Bells Eccentric Ale

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

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.

5-25-08 bottle shared by lb4lb
Semi clear medium brown pour with a decent beige tan head. Really surprising overall for the list of ingredients that it has in it. Smell is figs, brown sugar, malt balls, and so many other things I can’t seem to figure out. Spicy and sweet and cinnamon like and almost fruity too in the flavor. It actually all works well together in the mouth. Well balanced overall and not dreadful by any means.

Appearance: Pours a clear, dark garnet-hued body with a thin, wispy, off-white head. Smell: Sweet-smelling malt aroma with sherry and fruity plum wine. Further notes of brown sugar and ginger. Taste: Deep sweet maltiness with a blending of caramel and sherry. Underlying spiciness, maybe a little bit of ginger, too. Drizzle of plum syrup. Splash of Galliano liqueur. Earthy dark brown sugar. A fairly withdrawn, forgotten hop character only yields a tired touch of resin. Warming, peppery finish. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Decidedly sticky mouthfeel. Drinkability: Scrumptious! Both unique and rather enjoyable (and eccentric).

Bottle in trade from hopdog, I believe. Thanks!
Pours rich brown and opaque. Light small beige head. Smell is like rich, sticky tamarind, fruity, spicy, brown sugar, etc...Taste is sweet and spicy and fruity. Tamarind, cinnamon, sticky caramel on a slightly thick body. Very unique as the name suggests, but it works very well, for a beer brewed with popcorn, and malted milk balls, among many other random things. Good stuff and wouldn’t mind trying again.