The Oracle - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

barczar

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy copper brown with a half inch khaki head that slowly dissipates, leaving sheets of lacing.

Caramel, toffee, booze, dates, figs, and plums form the initial aroma. Citrus, resin, and pine add hop character.

Grapefruit pith, grapefruit. tangerine, pine, resin, fresh cut grass, booze, and sweet caramel malt form the flavor profile. The finish is decidedly bitter.

Body is moderate to heavy, with moderate carbonation and significant alcohol warmth.

Decidedly malt dominant and boozy, there's enough bitterness, resin, and muted citrus to balance in the extreme.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:20:00 | More by barczar

mochaguy

Michigan

4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled: 8/10/12

Specs: 12oz bottle, 10%, ?? IBU

Glassware: Ommegang Fluted Tulip

Appearance: Cloudy amber with a medium-tall cream colored head.

Smell: Notes of citrus, bread and floral.

Taste: Slightly sweet citrus, orange marmalade, earthy, long medium pithy finish.

Mouth Feel: Mild+ carbonation, slightly creamy with a medium-full body.

Overall: This is my second tasting. First tasting one month ago was more fresh/citrusy, sweeter and more delicate. Very soild but recommend drinking within the first two months of bottling.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 22:41:35 | More by mochaguy

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle from Sprayberry Bottle Shop (Marietta, GA). Bottled 8/10/12. Served in a Souther Tier snifter.

Pours clear deep amber with two finger of fluffy head that leaves small patches of lace.

Smell of pine, citrus peel, grapefruit and raisin bread.

Taste is a big bitter grapefruit hop bomb! Those grapefruity hops lead the assault on the palate, followed by the pine, rind, fresh cut grass, biscuits and mellow peppery spice. There's a bit of booze kick, but the 10% is well hidden in the bitter malange of grapefruit.

Medium full feel with mild to medium carbonation. Long dry bitter grapefruit finish.

Outstanding double IPA. One of the best I've had. I can't really compare it to Hopslam because they are two totally different things but this is just as good in it's own way. I really wish I could have bought at least a six pack but I'm really glad to have finally gotten to try this.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 02:50:01 | More by ThickNStout

fields336

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

SN tulip, 8./10/12 date

A: golden, light amber, honey color with a huge collar or thick off white yellowish head on top. lacing is phenominal, carbonation looks great

S: grapefruit, citrus, tropical fruit, slight pine/floral, sweet malt backbone, with a touch of booziness in the background

T: sweet is my first impression then a huge wave of piney, grapefruit, citrus, peach, pineapple comes through and finishes on a nice balanced dry bitter/malty finish, the best of both flavors. touch of booziness but i expect it at 10%

M: not too thick, but still you can tell its a DIPA, the carbonation is spot on imo

O; not as good as hopslam, but still a delicious beer

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 20:57:37 | More by fields336

tectactoe

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a golden yellow color, looks very thick, lacy white head that is easy to rejuvenate with a little swirl of the glass. Smells of deep hop oils, spices, alcohol, with a tad of grapefruit and pine tree. The taste is right behind it, tasting of lots and lots and LOTS of hops, resin, pine, with just a bit of grapefruit sweetness. Lots of spice and alcohol, especially in the aftertaste. It has a bit of malt in the finish as well. Very, very high bitterness with low carbonation. Very heavy on the mouth and leaves a very sticky feeling.

Somewhat similar to Bell's Hopslam with a bit more of hops and grapefruit, sans the honey induced sweetness. A very good brew, but definitely one you have to sip.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 21:51:44 | More by tectactoe

StoutHunter

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked up a bottle of Bell's The Oracle a couple weeks ago for $3.59 at The Lager Mill. This is one of the only seasonal I haven't had from Bell's before so I'm ready to see what I've been missing out on, so lets how it goes. Bottled on August 10 2012. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a tulip.

A- I like the label on this beer it's simple but classy looking. It poured a slightly hazy darker gold color that took on a really nice orange hue when held to the light with two and a half fingers worth of creamy slightly off white head that died down to a thin ring that stayed till the end and left some nice sticky lacing. This is a great looking beer, I have no complaints at all.

S- The aroma is all about the hops and it starts out with lots of citrus hops that imparts a tropical fruit aroma with some grapefruit sticking out the most. Next comes a resinous and piney aroma that is followed by some floral hop aromas that show up towards the end. This is a great smelling beer, the topical fruit aromas work nicely with the pine and floral aromas. I like it a lot.

T- Wow this is one intense tasting beer, it starts off with the hops right up front and hitting me with a pretty intense bitterness that is for sure on the high side and is pretty constant throughout the taste. First come some nice tropical and citrus fruit flavors followed by a very resinous pine flavor and lighter floral hop flavor. The malts impart a higher amount of medium sweetness, and very slight bready flavor that was quickly overpowered by the hops. Towards the end a get a little bit of alcohol that is a slightly warming and it had a floral and piney aftertaste. This was a great tasting Double IPA, it was full of aggressive and bitter hops, just what i expect and want from this style.

M- Smooth when cold, but it's isn't that smooth when it warms a little, crisp, a little sticky, on the lighter side of being full bodied, with a nice medium amount of carbonation. The mouthfeel was good and it worked well with this beer.

Overall I thought this was a great beer and a great example of the style, it had everything I want in the style, it was one palate wrecking Double IPA. This beer isn't the most drinkable, one bottle is pretty much all I would want, I think it would start to be too intense after the first one. What I liked most about this beer was just about everything, it smelled great, tasted great, and looked great. What I liked least about this beer was the drinkability, it was just a little to intense and one 12oz bottle is just enough. I would buy this beer again next time it's release, but I think I would only buy 1 or 2, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys big and intense Double IPA's. All in all I was glad I finally got to try this beer and it lived up to my expectations, it was a big and intense Double IPA that just wrecked my palate, good job Bell's this beer is like Hop slams angrier and bitterer older brother.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 03:41:26 | More by StoutHunter

chugalug06

Colorado

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Soft one-finger head easily flows from the bottle into my Burery tulip. Head is full of froth and come out plain white, yum.

Lots of big citrus and pine flow from scent. Sticky bubble gum comes to mind too. Mango and pineapple dominate.

Very bitter, much like a pine tree would be. Sticky and wet. carbonation is perfect and light. Bitterness is strong and robust, a bit offensive.

A very good beer indeed! Recommended, but not worth going crazy for. There's better DIPAs, but this one is top 20 forsure.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 00:58:19 | More by chugalug06

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a burn orange with a decent head that quickly disappears. A think layer of foam is present from start to finish. Nice webbing and stick throughout.

S - Vibrant citrus notes pop out, resinous smell, underlying floral scent.

T - As you would expect with a DIPA - a punch in the mouth of hops follwed by a nicely balanced smooth finish. Bitterness present throughout.

O - This is another solid offering from Bell's. I would say this is more drinkable than hop slam but mayble lacks a bit of hop slams character. I wonder if this is a one off from the two hearted recipe or if any inspiration came from two hearted as it has some of the same smell.

This is definitely a must try. Enjoyed it very much.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 00:47:24 | More by andrewjraab

JDizzle

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep orange with a nice white head that falls rather quickly. Lacing is epic.
Smells like an Oracle should.... Brilliant with a citrusy fruits, resin, and a bit of sweet malt. I can tell this is a hop monster. Pretty one sided on the nose.
TOP 10 fo sho.... Straight blast of hops on the palate that is brutal. POW, this one is complex with citrusy fruits, resin, pine, and a little malt on the end to make it not so one sided; even though it is. Really hoppy with a crazy bitter finish.
Mouthfeel is medium and crisp. Ultra bitter on the finish. Not boozy at all. This one hell of a beer.

Overall, this takes down Hopslam, and redefines the DIPA for me. It's only lacking on being a complete beer with so much bitterness, and not enough balance. A+

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 04:41:06 | More by JDizzle

superspak

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 8/10/2012. Pours a dense lightly hazy golden orange color with a nice 2 finger dense off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a thick cap that lingers. Thick soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of huge grapefruit, orange rind, pineapple, mango, lemon zest, floral, caramel, pine, grass, and light herbal spiciness. Incredible aromas that are insanely balanced and complex. I love this smell. Taste of big grapefruit, orange rind, pineapple, floral, mango, pine, grass, caramel, and herbal spiciness. Good amount of pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, tropical fruits, pine, floral, caramel, grass, and herbal spiciness on the finish for a while. Fantastic flavor balance and complexity; with a great balance of bitterness and sweetness. Minimal cloying hop flavor and bitterness. Medium carbonation and full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and sticky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an incredible DIPA! Awesome flavor balance and complexity; and very smooth to sip on. World class.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 04:00:10 | More by superspak

GRDave

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass, chilled (but not cold) in the fridge

A - Poured with a deep amber orange color and about one finger of white head that lasted for about half of the glass. Lacing down the glass as I enjoyed it.

N - Piney and resinous with orange peel and citrus.

T - Very complex taste, starts off hot with a bit of booze, but ends very bitter and dry as the hops come alive

M - Syrupy and sweet, but not heavy.

Overall, very drinkable. I went into it comparing to Hopslam. Not nearly as sweet (honey) but similar base. But so much more bitterness. Very good stuff.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 02:00:27 | More by GRDave

biga7346

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into tulip glass.

A - Shimmering golden to copper hue, fluffy white head, tons of soapy lacing

N - Orange peel, orange creamsicle, fresh mango and peaches, hop resin, lemon zest, cotton candy; some herbalness like cumin or even spicy basil.

T/M - hop bomb up front, sticky piney finish, snippets of pineapple, mango, orange zest, crisp carbonation plays with the syrupy hopped background, wheat husk; the alcohol is well hidden and despite a 10% abv, ridiculously drinkable, but starts to get sticky in the back of the palate after 1-2.

D - Beats the hell out of hopslam imho.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 01:37:33 | More by biga7346

yuenglingfan101

Indiana

4.7/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into my pint glass. Another great beer from one of my favorite breweries. This beer had a orangeish hue to it and with a little bit of head. Had the taste of grapefruit and other citris flavor to it. Taste like an IPA. Nice occasional beer with friends.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 14:27:37 | More by yuenglingfan101

cosmicevan

New York

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

here's one that i thought deserved a re-review as this one is bottled 8/10 (just about 3 weeks ago) and my original review was from a really old bottle. thank you to genuinedisciple for the fresh taste!!! enjoyed from my bell's tulip.

a - same gorgeous classic ipa orange with a generous frothy head (no change in score)

s - fairly even ipa. some vanilla and orange peel. good soft piny hop presence. (upgrade to a 4.0)

t - nice bouquet of hops and grapefruit. balanced and even not too hoppy, but still resiny and piny. just a solid IPA (upgrade to a 4.0)

m - feel is fairly light for a beer like this. ABV is invisible. not bittery, but cooling. (no change in score)

o - overall, this is a different animal fresh. it is no hopslam, but it never set out to be hopslam. this is like a gateway DIPA. the hopping is subtle, but there. soft grapefruit flavors...really nice and balanced (upgrade to a 4.5).

*** ** * ** ***
Original Review from 1/25/2012
*** ** * ** ***
4.5 - 3.5 - 2.5 - 3.5 - 3.0

massive thank you to Marti403 for sending this one my way. bottled 8/12...so bear that in mind.

a - cracked the bottle and filled my urthel tulip. mild explosion upon opening. brew poured a deep orange red with a super frothy ipa head. lacing was chunky and milkshake like.

s - nice subtle vanilla and caramel hop. smooth with a good malt presence. seems like time has faded the citric burst on this one :( still nice, but more barleywine like for sure.

t - sadly the hops are long gone in this one. strong grapefruit and what all the others see, just no hop.

m - pretty bitter, no hop bite. boozy tingle.

o - overall...don't age them iipas. time will morph to barleywine maltiness, but the hop character is what makes a great iipa. i promise to re-review this one fresh, but for now...here's what a 4.5 month old one tastes like.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 02:37:58 | More by cosmicevan

OleJohnnieAle

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poors a nice nearly glowing copper with huge 3 fingers+ of head that lingers well and left behind thick sheets of lacing.

S- Very strong hop resin with some nice piney notes. There is a nice notes of tropical fruit and grapefruit.

T- some sweetness upfront, grapefruit and mango taste mix well with very powerful hops. Leaves some nice resin and finishes rather dry and boozy.

MF- Smooth and leaves thinck resin in mouth, very creamy.

O: My bottle may have been a little past its prime but still was a very good DIPA. Will be looking for this one again!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 04:24:01 | More by OleJohnnieAle

MBrausen

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A. Pours a golden red hue, a nice 2.5 finger thick head, lots of carbonation, settled to a 2mm head with beautiful lacing

S. Smells of sweet citrus, grapefruit and floral

T. Tastes tart, a bit of sour fruit, sweet orange peel and a bitter finish

M. Medium body, medium-heavy carbonation with a very moist finish

O. A good DIPA. I had it once before on tap at a Bells Rare Beer night and remember it being different. I picked this up at a store that is far from the brewery and I wonder if they may be headed over the hill. It's more bitter than I remember, but it has been 6 months since I had it. It's still very good, just not the same beer I remember. I suggest if anyone can try this one fresh in one of the few states you can get it, Go For it!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 21:33:18 | More by MBrausen

stewart124

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle 08/2011-I know a little late on this DIPA

Pours a hazy orange with little head.

Nose has plenty of grapefruit, juicy fruit and pineapple. Obviously my mouth is watering.

Fullness and plenty of body with a more muted hop presence than I expected. Balanced very well with a great background bitterness and no astringent alcohol hotness. Some light toasted characters and bread but not too much syrupy caramel to muddle the bill.

This is still a very nice example of a DIPA. Plenty of pineapple and grapefruit with a nice dose of juicy fruit and hop resin. More resin than I initially expected

I am guessing that because I waited almost 5 months the beer has balanced itself a bit. I wanted to compare it against the Hop Slam and waited until the hop slam hit the shelves. I need to get this straight from the tanks to get a better judgement.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 18:50:20 | More by stewart124

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear, deep golden orange with a tight, creamy white head.

S: Aromas of pine, citrus, biscuits, brown sugar, and alcohol are present on the nose. This smells a little boozier than I would like.

T: Notes of brown sugar, biscuits, sage, pine, mint, bitter orange, kumquat, lemon, and grapefruit assault the palate. The finish is bitter and fruity with lemon, grapefruit, bitter orange, and alcohol notes.

M: Full-bodied and sticky. Carbonation is firm and prickly. There is a slight alcohol presence in the mouth, but it isn't too overbearing.

O: As is, this is a very solid American DIPA, but if the alcohol presence were masked a bit better, it would be truly outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 15:45:21 | More by mrfrancis

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$4.00 single from Abe's.

Bright shiny copper body, plenty of chill haze, topped by four fingers of bubbly just-off-white foam. Good lacing.

Huge enticing, inviting, assertive aroma mixing pine and big citrus is evident as soon as the cap pops, and only improves with the pour.

Strong sturdy semi-sweet malt foundation. Plenty of juicy fruit. Sample of pine. Big blast of long lingering bitterness.

Good medium plus mouthfeel carries it all aggressively across the tongue and approaches chewy.

A must try DIPA when available for all IPA fans. And a wonderful reminder that HopSlam is coming.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 04:56:36 | More by RonfromJersey

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.68/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Courtesy of 2BDChicago. 10588 PKGD 8/12/11 indicated on the back label. Served in a tulip at 51 degrees. Pours a brownish-orange hue with a mostly translucent clarity; just a slight haze. Head is a quarter inch, frothy and off-white and eventually settles into a broken slick and a bubbly band around the shoulders. Thick, cascading bands of lacing are revealed during the tasting. Nose primarily expresses light toasted malts, a suggestion of ethanol and a piny/citrusy/earthy character; however, there's also a trace of tropical fruit in the foreground. Taste reveals an earthy/piny bitterness, as well as caramel and a buttery character along a malty backbone. That said, the considerable alcohol presence makes it difficult to parse out the nuances of the flavor profile. Mouthfeel is medium-light with a slightly oily consistency and a prickly carbonation. There's also a light acidity and some residual alcohol heat. Overall, I think this beer could use a little more time in the cellar. Alcohol is a bit too over the top and really muddles the flavors. It's not bad, but I prefer a little more balance and sweetness in my DIPAs.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 01:25:49 | More by Jwale73

elNopalero

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle is from August, drunk at the tail end of December. Figured it was worth a try since I’ve never had it before.

This pours a pale golden color. It has a nice hop aroma with some pine notes and a fresh orange undertone. Surprisingly light aroma for such a hoppy beer, as the hops punch you in the face upon first taste and don’t let go. It’s chewy, with a big piney bitterness and a squeezed grapefruit, even after four months, followed by some honey sweetness. Without any point of reference I’d say it’s held up well—and I’d love to try this fresh. Be careful, it’s 10%!

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 04:03:31 | More by elNopalero

runner440

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this beer in my epic Michigan box from Marc. This DIPA was awesome. Had huge sweet hop nectar and an epic malty backbone. Could not taste the 10% alcohol at all. The bottle was very drinkable and I had no problems finishing it myself. One of the best DIPAs I have ever had. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 02:02:32 | More by runner440

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a medium copper color with a good two fingered billowing white head of foam that sticks to the glass like cotton candy when it starts to subside. Carbonation is very subtle.

S - Pineapple, oranges, red grapefruit rinds with some ppery spice, lightly moderate resin.

T - Even though the hop intensity has faded, there's enough there after (4) months to tell me this must have been one intense beer when it was freshly bottled. The tropical fruit is still there, not overly intense, but still enjoyable and detectable. The tongue is met with a blend of tropical fruit (oranges, grapefruit, and pineapple rinds), a floral bouquet, and seet caramel (which is still surprisingly subdued for its age). Around midway through, the malt resurfaces again, but briefly, following by an alcohol effervescence, some more tropical fruit, and then squashed by a bitter wave of pink grapefruit.

M - The bitterness is intensely lingering and leaves a peppery spice and a little metallic aftertaste that coats the mouth. Heavy medium body, light alcohol burn in the beginning, and some boozy effervesence.

O - I really can't recall many (if any) big IPA's that I can say I've enjoyed that much at 3-4 months out, this is one. It's intensely bitter and mildly fruity and resinous. Any sweet malt that is now coming through adds a complemented blend to the beer that still makes it enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 23:08:02 | More by jzeilinger

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Batch 10588, bottled on 8/12/11. Welp, nearly four months old...hope it's been stored properly

A- pours a slightly cloudy shade of orange with a thick, one finger offwhite head. Lacing is magnificent, all the way around the glass. Looks gorgeous

S- oranges. Yummy, but a little muted

T- nice sweet burst of citrus, with a tad bit of bitterness at the end. It's slightly muted because of the age, but not overly so

M- pretty thick bodied...close to being syrupy

O- would like to try it fresh, don't think I got the FULL experience....but it wasn't bad

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 02:21:20 | More by bigfnjoe

doughanson78

Washington

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Big thanks to storminspank for this want.

A: Medium orange color with a slight haze. Half finger off white head with great retention and lacing.

S: Big citrus. Pineapple and grapefruit. Light floral and pine presence. A pretty strong caramel malt backbone.

T: Tons of sweet caramel upfront. Big citrus and floral bitterness in the middle. Finishes with a bit of an alcohol bite.

M: Light to medium body. Medium carbonation. Slick and oily. Very dry finish.

O: A very solid Double IPA. A touch hot in the finish but the caramel sweetness upfront is awesome. Definitely a sipper.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 05:30:13 | More by doughanson78