Bell's Quinannan Falls Lager - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

SportsandJorts

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: a light strawy color. nice foamy white head that leaves a little bit behind. nice clarity

Smell: piney hops, with some lager yeast coming in behind

Taste: the pine hops take the front end but the nice bready malts come in behind to balance it nicely

Mouthfeel: slightly bitter but overall it is pleasant and nice

Overall: probably my favorite of this style thus far but still has a way to go to be near my favorites

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2013 02:10:43 | More by SportsandJorts

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

174th Review
Served in a half pint
On-draft at the mothership itself in Kalamazoo!

From notes.

A: Dreary golden yellow (almost like straw). Single (white) fingernail head.

S: Faint hops, floral notes, hay, orange zest, biscuit malt, and hint of spice. Inviting for a lager. I like!

T: Light biscuit malt character start to finish here. Not boring or dull, but well rounded as this basis for the beer is beautifully complimented by notes of lemon, orange zest, cracked hay, and dull earthy hops. Quite easy to drink!

M: Light bodied with medium carbonation.

O: A very good go at this usually often dreadful style. A crisp and refreshing beer that satisfies through and through. Worth the hunt and/or stop in Kalamazoo to try this beer. Warning though...it is not always on draft there.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 10:47:08 | More by spdyfire83

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft pour into a pint glass. Sampled 9/27/11.

A: Arrives with 1 finger of bubbly bright white head that is quick to recede leaving a scattered film and thin collar behind. The body is a pale golden straw color, very light, with ridiculous clarity. A spare smattering of lace sticks to the glass. Minimal carbonation is visible.

S: The nose lays down an excellent blend of citrus, floral and piney hops. Fantastic. Pale malts lend a crackery note to add light sweetness and round out the aroma. Honestly, I don't think it gets any better than this for an American Pale Lager.

T: The hop character is what distinguishes this beer from others in its field. Citrus and floral hops come together on the front end while pine finishes out the flavor. Just a small step down from the nose...

M: The hop bite rolls right into a pleasant crispness that is accentuated by the bitter finish. Rather dry and very crisp. Medium to high carbonation. The flavor and mouthfeel are designed for long-term imbibing.

O: Bells absolutely nailed this one. Glad to have tried it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 14:37:24 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

drabmuh

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

At the time of this review, this is the #1 beer on the Top Beers - American Pale Lager list on the beeradvocate.com best of lists. Another #1 put away for me. I'll get there. Served in a pint glass, I had 3 pints of this and if Black note weren't on draft at this location at the same time, that's all I would have drank that night.

Beer is yellow, almost clear, soft white head, small and medium bubbles, moderate to low carbonation, some lacing, looks good.

Aroma is mildly sweet with some earthy and pine hops, hints of fruit. Nice aroma, hoppy but not over the top.

Beer is medium to light in body, wet finish, mildly bitter on the end, hop bitterness, good hop bouquet in the middle. One of the finer lagers I've had recently, I would buy it by the keg if possible.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 03:03:51 | More by drabmuh

timtim

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a very clear yellow gold with a white head that has a decent stay and lace. nose is fruity hops, crackery malt and fruity peppbles (w/out milk). taste is in balance, but the fruity hops seem to come out winning, and take over a bit. They even seem to create a bit of sweetness. Not over-hopped, but you can really see how Euro hops work in a traditional lager by contrast. No spicy grassy zippy here. Well defined medium-light body at first, but the sweetness and oilyness of the hops takes over and coats my palate after a few sips, which ruins some of the definition and elegance. overall, a fun experiment that blurs the line between pale ale and lager, and really showcases the power/beauty of pac nw hops.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2011 11:29:20 | More by timtim

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Churchkey in D.C.

The beer is transparent, appearing a pale yellow color with a white cap. Nice aroma of citrus, hops, fruit, biscuits, subtle malt. Nice refreshing flavor. Hop forward with abundant citrus notes, exhibiting a lot of pale ale characteristics. Lingering bitter finish. Pretty dry. Overall, a really solid beer. It would be easy to have a few of these in a session.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 00:46:53 | More by Huhzubendah

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On draft at Churchkey:

Pours a light yellow color with a small white head. Average lacing on my snifter glass. Nose is mainly citrus, lemon and hops. Excellent for the style. Taste is grapefruit, lemon, hops, and a little spice. Feel is light, hoppy, and dry. Very easy to drink. Overall, there's a reason this is number one in the style- it rocks. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 00:35:15 | More by jayhawk73

mdfb79

New York

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap tonight at Churchkey in Washington, DC. Poured into a becher glass.

a - Pours a hazy bright yellow orange color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident. Some spotty lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of light fruit, citrus hops, pale malts, bready malts, and floral hops. Nice citrus and fruit, pretty nice here.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, floral notes, fruity malts, fruity malts, bready malts, grains, and light wheat. Again, pretty nice.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Very easy to drink.

o - Overall a really nice, easy drinking lager. Some nice citrus and floral hops, and super easy to drink. If they sold this in 6 packs I would definitely buy it and would be able to drink a few of these. Looking forward to having again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2011 01:46:36 | More by mdfb79

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Slightly hazy golden. Head is small but it lasts fairly well.
S- Aroma is sweet, slightly floral. A good balance of hops and malt on the nose, though somewhat mild.
T- Fairly sweet up front. It's got a sweet crackery flavor all the way through, though a floral and slightly citrusy hop carry through.
M- Medium body, fairl substantive for style. Carbonation in medium.
O- A decent easy drinking lager. It's got a bit more than your standard pale lager. It's worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2011 08:29:34 | More by jsprain1

BigMike

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: A light straw golden color. Lot's of carbonation coming off the bottom. A foamy white head on top. Pretty thin and soapy like. Typical Lager appearance

S: A real nice blend of hop aromas. I get lot's of citrus and floral and also big grassy notes as well.

T: Wow. This thing blew me away. The huge hop flavor definitely caught me off guard. I've never had a lager that was this hop forward. The super light lager body blended with the huge hop bill make this a real tasty easy drink beer.

M: Light bodied with lot's of carbonation. Nothing too extraordinary.

Overall: AN awesome lager. Hands down the best i've had. Tons of flavor,extremely easy to drink and very refreshing.
Glad i got to try this at The Blue Dog Tavern

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 19:18:29 | More by BigMike

AgentZero

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Golden yellow colored body with a big white head that left lots of spots on the sides.

S - Nice citrus and lemon zest on this. Has a nice bit of hops on top of all the malts. This smells light, but great.

T - Flavor is right in line with the nose. This is a great lager. Some grass, citrus, malt. Easy to drink, tasty, and refreshing.

M - Lighter bodied with good carbonation.

O - I was surprised by how much I liked this beer. Very well done, easily sessionable, and would go great with food like pizza.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 20:20:52 | More by AgentZero

Sean9689

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the WLV Pig Roast. Poured into Narke tulip.

A - Pours a golden yellow color, clear body, thick white head, thick collar, cap, and spotty lace.

S - Grassy hops, slight floral notes, some hay, light citrus, touch of Pils malt. Very light and hoppy, really nice, the floral notes add another dimension to your basic Pale Lager.

T - Grassy hops, light citrus, wheat/malt, some grain. Straight forward light hops with some malt and grain mixed in there. All very well-done and enjoyable.

M - Light body, good carbonation, very refreshing, clean finish.

O - Really liked this one. Very easy to drink even at 6.4%. I would def have again if I'm looking for something easy to drink with some complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 17:42:12 | More by Sean9689

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Just when you think that all the potential flavors of light lagers have been discovered and repeated ett nasium, Bell's comes along and rewrites the recipe.

The beer delivers with a bright straw colored glow and constant streams of carbonation that develops the creamy white head that shows great persistence and lace. The classic look of a well made lager.

Brisk aromas of cracker-like malts, soft supple grain sweetness, and an on slaught of hop character. Chocked full of bright citrus, spice, pine, and hay fill the nose with a decidedly hoppy balance.

Following up on aroma, the flavors are a consistent carry over with the crisp malt base of dry crackers, lightly baked barley, light breads, and fresh elegant sweetness. This all sets the stage for a fully hopped taste that seems part of American and part of German varieties. Spicy, floral, and earthy; and with a zesty, citrus, and sprucy roundness. Seemingly a fortified German Lager with Americanized attitude with hop variety and proportion.

Rich and creamy at first, the beer makes quick work of the carbonated features and ushers in a very crisp, very clean finish with a fresh linger of floral and spicy hop bitterness.

A delicious beer that almost imperializes the standard Bell's Lager and elevates it to near-IPA balance. Favorable comparisons are drawn to Dogfish Head's My Antonia except with lighter body and more rounded hop character. This is a no brainer choice to start and finish any session.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2011 16:57:32 | More by BEERchitect

tykees88

Indiana

3.63/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Very nice light pale copper amber color. White as white head. Solid lacing.

S- Hop alert. Duh. It's dry hopped so of course. There is a really nice floral hop aroma from this beer. It really overpowers everything else, but there is nothing wrong with that.

T- Tastes very hoppy. A residual malt sweetness helps balance a little bit. Very very clean tasting beer.

M- Crisp is the best way to describe it.

O-Pretty nice beer here. Get it if you have the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2011 23:59:08 | More by tykees88

Flux

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Bell's Eccentric Cafe, served in a pint glass.

A- Golden straw color, clear, no head and minimal lacing.

S- Smells of grapefruit peels and light grassy notes. hard to pick up on much else...very clean smelling.

T- Upfront fruity citrus hops.

M- Crisp. Medium carb.

Overall a pretty crushable beer. Very clean tasting, no off flavors. I've had a selection of their other beers before served into plastic cups where the head retention was way better...Don't know if their cleaner effects this in any way?

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 03:54:47 | More by Flux

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Visit down to dfclav's for a nice tasting. Started the night at Blue Dog Tavern and got one of these.

Creamy 1 finger head fades semi slowly with sticky lacing, crystal clear golden pils color.

Nose light sweet pilsner malt aromas, touch fruity and light lager crispness, hint of floral hops.

Taste is light and crisp, light pilsner malts, crisp lager flavor with hints of lager fruits, nice hoppy kick, semi bitter with floral and light spicy hop flavor, slight creamy malt. Finishes dry and crisp, clean with a spicy hop kick and long bitter earthy spicy hop.

Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall nice, clean crisp lager with nice hop profile, but nothing super special. very drinkable and crisp clean finish, I could drink quite a few of these.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 02:32:12 | More by jlindros

dfclav

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blue Dog - Chalfont, PA. Jlindros made a stop down here for a tasting with my cousin and I, and we stopped in here for a small meal and a beer. Was happy to see this on the menu. 1 of only 3 kegs brought to the state.

A - very nice creamy 1.5 finger head with a fairly straw yellow appearance active carbonation throughout very nice foamy lacing and retention, especially for the style.

S - very mellow tropical aroma that goes well with the floral hops. A bit bready.

T - a bit of bready malts a very nice hop profile very good flavors and a very clean finish. A bit of mellow tropical flavors, nice for a lager. In conversation I jokingly made the mistake of saying IPA instead of IPL, so that should give you an idea of where it's at flavor-wise; but it isn't as hoppy.

M - excellent balance and crisp clean carbonation throughout. Mouthfeel lighter to slightly below average for the style. Finish on the dryer end, but nothing extreme.

O - I think most BA's have a soft spot in their hearts for a good lager. This one was well made, and would be a fantastic get together family holiday beer should it be bottled regularly. This would be a great addition to bell's lineup because this could be a simple pick for a transition beer, and could turn legions into craft.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 16:15:37 | More by dfclav

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a glass at the Bell's Cafe on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The clear yellow lager had a white head and light lacing. The hops character reminds me a lot of Surly's Bitter Brewer for the mix of juicy apricot up front and herbal, dry lemon in the finish. There was really no malt character, the hops were the star here and damn, they were tasty. It's dry, hoppy, and drinkable. Give it a try if you can.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2011 22:21:55 | More by tempest

SpdKilz

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the source while in Kalamazoo with Kzoobrew.

Appearance – Comes in a typical pint glass and has a golden straw color. There is about two fingers of white head.

Smell – Subtle floral hops, tropical citrus, and grassy aromas.

Taste – A crisp burst of hops up front followed by slightly bitter citrus flavors. The fruit is not as prevalent as the aroma though it is still there ever so slightly. Finishes with sweet malts.

Mouthfeel – Medium bodied, prickly carbonation.

Overall – A solid, refreshing and crisp beer. Would love to see this in six packs.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2011 00:51:26 | More by SpdKilz

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at khyber in philly

Pours a pale golden color, clear and bubbly with a crop of white head, some wispy film and a touch of lacing left on the glass.

Pilsner malt in the nose with straw, grassy hops and light floral tone, faint citrus fruit. Touches of grapefruit and orange peel with light sweetness.

Nice smack of pine hops up front, grassy and citrus tones as well. Toasted malts with grain, light biscuit. Interesting citrus fruit flavor and tempered sweetness. Orange peel and faint grapefruit with apricot. Finishes bitter and crisp.

Lighter medium body, decent carbonation, a little dry and crisp on the tongue with a clean finish. Excellent drinker, and imparts some distinct flavor to a sometimes boring style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 15:50:21 | More by xnicknj

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On Tap at Blue Dog

Quinannan Falls Lager Goes in the glass a very bright yellow blond look with a whisp of bright white up above that fades and leaves no sticks. Looks similar to a BP Yellowtail Pale Ale. A bit of mist making things not so clear. Smell is pretty tame but consists of some pale malt and hop earthiness with small florals. Some bread and that's about it. Taste is down to the point plain and crisp with pale malt galore and some light earth with slight grain and lager essense. It is what it is, simple and to the point. Feel is light as is the body with a light punch of carb with bready aftertaste. I could drink a ton of this but don't see myself forking over the money for one of those 750's, glad I found it on Tap. This would be a good replacement for Bell's standard pale as that needs some re-tooling, but for now maybe sixers in the summer time would be nice.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 22:40:17 | More by onix1agr

CAD5

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's for the Bell's event. Pours a light golden color. Smell is bready with some great hop aroma. Crisp/clean and refreshing mouthfeel with nice lingering hop finish in the taste. Excellent hoppy lager. In my opinion, kin to a nice pale ale, despite the obvious ale/lager differences. Another great Bell's beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2011 02:28:51 | More by CAD5

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap during a Bell's event at Capone's. Pours a light pilsner type gold. Smell is lightly hoppy. The taste is so crisp and clean. This is a beer you can cozy up with for hours. Mouth is nice and light. Very refreshing on the palate. Overall, my favorite lager. Ever.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2011 00:01:59 | More by Retail1LO

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed at the brewery's tasting room. A hoppy lager, very good for its style. Dry hopped. A nice lawn mower beer, and one that would replace others drunk in mowing days gone by. Very good drinkability, and one that would transition many a macro drinker who does not realize he likes hops. Medium mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2011 20:48:19 | More by northyorksammy

oline73

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at the Eccentric Cafe during our beercation to Michigan. Served in a pilsner glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear light golden color with just a layer of head that disappears almost completely.

Smell: Slightly sweet malt. This one is mildly fruity. I'm picking up some peach aroma.

Taste: Unlike the smell this doesn't have much sweetness in the taste. There is a citrus peel hop bitterness and a hint of peaches as well. The finish is hoppy and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: A very crisp beer. I enjoyed the peach notes. Easy drinking and I would have another.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2011 03:58:15 | More by oline73