Bells Best Brown Ale

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

Aroma of almonds, light cocoa and brown sugar. Appearance is murky brown with tan head that didn’t last long. Flavor of almond, brown sugar, molasses and toffee. Palate is bubbly and creamy. A good representation of the style, but nothing special for me.

Good sized foamy head and a well-laced glass. Nice owl on the label - for some reason I find owls to be totally appropriate for promoting brown ale. Full aroma of herbs, malt, yeast, and sweat (unfortunately). A malty brew with sweet undertones and a touch of hazelnut. There is a lightly astringent hop finish that is very nice on the palate. This is a tasty and complex ale. I’m not sure it is the best, but it is definitely up there. My favorite BA so far is Samuel Smith, which to my disappointment is only ranked 43 for the style as of this writing. But this here Best Brown is another top notch release from Bell’s.

Poured from bottle into tall glass. Medium brown with a slight orangish cast. Moderate tan colored head that leaves nice rings down the glass. Aroma of toast, caramel, fruit, English hops and some nuttiness. Smells fairly dry. Most of the rich smell fades, leaving a dry malt smell. Slightly sweet caramel and toasted malt countered with a decent level of English spicy hops for a Brown Ale. Some nut flavor is evident but not a lot. A little bit of a fruity aftertaste that I am not super fond of. Moderate carbonation, medium body, somewhat dry finish (only somewhat because of the aftertaste). Very solid example of a traditional Brown Ale. If it wasn’t for the aftertaste, this would be top-notch.

Comes out of the tap a semi-transparent chocolaty brown with a fine-bubbled pale tan head. Aroma is of average strength, malty and slightly chocolaty. Rich malty flavor has cocoa undertone along with nutty and caramel hints as well as just a whisper of fine coffee. Texture is thick, fairly smooth and nicely fizzy.

12 oz bottle. mild nose, slightly watery. lingering white head. nice copper color. nice malt character. great.

Pours a dark opaque brownish amber - off white head that leaves light lacing -light aroma consisting mostly of sugar - sweet on the palate - good brew

12oz bottle. hazy brown under a small off-white head. malty aroma with a bit of nuttiness. flavor is moderately sweet with nuts, caramel, a drop of maple syrup, and a nice clean minty hop for balance. medium bodied with a clean finish. solid.

Pours a hazy ruby brown with a few fingers of light, beige, slowly dissipating head. Really nice nutty caramel aroma. Medium mouthfeel, and a nice smokey sweet hazelnut with a slight hint of hops bitterness in the aftertaste. Could be a bit more complex, but still pretty good.