Bells Eccentric Ale

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

’04 vintage at the GTMW. Murky brown pour with a thin tan head. Mint, caramel aroma. Flavor was mint, anise, caramel, pine cones, cherry, earth. Medium carbonation, really interesting.

Special tapping around 4pm at GTMW ’08. Sampled on draught, pours a clear dark amber brew with a thin off-white head that quickly dissipates to a fine film and off-white ring. Aroma of caramel malt, dark pitted fruits, brown sugar, alcohol, cherry and a touch of mint. Taste is medium bodied, very light carbonation with flavors of dry caramel malt, some wintergreen, citrus, dark pitted, burnt brown sugar, and a touch of cherry. Finish is high alcohol warmth with a mild caramel malt and brown sugar aftertaste that slowly disappears. I didn’t get a high volume of hops profile per older ratings but it was quite enjoyable.

2004 Batch at GTMW. This is a beer I’ve always wanted and was really let down. The main thing that turned me off about this was the overwhelming alcohol presence. From the aroma to the taste to the burn down the back of your throat, this was just all about alcohol, and I’m guessing a lot of it. The good parts about it was the body and mouthfeel, other than that I wouldn’t go out of my way to try this beer again.

2006 Eccentric Ale: Wow. This one will leave you pondering. t\The nose is wonderful, and yet confusing. Silky and dark with a lingering head of dark tan. It tastes of coffee, then sweet malt. It is very complex. There is definitely a lot going on here. I dont know if im picking out the popcorn or the malt balls. there is somthing vegetal, but it mingles perfectly. A slight bite on the back of the palate just to remind you you are drinking something special.

2005 bottle courtesy of my man Greg. Clear amber body with a light khaki head. Nose is very minty, took me by surprise actually, but it smells very good and works well with the beer. Other than that we have assorted spices, caramel malts and some earthy tones. Flavor profile drops a little of the mint notes, it’s still there in the background, but this show is carried by the spices and fruity/earthy notes, then sweet caramel. Medium bodied, luscious and a treat to drink, especially considering the style. Finish is lengthy, caramel, spice and mint ride into the finish. Awesome brew.

Courtesy of tbd975. The 2005 vintage brew poured deep clear amber with tan head. The aroma is sweetness with a mild level of ripe cherries then a descent load of caramel, some mint leaves, earthiness, herbal, a bit of pine, berries, ginger and rosemary. Wow. The aromatics are all smooth and blended creating an inviting-enticing nose. The taste starts sweet turning caramel candy and seems to turn berry-cherry sweet. Some of the herbal spice notes noticed in the nose are there too but more subdued. I get pine mixing with ginger, mint and a hint of rosemary. The taste is as smooth and blended and delicious as the nose led onto. Very nice.

Thanks to CaptainCougar at the Cougar release. Aroma of dried fruit with hints of cheery, brown sugar and molasses. Brown with hints of red. A very warm beer with large tones of dried fruit. Semi sweet with spices and cherries on the flavor as well. Solid mouthfeel and carbonation. Full well rounded beer that is warm full bodied with a good clinging like bitter. A beer from my wants list. Thanks Tom.

2005 Bottle courtesy tpd975. Pours a clear amber with a small off-white head. Aroma of herbs, spices, sweet caramel, and spearmint. Taste is sweet malt, caramel, spices, and spearmint. Medium full mouthfeel with a mild to moderate amount of bitterness. Very good.