Bells Christmas Ale

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

Serve in Thistle

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Had no understanding of product position, simply saw and bought as a seasonal ale. Found myself wanting more and will probably buy more. Enjoyed the citrus / pine hints... very well balanced. If I was looking for a heavier scottish ale, this would not have fit the bill, but very pleasant surprise to the strong brand that is Bell’s.

I loved this beer and I can’t give you tasting notes because i didn’t take notes and around the time i had it, this website was under construction. Anyway, Fantastic retraint and very true. This is real beeer and one for those who love those balanced beers from the British iles. Nice light sipper with nice grain complexity and pure flavors. This is not fruity tuity and over the top like all the west cost stuff. This is a great session ale. At first it seems to light, but be patient because theres alot of intrigue here fot patient people.

Found this one bottled at Lundeen’s in Sycamore, Illinois. Nice, clear, copper-red pour with a thick, eggshell head. Very nice complex maltiness and spiciness in the nose. Spice continues in the flavor, strong maltiness with nutmeg and clove strong. Very nice, strong finish. An excellent seasonal from an excellent brewery.

Wow am I going against the grain on this one. I had this on cask at Romans Pub. Ridiculously smooth body with an extremely balanced spiciness from the hops. Nice copper body with a velvet texture. This was really good. Very nice malt.

The ratings for this beer make me want to cry. This is exactly what a "scotch ale" should be. Rich, warm, biscuity, doughy malts, some caramel, light honey, just a touch of dark fruit and pleasantly hoppy. Well balanced, well integrated. Light on the palate without being the least bit thin, moderate but gentle carbonation. I could drink this everyday.

orangeish red pour with a nice frothy head. aroma off the glass of fresh malt, sweet fruit and some faint hop’s. lighter bodied, creamy on your tongue. malt/cherry up front with a creamy slight hop finish. different take on the style but a very enjoyable beer!

Before starting off this review, I have to say that I absolutely love the bottle artwork. (I’ve had this from the bottle as well.) A: Red-amber color with a pretty creamy head. Good lacing. S: Caramel and malt with a decent amount of hops. T: Good taste; very interesting. Big fan of the modifications to the style. M: Good balance and a nice body to it. Good amount of carbonation. D: Quite drinkable. Much better on tap than in the bottle. I’m looking forward to having this one again next year.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. pours a dark orange almost hazy amber. Minimal head. Malty aroma. Maybe some hints of grape or figs. Malty characters start to finish. Very smooth and easy to drink. Another winner from bells. 

OK Nice beer. I for one am not the biggest Bells fan in the world but have to try new ones when I can. I put this on tap at the Union and when I tried it proclaimed it the best Bells beer I’ve had in a long time. Great flavor, slight sweetness, not like most Scotches and pretty hoppy. I was told by the distributor that this was an ESB but I was also told Scotch Ale. Larry Bell was in the day before Thanksgiving and I forgot to ask him. Overall nice drink, perfect for these cold months. Million times better than the Winter White.

Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer poured a bright orange-amber color with a large tan head. The aroma was malty, sweet, toasty, nutty and fruity. The flavor was sweet with strong notes of caramel and fruity hops. There was a nutty, toasty middle with a touch of sweet nutmeg. The finish was long with caramel and nutmeg lingering. Excellent.