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

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: A bit mealy looking: pale staw colored with little head to speak of.

S: Smell is very subdued. There is a bit of spice and sweetness, but it all is pretty scentless.

T: A little better here. The spice and funk shines through and the beer finishes nice and crisp.

D: Mouthfeel is too thin and the beer gets pretty boring pretty fast.

Overall: Its a decent representation of the style, just a little thin and watery. Honestly, there are much better offerings for the price. Decent beer, but not one I will necessarily buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 15:08:05 | More by JohnnyChicago

Jayli

Massachusetts

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

Consumed 2/15
Poured in to a pint glass

A: This beer pours a cloudy, hazy, yellow color. 1/4 inch of bone white head sits on top. Head recedes to a film at a moderate pace and leaves no real lacing.

S: Nose is nice spicing. Corriander, light touch of clove and a fruitiness.

T: Taste starts with a bit of pepper and a subtle, pleasing corriander. Banana mingled with a touch of pear come in, and then the banana flavor begins to dominate and really hang in the finish.

M: Light body, moderate carbonation, nice and crisp.

D: Goes down easily, tasty, not filling, very mild kick, ok representation of style. It hit the spot that evening and is something I would certainly drink again.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 13:41:41 | More by Jayli

buschbeer

Ohio

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

12oz bottle
Served in a pint glass

A - It is pale yellow with a slight haze to it. It has a half inch of white head.

S - I'm getting banana and clove.

T - The taste mirrors the smell.

M - Thin to moderate.

D - It is an alright beer. I do not think that I will seek it out, but I would not turn one done either.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 18:51:51 | More by buschbeer

richkrull

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Picked this one up at Trader Joe's last weekend.

Pours a bit of a hazy yellow color, nice white head on it. Smells sweet, citrusy, with a bit of spice to it. Taste is very refreshing. Very smooth, wheat with lemon taste. Good medium bodied beer. I really enjoyed this beer. Very good drinkability, I'll definitely be looking for this beer in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 19:53:21 | More by richkrull

BuckeyeSlim

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a New Belgium snifter. Enjoyed a couple of these on draft this evening and came home to find a bottle in the fridge waiting for review.

A - One-finger head of white, big bubble foam that dissipates rather quickly, leaving a thin lace across the surface. Lemon yellow in color and opaque. Cloudy when held to a light.

S - Clove/banana with a citrus and pine hop background. Almost bubblegum in the nose.

T - Very much like the nose. Banana really jumps to the front, showing off the fruit. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg in the finish. Subtle spicing makes the finish, not the hops, although I'm editing my review to note that Bell's website says they don't use any spices in this brew.

M - Fizzy. Pronounced carbonation. Good body and structure. Finish lingers longer than the lightness of the beer indicates.

D - A different twist on a winter beer. It's very much in the hefeweizen style but doesn't have the crispness in the finish you'd want in the summer. Very tasty. Could easily drink several of these in a session.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 06:37:43 | More by BuckeyeSlim

PokerGod

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It seems like this is one of those beers that I wasn't 100% on the first few sips, but by the end of the beer, I had completely changed my mind. A great taste. An awesome aroma. These are the traits than rang through the most for me. A little too flat looking in it's appearance, maybe. Also, I like to see the lacework on the side of my glass, and this had none. The head leaves quickly. But the smell and taste is spot on.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 04:23:02 | More by PokerGod

jsulko

Illinois

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

Purs goldish yellow, a little cloudy with a small amount of head that disappears quickly.

Smells like a spiced wheat ale.

Smooth drinking lightly flavored wheat ale.

Not a winter warmer but a good bear nevertheless. Could drink quite a few of these in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 03:45:39 | More by jsulko

jsanford

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 10021. Poured into a Pint Glass

A - Pours pale gold with a thin white head that quickly dissipates, leaving just the slightest of haze.
S - Sweet cracker wheat malt with a slight whiff of bananas, clove, and lemon.
T - Very close to the nose, nice clean "wheaty" flavors of banana, cloves, lemon, and crackers.
M - Crisp with a light body and sharp carbonation.
D - Nicely drinkable, but I don't get the "winter", not really my favorite style in February. Gimme this in June and I'd be happy.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 22:03:37 | More by jsanford

CuriousMonk

Virginia

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

Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass. Poured a hazy yellowish color with a decent off white head. Aroma was malts, clover, yeast, bread, and spices. Flavor was spice, vanilla, and malts. Medium body, light carbonation. Smooth on the palate. I've had better winter warmers.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 18:39:27 | More by CuriousMonk

dnrobert24

Alabama

4.63/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My typical standard of measurement for wit beers is Hoegaarden. Bell's Winter White might be my new standard. First off, I love that they used the white winter theme to brew a beer like this out of season. Typically, wheat beers can only be found fresh during the summer. It is nice to know you can find one light and refreshing in the winter too as a six-month old wit beer sipped in January would almost certainly be stale. Not this--it had a crisp clean freshness that comes only from hefty doses of wheat played against the musty phenols of the belgian yeast. I could not smell or taste any orange or coriander, lemon or lemongrass, just nice round full bready yeast. Even the color was pale yellow, though not as white as Hoegaarden. It did not feel overly fizzy or thin, as can sometimes be the case for this style. Excellent drinker. High marks all around.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 15:56:30 | More by dnrobert24

nukem5

Pennsylvania

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

Not my normal color beer this fizzy straw color but from Bell's it is always good ,have had this before never rated it ...

A: Straw colored with decent head which dissapates far to quick.Some lacing .

S: Sweet and spicey hit the nose first like a full throttle frieght train, then malts and a bit of hops.

T: Spices and sweet malts are all I need say to this winter welcomer!

M: Medium body with a bit of chewyness in the back.

D: Love it every year have at least a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 01:52:47 | More by nukem5

mralphabet

Virginia

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

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A: Light hazy golden color, about a fingers worth of head that settles to a nice ring with very little lacing.

S: Smells like a good wheat beer, little lemon, some bananas and clove.

T: Delivers a very good little wheat beer, taste is light with the clove and banana at the start ending with a light lemon with a mild wheat and yeast finish. Little aftertaste to speak of.

M: Pretty light with a light carbonation. Solid.

D: Very drinkable little wheat beer, ABV is low and the flavors are good... Nothing to crazy or different, just good.

I have to say when I think of Winter Beer this is not it, but for a mix it up from the normal winter time brews this was nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 05:07:39 | More by mralphabet

Goldopelgt

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy golden, straw hue with a decent white head and a good amount of lacing...

S: Yeasty, citrus notes up front with some spiciness and banana that follows...

T: Similar to the nose...citrus-y, yeasty, a little spice...very well balanced, everything you would expect from the style...

M: Crisp, well-carbonated, refreshing...very nice

D: A very enjoyable and easily drinkable brew, what you come to expect with most Bell's products...I would definitely recommend this brew, but my only knock would have to be that a winter 'white ale' seems slightly out of place for the season, albeit delicious...

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 22:14:41 | More by Goldopelgt

aepb1

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Yellow-orange hazy body with a thin white head

S- Thick wheat/yeast smell and some coriander

T- Yeast, citrus, coriander in that order

M- Medium-bodied, a good level of carbonation making it creamy

D- Very fun beer and easy to drink. A good example of the style and I am glad I grabbed a sixer

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 17:06:17 | More by aepb1

HosP

Indiana

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

Had from a pick six pack.

A- Poured hazy straw color that wanted to maybe be orange. Big white head on top.

S- Nose full of lemony zest mixed with some clove spices.

T- Like the nose lemon flavor up front. Some banana flavor comes out behind the lemon. Balances nicely with a little spice and wheat flavor. A little yeasty flavor at the end.

M- Lighter body with good carbonation. Very nice crisp finish.

D- Haven't had a lot of winter ales, but this one is a good solid beer. Nothing over the top, but a good drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 19:51:09 | More by HosP

uno99

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

According to the Batch number, this was packaged on December 7th. Pretty fresh! More breweries need to do this IMO if not put the bottled on dates directly on the label.

Served at 57 degrees.

A: Aggressive pour, one finger frothy head. Yeast lands on top and yellows discolors the head slightly. Yeast is very thick and caked on the bottom of the bottle (which has spent a few weeks laying sideways). Beer is extremely cloudy once yeast is incorporated. Head dissipates to nothing quickly, and lacing is not present.

S: Quite aromatic. Bananas and a bushel of cloves.

T: Very fruity and moderately spiced.

M: medium/thick with ample carbonation, not cloying, rather crisp and refreshing.

D: Quite sessionable, however I'd recommend serving more chilled.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 01:02:18 | More by uno99

Cmack15

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bells is a great brewery and its a shame that they don't distribute in MA. I recently bought a sampler case that this beer, the pale ale, best brown ale, and amber ale. A beautiful light straw colored beer that lightly greets your nose with the typical witbier aroma. Nothing too exciting or flashy about this beer, its just a well crafted ale by a good brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 23:42:44 | More by Cmack15

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

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

Bell's winter white pours with a deep straw color. It's slighty hazy with good carbonation but a lacking foamy head.
Aroma is of a traditional white ale with clove and banana being the major aroma here.
A great idea from Bell, winter brews are usually dark menacing brews with killer alochol but not this one. A refreshing white beer with nice clove nuiances is quite refreshing.
A well made beer that breaks the norm.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 17:43:15 | More by micromaniac129

glid02

Georgia

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours an opaque lemon-yellow color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of light malts, wheat twang, light citrus, and soft spices, in that order. As the beer warms the spices fade a bit and the citrus and light malt aromas intensify.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Smooth light malt flavors with good amounts of wheat influence kick things off. Joining in shortly thereafter are moderate amounts of lemon zest with hints of deeper orange rinds. Finally, very small amounts of coriander come into play before fading out into a crisp and mildy bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall I think this beer tasted crisper than the bottle I had quite a while back and I certainly prefer it more. A solid beer that's worth a shot in whatever form.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2011 02:05:24 | More by glid02

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Believe it or not this was might nightcap of all things. Served cold and poured into a pint glass, this was enjoyed on 01/01/2011.

The pour was nicely done, albeit very light and a touch overcarbonated for me, I still think it fit rather well. Light yellow in color with tons of carbonation and a huge fizzy white head that let down quickly. Aroma is light banana, clove and citrus, nice and light and airy with touches of lemon zest and fresh spice as it warms. Very clean taste, perfect hints of citrus and spice layered on the banana based malts. Quick, clean, light and very drinkable. This one was gone like a flash.

Overall a very solid little ale and one that I needed to take a break from the rest of the evening!

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 18:44:18 | More by mikesgroove

OttoBomb

Illinois

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

12 oz. bottle poured into a Dogfish Head signature glass (January 7, 2011). Batch "10125" is printed on real label, which according to the website was packaged on November 23rd, 2010.

Witbiers aren't exactly my bag, but they are slowly growing on me.

Eyes: Initially this poured an almost clear amber color, but a good swirl of the last couple ounces in the bottle stirred up the yeast and produced a very cloudy hue. A slightly yellow head caps the brew, retention is mild as is lacing.

Nose: Very yeasty, with wheat, coriander, some citrus and banana aromas. The citrus is more evident that other witbiers I've had, which an area that needs attention in this style. Well done.

Tongue: I like that the flavor profile provides the citrus, fruit, and coriander in mild but appropriate amounts. In addition the balance is near perfect.

Mouth: Good mouthfeel, maybe a bit heavy. A lively carbonation keeps this drinkable.

Libation: So this isn't a stellar example of the style, but it's certainly a great effort. It fits in very well amongst the great many offering from Bells. Flavorful, drinkable, and not too "Big" of a beer to overwhelm after a few sips.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 08:15:58 | More by OttoBomb

RonJon24

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Golden light color, little head. Not super attractive beer to the eye when poured out of the bottle.

S - Lots of yeast! But for this style, smells how it should.

T - Great Belgian taste! I get a bit of the yeast flavor coming through, but also some great other flavors I cant put my finger on.

M - Quite light, light on the carbonation too.

D - Good, I could drink plenty of these. Goes down very easy.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 02:22:58 | More by RonJon24

r3o

Florida

3.38/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A:cloudy white with some straw-lke tones, very thin head with little to no lacing
S: yeast and bready smell, a hint of spices
T: there's a bitter taste to this one, like cactus (agave) it's all I can think of, but does not overpower. Some other spices come and go throught out.
M: light, somewhat course, low carbonation
D: it's good but I've liked others white better.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 05:02:15 | More by r3o

mdfb79

New York

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

a - Pours a somewhat transparent golden-yellow color with less than one inch of white head and high carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bananas, cloves, spices, yeast, wheat, citrus, and light fruity malts. Gets a lot better as it warms up.

t - Tastes of wheat, bananas, pepper, spices, and light citrus.

m - Light to medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

d - A nice, above average witbier. Some nice bananas and spices in the nose and taste. Nothing about it wowed me, but I would have it again if I was looking for a witbier.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2011 23:25:35 | More by mdfb79

ujsplace

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a becker.

This brew pours a very hazy, orange-cream colored brew that has a pure white one finger thick head that quickly fades to a thin wispy layer on top. Minimal lacing.

Smells of wheat, hint of vanilla, yeast, coriander and some peppery spiceyness.

Big wheat and yeast up front. Corriander and orange peel bitters, along with some mild spicyness.

Light and crisp with good carbonation.

Amidst all of the traditional winter brews - warmers, stouts...this is a refreshing change of pace brew - hellava good session brew...

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 19:20:37 | More by ujsplace