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

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Man, this brew wants to "rise", head like a custard with "rocky mountains" in the middle...Its a Bell's, so its murky but mostly grainy. Aroma is slightly orangey with a little vanilla. Nice smell... Very rich taste, malts are big and last to the swallow. A bit of butterscotch, satisfying body but also a bit of acidic hops. Well balanced! Big malt and a little sizzle, it has a lot of hand-pulled draught characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2002 10:28:37 | More by ADR

Viking

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Amber color was a bit 'washed out' looking. Not as vibrant as I would like. Nice lacy head that clings to glass. Sweet (maybe a bit too sweet), malty taste. Certainly not my favorite beer from Bell's, but definitely a good brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2002 18:15:28 | More by Viking

proc

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bell's flagship beer and I believe its best seller. Nice hop presence that slightly overtakes the malt in this one. This is not Killian's Irish Red by any means. A red that makes you appreciate a true amber.

-----------Re-rate 8/28/02---------
I've got to bump this beer up. Unlike my earlier review, this beer now seems to exhibit a fantastic balance between malt and hops. You get a full, rich, malty mouthfeel, followed by a very generous, but not overpowering dose of hops. A wonderful beer and one you could drink quite a few of...

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2001 14:56:21 | More by proc

Kenadien

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +26%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A nice perfect example of what a good quality ale should taste like.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2001 19:54:15 | More by Kenadien

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

FosterJM

California

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1756th Review on BA
Draft to Pint

@Brick Taven, Lombard, IL

App- A darker bit of red with some browns intermixed. I like to use the analogy and it works, like a wood stain color. Had a nice dense center with a bit of lighter reddish/brown edges. The head was a nice 1/2" of off white and went quickly.

Smell- Its a malty smell with a bit of the roast lingering after the initial smell. Was a small bit of an earthy hop aroma as well. Wasnt too much here on this one.

Taste- After being a Fat Tire for so long I dont really drink Ambers anymore. I paired this with a Kobe Burger to get the malts to bring a bit of earthiness out of the burger. This beer was a bit malt forward with that distinct red ale flavor but was negligible really. Well balanced with only a small bit of bitter to it.

Mouth- A smaller medium body with a bit of thickness behind. Medium carbonation and a slight amount of malts on the finish with residual bitter.

Drink- I had to drive home but would have loved to stick around for a few more pints of this nice little beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 20:05:28 | More by FosterJM

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – As the name implies it has an amber color with a light haze. Upon serving there was a one finger off white head that faded quickly to leave only a light amount of lacing.

Smell – The aroma was of caramel and toasted bread. Mixed with these were some lighter notes of citrus and some nuttiness.

Taste – The taste starts out as a mix of roasted malt and caramel. While sweeter in the beginning, it some dries out and bitters some as some citrus and pine hop tastes enter the flavor profile. While these never get too strong they do a nice job of balancing some of the sweet in the beginning. Toward the end of the taste some nuttiness comes to the tongue and overall a very nice roasty flavor is left to linger.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is smooth but not thick and the carbonation is on the average side. The creaminess is very nice and helps accentuate the nice more roasted flavors of the brew.

Overall – A pretty tasty amber Well worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 22:48:46 | More by Darkmagus82

warnerry

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cask at The Soup Spoon

Pours reddish brown with no head at all. Aromas of caramel malt, a bit of bread and maple, vanila and a faint nuttiness. Taste is similar with a bit of hops thrown in. Pretty nice. I've had this in bottles several times, and it is noticeably more enjoyable on cask. Very smooth mouthfeel with a faintly bitter finish. This is a style I normally don't enjoy that much except for hoppier ambers, but on cask this is pretty enjoyable.

Serving type: cask

06-01-2012 21:55:29 | More by warnerry

kylehay2004

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: single finger off white head on a slightly hazy near pure amber body.

S: caramel malts, toffee, brown sugar and light hops.

T: sweet caramel malts and toffee are the major players. grain and earthy hop notes.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: One of the more full flavored amber ales and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2012 18:33:31 | More by kylehay2004

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was able to sample the Bell's Amber Ale at "The Bank" in Wheaton. The beer pours a clear amber and thin tan head which laced nicely. The scent was a sweet malt The taste included a sweet malt with floral hop finish. The mouthfeel was a medium body ale with good carbontation. Overall the beer is an easy drinking beer with good flavor and nothing takes over.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 00:46:34 | More by WoodBrew

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Papago Brewing Company in Scottsdale, AZ.

A - Well, amber in color with an off-white head.

S - Sweet malt and fruit in the nose.

T - Fruity malt and slight hop presence in the finish. Sweet, sugary, slight alcohol. Toasted, not roasted, malt.

M - Drinkable and while sweet, not cloying.

Solid Amber Ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 06:47:17 | More by Gatch

Pintofbrown

Iowa

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

Appearance- Cloudy, orange body with dark amber highlights. The one finger, white head is now a film.

Smell- There is a decent amount of sweet malts and a good combination of floral hops.

Taste- There is a strong back bone of honey, caramel malts. Wheat starts to come through in the finish that also meshes with the floral hops from the nose.

Mouth feel- It is medium bodied and smooth. There is a little bit of bubbliness from the carbonation.

Overall- It is a very good ale that is refreshing and has an original flavor I have not yet experienced in an ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2011 23:33:13 | More by Pintofbrown

jifigz

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at the Bungalow Alehouse in Gainesville, Va.

A: The beer is dark brown/red and had great lacing with a head that lasted quite a while.

S: I couldn't really smell a damn thing coming from this beer but it was, as in most public pub/beer-joint settings, chilled really, really cold. (so my smell category is skewed.)

T: The taste had a faint caramel flavor with a nice malt backbone being very evident. The hop bitterness kicked in late and was very dry and not very bitter.

M: Creamy and delicious and very well fitting. Not overly or under carbonated.

O: A very sold beer. I can't remember what exactly it was like because it was at a pub and I have had several other drinks since then, but either way a solid brew and a first time for this one for me.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 03:03:42 | More by jifigz

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Three fingers worth of active dense tightly packed creamy slightly off-white colored head with a bit of a rocky top... Fairly impressive retention at one fingers worth... Load with small bubbled rapid paced carbonation... The color is a mix of orange, amber, and caramel... Completely translucent...

S - Loads of toffee and toasted malts... Nutty... Caramel... Sweet desert breads... A bit of brown sugar... Raisins...

T - Brown sugar... Toffee... Raisins... Caramel... Nutty... Lots of grassy notes... A slightly assertive hop layer lies beneath and rises on the finish and lingers for a moment...

M - Medium bodied... Light carbonation... A bit sharp... A slightly dry finish...

D - A respectable American Amber... Simple straight-forward and fairly effective... Nothing special, but no real complaints either... A solid flagship brew for Bell's...

Serving type: growler

07-23-2011 01:39:39 | More by philbe311

godfathermg57

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Very clear amber with fine head

S: Smell is faint and has hints of malt but nothing much to it

T: Very nice for an amber. Smooth malt and a hint of honey.

M: Glorious mouthfeel, thick for an amber and with carbonation. I could feel the beer linger after each sip.

D: Very drinkable and would be a good session beer

I'm wondering whether having it on-tap changed the feel, because it felt much thicker to me than it seems for most other people judging from the other reviews.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 17:42:31 | More by godfathermg57

zrab11

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours a nice soft red with a nice think head

S-has hints of citrus with some hoppy maltness

T-Has a nice plum and peach taste with a hin of hoppiness and carmel.

M-Light bodied with ok carbonation

D- Very drinkingable beer. Really like this beer. Nothing amazing about this beer but very good overall

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 02:55:55 | More by zrab11

Fieldzy27

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass from an engine at happy our at PROOF.

reviewed from notes.

A-Pours burn orange with a thin bubbly head. Sticky lace sheets with a sudsy consistency.

S-Hoppy with hints of caramel and sweet doughy notes that combine very well with the hops

T-Good amount of light hops followed by a good malty light background of sweet bread and caramel. Very clean finish

M-Thin light and airy with a little carbonation that softens the beer.

D-Through the roof on this one. Amazingly more flavor than the original. A little on the thin side but the abundance of flavor carries it well.

Serving type: cask

01-29-2011 19:54:24 | More by Fieldzy27

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap in a pint glass. Slightly hazy amber body with very little head. Light lacing.

The aroma is light. Biscuity malt with just a hint of tart hops.

Nice malty flavor with some light sweet citrus hop flavor in the background. This is a solid "sessionable" brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 01:22:51 | More by FanofHefe

JunkYardJake

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Bulls Head Pub in Lititz.
First time having Bells Amber. Looks good sitting in the glass with a creamy off-white head and sharp clarity. Nose is subdued but smells fresh. Mostly caramel and bready malts but there is a bit of earthy hop aroma coming through. Palate is quite mild, even compared to the nose. Clean caramel malt flavor with a small hop profile. Moderate body with a proper level of carbonation. Easy drinking brew that could easily be sessioned. Although I enjoyed it, I was expecting a bit more from this beer in the flavor department. Nonetheless, worthy of a try.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2011 23:13:27 | More by JunkYardJake

thedoubler55

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Amber in color with a hint of copper, very little head and lacing the dissipates quickly.

S- Sweet malts and smell of sour cherries.

T-Very different, tasted of sweet malts, with some type of citrus hops, well balanced though.

M- Medium bodied, with slight carbonation

D- Nothing special, but something that you can sip on regularly if you have an acquired taste for it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2011 04:05:19 | More by thedoubler55

Erish

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at the Clearbrook country club in Saugatuck, Michigan.

A: clear reddish amber, gorgeous, thick, long-lasting tan head, great cap and lacing.

S: heady vanilla and oak mixed with caramel malt, some herbal and woody notes, metallic note.

T: tons of vanilla and caramel up front, the middle has plenty of woody oak, butter (diactyl?), cherries, and earthiness, the finish is long, herbaceous, and woody.

M: light to medium-weight, silky, low carbonation.

D: I felt like I was back in London drinking this lovely cask ale!

Serving type: cask

01-02-2011 04:54:54 | More by Erish

jsanford

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cask at the Distillery in Savannah, GA

A - Reddish-amber with a thin white ring around the glass
S - Subdued nose of caramel malt and earthy hops.
T - Sweet amber malt with more earthy, floral hops.
M - Creamy and smooth.
D - Very drinkable, cask adds tons of character to this beer.

Serving type: cask

12-25-2010 19:17:59 | More by jsanford

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Red Rocks in Alexandria, Virginia.

A: This beer appears crystal clear and amber hued, with a half inch of head that leaves some good, sticky lacing on the glass.

S: The aroma is very subtle, but I can detect some faint malt and amber scents.

T: Very refreshing and easy to drink. Quite simple, and a really good choice for a lower alcohol beer with a nice flavor.

M: Medium bodied, with solid carbonation levels. Aftertaste doesn't linger too long, but the beer is very crisp and easy to drink by the pint.

D: Especially tasty when served fresh and on draft, this was an enjoyable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 23:27:36 | More by Huhzubendah

ne0m00re

Ohio

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

12/13/13- Had this one on-tap at 3rd and Hollywood.
A: Cloudy copper amber, a nice one-finger cream head died to a collar and film with lacing.
S: Musty caramel malt, balanced mild cheesy hops with slight grapefruit. Nice.
T: From creamy to crisp, cheese and caramel throughout, with a banana citric copper bitterness. Again, nice.
M: Heavier with good carbonation, but it ends crisp.
D: Great.

This one sounds simple but its rather good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 01:23:51 | More by ne0m00re

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A selection offered by our waiter, a from a freshly tapped keg.
Deep brownish-orange color, short slightly off-white foam. Good head retention, and thick lace on the inside of my glass. Sweet, grainy smell. Fruity sweetness and a clean hop aroma. Full malt body, sweet but not too sticky or cloying, with enough hop finish keeping things in balance. Medium body, good mouthfeel, flavorful, crisp and lclean finish, easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2010 21:54:00 | More by BigBry