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

adman08

Wisconsin

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

A-Clear amber color with a great amount of creamy white head that leaves very nice lacing.
S-Aroma of sweet bread dough, it smells almost identical to fresh bread dough, very interesting. I detect a hint of baking spice.
T-Good balance of sweet, bready malt and mild hop bitterness.
M-Moderate body, good for the style. Good carbonation. Slightly sweet.
Overall, really great for the style. I think it's a totally overlooked style and I understand, it's not exciting but for the style this beer is excellent. It's one of those beers I could drink all day.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 22:15:28 | More by adman08

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is hazy amber in color. It poured with a finger high white head that slowly died down, leaving wispy patterns of bubbles floating on the surface.
S: There are aromas of caramel malts in the nose along with hints of citrus hops.
T: The taste is similar to the smell with additional flavors of bready malts and has a light amount of bitterness in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and quite smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is very well balanced and isn’t too malty.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 16:55:31 | More by metter98

Cummins9110

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into mug

A - first off this pours an excelent head that lingers for a long time

S - smells of delicious carmel, like candy bar carmel!

T - taste like carmel and toffee, and fruit(I cant tell you what fruit, maybe apricot?) my brain is searching for the taste im tasting! im thinking its apricot that has me stumped

M - Very soft, yet i would consider it light, maybe more fluffy

Overall like all the Bell's beers im very impressed. This is a great Amber!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 07:16:12 | More by Cummins9110

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer looks like a perfect example for an amber. The color is, well, amber, and on the pour you get minimal foam. The carbonation was pretty minimal, and not surprisingly, the foam dissipated quickly.

Off the top a get a little bit of sourness. I get some light malt and some caramel.

In each drink I get the typical amber flavor and a little bit of metalic.

This is a good example of amber. I recommend trying it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 01:04:56 | More by ummswimmin

Immortale25

Florida

4.11/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a D'achouffe snifter. Says packaged on 8/29/11.

A- Pours a dark, slightly hazy copper color with a one-finger head that reduces to a 1/4 inch and has somewhat decent lacing.

S- Smells sweet and balanced with no one ingredient more apparent than the other. Some apple maybe. Ah, after a large whiff, some hops show up but you've really gotta dig.

T- Once again, great balance. The malts are definitely there with the hops a close second but they work perfectly together. When that happens, usually there's a yin-yang bittersweet vibe but with this it's more sweet than anything. After a few sips, the bitterness finally sinks in but it's more earthy than citrusy.

M- Medium-high carbonation with soft, pillowy bubbles. A slight alcohol tinge that's to be expected since it's so close to 6%.

O- Makes sense that this is the original Bell's beer since it's so flavorful yet drinkable and just an all-around great session beer. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 04:06:46 | More by Immortale25

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

StoutHunter

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I picked up a six pack of Bell's Amber Ale last week for $8.99 at Krogers. I have drank many bottles of this beer in my life, but for some reason I never got around to reviewing it, so since I was in the mood for a well made Amber Ale I decided to pick up a six pack and give it a proper review, so here it goes. Batch# 10624 bottled on August 16 2011. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A- The label is simple yet classy looking, I have always thought it was pretty classic looking. It poured a hazy orangish amber color with three fingers worth of fluffy white head that died down to a thick layer that stayed till the end and it left some nice lacing. Now this is a proper looking Amber Ale.

S- The aroma starts of with lots of sweet malts that impart a nice slightly toasted grainy aroma. The hops are the other half of the aroma and at first smell pretty floral with some citrus at the end. The aroma is a nice balanced mixture of malts and hops.

T- The taste is pretty similar to the aroma. The first thing I pick up is a good amount of lightly sweet malts that have a nice amount of toast to them and impart some nice caramel flavors. The hops are on the light side but still retain that nice mixture of hops with the floral hops showing up the most and just a little bit of citrus that shows up more towards the end and in the the after taste which has a very light amount of bitterness on the finish.

M- Really smooth, slightly crisp, medium bodied, and it had a high amount amount of medium carbonation. The mouthfeel was spot on for an Amber Ale.

Overall I thought this was an excellent Amber Ale. This beer is exactly what a great Amber Ale should be light, great balance between malts and hops, great looks, great mouthfeel, and great drinkability. I could have drank a six pack of this in a sitting, its got good flavor and it goes down so smooth that I can't help but want to grab another one. This is also a great beer to have with dinner and goes great with a steak or a bratwust. What I like most about this beer is pretty much everything, it looks good, it smells good, it tastes good, and it feels good, its firing on all cylinders. There isn't really anything I don't like or would change about this beer, it is fine just the way it is. I will be buying this beer again as I have for a while now, it's a great example of it's style and I will always have room in my fridge for a six pack. This beer should be tried by everyone, and if you love Amber Ales, this is one of the best widely available ones. So far this has been the best Amber Ale I have had, it has the right amount of balance that to me makes the perfect Amber Ale. Bell's really does a great job at making a beer to style with great balance, I find a lot of Amber Ales are either malt forward or hop forward, but this beer was right in the middle and that is how it should be done, other brewers need to take note.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 03:35:27 | More by StoutHunter

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This is a classic Amber Ale. The beer poured out with a nice reddish looking color with a pretty good looking head on top that isn't afraid to stick around for a little while. The smell of the beer is well balanced between the hops and malts. The taste of the beer was pretty good too, much like the nose. There are plenty of hops and malts working together to make this a nice drinkable beer. The mouthfeel isn't overwhelming at all it's drinkable and easy to have a few in a sitting if you want to. Overall this beer is worth trying I think.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 01:46:32 | More by Knapp85

DannyDan

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A. Pours out a hazy orange amber hue that has some spectacular lacing along the glass and some good retention.
S. The nose consists of bready grains and a hint of floral hops.
T. The taste starts out with some grains, caramel and toffee. It follows with some citrus and floral hops that last until the end and the caramel and citrus taste remains in the aftertaste.
M./O. The mouthfeel is a smooth and creamy softness that gives the beer a buttery feel and overall it is a good beer to enjoy most anytime.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 02:49:15 | More by DannyDan

lstokes

Illinois

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

My boyfriend strongly dislikes the new bottle art. That said, it's a good beer. Hazy amber with a huge head and a floral hops/bready malts kind of nose. Taste is caramel, biscuit, some nice zingy lemon/floral hops. Perfectly carbonated and creamy mouthfeel. Nothing standout but really a solid amber.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 02:27:18 | More by lstokes

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's deep, hazy amber color reminds me of cider, and it's frothy head retains shape similar to a nice cafe latte. The aroma smells of fresh baked bread with a hint of juicy grapefruit hidden beneath. When tasting the beer there is a nice balance of malt, grains, tropical fruit, and a piny zing towards the end. Reasonably full mouth feel - while it is not 'thick' it coats the mouth pleasantly. A good beer for any time.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 02:17:22 | More by Neorebel

rel

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very hazy copper/brown color. Nice thick head that dissipates quickly with a little lacing.

The smell is of toasted and biscuit malts. Toffee and Coffee notes. Some subtle hops.

The taste is strong of toffee and toasted malts upfront, but the hops come through. The bitterness cuts the sweetness of the malts, so that every gulp is as new, tasteful, and refreshing as the first.

Both the malts and hops balance out and remain on the palate. A very appeasing aftertaste, with good carbonation to awaken the lingering flavors.

This amber brings out the best of its kind of beers, while utilizing hops in a more prominent, yet subdued role. Awesome beer and a new session beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 03:16:05 | More by rel

isualum12

Idaho

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ok my second bells ever. I got it in a little package and was like a kid in a candy store.

This beer looked amazing when I poured it into a clear pint. It glowed red Cooper with a thick finger high head that ran away quickly to a white lace

The smell was good. Not to strong or over powering.

Taste was a little sweet with a follow up of light bitters. I think there is a very mild hint of raw honey in this beer. It left me wondering how it's taste would change as it was paired with spicy foods. My guess is amazing.

Feel was alright. It has some carbonization rolling in and sits on the tip of your tonge.

Over all I am impressed. This beer explained to me the rave about bells. Honestly I had to question it before this beer. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 02:00:59 | More by isualum12

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

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Nice Dark Amber / Orange color. 1/2 inch thick of creamy white head. Nice spider web lacing and good retention.

S - A sweet malty smell with hoppy undertones.

T - Nice medium bodied ale with good balance of hops and maltiness.

O - Very solid selection for an Amber Ale. Excellent drinkability with good balance between malts and hops.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 21:47:07 | More by andrewjraab

MbpBugeye

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance
Strangely, there is quite a bit of floaty chunks in suspension here; on top of that, the beer is quite hazy. A short head leaves spotty lacing.

Aroma
Toffee and caramel malts are here. The bulk of the aroma is simply a neutral bready base.

Taste
For some reason I think this tastes exceptionally good. Its hard to put my finger on it, it is just expertly executed. The balance is nice, but things lean ever so slightly towards a honeyed biscuit sweetness. A little bit of toasted nuts and grassy hops add some depth.

Mouthfeel
Carbonation is too sharp, but the body is still smooth and soft. It isn't too think either, its at a happy medium.

Overall
I've had this on cask before and very much enjoyed it. I think it is better suited in a bottle though. Being that this is Bell's flagship beer, you know it has to be well made. Sure, its a no frills, nothing special kinda beer, but it is done very well and easy to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 05:07:48 | More by MbpBugeye

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, a souvenir from a foray into Dearborn, Michigan last week.

This beer pours a hazy medium orange amber hue, with one finger of tight foamy pale beige head, which leaves some sparse streaky, wave crest lace around the glass as it fades away. It smells of thin caramel malt, mildly tart fruit, and a bit of yeast. The taste is quite in line, with a more pronounced caramel malt, edgy fruitiness, and floral, leafy hop character. The carbonation is average, and kind of fuzzy, the body medium weight, but with a flinty nature that takes away major smoothness points. It finishes bittersweet, fruity, and fairly clean.

An ok amber ale, the expected fruity sweetness turned on its head, opting for the acidic in lieu of the sugary complement.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 22:37:35 | More by biboergosum

smakawhat

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A very large creamy and light caramel colored head off the pour. Body is a cloudy dull amber orange and brown. Lots of big sticky retention.

Grassy malts off the nose mixing a mild hop present. Slight graham cracker smelling too.

Sweet tasting malt and brown bread in the palate. Sweet but subtle hop finding mixing in with some of the graham cracker taste. Mouthfeel is just about perfect, lots of body, not syrupy just on the money. Texture builds an almost creamy taste as well.

Overall I love a solid red ale and this is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 19:12:27 | More by smakawhat

ehammond1

California

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

Bottle (2011)

Acquired via trade
Thanks sendsilk!

Orange amber with a quickly forming light khaki colored head. Spotted lacing down the glass.

Bready aroma with caramel and toffee (even honey-like) sweetness pushing through along with a touch of earth and grass.

Simple, bready flavors with a distinct, though light, caramel and toffee sweetness.

Thin to medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation.

A good, classic amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 23:59:03 | More by ehammond1

BucannonXC5

California

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

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass at Dema (Westin) in Detroit, Mich. Color was copper. Good-looking bubbly lacing. Film stayed on the sides throughout.

Smelled of caramel malts, but I had to work to find it.

Caramel malts led the way on the initial taste, followed surprisingly by a slight bitter finish. Very smooth.

Medium body. Lively carbonation. The smoothness just keeps sticking out.

One of the best ambers I’ve ever had (at least rated). Another great beer by Bell’s.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 20:33:26 | More by BucannonXC5

Vixie

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a nice copper color with a decent white head that quickly reduces down to about a half inch. A lot of bubbling from the carbonation as well.

The smell is very malty, with a hint of yeast and a bit of citrus fruit

The taste is similar to the smell, malt with a hint of citrus, and some hop spice in the finish. Has a bit of a dry finish, leaving a lingering bitterness.

The feel isn't too bad, it is helped a bit by the carbonation.

I decided to update my review after realizing I first tried this in a Duvel glass, which does not do this beer any favors. Tried in a standard pint glass, the flavor profile changes a bit, and for the better. The flavors became more intense, and a bit more complex. Drink this one in a pint glass, and you will find it to be a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 01:28:53 | More by Vixie

tykees88

Indiana

3.3/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- a nice amber color with a lean towards light amber head. it is frothy.

S- smells super sweet and malty.

T- the taste has a nice sweet malt flavor and finish. It has a nice crisp finish as well. nice drinker

M- it has a little more body than i like, bt that's alright.

O- It''s nice, nothing special but nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 19:33:16 | More by tykees88

Paincane

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from my notes:
A: Amber colored with a touch of orange and creamy tan head. Head dissipated quickly with mild lacing left behind.
S: Malted barley hit my nose.
T: Malt dominates the initial taste with a small amount of sweetness before hops bitterness kicks in to finish.
M: Crisp with a lingering bitter finish. Medium bodied.
O: Very drinkable brew. Would recommend to a friend.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 21:08:15 | More by Paincane

ShireReeve

Florida

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

My First Review...

Serving: 12oz Bottle / Tulip Glass

Appearance: Cloudy copper-brown. Note some visible particles. Two finger head (with a very aggressive poor). Not sure if that was user error. Head did not last very long at all but left some very small patches of lacing as it receded.

Smell: Balanced - hoppy fruit aroma but some earthy malt as well. Still working on noticing different scents within the brews.

Taste: Similar to the aroma it seems very balanced. I am getting a nice sweetness from the malt in the front and then a bitter bite from the hops in the middle and again on the back.

Mouth Feel: Medium. Crisp, but somewhat creamy on the tongue. Finishes dry with a little bit of a hops aftertaste lingering around.

Overall: I like it. I am not a huge fan of hoppy beer (as of right now) but the balance of this beer with some hoppy bite may be a way to acquire that taste. Would drink this again and recommend to a friend.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 00:45:45 | More by ShireReeve

tvv375ia

Iowa

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A- cloudy orange with a finger of head that lasted a couple minutes before fading

S-not a lot of smell but it was Carmel/malt type smell

T- nutty malt taste with a hint of pine hops

M-medium creaminess

O-good solid beer I will get again

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 01:17:58 | More by tvv375ia