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

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750mL bottle courtesy of GT2. Thanks! Split 2 ways, bottle 598 of 1340

A: Pilsner gold with a non-existent head. The bubbles seem suspended in the liquid.

N: Very strong orange notes and the coriander does not go amiss. Green peppercorn and peasant bread. Lots of wheat. This is a very appreciable nose for a wheat ale.

T: Very wheaty. Some rye spiciness. Orange and coriander act as accomplices. Honey adds some wild sweetness. More of the floral elements. Has a mildly tart citrus. Hops must be the earthiness I'm sensing.

M: Well carbonated and prickly. Honey lends a pleasant stickiness to the mouthfeel, but the alcohol is far too prominent for a 7% beer.

O: A really solid beer and one worth enjoying. Bell's has done a pretty decent job with this one, but it's not ground breaking, either.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 02:18:38 | More by writerLJBerg

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.01/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drawing inspiration from all-things-wheat ale, Bell's Wedding Ale sets the tone of body and malt flavor from traditional German hefeweizens, but uses the spicy crispness of Belgian witbier, and with hardly any American wheat ale influence- thankfully!

Like you'd expect any wheat beer to, the beer pours with a medium straw or light canary yellow hue. Fully hazed, the protein and yeast character are both evident to the eye. A billowing fluffy white foam rises to the top of the glass and has the mainstay of whipped meringue. Firm retention and intricate lacing patterns ring true the notion that this is one well built wheat ale.

Sweet acidity brinks the nose with alternating sensations that start with the bready-sweet scent of malted wheat. Then the next offers up light white wine vinous notes, equipped with apple, lemon, and orange zest. This balance orbits around the nose, drawing in added complexities of white pepper, coriander, and paradise seed.

The beer takes quite a journey across the mouth, beginning with the rich bready taste that's quentessential of hefeweizens- light candied sweetness is propped up with fresh baking breads, dough, and yeast- in such a way that reminds me of sugar cookies. But then the slightly wine-like acidity cuts through the malt with the taste of lemon, green apple, dried oranges, clove, spicy alligator pepper and freshly mulled white peppercorns. The sweetness lifts as the beer approaches its finish and favors a peppery, dry-malt flavor for refreshment and high level of drinkability.

Starting out rich in texture, there's the thought that this is going to be a thick and creamy ale. But the beer recedes quickly to a somewhat arid mouthfeel of pepper, malt, and wine- the carbonation rides off into the sunset and takes the bulk of malty weight with it. All is left is a winy-warm texture with mild astringency, tangy plaster, and a whimsical memory of wheat.

Any appreciator of wheat ales really should seek out this beer- the inferior lack character of American wheat ales are avoided, but the complex rich taste and high refreshment of other types of wheat ales all culminate in this delicious taste, texture, and spirit.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 19:09:10 | More by BEERchitect

Etan

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle, #559/1340. Shared generously by Ravot. Thanks Marco!

A: Orange-yellow with a nice white head. Nice looking beer.

S: Slightly sweet wheat, a bit chalky, fresh grain aroma.

T: Dry wheat and some light citrus, crisp yeast and slight alcohol on the end.

M: Light-bodied with active carbonation.

O: A decent stronger wheat ale. Pretty simple yet enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 06:20:39 | More by Etan

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Bottle opened on 9.3.12
Bottle #971/1340 Batch 11277
Thanks Ryan!

A - Pours a cloudy, pale light orange with a two inch white head that fades very slowly.

S - Spicy, oranges, smells like a Hef.

T - More oranges here with some more spices really coming out in the finish.

D - Good carbonation with a light and silky body. Very smooth and welcoming.

O - Really enjoyed this soft and spicy ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 05:31:23 | More by HuskyinPDX

cfrances33

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle 560/1340 - 2012 release. Enjoyed on 8/26/12 in a Bell's tulip.

Pour: Clear amber orange with two fingers of white head. Leaves a light lacing.

Smell: Wheat and bread to the max. A lightest amount of citrus.

Taste: Bread and yeast to the max. A light apricot and a light citrus. Almost saison like for taste.

Mouthfeel: This is almost chewy because it is so bready. Interesting. Light enough to go down nicely.

Overall: Cool to try, won't go out of my way to get it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 00:19:41 | More by cfrances33

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A big thanks goes out to Mississipping for sharing this one at StayWhatYouAre2’s Bachelor Tasting a few days before his wedding! Served from bottle into a Boulevard Smokestack tulip. Poured yellow-orange with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, caramel, earth, earth hop, and caramel hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, wood, earth, earth hop, citrus, and subtle onion. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. The aroma on this one was very well balanced with the earthiness and caramel sweetness going on. The flavor was pretty good with the small exception of the onion character that was present. Glad I got the opportunity to try this one and even happier I got to try it before a special event in a good friend’s life.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 12:33:58 | More by thagr81us

warnerry

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle #68 of 203

A - Pours a semi-hazy burnt orange with one finger of white head. Head dissipated pretty quickly, leaving only scant lacing behind. A bit of suspended material.

S - Big coriander aroma that is also very bready. Orange peel and some slightly funky yeast round this out.

T - Orange is the first taste that comes through, quickly followed by cpriander and a faint pepper presence. Mostly bready malts, but also a bit of sweetness. Finish is a bit dry and yeasty.

M - Medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation and a dry, somewhat spicy and earthy finish with a bit of orange sweetness as well.

O - Quite enjoyable overall, and I'm glad I got to try it, but this wasn't worth the price.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 23:07:41 | More by warnerry

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Sprague11 for sharing.

Pale blonde colour, ring of white head, slight haze to this as well
as some floaties kicking around in the glass, some lace left behind. Smell is of honey, orange peel, citrus, spicy, coriander, good malty presence as well. Taste has a great deal of honey and stays that way for quite a while eventually coriander and other warm spices come in, malt and orange-citrusy flavours come through, the finish is clean and quite hoppy as well. Medium carbonation, medium body with some strong hop oils. Really drinkable and something I could have finished on my own if the opportunity presented itself, quite good with a very nice bitterness that is balanced very well by the malt and spices.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 02:02:27 | More by peensteen

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Funky yeast aroma. Lots of wheat, blood orange, honeyish. Great spicy finish, the bitterness seems higher than the IBU would indicate. Yellow bodied. It grows on me as regards drinkability. Very good for its style.A rare bottle, so thanks for sharing Johnsense.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 02:50:44 | More by northyorksammy

mystikyle71

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Somewhere between hay and gold with a decent amount of carbonation. Very clear. No haze.

S: Comes off as a blend of a wheat and German pilsner. Big noble hop presence.

T: Big noble hop presence here as well. A bit of sweetness from the wheat. Really tasty.

M: Medium body, but still rich like you'd expect from a wheat. ABV isn't too high (7.5% according to the BA profile), but there isn't much sign of that anywhere.

O: I feel very privelged to have had this beer and I think you will be equally as pleased if you get a chance to check it out. High quality blend of styles.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 18:07:22 | More by mystikyle71

womencantsail

California

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for sending this one, Derek.

A: The beer pours amber in color with a nice, tall, white head.

S: Sort of a bland nose, I find. The spices are definitely there. It's heavy on the coriander and orange peel notes. I don't get a ton from the honey, though there is a bit of floral character. Plenty of bread and cracker malts, though.

T: Sweet, pale malts with a light biscuit and cracker flavor make up most of the flavor. There is a good amount of floral character as well as a strong flavor of spices: coriander, pepper, and orange peel. There's something slightly savory about it.

M: Medium in body with a rather high level of carbonation.

O: Not the greatest nose, but just sort of bland more than offensive. An okay beer. Nice to try, but not amazing.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 15:04:25 | More by womencantsail

BMoney575

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on 7-23-11
Bottle #30 of 203
Batch 10284

Pours a light and cloudy amber color, with a thick white head that quickly settles to a thin layer. Summery and pleasant.

Smell is very sweet, lots of light malt aromas. The coriander is right up front, with lots of citrus to back it up. Like an Oberon with a kick of summer spices. Very enjoyable.

Taste is more bready than I expected, with lots of peppery kick from the orange peel. Surprisingly bitter, and a bit of harsh alcohol in the finish. The flavors are good, just a bit mashed together. Might benefit from a little cellar time.

Mouthfeel is good, but the strong carbonation seems to add to the harsh, peppery character.

Drinkability is decent, but becomes tougher as you go.

Overall, an interesting idea, that would benefit from some smoothing out of the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 20:42:47 | More by BMoney575

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at the brewery on 8/10/12 as part of a selection of samples. The beer was served in a tester glass.

The ale had a mild wheat aroma with its golden orange appearance. The initial taste was a big wheat flavor. Notes of corriander and orange rind were very apparent. The mouthfeel on this one is quite impressive. One might go so far as to describe this beer as being chewy. A malty backbone propped up these baseline of the taste. The is completed by a mildly sour aftertaste. A degree of thickness allows the taste to linger.

It strikes me that this is what Blue Moon might taste like if it were hand-crafted in small batches.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2012 00:03:46 | More by JohnnyHopps

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft served in a tulip. Sampled on 9/27/11.

A: Arrives with a finger of foamy white head. Well retained. The body is pale and golden orange, hazy and completely opaque. Minimal lacing. A very thin collar remains throughout the drink.

S: A light grassy/floral hop aroma supports a pale and wheaty malt base. A little sweetness on the nose works with the orange peel and coriander spiciness that comes through. Splashes of fresh orange-colored fruits plus other estery notes.

T: The taste is a slight improvement from the nose and a little more complex. The basic APWA foundation is there, but it is elevated through the use of spices and addition of honey which adds sweetness to the nose, but comes of dry on the palate. Also, the hop bill works beautifully with the crackery, wheaty malts.

M: Finishes dry - very clean and refreshing. Crisp bubbles in the right amount. Medium body and seemingly lighter than the 7.5% listed here (8% on Bells website).

O: Quite fond of this beer which I think is right up there with the premier examples of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 16:58:49 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

BigMike

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this a The Blue Dog on Bell's takes over the taps night. It's poured a light golden color with a thin white head. Some light hoppy notes on the nose and also the wheat is there and some light spice and pepper notes. One of the hoppier wheat beers i've had but still not a ton of flavor. A fairly average beer. There was really nothing that stood out while i was taking notes of this one. Decent, but nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 19:24:21 | More by BigMike

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Blue Dog

Wedding Ale comes out looking bright orange/yellow with some blond highlights. A nice little bit of white stuff on top, leaving small dumps. Smell is on the sweet side with yeast backing plus wheat. The honey is light but there. Some earthy hop scent comes up. a nice nose. Taste is pale malt with some biscuit for the malt side. Some grain as well. Some floral hops, European style, with some honey backing. It's nice yet not cloyingly sweet, which I like alot. The wheat is pronounced and makes me yearn for Oberon. Feel is a bit above light approaching medium with some nice crisp carb going for it. I imagine those C&C bottles are oozing with carb. A nice floral bitterness after some sips. A nice beer that would be a great summer addition to the lineup.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2011 00:13:53 | More by onix1agr

brew3crew

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at MI Brewer's Guild. 7/23

A-Honey gold in color

S-Honey and sweetness and very inviting...

T-This is incredible. especially for the style. Very well balanced. Honey and gain. Very bready and esquisite!

M-Medium body and so smooth

O-Very good beer and surprised it doesn't get so much more respect. Wish I had more!

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2011 02:04:43 | More by brew3crew

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap from Dave's kegerator. It's a bit like an amped up Oberon, but not quite. This is a little cleaner and has a spicy edge to it that also reminds me of Bell's Sparkling Ale. There's also a hot orange and and mild herbal citrus rind edge to it, making it one of the more interesting American wheat beers I've tried.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2011 20:57:25 | More by tempest

mynie

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Bryant Lake Bowl. (Incidentally, the very best time to visit any midwestern city is at the beginning of craft beer week. Not during the weekend; that's too touristy. Go on a Monday, when stuff like this gets poured.)

The bartender said it was a sweet, strong wheat. He was right. I've never tasted so much honey in a beer that didn't taste too much like honey. That is, this pulls off the spectacular feat of being really, strongly, capital-H Honeyed, but it is at no point cloying or mead-ish.

Although the Honey is the beer's most salient aroma and flavor, this little number is by no means a one trick pony. The sweetness is balanced really well by the spicy back end of wheat malt and aggressive yeast. The end is strong and a little burny, but not especially or unpleasantly alcoholic--the non-BAs I was with had no problem downing several of these.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 17:43:58 | More by mynie

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed on 6/24/2010. On tap at Eccentric Cafe. Pours a cloudy orange with a thick white head. Aroma of wheat malt and sweet honey. Flavor is sweet and malty upfront with plenty of wheat and hints of honey plus some other light fruits. Simple easy drinking -- a top notch basic wheat ale here.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2010 23:54:13 | More by LilBeerDoctor

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Eccentric Cafe. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a light pale orange with a pretty decent white head. Nose is honey, sweetness, and a bit of lemony citrus. Taste consists mostly of a light, sweet honey flavor and some citrus undertones. Feel is like with good carbonation. Was a nice, easy drinking outdoor beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2010 11:51:24 | More by Thorpe429

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Eccentric Cafe in a pint glass.

Appearance: Hazy dark golden orange color with a 2 cm white head. Reasonable retention, mostly just a ring of carbonation. Nice, replenishing carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass.

Smell: Spicy, honey wheat. Nice smooth floral and citrus hoppiness. Soft, but complex.

Taste: Strong and spicy wheat, with some full honey and malty sweetness. Spicy yeast really gives the middle some excitement. Floral and citrus hops finish the flavor out. Very pleasant and rounded.

Mouthfeel: Slight crisp, a little bit dry. Tight, medium carbonation and a little bit oily at the end. The yeast contributes a little bit of grainy feel as well.

Drinkability: This is much better than most pale wheats I drink. The flavor rises above the normal bounds of the style, and I enjoy the extra complexity. Even at 7.5%, the alcohol is not noticeable, and this is a great summer ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2010 22:22:31 | More by KickInTheChalice

SPLITGRIN

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hazy wheat ale colored body is a honey murky tone. Head is just barely a skim of off white. Nose is very clean with some wheat tones and fruity yeastiness. Very nice nose for the style. Crisp and yeasty up front quickly yielding to a sweet mellow fuzz that is controlled by the honey. This beer can't help but remind me a bit of Oberon. Some fruit comes through along with a slight hop bite on the end. Finishes with all the right elements on the mouthfeel for a summer (or spring wedding) beer. Crisp slightly yeasty and fruity. Very easy to drink especially for a 7.8% alcohol brew.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2010 20:00:42 | More by SPLITGRIN

bamadog

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Bells 30 tap event in Indy.

Appearance: Pours a golden yellow color with a 1/2 finger head that fades to a full, yet thin, skim on the surface; body appears cloudy and there is a moderate oily lacing that clings loosely to the sides of the glass.

Smell: I have to try a little harder here as there isn't a ton coming out due to a very weak nose on this one -- there is a bit of a wheaty/yeasty scent, some lemony citrus...

Taste: Taste is very interesting -- like a honey and lemongrass tea combined with a very mild hoppy bitterness that is a little grassy and citrusy; there is also a moderate presence of grainy yeast in the mouth. Overall, a very refershing flavor and this would definitely be a good choice for a hot summer day.

Mouthfeel: Body is light, refreshing and a little thin; moderate carbonation and very slight stickiness to it.

Drinkability: Pretty solid - a nice light body with a refreshing flavor. I could easily sit through several of these. It may not be my top choice for APWAs, but this one would rank up there.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2009 22:36:09 | More by bamadog

kels

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer was a very pleasant surprise amongst those I tasted at the Indy Beer Sellar's Bell's tasting last night. The description didn't sound all that impressive, but this beer's subtly balanced flavors were really nice.

Appearance: Pours a light lemon-honey yellow. It is slightly hazy with decent carbonation present feeding the slightest bit of light, white, watery lace.

Smell: Very light scents of herbs, flowers and grain. Some chammomille, lavender or lemon balm, perhaps. Really subtle, but very pleasant.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Very light and grainy, not much to speak of until a subtle, sweet flowery honey and a dry sweet juiciness - like white grapes - comes through in the aftertaste. That flavor builds gradually throughout the drink, and is complemented well by the soft, toasted wheat. Feel is lightly carbonated, slightly sweet and dry - somewhat like champagne or a dry white wine.

Drinkability: Very high - while it wouldn't be my choice for the beer I'd brew for my wedding, it definitely seems aptly named.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2009 21:41:01 | More by kels