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

maltusaurelius

District of Columbia

5/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours an orange tinged amber with a two fingered fluffy beige head that leaves a moderate lacing on the glass. Sweet caramel malts on the nose with a spicy floral hop aroma coming through as well.

Taste follows, medium sweet body with caramel accents in the malts, accompanied by an assertive hop bitterness. Very well balanced.

Mouthfeel is lively and crisp. Very drinkable, and would pair well with a wide variety of foods.

Confession time: I'm from west Michigan (Grand Rapids to be specific) and this was the first local craft brewed beer available in my town. I drank a lot of it in the early to mid 90s - it was my go-to beer back then. This is the first time I've had it in years, and the taste is tinged with nostalgia - to me it's like coming home in a bottle. So my review may be a bit biased.

Bell's was one of the first craft brewers in the U.S. and the first in the Midwest (at least they claim to be), and this beer helped define the American Amber style. I think still one of the best. Like I said I haven't had it in years, but having tasted it again it will be a staple from now on. Truly exemplary.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2009 00:54:03 | More by maltusaurelius

theecaleb

Alaska

4.28/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Brewed date 9/20/12.

A: A mix of orange and light amber. Creamy colored head, leaves nice thick lacing along glass.

S: Citrus, malty with hints of barley and grain.

T: Medium body. Earthy. Light hint of hops, semi sweet

M: Good amount of carbonation, complex mixture of fruit and spice.

O: I was pleasantly surprised by this brew. Ambers are not my "go to beer" of choice, however, Bells Amber is a easy drinking, anytime beer. Right up there with Alaskan Amber in my book.

I would recommend this beer to a friend.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 01:27:06 | More by theecaleb

OSUbrewman

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance -This beer poured a cloudy golden amber (like aged apple cider) with a 2 finger off-white head that exhibited great retention and some lacing.
Nose- Some citrus was detectable in the nose, and some hoppiness, but noting too special.
Taste- Crisp and refreshing, this is definately a very citrusy amber. There were some hops, but not as hoppy as I would have liked. The taste in thirst quenching and has a clean finish with very little lingering on the palate.
Mouthfeel- Crisp carbonation, not very heavy at all.
Drinkability- Highly drinkable and a good session amber,
Bell's Amber would go quite well on a warm summer day, as it is definately a thirst quencing and refreshing offering of this style. However, while it wasn't bad, it definately left something to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2006 16:03:15 | More by OSUbrewman

beerquestman

Wisconsin

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

Appearance: limited head and a hazy amber look.

Smell: I could smell berries and a fruitiness, specifically cherries.

Taste: I could taste the hops, caramel, a bit of plum skin, a bit of peach and a tart cherriness.

Mouthfeel: Very well balanced and soft not he tongue.

Drinkability: Fairly drinkable, but a bit too sweet for me. I think I could only have one per sitting and no more than that.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 01:44:29 | More by beerquestman

rdpoint

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The appearance of the beer is a soft red with lots of particulates floating around, not the best in terms of appearance but the taste well makes up for it. Very small head on it.

Smell is flowery and a little sweet

Taste is great, this beer is delicious, its a beer that you could drink all day. Nice clean crisp taste with little to no after taste. A little on the sweet side but still a great tasting beer.

Easily one of the easiest beers to drink that I've had in a while, you'll wonder if there was a hole in the bottle before you know it.

This beer should be a staple of all bars and pubs, I would recommend this beer to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 20:08:43 | More by rdpoint

sjclay00

Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Dark orange mostly amber with with the carbonation slowly swirling through the glass
S- Mostly malt not overly impressed
T- Little bitter, hints of the malt, bread and a slight hint of caramel
M- Semi smooth not to bad
D- Decent drinkability but not my favorite. Taste could be better

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2009 01:37:52 | More by sjclay00

zulufactor

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- slightly murky rich gold color with a light but fairly tall white head

S- Mainly citrusy hops but with some nutty and malty notes

T- Start with a orange and pine bite followed by nutty goodness form the malts with an straw note that lingers

M- good carbonation coats the mouth well

A good beer that is very well balanced. It would defiantly appeal to all types of taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 03:55:27 | More by zulufactor

runner440

Maryland

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is an awesome Amber Ale. A perfect session beer to drink all night. A perfect amount of Big thanks for Marc for hooking me up with this flagship beer. There are epic tastes of sweet caramel and malt. The mouth-feel was very nice and had a perfect amount of carbonation. The drinkabilitly on this beer is huge! One of the best Amber Ale's I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 02:04:56 | More by runner440

Gladius270

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Deep orange, rusty color on this. Good lacing. I had to mark it down because of some "floaties" I have. Not like an unfiltered look... This is floating matter.

S- Sweet and Malty. Not much more to say here.

T- At the beginning it follows the nose. There is a really good consistent bitter backbone here. I enjoy the back-end of the taste ALOT. It's hard for me to describe. It's a heavily caramelized sugar aftertase. much like the aftertaste that I remember from hot fudge.

M- Medium body, maybe leaning toward the thinner side. Carbonation stings on the tongue.

O- At first I was not real keen on this one, but after a few sips, it really opened up for me. This is yet another solid offering from Bell's!

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 03:09:54 | More by Gladius270

DerekStek

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a glass mug.

This beer pours an amber (duh) brown color. The head is light, fizzy, and is quick to disappear.

The smell is rather faint. The malts stand out more than anything else. I can't put my nose on it but there is also a almost plastic-like smell in there as well.

Fortunately, the taste overcomes the smell. It's a simple brew. A small bite, a malty flavor, and maybe some fruit? Maybe some honey? Either way, it's not too bold.

Bottoms up, these go down easy.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 00:35:04 | More by DerekStek

Shumj

Illinois

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

Aroma: Sweet malt, very nice

Appearance: Copper color. Pours with a large head. Good carbonation. Nice lacing.

Flavor: Carmel and sweet malts, nioe even finish. A very good Ale, one just isn't enough.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a rich feel, mild carbonation.

Overall: A Very Good Ale not over powering but still with great taste, very nicely balanced. I definately recommend.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 04:17:09 | More by Shumj

jmccullough108

Missouri

3.76/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle dated 09/24/2012 into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a rich copper color, two finger head, lacing sticks around.

Smell: Malt, hints of caramel, chocolate, hints of citrus

Taste: very sweet, almost taste a bit of vanilla, caramel, a bit earthy

Overall: Solid amber ale! Absolutely would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 00:30:35 | More by jmccullough108

polio

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

this is a very good beer. the color is great. the taste is excellent. i was not expecting it to be this good but it was. i enjoyed drinking every bottle of the six i bought. i will defiantly buy this beer again.

i would recommend this beer to anyone that enjoys a good amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 00:53:08 | More by polio

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

Bones10

Illinois

3.31/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Two Hearted is my favorite beer, but this is purely average for a brewery I hold in very high regards. It's biggest redeeming quality is its proclivity as a session beer. It is also useful to get some new fans of craft beer as this has no offensive qualities. The unfortunate flip side is that it also has no outstanding qualities. I have recommended this beer to people who are curious about the beer snobbish nonsense I spew to hopefully convert some macro drinkers to the better side of beer drinking.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 17:22:10 | More by Bones10

nycjag

New York

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another yummy beer from my Bell's mixpack. Brazenly purchased in Harrisburg, PA, and stealthily brought back across the New York State border via an underground tunnel that was carved out under the Hudson River at least a half century ago. Maybe drinking Bell's in New York City makes it taste better because we vociferously aren't supposed to have it. If so, who cares? This is a great beer.

It pours a nice deep amber (duh) with about a one-inch head. The aroma hops aren't too far forward and the maltiness you get from quaffing this beer is also present in the aroma.

This is an Amber you could drink gallons of and not get tired of it. Some nice biscuity flavors going on here.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2007 05:52:05 | More by nycjag

zooalbert

Minnesota

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

I love the color of this beer, a deep red brown. The immediate taste is on the bitter side but quite drinkable and enjoyable. Not a big fan of the after taste, which lingers. Not a very clean taste. Dark undertones of malt, reminds me of a dark chocolate or molasses.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 04:56:48 | More by zooalbert

jasongootjes

Michigan

4.7/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance - The beer was a golden amber color, as the name suggests. It had an off white head that left a lace through out the glass.

Smell - Very succulent smell. The aroma hitting my nose caused a sensation through out my body.

Taste - The beer has an excellent taste. It was almost sweet but at the same time bitter. Very good taste overall.

I could drink this beer all day. The taste smell and sensation that rushed, not only through my mouth, but through my whole body was absolutely delightful.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2005 04:14:06 | More by jasongootjes

Cognac1765

Florida

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

Perhaps the bottle I picked up from one of those mix and match custom 6 pack places was a bit stale but I didn't get much in the way of smell.

The beer looks fantastic. The head poured a wonderful off white almost brown head but I think due to it being flat didn't stay around long. The beer still looks nice in my glass, hazy and deep copper in color. The smell is probably what suffers the most here. Taste wise its nice filled with malts and light fruits. I'm sure if it had the proper cabonation it would be an amazing brew. Even being a bit old its still good and I would love to get my hands on a fresh on.

If it wasn't old I would probably rate it at an a+ because I'm really enjoying it a few weeks old.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 00:48:30 | More by Cognac1765

bogeypro64

North Carolina

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

Poured into Sam Adams Perfect Pint

Beatiful golden amber w/ eggshell head which diminishes quickly leaving a thin layer of white foam.

Smell is a mix of citrus, hops, and sweet malt

Sweet malt, citrusy hops and slight bitterness prevail. Finish is dry

Nice level of carbonation, smooth but drying finish diminishes the experience somewhat.

Could easily drink several of these. Great beer overall

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 00:36:57 | More by bogeypro64

Dhgirl

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Beautiful amber color with a finger width of creamy head. Nice ribbon like lacing.
S: Sweet caramel sauce aroma.
T: Great malty sweet taste.
M: Medium body with light/medium carbonation.
O: Spring/Summer beer to enjoy with loved ones and friends.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 03:03:14 | More by Dhgirl

abramorton

Tennessee

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

Really a great alternative for Fat Tire lovers. I am not a lover of FT, but this beer has a touch of the biscuit taste everyone digs. Less the hops. Another solid beer from Bell's. Great head. Good flavors--- touch of spruce. Not the least bit heavy. Good score from across the border. Can't wait to hoard it.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2007 01:51:04 | More by abramorton

vivalanation734

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A. This is one beautiful beer. Pours a hazy dark copper/amber with a fluffy off white head.

S. Sweet caramel malts and a light fruitiness (orange peel and some dark fruit)

T. A superb amber ale. Nice sweet malty backbone with a light bitter finish. Hints of caramel, orange peel, brown sugar, and a nice yeastiness.

M. nice medium body with a good MF.

D. Easily a sessionanble amber ale with some great flavor. Definitely gonna pick up a 6er real quick.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2010 02:29:56 | More by vivalanation734

bigpoppacueball

Illinois

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

First review: Copper in color, two fingers of head when poured into a room temperature glass. A mild smell, with a pleasant, well balanced flavor and mouth feel with little to no aftertaste. A very good, drinkable American Ale. One of those full flavor very drinkable beers that is not a watered down light but not heavy either.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2010 04:44:57 | More by bigpoppacueball

kkohler5

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This Bell's beer pours to a beautiful red color with some cloudiness. The head was off white and just about 2 fingers and rolls down the glass with every sip. The smell was malty with a very smooth taste. I loved this beer from the first sip and will purchase many more.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 23:15:22 | More by kkohler5