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

tectactoe

Michigan

3.86/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

On tap at the Oak cafe. Pours a vibrant, golden-yellow color; hazy, opaque, seemingly volatile with a large, fluffy, beige colored head, leaving plenty of large lace chunks on the way down. Bell's pulls off the typical Beligan tripel aroma quite nicely - the Belgian yeast is very noticeable and apparent; spices, cloves, white pepper, fruity esters, pears and apple skins. It hits the palate thin and highly carbonated, the beer almost disappears from your mouth. The high carbonation isn't stingy, and it really makes the flavors pop. Undertones of earthiness and bread are the playing field for more intricate tripel flavors, like the signature clove-banana-bubble gum combo, all of which are certainly present here. Alongside this tasty trio are some pears, white grapes, apricots, light white pepper, and another spice which I can't quite put my finger on, maybe coriander. The alcohol warms things up and rounds out the rough edges. Though it's definitely noticeable, it's pretty damn drinkable for 9% ABV. Aftertaste is full of fading, estery sweetness in the form of green apple skins and bananas, along with some clove for good measure.

Another tasty beer by Bells, proving that they aren't afraid of the Belgian yeast culture. High drinkability for a relatively high ABV brew - be careful or this one could sneak up on you quickly.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2013 13:23:28 | More by tectactoe

MSandahl23

Indiana

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-15-2013 20:22:39 | More by MSandahl23

ADTaber

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

05-13-2013 23:14:20 | More by ADTaber

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

05-13-2013 18:28:24 | More by vrbulldog22

HarmonMW

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

05-12-2013 00:35:32 | More by HarmonMW

dalepryor

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

05-08-2013 03:32:07 | More by dalepryor

UCLABrewN84

California

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to GRG1313 for sharing this one at his tasting.

Bottle # 277/1499. Batch # 11471.

Pours a clear orange with a foamy white head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, honey, fruit, and yeast aromas. Taste is much the same with honey and spice flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that smells slightly better than it tastes in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 01:02:09 | More by UCLABrewN84

Arsenal0328

Indiana

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-07-2013 01:32:25 | More by Arsenal0328

Jd2391

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

04-29-2013 01:17:03 | More by Jd2391

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

04-13-2013 01:05:47 | More by StoutHunter

Sparty55

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

04-07-2013 02:34:36 | More by Sparty55

smartassboiler

Illinois

3/5  rDev -21.5%

03-31-2013 02:41:00 | More by smartassboiler

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-28-2013 07:04:19 | More by beernads

Jamison85

Indiana

4/5  rDev +4.7%

03-27-2013 05:11:26 | More by Jamison85

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev +4.7%

03-17-2013 02:20:40 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

03-16-2013 02:39:53 | More by nickfl

wmobley

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

03-13-2013 21:21:59 | More by wmobley

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-12-2013 16:25:18 | More by Zachtheporter

ebenicr

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-02-2013 15:15:00 | More by ebenicr

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

03-02-2013 00:41:38 | More by SaisonRichBiere

brewtus

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

02-28-2013 00:10:23 | More by brewtus

Brian15

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

02-22-2013 03:46:31 | More by Brian15

THECPJ

Delaware

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

02-20-2013 22:22:50 | More by THECPJ

matjack85

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.7%

02-11-2013 22:14:19 | More by matjack85

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from my growler into a Bell's tulip. It's a beautiful pour. Color is slightly dark orange-yellow with a perfect 2 fingers of head, good retention, and some nice Belgian lacing. Sadly, it's not as sparkling as I would like from this style. The nose has plenty of fruity esters and spicy phenols. Oranges, bananas, cloves, and coriander dominate. There's not much hop character, but that's okay.

Flavor is very traditional. Nice fruity sweet profile with mild malt flavors and just a little peppery note at mid-palate. Fresh bread, oranges, and bananas with a little bit of spice. Finish is warming, but in no way boozy, and has a gentle bitterness. Feel is firm and slightly creamy

Overall, a quality tripel. This is not my favorite style (I prefer dubbels and quads to tripels), but Bell's has made a very enjoyable entry here.

Serving type: growler

02-09-2013 22:54:38 | More by deadonhisfeet