall not a bad beer, maybe I should cellar some of this, nah...

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 21:22:25 | More by TheSarge

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark dark dark beer, no light gets through this except on the very fine edges where it turns a dark brown. A mocha-tan head tops the brew and dissipates somewhat quickly, but leaves a nice film. Lacing is spotty at best.

S: Chocolate dominates the nose, it's lite, not heavy, and quite nice.

T: If I had to guess blindfolded, I would think I was drinking a stout. It's roasty and chocolatey with a firm, but not too assertive bitterness. Hops are hard to get through the maltiness of the beer, but form what I can tell they are floral in nature, and work quite well with the beverage.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation, drinks like a stout.

D: Sipping beer for sure. I like how it changes slightly through a half-hour experience.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 03:22:18 | More by tlazaroff

Gobigvt7

Oregon

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

12oz bottle into goblet

pours a dark dark caramel with minimal brown head. looks almost like a stout.

vanilla, toffee, bread

hmmm. a little hot, despite not being overly high in abv. lots of roasty, toasty malts, dark chocolate, some very mild belgian yeasty fruit notes. Pretty dry.

Medium bodied with mild carbonation

Tastes pretty balanced and well-put together. Skillfully subtle, nothing really stands out as amazing or bold about the beer. That said, I personally don't love it. I've bought it a few times now, thinking maybe the last time was a fluke, but no. It's still the same. Just doesn't do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 02:47:53 | More by Gobigvt7

optimistictour

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

So I had a few of these without realizing it is, in fact, a Belgian. Even a "strong dark" often has enough of that wheaty, hazy tang to immediately identify itself as such; this one comes across more like a particularly complex yet subtle stout. This is a good thing, to be honest. I like surprises.

Once aware of what I was tasting, it was easy to savor it for a second and think, of course this is Belgian. It's just a little darker, chocolatier, and lacking in sour fruit notes or bready haze or that indefinable (to me) poignancy which shouts Belgian with every drop - yet unmistakably a solid dark Belgian offering.

Anyway:

It looks like a stout when poured, replete with pitch black tone and generally small yet solid head. The density of foam and the way it dissipates lean more toward its traditional style but overall this looks like an attractive stout I'd proudly show off anywhere.

Smell is somewhat indistinct, hinting slightly at the bitter chocolate and coffee, a passing notion of fruit notes, and not much else. It's pleasant and welcoming. There's nothing objectionable whatsoever; maybe it's simply underpowered in the olfactory sense. I know it won't have people floating over by the nose to discover what I'm drinking.

Tastes, honestly, damn fine. As a fan of stouts and Belgians of all stripes, this satisfies on most fronts I seek in a beer. There's a genuine malty ambience shared with other darks I prefer like Trois Pistoles and Monks Blood, yet a velvety texture and weight of stouts like Samuel Smith's or Breakfast Stout - all the requisite and aforementioned fruit and chocolate and coffee and malty goodness combined and arranged in a deceptively coherent manner.

Mouthfeel is likewise fantastic. The texture and weight feels spot on for a stout and unexpectedly delightful for a Belgian. The way it slides across the palate, carbonation tingling in the center of a smooth vessel, is unceasingly pleasant to behold.

Honestly, this one could be taken as an enigma by those stimied by style or dogmatic in taste, but for my open-minded view on beers it's an original, compelling, and highly drinkable concoction that hits multiple odd sweet spots, never perfecting one aspect yet attaing sweetly exhalted heights in everything it aims for.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 05:43:24 | More by optimistictour

HeightsEats

Ohio

2.9/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I wouldn't have identified this at first as a Belgian ale--it's not mentioned on the bottle. Pours really dark, with almost no aroma whatsoever. The taste is fairly nondescript as well. Generally Belgian ales have a predominant yeasty flavor, but the roastiness and hops counterbalance it. Instead of complexity, though, this yields mostly just a sense of dryness. The mouthfeel is full bodied but not heavy, making this really drinkable. The main goal on this beer seems to be to hide the 7.7% ABV. It seems like a play on Duvel (Belgian for "devil"), which also hides the alcohol with a variety of flavors, but this beer is not nearly as interesting.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 23:32:11 | More by HeightsEats

wesbrownyeah

Florida

3.4/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bell's Hell Hath No Fury, Belgian Strong Dark Ale 7.7% alcohol. Pour this one into a Dogfish Snifter.

A- Pours a dark nearly opaque fluid that brings forth a burnt tan quarter inch head that leaves mild sticky lacing.

S- Upfront toasted malts, sweet raisins, brown sugar, and a tangy hop charactor.

T-M- Taste is mild and smooth flavors of plums, raisins, and a smoked malty backbone. Slightly sweet brown sugar and light ester of boozy bite on the backbone. Mouthfeel is moderatly carbonated and leaves a slick alcohol feel on the palete.

Overall a good offering but just not my cup of tea... cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 00:26:52 | More by wesbrownyeah

rundocrun

Iowa

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12-oz bottle into a snifter glass.

A - Pours a deep brown-black. I'd dare say this one is completely opaque! A little unorthodox for a belgian ale, but hey, from what I've heard of this beer, it embodies the word "uncharacteristic". A finger of dark khaki head forms with coarse bubbles. Foam fades to a thin lace on top within a minute or so.

S - I get strong smells of dark pumpernickel bread. Some rich coffee and very earthy hops are also present. With a bit of warming, I finally get a reminder that this is indeed a belgian ale--a subtle spicy, estery, vinous aroma wafts up from the glass after a quick swirl.

T - Not overly sweet up front. It's actually quite dry--a character that is accentuated by the generous use of dark-roasted grains in this one. This actually comes off as more of a dry stout-belgian SDA hybrid than anything else. It lacks the intense esters or booziness of a true Belgian SDA, but it retains just enough to let the drinker know it's got its roots in Belgium, even if the rest of the palate suggests Ireland.

M - Thin-to-medium body with a tingling carbonation that is very reminiscent of belgian ales. Overall it is quite a dry ale with a clean, yet roasty finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 02:17:40 | More by rundocrun

adman08

Wisconsin

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a deep dark bron with a very good amount of light tan head that fades to a nice ring on the beer's surface.
S-Very strong aroma of cloves with some bread and sugar, a little nutmeg.
T-Very spicy, lots of cloves along with quite a bit of sweetness and some nutmeg. As the beer warms the spices get more subtle and blend better with the sweetness.
M-Sweet, very little bitterness and not at all dry.
Overall, this is a very interesting version of a Belgian dark ale. It's too spicy and maybe not quite strong enough which is why I gave it a slightly lower flavor rating. I'll recommend this beer to my friends, it's just not quite true to the style in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 02:26:47 | More by adman08

rmcnealy

Illinois

3/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hell Hath No Fury - Bell's

Poured a non-translucent dark brown that created a very small deep mocha head that diminished to a tiny ring. The smells are not very robust with just the slightest, nearly undiscernable hints of caramel and roast. The mouthfeel was nothing special with a bit of syrupiness which I thought was a little much for the moderately low alcohol content. The hops did not make much of a showing. The palate is left with not much else other than slight maltiness feeling. I wasn't overly pleased by this beer. Not the best Bell's brew I've tried. Deep down I knew I wanted to go with a P.A. tonight.. lol.

Found at Binny's, Niles IL

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 01:57:54 | More by rmcnealy

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this one a long time ago and I really need to have it again sometime. I remember this brew really sparking my interest. The color was really dark and it looked very thick also. The head was minimal and didn't really do much in the way of lacing but the retention is great. The smell was big and loaded with sweet caramel and roasted aromas. Couldn't get much in way of Belgian yeast aromas or anything like that. The taste of the beer was burnt but at the same time it was sweet and almost reminded me of a dessert. The mouthfeel was oily and had a low carbonation to it. Overall I really wanna give this one another go. I feel that I'd enjoy this one ever more now.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 02:10:56 | More by Knapp85

tsauce2

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

P: 12 fl oz bottle in to a pint glass

A: SRM is deep brown, slight purple/deep red tinge. Barely translucent, tan 1 in. head, reduces to cover the top of the beer. Medium lacing, low carbonation.

S: Roasted malt, dark chocolate, fruit notes, belgian style beer smell.

T: Definite Belgian component. Chocolate and roasted malt along with fruit notes.

M: Slightly creamy texture. Belgian quality catches the tastebuds.

O: As always, Bells beers are very interesting. This one did not quite hit the mark with me. Seemed to be a conflict of ideas in the flavor profile, but maybe that is what they were going for. Solid quality beer though.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 12:04:11 | More by tsauce2

Reaper16

Alabama

2.7/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2010 12oz. bottle served into a tulip glass

Pours a dark, deep mahogany brown color; no real nuance to the color of the body, just dark. A nice cocoa butter tan color to the 1.25 fingers of head that formed (more than I expected, but then again the listed ABV% is smaller than I expected). Solid walls of lacing around the whole glass.

I wonder if this bottle is oxidized. It doesn't have the sherry aroma that would be a tell-tale sign, but there is a bit of a cardboard note. Like cardboard that was sprinkled heavily with baker's chocolate. There's some distant traces of dark fruit here, but the should be more prominent than they are. Despite the ABV being slightly under 8 percent, there is a significant alcohol note present. Like a schnapps, actually -- boozy with a touch of mint.

The taste follows the nose. There's baker's chocolate. There's a booze character. There's traces of dark fruits on the finish. But this mostly tastes... empty. There's a smooth alcohol flavor and that is pretty much it. Does this beer not age well? Was there a batch that didn't turn out well? This is smooth drinking but very underwhelming.

Overall, this is drinkable but underwhelming. This might be the least flavored Bell's offering I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 02:14:29 | More by Reaper16

brian44556

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a 12oz bottle into a Delirium Tremen's snifter. 2010 vintage.

Pours a dark black with a frothy brown head that fizzed away quickly. Good lacing left on the sides of the glass. Smells of chocolate, raisins, plums, syrup, and a slight smell of alcohol. Sweet taste of dark fruits (raisins, plums, and a hint of bananas) and a light malty taste with a small hint of chocolate. Good carbonation and great, crisp finish. Great beer. I'm a novice of the style, but really enjoy this beer. Nice to drink a cool, rainy day.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 16:45:18 | More by brian44556

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-very dark chestnut with a nice sticky tan head

S-smells like dark fruits. chocolates, and roasted dark belgian malts. medium strength. smells complex

T-wow this is really good and complex. comes in with a stingy taste of dark roasted and caramelized belgian sugars that fill the mouth with a good cocoa flavor. the stinginess becomes more powerful and then let's go. the after-taste is mostly of cocoa powder and somewhat of dark belgian malts. all the tastes mesh very well together and are unique to the style. quite complex!

M-chalky medium carbonation with a semi dry finish

O-well this is a great take on the style. its hard to surprise me with this style, but they did it! it drinks more easily than almost any other BDSA that i've had. not something i'll be craving, but i'll get it again given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 20:19:22 | More by AdamBear

FunkyFibes

Florida

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- black in color with nearly no head. Doesn't seem as thick as the color suggests

S- a lot of malt and roast in the nose. Notes of chocolate and dark fruit, with a hint of clove in the background.

T- mimics the nose, with a bit more of the chocolate up front. It has a very stout quality to it, but accented by Belgian style clove and sweetness.

M- medium bodied, with a mild creamy quality to it. The mouth feels like a stout with Belgian qualities.

O- Overall not a top offering from Bells. It captures what the brewery was striving for according to the site description, and has some nice qualities. Not disappointed, but not overwhelmed either.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 01:21:36 | More by FunkyFibes