The Oracle - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

Immortale25

Florida

4.54/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Cigar City pint glass from a quart-sized growler.

A- Comes out a see-through amber with a quarter-inch head and retains a bubble pattern on top that indicates healthy yeast. Damnit, I took a sip of it before I even smelled it. Couldn't resist, since I've had this beer before.

S- Mmmmm. That smells fantastic. Beautiful wet, grassy, dank hops that give way to a perfumey alcohol compliment. I can tell dry-hopping was a crucial step in this beer's production. Not much malt detected though. Can't wait to really sink my tongue into this.

T- Aww yeauh! Hops, hops and more hops assaulting my palate with IBUs just the way I like it: savory and lingering. Kinda boozy but with good reason to be (since I believe it's actually 10.4% this time around contradictory to BA's report of 10.0%). Not really sensing the malts as much because there's so much bitterness present, plus it makes sense given its somewhat light color. I taste equal parts grass, bitters AND lemon-orange. Every single hop varietal they used swirls together to make a pronounced and tasteful combination of flavors. I'm sure everything I'm sensing is extra pronounced since it's off the tap. Man, is this shit good. Now I see why it's rare and sought-after. Although, once again, I'm missing some malt balance that would most likely provide an extra dimension of sweetness that could really accelerate this beer's flavor.

M- Very smooth (I know that's a cop-out adjective, but really!) yet abrupt. I kind of feel like the mouthfeel makes this beer because the carbonation gives the hop profile its kick.

O- Thus far in my experience with Bell's, their IPAs are where they shine. This and Two-Hearted could easily be considered their best single and double IPA, hands down.

Serving type: growler

10-07-2011 04:41:03 | More by Immortale25

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On-tap at Churchkey, served in a stange/pint glass thing.

A- A clear orange color, topped with a finger of creamy off-white head, nice lacing.

S- Really wonderful aroma, packed with citrus, especially grapefruit and orange, but also some mango and tropical fruit, also a nice dose of pine resin and some sweet malt in the background.

T- Similar to the aroma with a huge onslaught of grapefruit, orange, mango and pine resin, it's very, very bitter, with moderate caramel and toasted malt in the background, this would have scored a bit higher but there's a considerable booziness on the back that I think detracts from the overall flavor.

M- Medium to full bodied, has a smooth feel with, as in the flavor, a pretty noticeable boozy kick at the finish.

O- A very solid beer, one of the better West-Coast style DIPA's I've had coming out of the Midwest, the hop flavors are massive and quite tasty, although I think that it could have done with just a bit less boozy, sweet alcohol, it's still a tasty beer and worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 22:23:38 | More by WillCarrera

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

Keyportnick

Wisconsin

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served in a bells snifter

A- gloden clear with a slight touch of amber. Pure white creamy head.

S- deep orange and pineapple. Deep citrus fruits with a hop resin finish.

T-dull grapefruit and pineapple. Deep rish hops and oily resins coat the mouth. Amazong finish thats very clean but pronouned.

M-light body and light carbonation. Flavors fill and the hops coat your mouth.

O-This is another prefect example of an american iipa. One of my favorites by far. I could take a few of these down on the prefect summer night.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2012 00:03:45 | More by Keyportnick

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

Phelps

Arizona

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

Enjoyed in a snifter at World of Beer.

Color and clarity of honey. One inch of super sticky, spider web foam is light tan.

Like a face slap of vodka-soaked grass. Tangerine, sticky alcohol, touch of dank, a little honey, orange blossom.

More booze in the flavor. Vodka-grass, funky dank weed, big tangerine peel. Alcohol flavor is big, but it blends well with the other stuff.

Moderate to high, pinching carbonation. Smooth medium body. Heavy.

Bright, funky, grassy. Lacks the sweetness of Hopslam, but has more fresh hop flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2012 17:36:20 | More by Phelps

homebrew311

Illinois

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

Appears clear gold, minimal head. The nose is full of deep flowery hops, heavy pine, caramel, molasses, and a touch of honey. Taste is malty and sweet initially followed by heavy pine and floral character. Finish is bitter and sticky. Mouthfeel is somewhat heavy with moderate carbonation. Overall, a nice malty IPA with tons of floral hops.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 00:11:52 | More by homebrew311

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at Beer Bistro North.

Finally getting to lay my tastebuds on this elusive DIPA. It pours a clear brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises grapefruit zest, pine needles, honey, and sickly-sweet caramel. The taste pretty much brings in more of the same, but now everything is more powerful: The grapefruit is heavier, the pine is sharper, the caramel is sweeter. It's all a bit much, especially when the sweetness and the pine mix together to form a mild menthol kind of character in the finish. The body is a hefty medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a thick feel. Overall, a solid DIPA, but one that seems to be too big for its own britches. I'd drink another, if only to figure out where the fanfare for this beer comes from, especially when a slightly more refined version can be more easily obtained (at least, in these parts) in the form of HopSlam.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2012 16:05:45 | More by TMoney2591

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

zeff80

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured a clear, copper color with a one-finger, off-white head of bubbly foam. It left thick rings of sticky lace on the glass.

S - It smelled very piney with citrus aromas. It had a slight roasted malt aroma, too.

T - Fantastic. Big piney flavor with a citrus kick, nice spices and burnt toast maltiness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is outstanding. So glad I was able to try a pint on tap. Great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 01:33:00 | More by zeff80

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

beer2day

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

10oz snifter pour at the Saucer as part of Raleigh Beer week.

Dark orange-gold with 1/2 finger of standard cream head. Decent head retention with just a trace of lace on the sides of the glass.

Nose is light. Resiny hops and a suggestion of pine are all I get.

The flavor is fantastic. Lots of hop resin with a oily sheen. Very nice pepper quality. Floral finish with a dry pine component. Very well done.

Body is stick and thick with hop oil. Perfect for a DIPA.

Just an excellent glass of beer. Only wish is for a slightly stronger nose.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 16:12:18 | More by beer2day

jtd1969

North Carolina

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

had it in a 10oz pour from a bar in Raleigh, NC

A - Orange/golden color in the glass

N - Lot's of grapefruit and pine. Smelled so good

T - Carbonation is crisp. Tastes like a tropical citrus paradise with lots of hops(Front end), that turns smooth still ringing with hops(back end). Such a complex beer. The sweet malt yet powerful hop taste does a really great job at keeping the 10.4 % hidden as well. Definitely a must for all Imperial IPA drinkers.

M - malty with a pleasant sweetness that makes way for the hop explosion. So good.

Overall, a very delicious beer. Being that it was beer week in Raleigh the 60+tap bar had 10 different "rare beers" on tap, however I still had to order another one of these...

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2012 14:08:21 | More by jtd1969

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

cfrances33

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at the Mark in South Bend, IN on 8/23/12. Served in a tulip.

Pour: Deep amber orange with a finger of tanner head. Recedes to a rim, not much lacing.

Smell: Lots of pine and grapefruit, with some lemon mixed in as well. Clear caramel sweetness.

Taste: Follows the nose with pine and grapefruit, with a fantastic balance. I was amazed at the balance this beer exuded, especially with the reputation of a "west coast style dipa." Like a slightly maltier Pliny.

Mouthfeel: Pretty light and drinkable given the huge body.

Overall: Great, and pretty tasty. Wish Bell's put this on rotation.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 04:05:46 | More by cfrances33

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

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another great beer enjoyed at The Bavarian Lodge.

Pours a transparent orange color and has an inch of of white head. Tons of fluffy, sticky lace clings to the glass.

The nose has earthy, herbal hop notes and some grapefruit. A bit of garlic smelling hops. Light booze.

The taste is bitter and sweet while working well with one another. The hops are consisting of citrus and light garlic while a rich caramel sweetness rounds it off.

The mouthfeel is creamy and bitter, leaving a dry finish. Medium bodied.

Overall, this was a memorable DIPA. Drinkable and damn tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2012 22:51:00 | More by ChugginOil

AgentMunky

Alabama

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

Served in a pint glass at Beer Run in Charlottesville. From notes. Reviewed 1 February 2012 (last night).

A: Nice head fades fast. Clearish orange; great lace.

S: Lots of citrusy hops and fruity malts.

T: Fan-freaking-tastic. Huge, fruity flavours; loads of hops; bitter, tasty fruit. Indescribably good. Seriously, I'm not even going to flesh out my review of the taste because it wouldn't do it justice and I'd rather drink another glass than sit here reviewing it.

M: Excellent. Firm, malty, and delicious. The aftertaste is wet and full of fruit.

O: One of the all-time best beers I've ever drunk. I absolutely love it. Highly recommended. I will drink again and again wherever I can find it. If you choose not to...Heaven help you.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 01:42:03 | More by AgentMunky