Bells Eccentric Ale

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

2002 - So I was at Eccentric day too, but somehow missed Michael - our ships too crazily attired slipped by in the night? That was the only disappointment - Bell’s puts out a great spread and the costumes were hilarious. Oh, the beer? Though I’m no weizenbock expert, It seemed rather weizenbocky to me, actually, full and fruity with the herbal bitterness blasting around indiscriminately and a heady sense of alcohol rounding the punches.

On tap at Bell’s in Kzoo. At first blush, as only a couple of dozen eccentrics were around, this was sweet. My first beer at the place. It warms in a nice snifter. It is still...sweet. And heavy in the mouth. Then there is vanilla, and oak, and then, after 30 minutes, the most incredible coriander pepper explosion. And it was still sweet. A great way to start the drinking day. Happiness abounds. A thick hearty beer as winter begins in Michiogan. Ahhhh...If only it wasn’t so damned...sweet!

2002 batch:Wow. This is killer stuff. Because they only sell this one day of the year at the brewery only, I had make a little journey. This was a whopping 25 dollars a six pack. The guy at Bells said it had 1000 dollars of corriander seeds in the batch. The taste of this brew is very strange and complex. So is its aroma. The only thing my taste buds can discern is the hops. All the other crazy flavors are a mystery to me. All I know is that its good.

This beer tastes just like a roll of 5 flavor life-savers, after someone else has picked out all but the green ones.

UPDATED: JUL 15, 2003 (7/14/03 -- 2000 Vintage): Murky brown body with small off-white head. Aroma is sweet (molasses), light grapefruit, and ginger. Taste is sweet, rich, caramel, big malty, grapefruit hoppy, vinous, some ginger, barleywinish -- damned fine aged beer. (11/14/02): (2001 Vintage?) Muddy brown body. Aroma of grapefruit and ginger. Flavor is ginger, with some bitterness. Not to be consumed in large quantities. (6/3/5/3/11)

Of seven people at my table, I’m the only one who liked this. Cloudy auburn brew. Nose is dark fruit and several other weird, undefinable things. First burst of flavor is like wassail, a rush of spicy cider. Sour cherry fruitiness follows, with plums and gingersnaps. It’s like drinking Christmas.

UPDATED: DEC 17, 2003 New Rating 2003 As you can see from the rating below, the 2003 batch of Eccentric really improved over my previous tasting. A complete departure from the 2001. TheHoff hits the appearance best by likening it to apple cider ... real British apple cider (think Old Scrumpys) not the candy sold in the U.S. The sweetness would be over the top if not for the truckloads of citrusy hops. Devestatingly well put together, warming, and warm greeting to the holiday season, this is one damn nice brew. Previous Rating 2001 Ar: 9 Ap: 5 F: 8 P: 3 O: 14 The bottle I tried was from the 2001 release of Eccentric. Bell's changes the recipe every year, so I wouldn't expect to see a whole lot of uniformity of reviews. This batch contained virtually no carbonation. Definitely oily thick and a multitude of flavors combatting for attention throughout the first sip; some of the winners include: licorice and soy (I know it sounds strange, but I could taste soy!) There are really few words to describe this beer and it invents a style of its own. This is a beer to drink outside during a snow storm ... not quite sure why, but that's where it would taste best.

Bottle. Not even a hint of a head when poured. It is a solid brown color. A nice banana bread aroma with alcohol and lots of spice. Wow! What is this flavor? No carbonation, pours like swamp water, tastes warm even when cold. The alcohol whacked me upside the head and warmed me immediately (and I’ve been drinking lots of high abv beers recently). Let me take a stab: ginger, honey, coriander, and banana. Lots of hops and malt. By the end of the glass I was a convert, but you have to give it some time. This is good stuff!

I enjoyed them with Funk and while I was expecting something a bit more we’re cellaring these beauties for about 4 years so we’ll get back to you then.

I finaly got some, HELL YHEA! Waited all year and it was worth it. I had one while opening presents. Has a sharp almost vinager smell to it. This beer came up and punches you right in the taste buds. Had citrus notes and you can really taste the alcohol. I have three left and me brother and i plan to age them for a long time.