A Beer After Three Days

Posted on June 11, 2010 by mike

I came out of institutionalization today to a drizzly mid day. I have to be honest, it was exactly how I felt. Things have been depressing and quite frankly, crappy all around. But I was struck with a realization that pierced my brain and instantly cheered me up. I had been on a three day hiatous from drinking because of the medical study I was about to partake in. I’m no alcoholic, I just enjoy drinking. LOL. Anyway, I knew tonight I was going to get an opportunity to have a nice tasty brew again. I decided what better way to celebrate the 20th episode, than with a well deserved, tasty brew from Bell’s. So today, I review Bell’s Oberon.

Review of Bells Oberon

Review of Bell’s Oberon Ale

Packaging

You can’t miss this one! Bright blue and orange. I spotted this puppy a mile away in its brand new display at the beer store. Oberon just became available in my area and I’m very happy to see it. For those that don’t know, in the graphic design world blue and orange is a trendy combination right now and this is a prime example. I’m from the Sublime generation and this design talks right to me. Beyond that, the design insinuates this beer to be a great summer drink. Which makes sense, its the summer seasonal.

Appearance

Golden to deep straw colored. My head wasn’t all that great, but the lacing is nice. A bit cloudy if you can’t stop the pour in time before the yeast begin to come out.

Smell

I get a pinch of citrus, yeast, malt and wheat. I don’t get a lot of hops. It does seem to have a very balanced smell. A little bit of everything that makes up the beer.

Taste

Bell's OberonIt is pleasant. What I like most about this beer is it really feels like a hybrid of a pale ale, which I love and a wheat beer, such as a hefeweizen. I enjoy a good hefe but can never seem to make a night out of them. They get a little to fruity and spicy for me. The mixture here is really good, providing a nice citrus hop character and sweet malty character as it washes over my tongue, but making it a bit more complex with the hop bitterness and wheat and fruitiness from the yeast. I absolutely appreciate the up front sweetness with a bit of a dry finish.

Mouthfeel

Surprisingly crisp with a decent amount of carbonation. It hangs on the tongue a little bit as it absorbs into your tiny little taste buds.

Drinkability

For a summer ale, it’s spot on. I think the hop character of the Saaz hops that are used within this brew make it a complex combination of a wheat beer, pale ale with a touch of Pilsner character, all of which combine to make an enjoyable summer session brew. I could eat this with hot dogs or fish and it would compliment it perfectly.

Overall

You gotta try it if you have not. I don’t think its a conversion beer for macro peeps, but it could definitely surprise a macro drinker with its complexity and drinkablilty. Very good in my opinion.

How bout you?

What do you think? Good or no good? Have you made a session of it? Let me know!

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  • Scott Shrewsberry
    This beer looks very enticing. If I can find it, I will definitely pick it up. Looks like it would be right up my alley.

    Scott
  • mikebiewer
    Scott,

    I think you might like it. I know I do. I'm actually thinking about trying to clone the recipe for my next brewing session. I just can't seem to figure out what yeast they are using. Let me know if you try it. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it as well!

    Thanks for the comment.

    Mike
  • Jez
    You should try the Wyeast 1010. It's a bit spritzy. Otherwise, use the Wyeast 1056 or Safale US-05. Some non-descript pale ale yeast. They apparently use their house yeast for this, so I would gather that you're going to have to settle for "close enough" unless you can culture a yeast from their bottles.
  • mikebiewer
    I have thought of harvesting the yeast to do it. We'll see though. I kind of want to find a way that doesn't require that so if anyone else on the internet stumbles across my site they can make it even if they don't have access to Bell's. I could give the 1010 a try. I'm not sure about the 1056, I think the 1272 is a more clean and crisp American Ale yeast, but we'll see. I did see the Safale US-05 in a recipe recommendation, but no one can confirm a good clone of this. At least, not that I have seen.

    I'll tell ya how it turns out when I get around to making it. Its an expensive kit to put together on its own. Almost $60...

    Anyway, thanks for the input.

    Mike
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