Bell's Winter White Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

morimech

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served to me in an imperial pint glass. It has a cloudy orange tint with a neat 1/2 inch white head that had a little retention. Very little lacing and no activity after the pour.

The aroma is very yeasty. The Belgian yeast really dominate with a spicy and citrus smell. Very nice.

The taste again is dominated by spices such as cloves and ginger with a bit of citrus thrown in. A nice blend. The body feels light and is not a bit cloying. Very clean finish. A good beer but not a winter one. It is also not one I would make a session out of as the spice would be a little much to me after two.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2008 20:07:32 | More by morimech

jasonpeckins32

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a soft, hazy yellow with very minimal head retention. The aroma is quite simple and faint.

It has a clean hop taste with mild spices. A touch of bitterness. Nothing over done, very very well balanced.

The mouthfeel is crisp and has an excellent carbonation. Outstanding beer!

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2007 22:24:10 | More by jasonpeckins32

Atron67

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- came a very very cloudy, almost reminiscent of an offwhite snow storm in a glass, yellow, that was opaque at a very small distance. A littl bit of head built up on top and had decent retention, but left no lacing

S- a yeasty wheaty smell predominated, some phenolic flavor was present as well

T- was a pretty smooth good flavor, little light on the malt, wheat flavors were nice, but the yeasty banana flavors at the finish were quite flavorful.

M- pretty full body for a 4.5% alcohol, enjoyable, medium carbonation

D- a solid beer, and the best choice at the bar that night.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2007 00:22:38 | More by Atron67

crazybrody06

Indiana

3.4/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap. poured a cloudy orange color with small head and no lacing. Smell was wheat with some coriander and clove. Taste is wheat, orange peel, corinander, clove, banana.
Mouthfeel was light with a good amount of carbonation. Drinkabilty was high if you like wheat beers. Not really my favorite style to drink in the winter. Feels like more of a summer beer except for the spices.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2007 16:47:09 | More by crazybrody06

TheodorHerzl

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Eccentric Cafe:

The beer pours a very hazy cloudy orange hue with a very thin white head of lace. The scent is dominated by the wheat in this beer. That is honesty all I could smell for the first few drinks and then finally the bouquet opened up a little bit. I got some coriander and slight citrus notes. The flavor profile is rather unique. Blasted upfront with the sweetness of wheat followed up by a slightly bitter touch of hops on the finish. Very well balanced and kept me wanting another sip. The mouthfeel is what I wasn't a fan of on this beer. Very thin and didn't coat very well at all. The carbination is just a little to much. For my tastes I wish it was backed off just a little bit. The drinkability overall is very good for this beer, and I would order this if I saw it on tap near me.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2007 19:16:51 | More by TheodorHerzl

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served as a hazy pale light yellow colored beer with massive white puffy head.
Smell is prominent for wheat, and spices.
Taste presents with an excellent interpretation of the style. A nice citrus flavor combines with a firm clove spiciness.
Nice refreshing ending.
An easy drinking beer. More suited for a hot summer afternoon than a cold autumn day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2007 23:25:59 | More by tgbljb

UDbeernut

New York

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: pours a cloudy gold with slight carbonation. Silky 1/2" Head reduces to lacing

s: distinct yeast smell with hints of citrus

t: typical wheat beer taste with yeast flavor. Slight hop bitterness

m: light to medium body. Slightly creamy.

d: This is an average Witbier.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2007 13:01:28 | More by UDbeernut

cabsandking

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Very hazy, pale straw color and a creamy white head with good retention and excellent lacing to the bottom. Mellow nose of yeasty bread, banana peel, light citrus, and a little grassy. Starts off with a limey, sprucey spritz and quickly moves to a nice soft wheat profile that is flavorful and mellow. Medium carbonation makes for a tonic water effect. Descent spice level and some fruity hops are very complimentary. Chalky to creamy at times. The smooth soft profile makes this and easy drinker although Im not buying the winter connection.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2007 00:33:35 | More by cabsandking

Chaz

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours like a classic Wit: opaque, pale golden and whitish in color, and with plenty of suspended yeast. Slight pale tan-head and lacing. Nose is right on style, mildly spicy, but rather perfumey, with yeast, clove, and bubblegum qualities, all of which make a great impact on the first sip. Mouthfeel is light and creamy, almost effortless to drink, and with very low apparent alcohol. Juicy and malty (yet light), and very flavorful, this reminds me very favorably of the Saint Bernardus Wit. Wonderful stuff, and a totally unexpected approach to a Winter seasonal. The first time I was served this it was accidentally, during a rush at a local bar. I asked for a Summit Winter and I got a Bell's Winter. I drank it without knowing what it was, partly figuring that (it being a game day) I wouldn't get another beer before long. This particular bar serves a lot of draught Blue Moon, so I mistook it for that right away, but then realized how much *better* it was than the Blue Moon I've had umpteen times in the past! For five seconds I was thinking of re-appraising my view of Blue Moon! Fine job Larry Bell . . . this would be great in 12 packs in summer . . . hey, a guy can dream right?

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2007 22:57:49 | More by Chaz

adammills

Michigan

3.03/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

It poured a slight golden yellow with a smallish finely bubbled head. Little to no aroma, maybe a very faint biscuit, not sweet at all, no esters. I tastes creamy with no hop taste of aroma. The flavor is very bland, a shocking lack of complexity from what I expect from Bells. Finishes very smooth, very drinkable, and very much lacking in flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2007 00:39:33 | More by adammills

karst

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

With the '06 release of Oberon, I was lucky to be able to compare the Winter White from the tap along side of the new release of Bell's Summer Wheat.

The dollar per 20 oz. serving made this attractive as well.

The 24 oz nonic displayed a strongly beading blond Whitbier that was slightly hazy and fairly clear for a wheat. The short lived head and light lace drop the appearance rating a half point.

Served a little on cold side a nice aroma of wheat, coriander,orange and citrus zest combine with hints of clove and vanilla. Flavor follows with coriander, ginger, clove. Medium body with a round mouthfeel that provides a solid wheat canvas for broad brush strokes from the citrus, orange, and other spices. Finishes clean after a breif cameo of yeast, wheat, and juicy spices. Bittering hops are perfect. Although 0.3 % lower than Oberon's ABV this seems more substantial. Seek it out. If you can get it for $1 per glass enjoy your session!

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2006 23:00:56 | More by karst

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I find this beer a little lacking and one dimensional. Appearance is fine at a yellow gold with a large white head. The nose is lemony and herbal. Coriander and orange peals are quite present. Taste follows the aromas with the addition of a strong yeastiness and a bit of ginger and cloves. All the ingredients are there but this beer just doesn’t scream, “I’m a fun and cheerful wit” to me like I like my wit beers to. It’s really almost hefe like and not very wintery to boot.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2006 21:58:57 | More by DaPeculierDane

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Fox and Hound in Beavercreek. Cloudy dense light chamomile in color. Aroma is wheaty, some spiceyness, perhaps coriander(?). Taste was good, mouthfeel was medium. I picked up more wheat notes (not typical bubblegum or other wheatbeer notes), but more of the grain and texture in the taste. Mentally I was comparing this one with Allagash white, and I think it can come pretty close, especially if fresh.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2006 18:57:20 | More by PatandDavid

stouty1

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First of all I did not know that they would pour this into a Frosty Mug. Whoops! It was so cold there was no head or nose. I waited awhile and things warmed up a bit...

Smell got better with a move to orange spice. Taste was definitely worth the wait, but not very over powering. But, I am wondering if the deep freeze chilled things down too much? A good Bell's version of a Wit beer, but definitely not of German comparison. I could definitely sit back and drink a couple more of these.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2006 02:07:19 | More by stouty1

CDBeerDisappear

Ohio

2.33/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

a - Cloudy yellow, little head looked like a witbier

s - Smelled of wheat but not much else

t - Dissappointingly thin, lacked complexity

m - light carbonation, thin

d - There are many better witbiers available don't waste your money. Generally I like witbiers this one just did not do it for me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2006 19:04:59 | More by CDBeerDisappear

Gritsak

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- very cloudy orange with a nice sized offwhite head. laces decently.

S- malt, yeast, dough

T- a little similar to oberon, but stonger in flavor. there is a strong yeast and buscuit flavor. the finish has a little medicine flavor but its not overwhelming.

M- medium body, extremely smooth. very light if any carbonation.

D- pretty decent, only thing that hurts this is the aftertaste.

overall- this was pretty much what i expected out of this beer. it has a nice clean, smooth taste that is pretty enjoyable. only thing im not a fan of is the aftertaste which could become a little annoying.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2005 00:37:03 | More by Gritsak

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This one poured a hazy yellow with a slight orange cast. It had a large white head with poor retention, but a little stickage. It smelled of banana and citrus, with a bit of cloves thrown in. The flavour was a mix of raw wheat and mild citrus, fairly well balanced and with a dry finish. Moderately slick mouthfeel, light body and medium/high carbonation. Overall, not a bad beer, but not an exceptional white beer. I think I enjoyed it more than the scores would indicate.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2004 02:45:43 | More by DrJay

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Old Bag of Nails pub in Columbus. This beer is a very hazy dark yellow color with a compact white head and very little lacing. The aroma is spicy, with wheat and citrus. Light and crisp body with a flavor that stings the tongue a bit. It is a zesty brew and a little more flavorful than the bottled version I remember. Orange and other fruits, along with spice and a touch of malt on the back end. The finish is very dry and comes back to the citrus. A step up from the Blue Moons of the world but falls a little short of the world-class Wits out there.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2004 17:59:22 | More by Dogbrick

Bierguy5

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloudy golden liquid with a thin white head. The head evolved into a thin white wispy ring, leaving no lace on the glass at all. Smells of citrus and spice, like corriendar. Tastes of lemon zest, with some spices, quite a bit I thought. Lots of carbonation. Light bodied. Very sparkly. Very easy to drink, and refreshing. Although a witbier is not what I think of at winter time, this was pretty good.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2004 13:48:17 | More by Bierguy5

99bottles

Pennsylvania

2.7/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Hmmm. Looks like a witbier, only darker. That means more yeast, more beast. Dark yellow urine color, head of white that disappears in a blink. Curious, but not appealing.

Smell: Yeast, yeast and more....yeah, well. Maybe some lemon or perhaps some clove, but mostly....YEAST.

Taste: Whew. This is thicker than any White ale I've ever tasted; even more thick than any hefe. This is chock full of cloudy bastard yeast and it's too much; for any season. Ok; I give it the clove and some faint lemon, a little pepper spice, and a real raw wheat taste. Like right off a thresher. Too rough, not sweet enough, and too much yeast.

Mouthfeel: Rich, cloudy, clumpy and creamy. Not really what I like in a wit. Too heavy for all purposes.

Drinkability: I asked just to make sure I didn't get the bottom of a keg. Nope, was the reply. No, in fact we tapped this yesterday. You might be the 2nd person to have tried it. I think they missed their season, and I really wasn't impressed with this. Maybe try a double white instead of this murky mess. My first lackluster Bell's.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2004 23:18:23 | More by 99bottles

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A very hazy beer with a thin white head when served from the tap. The aromas are of banana (dominant), and a dusty spiciness. Very banana tasting in the flavor as well, it dominates the flavor. Nice wheaty-grain character in the finish. This is certainly mislabeled as this beer is quite German in character and usually a white refers to a Belgian style of beer. Light tasting and refreshing, where I was expecting a "double" Wit style of beer brewed at winter warmer strengths. A good beer but a bit of a let down. I did not notice any of the sour character others seemed to have notice, perhaps their samples were infected.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2004 23:06:33 | More by Gueuzedude

granger10

Wisconsin

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured a cloudy orange color with a moderate white head. The smell was very lemony and slightly spicy. The taste reminded me distinctly of an overspiced Oberon. Citric flavors are dominant and a tarty finish is there. Lots, almost too much, coriander in the body. Light in body and mouthfeel this beer is simply decent and not one of Bell's best offerings. I think this was a bad batch of Oberon with a different name!

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2004 17:26:21 | More by granger10

Jables

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Had on tap at the Esquire (I was confused, it's not a beer bar yet they had Bell's, this is outstanding)

Pours a bright and murky yellow with medium carbonation.

Aroma is banana and flowers with some spices in there as well.

Flavor is bananas and candy with some spicy notes threatening to breakinto the "main event" of the flavor so to speak. Unfortunately, the more I drink the more the sweetness just becomes too much.

Body is about a medium and is actually quite befitting the style.

Drinkability is hampered by the sheer sweetness of the is brew. In fact my buddy said it tasted like a "Blue Moon on a night on the town, ready to put out." I'm not quite sure what that means exactly but I think I agree.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2004 04:21:55 | More by Jables

DrunkMcDermott

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First impression is a pleasant lemony aroma. Pours a nice cloudy yellow under thin but long-lived white head. Malts are very light, nice wheat complement.is subdued for the style. A little grassy (and a tad gassy), dry, with a tingle of bitterness. The citrus taste remains prominent, though toward the end more estery fruitiness and spiciness make an appearance. Not overwhelmingly "Belgian,", but very drinkable, like a kölsch or even a lawnmower beer.

I had this at the sports bar in Marshall Field's in downtown Chicago, "InField's," and found it a pleasant surprise. Prices are interesting: $3.50 for 24 oz Gooses, $4.50 for micros on tap (Summit, Bell's, Sierra Nevada), and $5.50 for imports (just Guinness and Heineken). The macro-swill is only in bottles. Not a bad deal.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2004 17:52:13 | More by DrunkMcDermott

sulldaddy

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another sample from Kclingers today.
This brew is a pale hazy yellow color, absolutely no head which surprises me. I expected big creamy white head but none to be found.
The aroma is fairly mild, but what I do get is lemony citrus scents and yeasty sweet smells.
The carbonation is mild and gentle and increases the drinkability of the beer.
Flavor comes through with a nice yeasty character, and also coriander strength. This brew is very easy to drink and has a fairly thin body. I am not sure why it is called a winter white as it seems like a typical wit beer to me. Nice brew that I would enjoy just as much on a hot summer day as in the winter.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2004 07:44:47 | More by sulldaddy