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

KarlHungus

Minnesota

3.05/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This brew pours a cloudy pale yellow color. The head is white and fluffy like freshly fallen snow. The aroma is more like a hefe weizen than a witbier. Yeast, wheaty and tagny with only faint hints of coriander. The taste is rather light for a witbier. Tangy wheat makes up the flavor. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a little too much carbonation. Overall, this isn't a bad beer, but I would rather have Hoegaarden or Allagash White.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2005 19:30:23 | More by KarlHungus

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: The ale is a hazy yellow color with a white ring of head that retains reasonably well.

S: The aroma is part wheat and part grainy malt. Some orange peel as well but not much more.

T: The flavor is witbier, with a strong wheat presence and some coriander and curacao. With the name, I expected some more spiciness, maybe some nutmeg to add to the winter white name, but there was nothing to be found.

M: The mouthfeel is a a run-of-the-mill wheat, nothing special.

D: I hate to say it, but this is my least favorite Bell's brew, by far. There is nothing that makes this a winter ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2006 03:06:29 | More by akorsak

GPHarris

Alabama

3.05/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a - poured a 1/2 finger thick off-white head into a snifter that left a thin ring and sheet which didn't last long at all. the body was straw gold.
s - bready and spicy.
t - bready and yeasty.
m - medium slick mouthfeel.
o - kind of a blah wit overall.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 21:30:10 | More by GPHarris

kingothewoods

Iowa

3.08/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

The color when poured into a pint glass is of wheat/copper. The head dissipates almost immediately. Not impressed about the lack of head.
This beer smells very sweet malt. The taste follows the smell with sweet malt that makes the back of your tongue curl. Tastes of alcohol come through as well. A warm feeling down into your stomach. Not drinkable at all. This is definitely a one beer in front of a winter fire.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 03:35:32 | More by kingothewoods

deapokid

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden, wheat color, adorned with some nice lacing, moderate carbonation and barely a head to speak of.

Scent is mildly spiced with light coriander and banana peaks out after a few whiffs. The smell is quite faint and it actually took me a minute or two to pull any aroma of this brew.

The general wheat beer flavors peak out at the forefront (banana esthers, sweet spicing, etc.), but are followed by an unfamiliar corn flavor, which is rather mild, but still, unexpected for the style.

Initially, I assumed the "Winter" in the title referred to more alcohol (since most of the flavors are pretty common for the style), but it seems that this wit has a really low ABV, which doesn't make for a warming, cold weather experience.

Despite some flaws in concept and execution, the tingle of carbonation and the slight dry finale are reasonably pleasant enough and, although it's never original or exciting, it's a passable wheat beer and definitely capable of heavy consumption.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2009 02:30:38 | More by deapokid

Shrews629

Kentucky

3.08/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance - Cloudy orangish/yellow with a white head. Head was about 1 finger and the retention was not as good as expected. Lacing was clinging to the sides adequately. Bright gold highlights around the edges.

Smell - Smells of citrus. Orange and lemon. Picking up some peppery spice and some floral hops. Some wheat is hiding in there somewhere also.

Taste - Very peppery in the taste. Again, picking up some orange peel. Some wheat makes its way across the taste buds also. It seems as if the peppery spice is the dominant flavor. A tad much.

Mouthfeel - Medium to thin mouthfeel. Really, rather dry. Crisp and smooth. It does hang on the palate for a while. Goes down pretty easy and it's refreshing.

Drinkability - Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of "Wit" or "White" ales. The peppery spice is a bit much for me, but for the style it fits nicely. This beer reminds me more of a Summer brew than a Winter warmer. I'm sure this beer has an audience and I'm glad I tried it, but I'll probably move on from this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 14:27:28 | More by Shrews629

Immortale25

Florida

3.11/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a Cigar City snifter. No readable freshness date on bottle.

A- Light golden color with a paper thin head and lacing that doesn't stick to the glass

S- Can't detect much aroma. Maybe it'll be more apparent once I start drinking. I do pick up an obvious wheat scent with what seems to be a slight hint of wet cardboard. Let's hope it's not oxidized.

T- Eh. Not a whole lot going on. Thankfully, no oxidation. Just a pretty standard white beer. Belgian yeast flavor but not very apparent. Light, quaffable. Very little alcohol burn.

M- Thin, low-medium carbonation but still has enough spritz to make the beer lively given its less-than-exciting flavor.

O- Yeah, pretty average across the board. Won't be paying to drink this again when there are so many more flavorful witbiers out there. The first letdown I've had from Bell's.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 05:04:18 | More by Immortale25

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

tar

Bahamas

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

A bit of a different winter time offering from Bell's. Nice looking in the glass with a hazy golden color and thin, white, bubbly head. Presents a pleasant floral aroma with hints of banana, oranges, and a bit of spice (coriander and maybe a bit of pepper?). A mild overall taste with a dry finish. The spiciness present in the aroma along with citrusy flavors linger and add some depth of flavor. A light bodied beer with a crisp dry feel in the mouth. Not a bad tasting beer, but not particularly exciting--I feel like I'm still waiting for something else to emerge flavorwise.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2004 16:51:23 | More by tar

foureyedgeek

Pennsylvania

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

Batch 7637

Poured into a tall wheat glass, which gave this beer a nice puffy, fizzing white head, which doesn't last very long. Not much in the way of lacing. Very hazy yellow straw body.

Smells of light spices and citrus.

Taste is interesting. I guess Bell's uses both a Hefe and a Belgian yeast in this beer so its got a clean fruitiness AND a but of a funk. The spices dominate the finish. Not a lot going on, this is one of the mellower wits I've had.

Mouthfeel is clean and crisp and quite effervescent. This is a light bodied beer thats a nice thirst quencher, and as Bell's says an interesting alternative to the majority of winter releases.

Quite drinkable, limited mainly by the lack of flavor depths here, this is a nice refresher after my morning bike ride, but it seems more suited to a warm, sunny day.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2006 19:03:05 | More by foureyedgeek

zsk

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance was like any other white. Cloudy golden with white bubbly head
Smell was bland. Not much there, really
Taste was good. Refreshing.
Mouthfeel was Ok, not great.
Drinkability was OK too. I don't really care for another.

This is just average. I was hoping for a winter style beer (Great Lakes Christmas Ale, Celebration, etc) Might as well be any other white ale. Blue Moon is better.
What happened Bell's???

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2006 00:48:04 | More by zsk

Grundle20

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance:
This beers look is scarily similar to your average American macro lager. Golden yellow, with no head.

Smell:
The scent is ever so faintly reminiscent of sweet banana bread. There's an underlying Miller High Life quality that again is quite the turn off.

Taste and Mouthfeel:
I can't believe I'm drinking Bells and/or a witbier. Initially there is some pleasant sweetness and wheat character but it almost instantly vanishes and is replaced with a taste of wet hay and aspirin. Despite apparent carbonation the beer drinks rather flat and thick. The finish is rife with wet hay character and the finish is also plagued with this taste. I'm absolutely shocked.

Drinkability:
It drinks just like a macro lager easy going down but has little to offer in terms of well balanced good flavors.

Bottom Line:
This beer is just a flavor notch up from making my shit list. This is the only disappointment I have ever had from Bells and it's a big one. It's just a step up from macro lager but considerably more expensive. A definite pass in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2006 20:54:44 | More by Grundle20

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

Traquairlover

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A = Poured out a cloudy orange-yellow. Slight head, no lacing.

S = Smell of overripe fruits and wheat.

T = Nice wheat taste, some fruit (banana and star fruit) quickly dissipating in aftertaste. Cloying aftertaste.

M = Pretty average. Good carbonation, not too thin, not meaty. Hard to really find anything distinguishing to say about it.

D = Could stand as a session beer, but probably better for taking a taste and moving on to something more savory.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2007 22:33:49 | More by Traquairlover

clayrock81

Virginia

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

Poured into a pint glass and was presented with a light, slightly seethru oragish body with a one-finger head that quickly died (note: shake those last few sips because this beer will leave some yeast floaters if you don't). The smell was nice and floral with some citrus, especially orange and lemon, coming out but nothing major. The taste is rather a letdown. as tjere really isn't anything there except a combo of wheat/yeast with a sharp lemony feel. The excessive wheat/yeast makes a real smooth but somewhat watery, slick brew that feels a little non-descript as it passes (a tad like a light beer). I could pond a few of these easily, but I won't be actively seeking this winter beer and as far as winter beers go it is a tad weak.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 00:45:05 | More by clayrock81

Crossmd

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured 40 degrees Fahrenheit into a Sam Adams pint glass.

Pours a hazy golden yellow with a one finger white head after a vigorous pour.

Smells of wheat, some coriander and a hint of urine?

Tastes of a relatively thin, effervescent light or mass-produced Belgian style wit-beer. A hint of soft-lemon at the beginning of the finish turns into coriander and a relatively non existent finish. Tame and relatively uninspiring.

There is really relatively little difference here for me next to Hoegaarden. I think it looks, smells tastes, almost identical and I think I prefer the Hoegaarden even while it's cheaper. A good offering, enjoyable, but not really anything to write home abount. I was expecting something really more unique from Bell's.

83.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 04:51:09 | More by Crossmd

julian89

Georgia

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance-A good orange yellow, slightly translucent with a minimal head and no lacing.

Smells: Citrus and wheat, weak smell, crisp though.

Tastes: Very light citrus, strong wheat taste, kind of grainy.

Mouthfeel: Very light almost watery.

Overall: I generally really enjoy Bell's but this one didn't do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 16:25:38 | More by julian89

Frozensoul327

Michigan

3.15/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Wasn't all that impressed with this seasonal offering from Bell's. Poured out to a hazy yellow color with a big white foam head. Medium level of carbonation. Aromas were of grains, yeast and some farm straw and hay. Taste was slightly odd... overly spicy with citrus tones and minimal malt. Mouthfeel was almost biting, with some acid like qualities battling with my tastebuds. Only fair drinkability. I'd go for something else from the Bell's line-up first.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2006 01:19:55 | More by Frozensoul327

wheelinshirt

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

hmm, maybe i got a bad bottle. Didn't enjoy this nearly as much as other reviewers seem to have. Poured most of the bottle into a pint glass (all my weizen glasses got broken last year) and saved a couple ounces to swirl the yeast into the beer. Swirled vigourously but couldn't for the life of me get quite all of the yeast--must have been very compacted. A finger of creamy head falls out with the cloudy yeast but quickly disappears. End result is a cloudy (milky, really) golden, delicious looking, uncapped mess

Smell is really amazing. Spicy and such, love it. Taste, however, is one of the bigger disappointments i have had with beer (not to the level of SA Triple bock, but still disappointing). Taste is fairly flat, not getting much citrus or spice, but it does taste a bit sour and leaves a bad aftertaste. mouthfeel is creamy and enjoyable but it needs more carbonation as it was quite flat. Drinkability suffers from the sourness and lack of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2007 03:31:52 | More by wheelinshirt

Shumista

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

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

A- Poured a hazy yellow with a fizzy white head. Also, off white cloudy swirls were present in the beer that slowly dissipated as the beer settled in the glass. I've never seen anything like this before and really have no idea what was going on. I can say that it did not make the beer appear appetizing though.
S- Smells like a witbier, maybe a little light on the typical witbier spices.
T- Tastes like a witbier. Like the smell suggested it is less spicy than others that I've had.
M- Smoother, creamier and less crisp than other witbier's I've had. To me it had a mouthfeel that bordered on slick.
D- About as drinkable as others of the style.

I was very surprised to see that Bell's releases this as a winter seasonal as I typically don't associate wits with cold weather. Kudos for trying something different I guess though.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2008 21:29:24 | More by Shumista

mikeal1917

Michigan

3.15/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I was at a bar in East Lansing when I got the chance to taste this brew. Let's just say the beer was better than most of the bands.

Appearance- It was lowlight in the bar, but I crowded around a window to look at it. Beer has a light amber, with wisps floating around the middle of the glass, typical of wheat beers. Didn't keep much of a head.

Smell- Had a decent smell, evidence of of that yeast smell. Smelled similar to Blue moon, which is also a Belgian style wheat beer.

Taste- Smooth refreshing wheat beer, bread like aftertaste from the yeast

Mouthfeel- Thinner beer than other wheat beers I've had. Smooth feel

Drinkability- Goes down easy, mild bitterness that goes a long way in terms of taste. Not to much, not to little

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2009 01:30:04 | More by mikeal1917

beagle75

Iowa

3.15/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

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

A: Opaque, pale golden color with one finger of diminishing white foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Generally mild but appropriate; clove is most apparent, followed by delicate lemon and baker's yeast.

T: Begins off-dry, with pasty wheat flour, mild clove spice, and citric acidity. Flavors simplify during the middle, tasting a bit like dilute powdered sugar solution soaked into Wonder bread. A mild thread of bitterness stands out in the finish, suggestive of juicy green plant stems.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, acidic on the palate, with brisk carbonation.

D/O: This American-brewed wit brings a minimalist impression, seeming held back by it. The smell works, but could be more intense, while the appearance is pleasing in its luminous impenetrability. The flavors seem underdeveloped, which doesn't really elevate this beer over notables of the style. It is refreshing, but not at all memorable.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 18:02:59 | More by beagle75

waughbrew

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

[generously received in trade with ghostwalker 3/2006]

Very hazy very pale yellow with a big-bubbled ugly head with little retention or lacing. Smell is pleasantly interesting, with light lemon-banana, white pepper, bitter orange peel, and rubber. Taste is surprisingly similar, though adds a significant honey component. Feel is medium body with carbonation that, although it is at low levels, feels big bubbled and sizzly. Finishes sweet and coating. Pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2006 22:49:47 | More by waughbrew

jdoherty

New York

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured this beer into a small white sampling glass. Pours very fizzy and seems unfiltered, yeast is visibly noticable.

It smelled almost entirely of yeast, there were other subtle smells but I couldnt put my finger on.

Tastes identical to hefe-weizens with a lot more of the yeast taste.

The carbonation really tingles on your tongue, (the fizz came from somewhere) and it had a very light bodied feel.

Not exactly the winter warmer I would have expected, not many spices or strong taste in any way, but it is still rather pleasant served ice cold.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2006 20:09:57 | More by jdoherty

Applesauce1

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I picked this up at the Pit Stop in Nelsonville, OH.

Appearance: yellow with a 1/2" white head on the pour....decent appearance

Smell: lemon and clove

Taste: clove, slight citrus....thats all i'm really detecting

Mouthfeel: light bodied

Drinkability: could do 2 in a night cause it's light, but overall not that great of a taste

This is one of the less impressive Bell's beers I've had....could be a bad bottle also though...or that i'm just not in the mood for this style in february

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 03:18:10 | More by Applesauce1