Bells Best Brown Ale

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Brown Ale
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Shaker

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Bottle. Head is initially average sized, frothy, light brown, mostly diminishing. Body is light to medium brown. Aroma is lightly malty (toasted grain/bread, caramel), lightly to moderately hoppy (herbs, flowers). Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium body, watery/velvety texture, lively carbonation. A very easy-drinkin’, well-balanced brown ale. There’s not too much going on in the nose, especially malt-wise (it’s more hoppy than malty, but thankfully the hop nose is very herbal/spicy/floral, not a crude resin-bomb), but it’s ok, not unattractive and no flaws. I wish the nose was as enjoyable as the flavor balance, and it’s too bad the ABV isn’t lower because at 4.5% or so this would be a terrific session beer.

Couleur brune légère, col est blanc-cassé. Arôme, poudre de châtaigne est bien prononcé, malt, grains. Goût, malt grillé est fin, effervescente, fini garde une approche de châtaigne, caramel, biscuité, sec au palais avec qcq notes de chocolat. Palais reste un peu faible et léger. Arrière goût a une note subtile de houblon qui néanmoins reste bien cachée.

Bottle. Pours a brown body with a lighter tan head. Aroma is sweet malt, fruit and earthy. Flavor is that but the flavor also yields the low abv with this delicate malt blend.

Light amber brown color with a nice head that prevails over time and light stagnant lacing. Aroma is mainly hoppy, but slightly musky with a touch of malt in the end of the nose. Flavor is spicy with a light nutty malt presence, mainly hoppy in this brown though. Not quite to style, but you get the idea. Thanks ClarkVV

Nice medium brown color and large tan head, great lace. Sweet and nutty aroma. Fruity addition to the taste. Smooth balance between sweet maltiness and bitter hoppiness. Among the better brown ale out there, recommended.

12-oz. Pours a murky and very dark brown with a billowing, fluffy off-white head. Somewhat soapy nose, soft cookie dough and caramel notes in there as well. Somewhat watery and fairly light body, a bit slippery, very soft carb. Earth, caramel, and soap on the mid-palate. Mild finish.

UPDATED: DEC 23, 2005 Kind of a flat brown ale. I was disappointed, ’cause the Kalamazoo folk turn out some fine ales. The coloring was a clear light brown, but there was little carbonation and almost no head. The aroma was neligible and the flavor was dull and uninteresting.

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On tap at Hop Leaf Chicago (second visit). Dark brown, light brown head. Toasty malty aroma, hints of fruity esters. Toasty malt flavours, also a creamy nuttiness(macadamia?), with hints of hard-to-pin-down fruity undertones. Interesting.

(Bottle, Akkurat, Stockholm, 16 Apr 2010) Dark brownish amber colour with a huge, beige head. Malty, nutty nose with notes of caramel, dark fruit, dark bread and a hint of citrus. Malty, slightly toasted taste with dark fruit, dark bread, nuts and a touch of citrus in the finish. Medium body, balanced bitterness, slightly sweetish. Not the best from Bells, but a nice and tasty brown ale

Bottle. Pours brown with off white head. Nose/taste of sweet malt, grains, caramel and light cocoa. Medium body. Smooth and a bit dry in the finish.