Bells Batch 8000 Ale

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

12oz bottle from CaptainCougar. Pours a deep golden bronze that is very cloudy (can barely see the shadow of a finger through it when held up to the light). An immense white head forms at first, but fades to a thin, spotted layer that leaves a little bit of lace on the glass. The spots are uneven size and are reminiscent of pancake batter (as the baking powder causes bubbles to form in the uncooked batter). The aroma is thick and fruity - tropical fruits with citrus/lemon, hints of other soft fruits, some coriander, and a touch of star anise. There is also a noticeable dose of alcohol in the aroma. The flavor starts bready on the tip of the tongue and then fruity with a hint of spice on the sides. The spice must be grains of paradise: peppery and citrusy with a slightly astringent, medicinal flavor. Slight bitterness begins to roll in around the sides of the tongue, too. The middle of the palate detects a big wallop of wheat - soft and grainy. There are notes of bitter citrus peel at mid palate as well. The finish is spicy, fruity, and almost hot with alcohol. I think it is merely "warm" with alcohol, but the peppery bitterness combines with the ethanol to make a very sharp taste in the finish. A buzz comes quickly (even on a full stomach) - and after a few sips, the flavor of ethanol seems omnipresent all over the tongue. The mouthfeel is very full in body and feels rich and sudsy from the carbonation - almost velvety. The carbon dioxide level is high and tickles all over the tongue. Overall, an interesting and complex beer, but far from a favorite...

Bottle: Dirty straw, extremely cloudy, moderate to large frothy off-white head, sticky lacing.   Big Grains of Paradise on the nose, some citrus peel and Coriander.   Smells somewhat like an Imperial Witbier.   Tastes like an Imperial Witbier, heavily spiced on the tongue.   Wheaty malt base that is quite heavy.   While it is spicy, it isn’t sharp or bright.   Pretty hefty, moderate to full bodied.   Semi-sweet finish, some dulled citrus peel, with lingering Grains of Paradise and Coriander.   Definitely on the spicy side.   Good, but wouldn’t mind if they toned down the spices just a tad.   Otherwise glad to have tried it.   Thanks Chris for the bottle!

Bottle from ucusty. Thanks dude! Strong Tripel/Wit/Strong Golden aroma. Coriander, wheat, light citrus, yeast. Interesting. More or less it tastes like an Imperial Belgian Wit. Wheat, oranges, spice. Very enjoyable and drinkable. Damn good. Tasty.

Bottle from Secret Santa. Golden color pour, very hazy. Banana, clove, coriander and some citrus aromas. Wheat, some yeast, banana, and spicy flavors. Did not know that this was 9% abv, but that probably contributed to the slightly thicker mouthfeel of this one. Very well made wheat beer.

12 oz. bottle shared by illini08, thanks. pours a thick orangey-yellow with a decent headflavor is full of citrus, banana, clove and coriander. flavor profile is very sweet, a bit cloying with a thick and rich mouth-feel. decent, but not something I could drink on a regular basis.

A Mes rate: 355ml bottle at Steve’s Xmas booze up.
Amber gold with a swiftly dissipating head that settles to a bubbly rim. Clear coriander and orange in the aroma with plenty of alcohol plus some wheat and yeast. It’s the type of smell you know so well but it really works here. Dangerously drinkable, the alcohol is hidden expertly well. Flavours of malt,wheat, citrus with a strong spirit type finish. Bags of character and flavour. Good beer.

Draft. Deep yellow-orange color. Hazy and cloudy, like a liquid orange peel. Citrusy, apricot, coriander distinctive and clear in the aroma, esp the apricot scent that lingers in the nostrils. Flavoring mirrors the aroma in balance and strength (always like when that happens) - especially pleasant as it warms. Nice pour.

Pours thick, hazy, suspension-laden orangish pink with a diminutive white head. Very pleasant aroma of orange, citrus, and very faint coriander. Flavor is really really nice. Taste the orange, has morphed into something akin to grapefruit. Faint hint of the seeds of paradise as well. Wonderful. Recommend this one as long as you can get it.