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

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very clear rusty hue enteers my glass with some friendly bubbling. The aroma is a slightly thick amber malt with some real subtle English hopping. This mix gave the aroma a very biscuity aroma. The taste is equally biscuity that takes on a more sweet Hawaiian bread profile. A little grityy on the tongue but good carbonation to clean that up.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 18:14:50 | More by scruffwhor

twelveinches

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-17-2013 23:39:34 | More by twelveinches

danwho

California

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

05-17-2013 17:42:58 | More by danwho

ckk527

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

05-16-2013 10:43:19 | More by ckk527

Nolen12

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-15-2013 05:14:30 | More by Nolen12

GinsuDave

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-15-2013 02:12:20 | More by GinsuDave

george42

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-14-2013 21:50:01 | More by george42

vrbulldog22

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-13-2013 18:25:59 | More by vrbulldog22

jkball01

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

05-13-2013 16:02:43 | More by jkball01

Punkrckr281

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-12-2013 13:41:21 | More by Punkrckr281

TheSixthRing

California

3.89/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on date of 01/16/13

Appearance - Pours hazy golden amber with an off-white finger width head. Fair retention, resulting in a thin layer of microbubbles, building thicker around the edge of the glass. Fair lacing with decent stick.

Smell - Moderate caramel notes, with less notes of red apple sweetness. Hints of earthiness and bread.

Taste - Moderate caramel and lesser buttery diacetyl character upfront and throughout. Mild earth tones and apple mid-taste and into the finish, while faint citrus character rides out in the aftertaste, giving this beer a welcome balance.

Mouthfeel - Medium in body with moderate carbonation and a buttery smoothness. Goes down all too easy.

Overall - A solid Amber from Bell's. As smooth balanced as they come, while still maintaining an interesting profile. I could see myself buying this a few times a year if it were to ever hit the shelves in California.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:25:59 | More by TheSixthRing

Slay40

Michigan

3/5  rDev -22.1%

05-10-2013 21:28:20 | More by Slay40

tesla92

Indiana

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-08-2013 17:14:33 | More by tesla92

EricReynolds

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-07-2013 23:43:04 | More by EricReynolds

anticipation23

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-06-2013 19:59:31 | More by anticipation23

Beer21

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-06-2013 07:10:16 | More by Beer21

Hobo

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

05-06-2013 05:00:31 | More by Hobo

MaxOhle

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-06-2013 00:27:26 | More by MaxOhle

csparace

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-04-2013 22:52:20 | More by csparace

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

05-04-2013 22:28:35 | More by ZEB89

magictacosinus

California

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

Poured on tap in a 6oz tumbler at a Beer Garden we found in Chicago. Review is from my notes.

Presents an amber, reddish color complete with a slightly thickened yet yet foamy head that eventually dwindles down to a modest ring. Carbonation is fairly plentiful, although it disappears rather quickly. Looks relatively clear and not too thickened overall with each swirl. Slightly syrupy in feel as well. Looks like a good but fairly above average American amber.

At the nose there's a bunch of classic toasted characteristics, with the biscuit backbone and freshly cracked grains following soon after. Slightly soapy as well, which came as a surprise. There's a bit of a malty character that melds with the sweetened toasted flavor but everything ends up remaining overtaken by the bitterness. Slightly spicy, perhaps, but not too complex. Relatively straightforward when reviewing to style.

The flavor continues what was left off from the aroma, with more maltiness this time, especially verging on a toasted cereal grain flavor. The malt backbone provides slight fruitiness, ranging from apples to a hint of apricot, although it eventually melds into a biscuit-like flavor that these beers are known for. Not difficult at all to drink, as the carbonation is well present and it ranges to being semi-dry to wet on the palate. Not too explosive, but a solid offering.

Works as a good summer beer, although it's a little maltier than I like my ambers. The toasted character is highly emphasized but doesn't seem to hold on all the way through, especially when the strong grainy bitterness comes around. I wish the hops were a little bit more present as well, and the same goes for the initial cereal flavors I found satisfying. Solid, but not my favorite offering by Bell's.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2013 18:26:20 | More by magictacosinus

Chris77McGrath

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.9%

04-30-2013 17:34:54 | More by Chris77McGrath

Kelsiemoeller

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Caramel in color like a light brown, pretty clear

Smell: You can smell a hint of caramel and yeast, but there is only a very vague smell overall

Taste: You can definitely taste the caramel malt in the beer. There is a kick of bittering hops in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Good mouthfeel; somewhat thick, but not too thick

Overall: You can't go wrong with this Bell's Amber Ale!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 18:14:54 | More by Kelsiemoeller

yuenglingade

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

04-26-2013 12:55:42 | More by yuenglingade

psmith161

Indiana

4/5  rDev +3.9%

04-24-2013 13:28:20 | More by psmith161