Bell's Lager Of The Lakes - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pils glass.

3.0 A: Clear light yellow color. Two fingers of foamy/frothy white head. Retention is average and no lacing is left.

3.5 S: Grassy hoppiness with a doughy/biscuity maltiness. Not overly complex, but pleasant.

3.5 T: Mild to moderate hop bitterness. Grassy and earthy hop taste. Super doughy with biscuity undertones. Mildly sweet overall.

4.0 M: Medium body. A like how this is a little thicker than most would brew. Good moderate carbonation. Good creaminess and smooth.

3.5 D: Not bad. I like myself a good lager from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 02:33:06 | More by DavoleBomb

bluHatter

Michigan

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Clear gold in color, a small head, lots of rising bubbles.

S: Wheat, grain, malty

T: Clean, refreshing with just a tiny tinge of bitter/sour on the back, but just enough to make it a little more interesting than a typical lager. Very good.

M: Good crisp carbonation, light bodied

O: A fantastic lager. I've been craving one of these.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 21:05:11 | More by bluHatter

beagle75

Iowa

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a becker glass.
According to the label: 5.0% abv

A: Clear, pale golden color with one finger of white foam head that diminishes to a large and persistent pad. Moderate lacing remains on the glass and a few scattered streams of infrequent bubbles rise in the column.

S: Spicy herbaceous hops are surprisingly assertive, accompanied by crackery dough of mild intensity. Minor minerality and a trace of sulfur carried by carbon dioxide are also detectable.

T: Begins off-dry, with refined toasted malt and grassy hop aromatics that even extend into slightly floral territory. Acidity is mild to moderate, well within proper bounds, into the middle in which flavors become more dry and grainy. In the finish there is mild bitterness that is distinguished by a fairly clean snap on the palate, with lingering bready malt tapering off in intensity.

M: Thin viscosity, wet and balanced on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: This American-brewed lager cultivates pre-prohibition imagery in the mind of the drinker, as if referring back to an era when American lager suggested advancement rather than surrender. Strong all-around and about as good of a representative of the style as one can hope to find, this might be the beer that Boston Beer Co. had in mind before brewing their ponderous Alpine Spring seasonal. Balance is struck here, with easy fluid qualities scaling well to significant hops and unobtrusive yet defining malt.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 00:38:21 | More by beagle75

secondtooth

Indiana

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

Clean and golden, with an average head. Dense but thin single-finger lace.

Aroma is grainy and yeasty. Fairly typical lager nose.

Taste is similar, simple grains and yeast, and with a nice hops twang at the finish. Tasty and quite sessionable. Well-done!

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 13:47:38 | More by secondtooth

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a sampler tumbler. Poured a pale yellow with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, nutty, wheat, and perfume. The flavor was of sweet malt, nutty, wheat, and floral. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. The aroma was a little off-putting on this one as the perfume (at least how I would describe it) note was quite strong. I was quite concerned that this would be an overpowering flavor as well. However, it was subdued in the flavor and came across more of a floral note than anything. This one was quite easy to drink and a good changeup for the night. Glad I got the chance to try this one on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 18:23:09 | More by thagr81us

cosmicevan

New York

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

bottled 10/5/11 - picked up about a month ago in NC.

a - poured a crisp transparent yellow orange witha thin bubble foam head. lacing was spotty and slid around.

s - smells like a lager, which i'm not crazy about to begin with, but this one isn't nauseating. very grainy and an all malt bill. actually smells not half bad.

t - hey now! a lager that tastes good! i'm sold. this is a style that doesn't have to taste like piss. i guess i'm so shattered from all the american adjunct lagers i drank before i discovered a better world for beer. i'd give this a 4 if style wasn't a consideration, but with style as a consideration, this is a 4.5. damn good...for a lager.

m - i was most impressed with the mouthfeel on this brew. doesn't feel macro at all, medium bodied. nice. quite enjoyable.

o - overall, i didn't think i could find a lager that i would dig, but i've found it. i'm now REALLY excited to try the bottle of Quinannan Falls that i have!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:51:28 | More by cosmicevan

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Packaged 10/5/11

The bottle says this one is 5%, but BA says 4.5%.

A: Poured a fizzy, transparent, soft yellow color with about a 2 finger head that retained itself for a long while.

S: It had a moderate potency, with hints of lemon, wheat, corn, and maybe a bit of citrus.

T: This was much more bitter on the back end than I was expecting, but I welcomed that. Overall, this was crisp and refreshing, with very little sweetening agent (fruit or otherwise).

M: It had just the perfect amount of carbonation, which was very cushiony on the palate, the bitterness was definitely strong, and the lacing was substantial.

O: I'd always wondered what this one tasted like, and now I finally know. I'd definitely have this again, preferably on tap.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 20:42:46 | More by Chaney

paulginva

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From notes dated 6/4/11

APPEARANCE: This beer, poured from a bottle into a pilsner glass, produced a foamy white 3/4" head with thin head lacing that dissipated quickly. The body was a clear, pure gold with lively carbonation.

AROMA: Moderate sweet, bready malts with a light hint of floral and herbs and a very light sensation of pepper. Quite nice -- I'm looking forward to the taste.

TASTE: The taste doesn't disappoint. A pleasurable sweet taste of straw, bread, and other malts predominates with a follow-on hit of light floral and lemon and a final appearance of a delicate pepper taste. Quite nicely balanced.

MOUTHFEEL: Light to medium body with a thin texture, lively carbonation, and virtually no body lacing. What lacing there was dissipated very quickly. The initial flavor was moderately sweet with a nice very light hop bitterness. This finished with a very light sweetness, lightly bitter as the hops kicked in and a surprising moderate dryness, all with a slight tang of peppery hotness. There was also a slightly bitter metalic aftertaste.

DRINKABILITY: This is an all-day beer. We quafed them down while sitting at the pool and the beer was close to perfect for the occasion. Value was terrific and I would definitely buy it again. As a matter of fact, there are a half-dozen sitting in the refrigerator right now. The beer presents a good balance between malt and hops with a decent hoppy finish. It would be a good beer for entertaining friends (as we were) and is almost a West Coast lager but barely missed the sweet spot in just about every category.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 23:17:18 | More by paulginva

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pilsner glass. Had a yellow color and a clear consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head. Very little lacing.

S: A surprisingly hoppy aroma, with a lot of malt in it as well.

T: Tasted of hops (not overwhelmingly, though), some malt, lemon and other citrus. This beer has a surprisingly sharp and vibrant flavor. Well done.

M: A highly carbonated beer with a dry, clean finish. Light-bodied.

O: I'll go on the record as say the American Pale Lager is not my favorite style, but this is a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 14:05:17 | More by avalon07

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.8/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.
Batch 10609 Dated 9.19.2011 A

A - Pours a light, clear yellow with a one finger white head. Slowly fades, some lacing is left on the glass.

S - Wheat, light malt, corn.

T - Wheat, sweet malts.

D - Average carbonation and body.

O - Nice lager, light.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 04:52:30 | More by HuskyinPDX

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bell's Lager

Pours like a standard lager, clear, straw yellow color. Short livid head.
Aroma of cereal grains and small flowery hop. In the taste, clean lagery flavor. Cracker like malt, restrained bitterness and a clean finish. Actually similar to alot of the macro lagers, but more unoffensive than most. Mouthfeel is light and carbonation is decent. Overall, Bells proves they can brew a "working class" beer. Standard American Lager, with no frills.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 06:43:58 | More by Stinkypuss

MattyG85

Minnesota

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

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Appearance: Bright and clear golden orange with lots of rising bubbles. Solid four fingers of white head with good retention and lots of lacing.

Smell: Pale Munich and Pils malts with some caramel, yeast, and wheat grains. Light hints of earthy noble hops. Smells bready and buttery.

Taste: Bready and sweet Munich and Pils malts with lots of caramel and some toffee. A good amount of grassy hops add a mild bitterness. Very nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Very crisp and smooth.

Overall: A pretty solid lager. Nice level of hop bitterness for a pale lager.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 05:02:24 | More by MattyG85

Forb

Nebraska

3.9/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle...

Appearance: Slightly pale / golden color with a light and quickly vanishing head.

Smell: Pilsner hops are very prevalent on the nose with elements of grain and german malt.

Taste: Fresh, crisp, slightly grassy hop profile, amid an equally minor wheat / malt influence brings this one to a level of refreshingly full flavor.

Mouthfeel: Refreshingly crisp carbonation explodes with flavor elements settling lightly on the pallet.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 01:05:16 | More by Forb

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.28/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Tawny golden pale yellow. Head that quickly dissapates and leaves no lacing.

S - Clean and fresh. Touch of grassiness.

T - Taste like your average lager.

O - Meh. Taste about like an adjunct lager. Not bad if you want something simple and want to stray away from a Bud.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 22:37:30 | More by andrewjraab

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a pale clear golden. Head is a little over a finger and lasts well. Slight bit of lacing.
S- Smell is pilsner malt, rather crackery with a fresh aroma, a fresh grass hop smell.
T- Initially it's got just a fresh, green taste. Quite grassy up front, the finish is a pilsener malt. Really crackery, biscuity presence.
M- A bit more body than most in style. Carbonation is light and smooth.
O- A good pale lager. Easy drinking and enjoyable. Worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2011 18:45:24 | More by jsprain1

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - A clear golden pilsner appearance. Little to no head or lace on the glass

S - Wheat, german malts.

T - Very smooth. Very crisp.

M - Light bodied, and smooth

O - An extremely tasty light lager. Great for a day on the lake or tailgating, when you want to have multiples but not buzz too much. I will buy this again

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 00:05:15 | More by BeerDawgs

adamette

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Live review. Poured from the 12 oz. brown bottle that I bought for $1.69 at Save-On Tobacco & Beverage in Mentor a week or so ago into my “The Second City” Weizen glass. Batch number 10257 stamped on the bottom of the back label.

A Translucent banana yellow body with bubbles rising up under a nice 1 to 2 inch white fluffy head that sticks to the inside of the glass, leaving a nice lacing inside.the glass. 3.5

S Nice, basic but pleasing lager smell. Barley malt predominates and any hops are well under control. 3.0

T Taste extends directly from the smell. Barley malt is front and center with balanced hops playing a supporting role. Good, basic lager taste and it lingers beyond the last sip which is welcomed. 3.5

M Thin which is what I would expect. There is moderate carbonation and that pleasing barley malt and hops taste that bolster the feel a bit. 3.5

D/O Very good as anyone should expect with the 5.0% ABV and pleasant tastes. Overall this is a solid lager. 3.5

Notes: The subtitle of this beer (on the label) is “Lager of the Lakes.” I don’t think so. I think that Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold is closer to deserving that honor.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 01:20:26 | More by adamette

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.38/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pkgd 05/27/11.

Pours a pale gold with a foamy white head that leaves some lacing. The beer is rather dull by light lager standards.

Smells like an american lager. Yeasty and unrefined with an awkward bit of hops.

The flavor is okay. Tastes more like a pale ale than say a Helles lager.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 02:48:24 | More by crossovert

doopydoogle

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Slightly hazy golden straw with a lingering head that leaves decent lace.

S - Caramel malt, buscuits, waffles, fresh yeast rolls, slightly floral and clean.

T - Clean, crisp, with a decent malt profile and surprising amount of bitter for a lager. Closer in profile to a pilsner. Herbal tones and honey leave a pleasant sensation that give way to some slight berry and peach tones.

M - Great carbonation and a crisp, clean mouthfeel. The bitter coats the palate and ensures that the beers stays with you for a while.

O - A good lager. Crisp, clean, with some nice subtle tones and a surprising bitterness for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 00:38:35 | More by doopydoogle

avaldivia

California

3.45/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Got in trade from sobeleg. Poured 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Light clear golden color. Little to no head or lacing.

S: Grassy and bready. Little to no hop aroma.

T: Grassy with just a hint of spice. Very crisp. Not overly complex.

M: Very light and crisp. A bit of a dry finish. Refreshing.

O: For a pale lager, it's ok. I am in about 100 degree weather right now and this was perfect for the heat.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 21:59:19 | More by avaldivia

Brunite

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a medium straw yellow with a white pillowy head. A Almost no lacing.

S: Bready...sweet...slight hop aroma.

T: Malty....some hoppiness. Neither is overdone. Very nice balance.

M: Light body...lightly carbonated.

O: This is likely the best APL that I have come across. A pretty boring style that allows no flaws. This is a great job of balance & style adherence. A no-brainer replacement for the BMC crowd.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 04:11:03 | More by Brunite

foamfoot

Ohio

2.78/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bell's is one of my favorite breweries and I admit I came into this with high expectations.

I was not overly impressed.

Appearance was a cloudy yellow with nice head. A clean flavor quickly turns to a strong finish. I would not recommend this to someone who usually drinks American domestics.

Granted, I like it better than the mainstream lagers, but there just isn't much to get excited about. It's not terrible, but far from solid. A very average beer.

If you have never given Bell's a chance, don't let this style be your first. I'm probably being overly harsh, but this falls well short of the many great styles to come from this Michigan brewery.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 00:53:17 | More by foamfoot

Lauthaha

Michigan

2.63/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a tulip glass.

Appearance: Beer is very pale straw color with some mild carbonation visible through the glass. Head is angel white and recedes quickly leaving only a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Some decent hop flavor, with a tinge of corn added for bad measure. Grassy malt tones.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Beer tastes like grass clippings brewed into a tea then refrigerated overnight. Body is light- to medium-bodied, and carbonation is mellow with a slight rush in the middle of the taste. Beer goes down leaving a super bitter flavor that is neither pleasurable nor displeasing.

Overall: An average beer. Not a good pale lager, not a good beer. Getting a little tired of Michigan beers not living up to their state's great reputation.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 04:29:33 | More by Lauthaha

aasher

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This one pours a very bright and very clear straw gold in color with a light white lacing around the glass. It smells of crisp pale malts and adjuncts, nothing noteworthy. The flavor is of clean and crisp pale malts. It has a light bitterness and is just really light all around. That said, it tastes of a quality lager. It is what it is. It drinks light and is crisp and refreshing. This is actually really good for the style. I'm a fan. It's an undervalued style but this is one of the better ones.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 01:56:17 | More by aasher

clint1019

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Has a straw color to it and it pours with a clean white head that dissapates very quickly. Not really much lacing.

S - Has a clean malt aroma and a slight spicyness.

T - Clean, Crisp Malt flavor and a slight, slight spicy hop flavor.

M - light bodied, very thin feeling, with a light carbonation.

O - A decent lager. Not great, but very refreshing and very clean tasting. Would be a nice beer for out fishing on the lake on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 20:11:54 | More by clint1019