Bells Eccentric Ale

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

Thanks DavidP. Has a nice deep dark brown color with a creamy tan head. Strong malty sweet aroma. Has a good body, with the right amount of carbonation. Stronger flavor. Overall, it’s kind of nice.

Thanks Dave for sharing this 2004 vintage item that was on my want list. The aroma is very strong and quite complex. Reminds me of Ferrero Rocher covered in maple syrup and honey that’s been soaking in cognac or brandy. (ok, you caught me, I’ve never had that, but it sounds good, and this is what I imagine that would smell like). The appearance is a nice coppery bronze body with a thin wispy off-white head. The flavor is woody (think bark) with maple syrup and earthen malts/hops. Very woody. The palate is very dry with noticeable carbonation and an alcohol warming the back of the throat. Very impressed.

Thanks to Dave for sharing. dark pour w/ a nice tan head and some good lacing hints of red. Smells big and sweet HUGE malt presence, brown sugar, maple syrup, carmel, very light raisens and plums. Full mouth feel hot spicy well coated lightly carbonated. Flavor is hot first a warm alcohol swallow lots of spice that I can’t place. and a nice sweet finish. Spice might be some light cinnamon, corriander, some yeast, a touch of nut.. mmm

Vintage 2004 thanks pailhead. Beep brow to deep red appearance. aroma was sweet with notes of Figs, dates and nutty. alc was definetly there with plenty of hop aroma. Mouthfeel was greater and richer than a usual barley wine. flavors were sweet fruity and rich carmel malt.

Bottle courtesy of pailhead (big thanks): Bottle conditioned. Pours to an opaque dark brown that almost has some blood red notes to the edges (no it doesn’t look at all like blood). When held to the light it appears in shades of dark brown, ruby, and then straw going towards the edges. Medium particles of yeast are visable in the bottom of the glass. The aroma is roasted caramel, grade B maple syrup, honey, nuts, plums, apples, light alcohol, fruity yeast, mild carrots, and bit of tiny vinous grapes. The taste is sticky sweet pears & plums, but also a roasted/burnt caramel, maple bark, maple syrup, honey-covered nuts, fruity yeast, a hint of salt penuts, hints of apricots, and stewardofgondor gets it right when he says brandy sautéed almonds, and a hint of cocoa. Mediumj-full bodied, medium carbonation, sticky mouthfeel that is just slightly syrupy. Finishes with dry cocoa, maple sap, and a hint of plums later out. I was very excited to try this and it’s decent, but the flavors just don’t work in the end.

Given to me by the excellent staff at Holiday Market in Royal Oak. Taste of malt, roasted nuts, honey, and all kinds of things I cannot name. Very rich beer; as if the Batch series was taken to another,dark level of beer fantasy.Tried to share it with my girlfriend, but she refused. This is a very complex beer that I really enjoyed. I would love to see this released for sale, but I’m sure its price would be up there.

2005 release (2004 bottle.) Syrupy pour to a deep ruby brown color, translucent in light, with a circular, mossy tan head that trails out with galaxy wisps to the sides of the glass. Aroma could start a fire. Alcohol is apparent, and it’s a sinus elixir. Hammering hops join maple syrup and amaretto to pump out the sweet aromatic vibes. Other forceful wafts draw out freesia masking almonds, fruit salad and caramel apples. Flavor is equally dominating. Sweet, thick, syrupy hop train takes command. Nectar nodes, apricot chews and double-indoctrinated maple syrup McGriddles buns continue the eccentric evolution. Alcohol is discernable, but it’s so hoppy that it’s merely a footnote. Nuances and character number in the hundreds. Other flavor revelations bring out scores of brandy sautéed almonds, which are then pitched into a pool of caramel that’s traditionally reserved for apple dipping. Sticky, smacking and a raucous good time on the palate. Balance favors hops, but it’s a melodious endeavor. Finish is marked by a glow at the throat while figs and apricots get pulled from a honey pool that’s now forever a part of them, and it’s currently submitting its application for acceptance as one of the seven servings of fruits a day. This was 12-ounces of sheer mayhem and delight.

Dark red in color. Huge spice, anise, curry, and honeyed nose. Rich and complex with long lingering flavors of the spices and a barley wine like body with lots of hops and alcohol. Not quite sure what it is about it but I like it.