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

BitteBier

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, creamy yellow color with a light tinge of apricot orange. Topped off with a bit of fine and fleeting head. This was served way too cold, so I had to wait a bit for the nose to develop. The smell that emerged was pleasant but unremarkable--not inappropriate for this style. Clean grains and light floral scents. Taste was crisp with hints of banana and clove complementing the foundational grains. The mouthfeel was the most disappointing feature of this beer--unduly creamy and even milky. Still, this is a nicely drinkable beer but with the toned-down character that makes wits pleasant but uninteresting.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2003 15:33:51 | More by BitteBier

CRJMellor

Arkansas

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

I was eagerly anticipating this beer and it looked great as it poured a nice golden yellow with crisp white head. Aroma was very pleasant had a slight malt profle but dominated by citrus and clove notes. Little banana, little orange maybe something else that I can't quite finger. Taste was not as strong or malty as I was anticipating and left a litte sour on the palate. To me they might have been better going all out and making a strong Hefe, as someone below suggested. I was a little confused by this one and not really sure what to think. Felt good in the mouth but not as "lively" as I would expect. My experience with Bell's suggests they will refine this over time but not the best from this great brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2003 03:00:27 | More by CRJMellor

ManekiNeko

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at a Bell's tasting at the Brickskeller.

Appearance: Cloudy lemon yellow, slight white head that left little bits of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell: Banana esters are quite prominent. Faint bubblegum aromas.

Taste: Peppery and medicinal, slightly clovey. Banana on aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Very light and crisp.

Drinkability: A hefe/wit hybrid. Smells like a hefe, tastes more like a wit. Uses both Belgian Trappist and hefe yeast strains in the fermenation (according to powerpoint slide from the head brewer). Quite drinkable, but I liked Oberon better. Still, an interesting idea for a winter beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2003 03:38:33 | More by ManekiNeko

ngandhi

Illinois

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

Draught bottled for private distribution. Thanks to Drew from The Corkscrew in Urbana, Ill. for this sample.

A bit cloudier than Oberon with better lacing and a thin, consistent sheet of head.

Bready, yeasty, sweet on the nose with some green citric rind . I just bottled my AG hefe attenuated with White Labs Hefe IV. This is comparable, but without the phenols of IV. Obviously, there's a wheat yeast aroma, but it's neutral in its hefeness (how's that for a new word!).

Though predominantly hefe rather than wit (Drew tells me the goal was, in fact, to make a hybrid of sorts), the orange rind makes a nice cameo and a welcomed encore in the aftertaste. The lemon, sage, caraway flavor we would expect from the coriander works extraordinarily well here. Crisp yet subtle hops; I don't know what they are, but it has the effect of Hallertau. While this beer might be lambasted for its lack of pronouncement in key wit flavors, I say it is only the awesome balance (and not some flaw) in this brew that would make one feel that way.

Bell's isn't bottling this for at least another year (fall 2004); they see it cutting into the Oberon market and confusing some drinkers -- too similar. Perhaps, but as Oberon is a good American Wheat beer, Winter White is a fine German weiss. Call it what you will -- wit or hefe -- but the fuller body and well-defined yeast and malt profiles seem to take it out of the realm of American Wheat and into a much more fulfilling category. A good brew I'd love to see more of that could only get better over the years as larger distribution would force them to define their flavors a bit more (a mass of drinkers is not one for subtleties). It doesn't exactly fit the Bell's profile, but is a welcomed change and a solid improvement from Oberon.

Relax, relax.
ng

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2003 23:42:15 | More by ngandhi

Sudmissle

Michigan

4.85/5  rDev +32.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is probably misnamed. I found it to be a direct competitor with the finest German wheat beers such as Paulaner and Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbiers. I was told the same thing as another reviewer about the Bell's folks being concerned it would compete to closely with Oberon. Oberon is a starter kit for people about a year away from sampling German-style wheat beers. This beer has the wonderful banana and yeast flavor of the best German Weissbiers and is the best American Microbrew version of this style I have sampled. I wish this was readily available in bottles!

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2003 02:31:49 | More by Sudmissle

marburg

Michigan

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

A highly quaffable ale from Bell's sampled yesterday at the Mich Beer Fest. It's only real "drawback" is that it's orange-ish, golden color is far too yellow for a witbier. Dull orange and banana aromas are potent and enjoyable but, again, it strikes me as more of a hefe than a wit. Similarly, big orange-banana smoothie flavors dull any intended coriander or other spices. It's a very tasty beer, but it's not within the style. Frankly, I'd be overjoyed if they replaced Oberon with this and stopped calling it a witbier.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2003 17:59:11 | More by marburg

TheDM

Indiana

2.35/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This brew has a very fruity banana aroma. Its body is a weak yellow orange color that is very cloudy with yeast evident. It tastes as fruity as it smells and went down very easy, but later drinks caused my stomach to do flip flops. I didn't like it and eventually wound up getting another Porter and having them pour the rest of this beer down the drain.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2003 09:13:55 | More by TheDM

Florida_SC_Trojan

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy yellow color. Nice appearance.

S: Orange zest, coriander with a faint hint of bananna and clove.

T: Sweet honey, wheat, malts and yeast. Very drinkable and as a bit of spice in the finish.

M: Very light, good carbonation and finishes dry.

O: I like this beer alot. I think this beer could be served year round. One of my go to beers when I want to drink alot around Christmas time.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:06:33 | More by Florida_SC_Trojan

Alextricity

Michigan

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

Bottled 11/29/12

Appearance: Pours a super hazy yellow color with no head or lacing.

Smell: Smells like your typical Witbier, but not quite as banana and clovey, which is a good thing... I tend to find that sort of nose both extremely redundant and predictable. Unfortunately though, the first smell I got from this beer was major skunk... fortunately though, it doesn't last longer than a few moments.

Taste: It is what it is... a Witbier. Banana and clove on the front of the tongue, with prickly carbonation. After taste briefly tastes of ... cherries? And then there's a faint wheat aftertaste.

Overall, I liked it more with each sip... normally Witbiers have that super sweet banana, clove, and especially, CORIANDER taste, but this isn't like that much at all. A respectable seasonal/sessionable beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 01:54:29 | More by Alextricity

cosmicevan

New York

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

picked up a bottle of this when visiting family in NC recently. the temperature outside definitely screams winter so why not pop this one tonight? enjoyed from a bell's tulip.

a - brew poured a soft but murky orange with lots of visible carbonation evenly climbing to the surface for quite some time. there was a t hin white bubbly head that bubbled away in parts but never completely left.

s - smells like a wit aught to...orange peel and coriander.

t - taste follows the nose of orange peel and coriander but offers a lot more sweetness than i expected, but overall soft and very approachable. flavor isn't too bold or intense. just nicely made. good amount of water in there but not watered down.

m - lots of fizzy carbonation...big sweetness. medium bodied and drinks extremely smoothly.

o - overall, not wild about wit beers in general, but this is very good for the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 03:40:06 | More by cosmicevan

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

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

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter at fridge temperature.

L – Hazy pale gold color with a 1-finger bubbly white head. Decent retention and some patchy lacing. I’ve had this one before and the head characteristics were much better. I must’ve poured it too cold.

S – Grainy wheat, coriander, orange zest, and a healthy dose of banana and clove aromas. I’m actually a bit surprised by the latter aromas as this is a witbier and not a hefeweizen but I’m not complaining.

T – Sweet grainy wheat and banana, progressing to slightly tart orange zest, and finishing with spicy clove and coriander yeast notes. Really tasty.

F – Light-to-medium-bodied with good carbonation, a creamy but crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, and a slightly sweet and spicy finish.

O – This is another tasty and drinkable beer from Bell’s. I like all these refreshing wheat beers serving as winter seasonals. There are plenty of big and hearty beers out there during the cold months. These are a nice change of pace and make me think of warmer weather – never a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 04:13:56 | More by BlackBelt5112203

Ryanm1

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

Pour with a small amount of white lacing that disappated rather quickly. A small amount of carbonation continually bubbled to the surface. Displayed a bit of cloudyness through the glass, but no left over yeast.

Lemon citrusy smell. Common to most belgians. Yellowy gold in color.

Very lemony taste typical wheat beer taste. 5.0% abv. Very refreshing. Slightly sweet. I'd reach for another, but then again I am a huge wheat beer fan. On par with other German Weiss beers. Great on the palate evervescent.

Very similiar to Trade Joe's wheat beer, almost ashamed to admit that I'd like something like that but if you look at this beer and that beers ratings they are almost identical.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 02:31:25 | More by Ryanm1

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz.

Pours a light lemony yellow gold, slightly hazy, with a white lacing.

Smells of lemon, candi sugar and coriander.

Tastes like sweet lemon and coriander with light grassy malts.

Medium body with light tingles of carbonation on the roof of the mouth.

A nice, light witbier, good flavor, easy to drink, and sessionable. Good, would have again.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 23:42:28 | More by Cylinsier

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a murky orange with a one finger white frothy head that half dissipates. Left no lacing.

S - Lemon peel, Orange peel, Wheat.

T - Basically the same as the smell. Lemon peel up front, Stale orange in the middle and a very wheaty finish.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O - Overall, It's alright. Definitely not even in the top ten for Bell's though.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 20:56:53 | More by SometimesIfart

mattkoon

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

bell's winter white ale-
this beer pours a a pale cloudy. it has a yellowish tint- looks good. the taste is spicy with a light citrus. this is a really refreshing beer- not as dark and robust as a lot of winter seasonals. this is a really drinkable winter ale. i actually did some yard work this morning and came inside and cracked this open- turned out to be a really good choice, this is a good afternoon, lighter beer. its fresh flavored, who says you have to have dark beer in the winter anyways?

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 18:51:56 | More by mattkoon

barnzy78

Illinois

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've had this before in the past, but it's been awhile. Pours a cloudy tangerine color (looks almost like freshly squeezed orange juice), thinner head than expected, but it leaves some lacing on the glass. Aromas are yeasty, orange, wheat. Tastes are nice with fruity Belgian yeast esters, wheat, orange zest, white peppery spiciness. I thought I could taste coriander, but apparently there's none used in the brewing process. Mouth-feel is nearly full-bodied while being creamy and smooth. Overall, better than I remember, and one of the better American brewed witbiers.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 02:27:18 | More by barnzy78

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is very hazy light pale yellow in color and has a high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high bright white head that died down but consistently left a thin but dense layer of bubbles covering the surface along with lots of lacing running down the sides of the glass.
S: The smell has light to moderate aromas of wheat along with some hints of spices—cloves seem to stand out in particular.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has some notes of lemony citrus and hints of bananas.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The spices in the taste seem to lend a bit of dryness to the finish.
O: This beer is rather easy to drink but lacks any refreshing and thirst-quenching properties. However, the added flavors of spices seem to make this a nice choice to drink if you want to enjoy a witbier during the winter.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 00:40:42 | More by metter98

KajII

North Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

[Suggested Glassware: Weizen Glass]

The pour was a hazy yellow with and orange/brown hue and a large (2-3 finger) white fizzy head that quickly diminished, down to a thin puddled film with a medium collar and had fair spotty lacing.

The aroma was of a light grain malt and a funky Belgian yeast with notes of citrus (orange) and coriander.

The taste was lightly sweet and very yeasty with a bold citrus presence throughout, with the finish having a slightly bitter citrus peel bite along with a hint of spice towards the end. The flavor lasted an average duration proceeding the swallow, with a light spicy bitterness left behind.

Mouthfeel was light in body and dry in texture with a mildly soft carbonation.

Overall this was a pretty tasty Witbier that had a lot of citrus flavor, which worked very well with the funky spicy yeast taste...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 15:45:55 | More by KajII

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Slightly less than a finger's worth of crispy fizzy pure white head that quickly fizzles away leaving only a small splotch of lacing in the center of the glass and a slight collar... The color is a vibrant pale gold with some faint amber highlights... There is a definite haziness that lingers throughout... Mostly still with just a couple of stray rapid paced carbonation streaks...

S - Big aroma... A big whiff of Belgian yesat... Lots of wheat... Honey... A bit of clove... Banana...

T - Lots of straw and grassy notes... Lemon zest... The Belgian yeast is muted on the palate... Unripened bananas... Just a touch of honey... Light artificial sweetener... The flavors are a bit muddled and really don't compliment one another...

M - Medium bodied... Light fizzy carbonation... A bit chalky throughout... A slightly dry finish...

D - An average at best Witbier... There's nothing wrong per se, but this one falls short of my expectations for both Bell's and the style... An interesting winter interpretation, but nothing more... I can't recommend in good conscience and likely won't indulge in again myself...

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:15:31 | More by philbe311

tectactoe

Michigan

3.76/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a faint yellow-amber color, cloudy and almost completely opaque. The first thing you notice on the nose is a hefty helping of wheat and yeast, certainly making a lot of sense for a witbier. This is appropriately followed up by a handful of kitchen spices; clove, coriander, and some light citrus and orange zest. The taste plays a little heavier on the spice side at first, transitioning to the citrus and fruit-like undertones more towards its second half. The spice isn't overpowering by any means, it's actually quite refreshing. When the citrus makes its appearance, it provides a great balance and certainly boosts the drinkability by a large margin. The hops come along and add a perfect amount of bitterness, helping with the balance of the malt and wheat sweetness combo. Yeast, as expected, is noticeable at nearly all times, but plays more of a background supporting role. Medium body, medium-high amount of carbonation.

Overall, a very good witbier. Packed with a nice array of flavors thanks to a decent contribution from malt, wheat, yeast, and hops all at once. Nice amount of spice, balanced by a subtle wheat sweetness and a blend of citrus and hops. Not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 12:39:52 | More by tectactoe

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a cloudy to hazy light to medium golden yellow in color with some light amounts of orange highlights and moderate amount of gentle visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall white head that slowly reduces to a small patch of medium sized bubbles, a very thin film covering almost the entire surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of wheat with light to moderate notes of citrus and spices (mostly coriander). Very subtle notes of banana/clove.

T: Light to moderate flavors of wheat with just a touch of bready malts. Lightly sweet with notes of coriander and citrus (specifically orange peel). Almost a touch of lemon pepper in the finish and banana/clove.

M: Light bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drink and enjoyable - light in mouthfeel and with pleasant flavors and aromas. Definitely able to be a session beer. Some aspects of a hefeweizen in addition to the traditional witbier flavors/smells.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 00:13:05 | More by dbrauneis

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

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

Bottle from Sicilianos, 12oz into a tulip. Batch 11537, bottled Oct 10/12.

Hazy orange/straw yellow, finger of white head with medium retention and ok lace. Nose pops with some wheat, very subtle spice and some citrus zest. Good bit of banana as well. Taste has more wheat and pale malt, a bit of banana, light coriander and yeast flavours. Medium body with a bit of texture/chew. Medium high carb, appropriate for the style. Quite tasty, I'd session this if I had a case in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 02:15:43 | More by liamt07

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Bell's imperial pint.
5% ABV, 11509 PKGD 09/27/12

A - Poured, swirled in sediment, and topped off the pint, White Winter Ale is a gorgeous, totally cloudy deep straw yellow color that's crowned by a short-lived white head. The frothy foam sinks to a skim without much of a trace.

S - Crisp as the cold winter air, this beer's aroma has a fresh appeal that's reminiscent of a clean snowfall in the woods. Soft wheat and grainy pale malt support the beer's zesty spice nose which offers faint banana esters, white clay, pepper, coriander, and citrus peel. Aromatic and inviting!

T - Balance is at the forefront of the flavor, reeling the spiciness back and offsetting it with a kiss of sweet pilsner malt alongside the soft wheat and pale base. Banana still seems open in spice though, lightly overshadowing the clay, coriander, and citrus zest.

M - Carbonation cuts through the wheat's smooth, soft feel for a sharp tingle which lasts through the light-bodied beer's body to it's dry and crisp finish.

O - Bell's Winter White might not be a hearty, rich, high alcohol brew loaded with holiday spice, but this classic features just enough heft and yeast profile to provide a witbier unlike it's summer counterparts. When you're looking for an escape from the bold and strong beers of the season, look no further.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 00:17:51 | More by BeerFMAndy

rlee1390

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear orange, not much carbonation, one finger head that doesn't last long

S-Overpowering metallic notes. Orange, lemon, wheat and poor balance.

T-Much better than the nose. The metallic notes aren't there. Orange, lemon and wheat balance it out. Some clove and even a tad bit of grass.

M-Medium bodied, nice carbonation.

O-The nose was wayy off. The taste was much better but there isn't much reason to drink this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 22:08:13 | More by rlee1390

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured this Witbier from a bottle into a pint glass. Poured a light golden color, produced a white head, retention was below average. The aroma consisted of light malted grain, banana, clove and lemon citrus. Light in body, a base of malted wheat, with yeast flavors of banana, citric lemon, and spicy clove. Overall decent beer, nice session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 20:58:09 | More by GossageBrewery