This One Goes To 11 Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

SometimesIfart

Michigan

4.98/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Pours an extremely dark amber with no head. Leaves trace lacing.

S - Resiny hops, cherries, pine, slight grapefruit, and almost no malt.

T - Strong hop resin up front, followed by heavy amounts of pine and grapefruit. Almost no malt presence at all. Wonderful.

M - Light bodied with almost no carbonation. Very Creamy in the mouth

O - Overall I'm glad I got to try this beer. It's absolutely wonderful for 11% and everything you could ever want in a beer

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 22:59:02 | More by SometimesIfart

WesM63

Ohio

4.78/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tulip.

A: Pours a dark amber/copper with a 1finger head. Minimal retention with some noticeable lacing.

S: Smells of malty sweetness with a tiny bit of floral hop presence. I also get a moderate amounts of pine/resin. Leaves a little bit to be desired on the nose, a bit faint IMO.

T: Smooth and complex. Tons of malt sweetness balanced out by the citrus packed hops. (mango/grapefruit)

M: Medium body and carbonation. Silky smooth with a tiny bit of heat at the end.

O: Damn, this one knocked my socks off. I had high expectations, but after reading the bottle i was expecting a hop/malt bitterness bomb (see Nugget Nectar or Nosferatu). However, that is not the case at all. It's bitter, it's sweet, is floral and citrus-y, is super smooth,complex and deep. Extremely well crafted and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 23:50:03 | More by WesM63

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass at fridge-cellar temperature.

L – Deep amber color with a 1.5 finger cream-colored frothy head. Excellent retention especially for such a relatively small head and terrific lacing. Clear with a good amount of carbonation bubbles.

S – Lots of hops with grapefruit, orange, mango, melon, floral, and pine aromas, along with a nice backbone of caramel and bready malt. Very reminiscent of a maltier Hopslam with some additional hop aromas.

T – Starts off sweet with caramel, bready, and toasty malt and some fruity esters. Hop bitterness picks up quickly with melon, mango, grapefruit, orange, floral, grassy, and pine flavors. There is such an extraordinary hop bouquet going on here, it is unreal.

F – Medium-to-full-bodied with good carbonation, a sticky, creamy, velvety, mouth-coating feel, and a bitter and dry finish. Lots of hop bitterness lingers, but primarily melon hop bitterness. This pairs well with the very subtle and building palate-and-throat-warming sensation from the alcohol – much more subtle than expected from an 11% ABV brew.

O – This beer was phenomenal. All the usual aspects of an amber ale were apparent except they were extremely, extremely well done. The hop profile is outstanding with a very solid malt backbone. The mouthfeel is creamy, and the alcohol is a nice subtle complement to the beer – an extraordinary feat for a beverage that is 11% ABV. In my mind, this is an amber version of Hopslam. More malt is there, a wider range of hops are there to complement the malt rather than to overpower it, the mouthfeel is full, and the ABV is extremely well-hidden. Excellent beer, Bell’s!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 03:36:34 | More by BlackBelt5112203

1up

District of Columbia

4.74/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Spiegelau tulip, dated 9/13/12.
A - Beautiful copper/amber color with red higihlights and amazingly thick, light brown head.
S - Smells really good, cherries, tropical fruit, pine/citrus, butterscotch, grass, small amount of alcohol.
T - very smooth, can barely taste any alcohol at 11%, amazing balance. Starts sweet and finishes slightly bitter.
M - full bodied for a hoppy red ale, very smooth.
O - One of the best hoppy red's I've had, better than G'Knight and right up there with Red Rocket from Bear Republic. I love hoppy red's the most when they have tons of malt like this one. Not as big of a fan of hop unbalanced beers. Even though it's 11% and thick I still found myself downing this pretty quickly. Too bad they don't make this all year long.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 03:27:24 | More by 1up

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.73/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle aggressively poured into a Bell's short stemmed tulip glass

Pours a ruby amber with a two finger cream colored fluffy head. Excellent retention significant splotchy lacing as the head slowly recedes.The tempting aroma of citrus and juicy ripe fruit balanced by biscuity malt greets the nose. Opens with ripe fruit including Rainier cherries and rich passionfruit joined by pineapple, balanced midpalate by biscuity and bready slightly sweet caramel malt yet finishes dry with a fairly bitter grapefruit rind bite. Heavy medium-bodied to full bodied thanks to the abundant malt bill. Well carbonated and smooth and silky mouthfeel with a touch of creaminess; very little alcohol heat despite the 11% abv. Bell's has truly created an exceptionally balanced masterpiece with batch 11.000--named as an homage to one of the more memorable scenes in Spinal Tap. This one is certainly an "11" on a scale of 1 to 10. One of the most complex new brews I've had this year.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 03:11:53 | More by chanokokoro

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.7/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Pours a medium amber color and about a 1 finger, frothy head. Head retains pretty well, and lacing is good.

S- Huge, semisweet caramel malts smack you in the nose with this one. Those malts are followed quickly by a fair helping of what I believe are cascade hops. The hops provide a balance to the sweet malt scents with some very piney scents and slight hints of floral notes. Very small hints of a brown sugary-like sweetness hide under the caramel and hops.

T- Just like the scent, essentially. Big caramel flavors up front that are a little sweet. Then a nice transition into the hops. (I just checked, apparently the hops are a complex blend, but to me the simulate cascades nicely) Hops dominate the remainder of the drink, but are terrifically balanced. End of the drink is succinct, with a small amount of lingering malty sweetness and hops bite.

M- For the alcohol content, this one is tremendously drinkable. Watch out, it'll sneak up on you! The carbonation levels are slightly lower than most reds, but that can be expected with a slightly heavier beer. The body itself is fairly thick and creamy. Easy to drink with the only hint of the high ABV being in the back of the throat on the way down.

Overall, I love this beer. This reminds me of the reds and slightly darker beers that got me into craft a while ago (read Bud American Ale). The difference is that this one is miles ahead of the rest. Going to have to get more of this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 21:09:08 | More by boilermakerbrew

chugalug06

Colorado

4.7/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very easy going, quickly growing, yet calm, foamy, yellow tinted, head. Brew is pretty hazy amber color.

Awesome Simcoe nose on this brew. Caramel and toffee also stand out. Mildly over hopped for the style, but I'll let it slide.

Amazing flavor for being 11%... No heat. Great, malty, sweet-bitterness. Nothing is overwhelming. Toffee is prevalent along side bread-y caramel. Carbonation is high and back side alcohol is (slightly) detectable.

Uh-oh, this one goes down FAST. A killer brew from Bell's. I'm not sure I could picture a much better 11,000th batch... Congrats Bell's, keep 'em coming... Now, ship to COLORADO, please!!!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 01:33:49 | More by chugalug06

4thelvofbeer

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a six pack of this at my local store....it was $20 a six, so I was hesitant at first, but it payed off....it was worth it. Pours a clear coppery-amber with a minimal head. Tastes was so deep and nice, rich fruits with some nice heat from the alcohol. I really enjoyed this beer...it is not at all harsh as some strong ales are. This one is right on....don't be afraid of the price!!!

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 19:15:31 | More by 4thelvofbeer

random846

Georgia

4.65/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: An 8oz pour in a tulip glass at The Porter in Atlanta. Pours a deep amber in color with a finger and a half of head.

S: Fruity hops, mainly grapefruit. A little alcohol but far less than the abv would suggest.

T: Again citrus fruit hops and a big sweet malty backbone keeping it all in relative balance. Surprisingly little alcohol burn (If I didn't know better I'd guess it's around 8 abv). This beer has so much flavor, it's malt and hop flavors are outstanding.

M: It's a sipper but because it gives you a lot of flavors to work through before you're ready to swallow it. Not very hot.

O: It's a really really big amber. Big hop flavors and lots of malt sweetness. Hope I can find this in bottles so I can have it a few more times.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 22:23:10 | More by random846

SportsandJorts

Michigan

4.61/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Type: 12 oz bottle
Glass: Snifter
From: Main Street Liquor in Ann Arbor
Price: $19 a 6-pack

Appearance: deep orange color with a finger of foamy head. head receded to a bit of the lacing along the side.

Smell: some sweet malts and a bit of a strong hop presence

Taste: pretty strong citrus hops, caramel malts, a bit of fruits and alcohol. definitely a hoppy barleywine taste. the sweetness prevails in the taste but the bitterness of the hops comes in for the aftertaste. really well balanced flavors, very delicious

Mouthfeel: pretty heavy in body and a bit sticky. nice level of carbonation. this one will warm you up a bit.

Overall: This is a fantastic beer. I have been drinking them on occasion since the release. I enjoy in now that the hops have started to mellow out a bit. It really reveals a lot of taste that was previously masked by the hops. Can't wait to crack another one open after a bit more time to see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 18:17:46 | More by SportsandJorts

GPHarris

Alabama

4.55/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

a - poured a one finger thick bubbly tan head into a tulip glass that left good lacing throughout. the body was a bright amber color.
s - very complex nose of caramel and toffee malts with piney and floral hops.
t - big malty backbone with some nice pine and floral hops.
m - big and chewy.
o - this is a phenomenal beer that is delicious fresh but i could see it become almost american barleywineish with a year of age. i doubt any of mine will make it that far though.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 15:33:59 | More by GPHarris

shand

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bell's This One Goes to Eleven pours out a hazy copper-red with a finger of head that retains very well. It's got a huge aroma, with lots of piney hops, caramel malts, and a strong boozy component. The taste is just great, there's a big pine and citrus hop hit up front that was probably even more massive closer to bottling, followed up by some big caramel malts and a nice warming booze component. The mouthfeel is on the heavy side of medium and lightly carbonated. There's a nice prickliness in the back of the throat though. The drinkability is exceptional. Overall, this is an excellent, and very big imperial red ale. If you like your beers big and brash, you'll love this.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 01:01:57 | More by shand

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle, packaged on 9/13/12. Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours a clear reddish/amber color with about an inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. The aroma is very nice, it smells like citrusy hops (mango, tropical fruit), toasted and caramel malt, pine hops, oranges, and a bit of cherry. Taste is similar to the aroma, it tastes like caramel and toasted malt, citrusy hops (pineapple, mango, tropical fruit), candied oranges, pine hops, and some toffee. It's sweeter tasting than I thought it would be, I was expecting a little more hoppiness but that's not a complaint at all! Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's creamy and smooth with moderate carbonation. The 11% ABV is well hidden, it's very easy to drink for a beer this strong. I liked this brew a lot, I figure the rest of my 6 pack won't last too much longer. $17.99 a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 21:00:32 | More by bluejacket74

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.48/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “PKGD” date is “09/13/12.”

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is medium copper. A finger of eggshell-colored head dissipated to leave a lacing and ring around the edge.

Smell: Resinous pine, invigorating citrus (grapefruit, tangerine, orange), tropical fruit, caramel, and toffee.

Taste: The pine, citrus, and tropical fruit are most prominent but are balanced by the maltier components. The hoppiness is not intense but there is a boozy sting. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy.

Drinkability: Superb. It is a touch boozy but is well-crafted; the aromas and flavors stand out as unique to the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 04:34:52 | More by TheQuietMan22

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.48/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

'This One Goes To 11' is a moderately dark amber color, and translucent, topped with a cream colored head. Very enticing. The large bubbles seem to hold themselves in place at about 1/2" high. For the aroma, this is one of the most juicy-sweet, delicious smelling beers my nose has ever had the pleasure of inhaling. This is of course thanks to the fact that this is super fresh. Very sweet candied malts, pineapple, grapefruit, and resinous hop notes are jumping out at me. A bit of cider as well. One sip was all I needed to be convinced that this beer was really 'turned up to 11!' At first the piny, resinous hop profile is the most noticeable thing, but as the somewhat sticky proverbial consistency of the beer coats my mouth I am greeted by the sweet malt backbone, which is reminiscent of caramel and apples. Although the beer is big, and dialed up to 11 in all aspects, each part of it matches the other, so ultimately I would say it is a balanced beer. The 11% ABV is rather noticeable to me, so expect a wallop of warming sensations! This is labeled as an Imperial Red, so definitely hop-heads and fans of Troegs Nugget Nectar, Speakeasy Prohibition, Full Sail Imperial Red, many of Lagunitas beers, as well as fans of Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, Rye Beers, and Founders Pale Ale take notice!

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 00:30:31 | More by Neorebel

nrbw23

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a rich dark red color with a nice off white head. Head has pretty solid retention and leaves some nice spotty lacing.

S- A great amount of hops. Picking up darker fruits, tons of pine and grapefruit. Pretty much no malts.

T- Pretty big hop bomb. Pine is every where and a good amount of grapefruit. Great amount of bitterness here. Not really finding any malts here at all.

M- Medium in body and carbonation seemed a bit light.

O- Very solid brew for sure. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 21:20:26 | More by nrbw23

rundocrun

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Body is a deep ruby-orange. Minimal head that only sticks around for a couple minutes. I suppose with a beer north of 10%, its rare to have a really hefty layer of foam though. Good amount of lacing that falls ever-so-slowly down the side of the glass.

S - I definitely get a sense for the large variety of hops they used in this one. Lots of grassy aromas mixed with definite citrus, and a great layer of funky, earthy hop smell that I rarely come across. Amid the hop frenzy I get hints of the caramelized, malty backbone of the beer.

T - Up front, it is sweet, but delicately so. Light malt flavors mixed with lemony hop flavor. A surprising start to such a "intense" beer. The hop flavor lays on layers of complexity through the middle as well as a healthy dose of bitter punch. Finish sees a return to the citrus, warm but noticeable alcohol and the ever-present hefty backbone of sweet caramel malt. This makes for a tangy-sweet aftertaste.

M - Thick mouthfeel for sure. Carbonation complements the hops in this beer well. As the bubbles begin to break over your tongue, the citrus, floral, funky, etc. flavors of the hops bloom with it. The finish is smooth with just a small kick in the pants from the alcohol.

I know they may be marketing this as an age-able beer, but in my opinion it needs absolutely no maturing. The hops are assertive, but they don't invade the palate with bitterness. Malts balance well. Great fall and winter brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 01:50:24 | More by rundocrun

rsenters29

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I just "LOVE" the smooth taste of everything goes to 11 ale,it is of those Imperial Red Ale that you can simply enjoy with it's sweet aroma's as it is deep,sturdy and vigorus as it balances well when compared to others likewise,so that is why this one list as one of my favorite beers bells brews!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:26:31 | More by rsenters29

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A : Poured a clear reddish, grapefruit like color with a nice off white creamy head. Head retention is good with spotty lacing.

S : Big hop aroma, wowzers. Did not expect this from this style. Toasted bread and light caramel behind a pungent array of hops: pine, citrus and flowers. Some alcohol in the nose but for 11% it's really subdued

.T: Light caramel malt backbone blended with some light bread and then wham. Clubber Lang hits yu with hops. Tropical fruits, pine needles and flowers sting the palate. A booze sting hits the palate. FInish is a tad hot, lightly sticky and somewhat sweet but nice and enjoyable

M: Well carbonated, medium bodied, sordove slick on the tongue, nice bitterness bites back

O: Very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 22:46:25 | More by barleywinefiend

andrewjraab

Michigan

4.41/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A. Reddish amber with a thin line of creamy head.

S Fresh hop aroma, very oily with herbal and piney notes. Smells is amazing.

T. This is a phenomenal brew with nice juicy hop punch but has a firm malty backbone.

O. Drinks like an American double. This is a 5star recruit. I will pick this up again next year for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 04:07:01 | More by andrewjraab

herman77

Minnesota

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

A: Deep amber, rusty orange that seems clear, but is a bit hazy. Small off withe head that diminishes to a light cap and collar. Lacing is spotty.

S: Very rich and sweet honey like aroma at first. Almost candy like. Lots of piney, grapefruit and floral hops as well. A bit of lingering alcohol as well. You can tell this is a powerful, strong beer.

T: Your hit with a large amount of malt at first. Its got a bit of everything: toasted malt sweetness, biscuits, rich camel and toffee. Then the hops take over. Lots of pine and grapefruit, a bit resinous as well. Floral and some tropical fruits (pineapple) can be found as well. picking up some molasses and dark fruits as well throughout. Warming alcohol in the finish, though its not that strong at all.

M: Fuller body, softer carbonation. Feels smooth and fairly thick. Nice

O: It has fairly good drinkability since the ABV is hidden pretty well even though you get some heat in the finish. Malty, hoppy goodness here. I can see why there are some mixed reviews, but it all comes down to what you like and I really like this beer. Now the question comes, do I age one out of the three I got...?

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 00:01:13 | More by herman77

stewart124

Ohio

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

Deep amber to ruby red with a fine bit of lace.

Pine and resin in the nose.

Big bold taste with a huge chewy mouthfeel. You can almost chew the hops. Plenty of bitterness and sticky hop resin. There appears to be some caramel malt backbone but it is hidden behind a barrage of hops. The alcohol is hidden as well but this doesn't drink like a regular amber ale and pushes the envelope even compared to those west coast amber ales. A touch if vanilla and caramel in the finish.

Finishes dry and this is very drinkable. Lots of lingering pine and hop resin on the tongue. Simply delicious and it truly goes to eleven. Well done Mr. Bell.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 01:38:45 | More by stewart124

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

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

Fresh bottle to Bruery tulip. Batch #11,000 (obviously). Bottled on 09/13/12.
Thanks to Adam for this one!

A - Deep amber in colour; barely translucent. An orange glow around the edges of the glass. Half a finger of cream coloured head.

S - Sweet caramel malts up front with hints of toffee that are immediately balanced by a robust hop profile with citrus and pine aromas.

T - A big sweet malt presence up front full of caramel and toffee flavours. A massive bitterness hits the tongue next, adding pine, citrus and lighter earthy flavours and great balance. A big lingering dry and bittern finish.

M - Medium body. Creamy. Full of tongue-coating hop oils. Light carbonation.

O - This was excellent. Thanks again Adam!

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 18:41:25 | More by TheSevenDuffs

KarlHungus

Minnesota

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

This beer pours a bright ruby color. The head is a solid inch in height, and recedes slowly into a small cap of foam. The aroma is of grapefruit, passion fruit, pine resin, and mandarin oranges. The taste is very fruity with a ton of dark citrus fruit character. Bitterness is well balanced letting the hops flavors really shine. The mouthfeel is full bodied with appropriately mild carbonation, and a silky texture. Overall, this is a really fine beer that I would love to drink again.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 23:06:34 | More by KarlHungus

brewtus

Ohio

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

Copied from 10/20/2012 review

Pours a dark orange/ red with little head. I smell a bit of caramel, dark berries and citrusy hops. Taste starts off with a dry fruit flavor which kind of warms up before finishing with a smooth dry texture. I'm not one fore reds but this one is very good.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:07:46 | More by brewtus