Bells Batch 8000 Ale

A rich orangey gold with a thin offwhite to cream colored head. Smells like something between a belgian strong ale in the Gouden Carolus mold and Sam Adams summer ale. The grains of paradise and orange peel shine through, as do some hints of wheaty esters. The coriander is there, but not huge. Very sweet. Big malt backbone. I feel it’s at odds with the orange peel. Syrupy in the mouth with a very substantial mouthfeel. A big sweet sticky mess! A little boozy, dominated by the sickening sweetness over some strong ass grains of paradise. Citrus comes through with a huge mouth warming burningness. I think this could use some serious mellowing to become drinkable. Definitely needs some sort of oak to help balance this out, as the spice is overkill and still doesn’t manage to do the job. This is hardly recognizable as having wheat in it, though some esters manage into the alcohol ladel finish. This is a very disappointing effort from Bells, particularly after their 7000!

Another beer with a cool smoke effect when poured. A cloudy yellow gold. Had a few white chunks flying around in my glass as well. The first thing I thought was an Imperial Belgian. Hints of orange and a sweet finish. Very easy to drink - killed five of them within a couple hours lol.

Pours a mostly clear medium orange-gold with a fine, thin, off-white head. The sweet, fruity, alcoholic aroma expresses significant spice notes and some mild "Belgian" fermentation characteristics. The flavor is very similar to Bell’s Oberon Ale, though in this case it has been "amped-up" with more spice, malt, and alcohol sweetness without much bitterness. The body is quite full overall, yet still has an uncanny lightness to it as well--it is rich but not heavy--full-flavored and easy-drinking despite its strength.

At first the alcohol comes through way to strong drowning the malt, and almost the spice hop. A few drinks in, and it only gets better from there. Orange peel, and coriander throughout and a spicey finish.

Pretty huge beer here. Very spicy, the coriander and orange peel are very apparent. Huge malty flavor and creamy full body. Very happy to have sampled this one time beer.

GABF ’07. Pours hazy yellow with a small, fizzy, off-white head, spare lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (hay, straw, meal), average hops (herbs, grass), average yeast (horse blanket, earth) with notes of banana. Medium bodied, sticky texture, soft carbonation, and a bitter finish. Average duration, light sweetness, moderate acidity and bitterness.

Heavily cloudy straw color huge white head, thick lacing. Belgian yeast bread, clove, white peppers. Full well coated creamy palate. Nice wheaty, bready, yeasty, sweet sugars, cloves, allspice, white pepper, delicious stuff.

Bottle courtesy of Piscator34. Thanks Kris! Pours out a hazy orange amber with fluffy off white head and excellent lacing. Nose is orange and honey. Taste- quite spicy. The coriander is quite forward. Wheat malts shine through and there is a cookie dough quality to this beverage. Very creamy mouthfeel that dries at the finish. A little hotness is detected but overall, booze is very much hidden. Sweetness is quite managable and isn’t annoying. It is a heavy brew, and I don’t think I could get a bomber of this down. Interesting take on the style and glad I got a relatively fresh bottle.