Bells Batch 8000 Ale

Formerly brewed at Bells Brewery
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Pours orange with minimal white head. Aroma of some malt, hop, and orange. Taste much the same. Not what I think of when it comes to Bells Batches. Good beer, but nothing too special.

Bottle thanks to Paul... well first off, I don’t do well with these big witt beers. or any wheat beers for that matter. As I somewhat expected, this was not for me. Too alcoholic, which made it nowhere near quenching and was rather unenjoyable (drain pour). Just not my style at all. Imperial wheat is a def a love/hate. I’ve had 7000 - which was superior by a longshot. 3 flat rating for rating 300!

Just because the abv is higher doesn’t mean this shouldn’t be classified other than a Belgian Wit Bier in my opinion.. and a good well balanced one at that. Bells rarely disappoints.

Pours a hazy, deep gold color with thin white head. Aroma is of coriander, light pepper, alcohol, and orange peel. Taste is citrus and coriander upfront with the peppery notes coming thru the finish along with some alcohol and light toasted malt. This beer reminded me of La Fin Du Monde quite a bit. Good? Definitely. However these beer seems unoriginal.

This was a huge surprise. I was expecting a beer more like the previous batches. Rich. Malty. Almost a barley wine. This one is more like Bell’s Sparkling Ale. A Belgian style! After waiting for this one, I want to say, nice. You shocked me. Then I think: is this al that different from a beer you already make? Still, it is good; Bell’s does not let you down.

Bottle - Pours cloudy orange, white head. Much wheat malt notability. Aroma of wheat, citrus, grass, hops, spice. I liked the balance of malt and hops. Flavors of wheat malt, yeast, orange peel, spice, hops, grass, and hint of fruit. IMO it was different from the other BSAs I’ve had. Not any better or worse, but different. I liked it overall and would drink it again.

Pours cloudy orange with lots of floaties and a small fizzy head that peters out quickly. Resolves to no head, no lacing. Strong aroma of candy sugar, organe peel, banana, yeast, spices and flowery perfume. Full flavor is bitter and somewhat astringent...improves as my mouth adapts with successive sips, but is still rather unrefined and messy and not very pleasant. Finshes dry and bitter. A letdown after the promising aroma. Medium bodied, smooth, with good fine carbonation and nice warming. This one is kind of interesting, but not necessarily in a good way. Drinkable.

big thanks to dukefan for picking these up and holding onto to ’em for a while. pours hazy orange with small white head. nose is wheaty, orangy, and spicy. flavor is nicely balanced with sweet wheaty taste and hints of orange and light coriander. really tasty and very well done. not sure if there’s really any flaws in it. along the lines of the wheat series for sure. mouth feel is light. no alcohol noticed at all. part a me wishes the 1k batch would always be cellarable. solid but disappointing for this to be a batch 1k as it should just be a regular or seasonal offering.