Bell's Eccentric Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottled (Thanks Kalevi). Very deep brown, close to black, colour with a mediumsized beigeish brown head. Aroma is dark dry fruits, some raisins, mild wooden notes as well as some spices and ashes. Flavour is sweet fruits along some burnt sugar, spices, ashes and mild alcohol as well. Still quite easy to drink 11 % beer.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

2006 bottle; Sampled August 2009
A solid pour produces a two finger thick, nicely brown tinged, tan colored head. The beer is a dark brown, concentrated amber color. When held up to the light the beer shows a murky, dark plum color. The aroma smells of richly concentrated malt, dark fruit and even some brandy notes. The dark, concentrated fruit notes are the most prevalent here and remind me of raisins, roasted prunes and some Concord grape notes all of which are a little broiled. There are some spicy notes here that in combination with the warm alcohol produces notes of brandy, dark rum, and more than anything some bourbon-like notes. Underneath the concentrated fruit notes are some richly toasted, brown sugar encrusted, whole grain bread notes. There are some rich earthy notes here, a musty damp cellar like note, perhaps even a touch of lightly oxidized note (but really this could just be the rich fruit character). The nose on this beer is incredibly rich and complex.

Sweet and thick feeling as it first hits my tongue; this isn't quite as sweet as I might have guessed though. The beer finishes with a mix of toasted grain, spicy alcohol, and even a bit of a tongue numbing sensation. Rich, lightly oxidized, deeply caramelized malt character lingers on the tongue and mixes with a concentrated fruit notes of prune, brandy soaked dried figs and rich raisin notes. The tongue numbing in the finish seems to be a mix of alcohol and turpene like effects (even some clove notes). This beer is just incredibly rich, it is quite the sipping brew with lots of strength, though it is not overly hot. A touch of astringency and spice to the finish reminds me of a hint of oak, and perhaps even some oaky Bourbon.

This beer seems to make my ears tingle with warmth. I do wonder what the vegetables add to this beer, and what vegetables were actually used. The beer is not quite as complex in the flavor as it is in the nose. This is a very interesting beer, definitely quite enjoyable. It could perhaps hide its strength just a little bit better, but it is still quite nice.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Batch 6714. This herb/spiced ale pours a dark brown color from a 12oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity, sweet, maple sugar and celery. A medium bodied ale. Malts are fruity and sweet. Lots of other flavors here as well; celery, figs, mint, touch of wood. There is a lot of different flavors going on in this beer. Touch of alcohol bite at 11%. Nice weird, and well. eccentric, beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet, touch of maple syrup.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

Eccentric is right. I don't have a clue what is going on here because there's so much to it. I can say that it's a murky medium brown with an ok head. Wasn't much to look at, but the aroma and flavor made up for it. Lemon and oregano, maybe coriander stuff that I don't even now about. Some alcohol, but the rest of the ingredients keep it in check. Thick, slick mouthfeel. Weird, but I like it.

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 6

Murky, muddy brown. Pour it out and you'd think a catfish could be swimming in it. Has absolutely no head, strong alcohol flavor. The taste has almost a vegetable-like flavor.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Sampled at RFD Washington, part of Beer Gazetteer 2003. Cedar sawdust and sweet cinnamon "spice" the complex and heady aroma. The intriguing flavor profile includes cheese, caviar, and sardines. A hint of licorice is detected in the finish. A well-named ale, brewed annually on the last day of finals. "May not be the same every year, as some of the records are not real concise."

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Pours with a murky brown body with no head or lacing. The aroma is sweet yet slightly sour with fruity/raisony notes, a touch of mint and a little caramel. The flavor is very sweet with dark fruit notes, some brown sugar and a touch of alcohol. Medium bodied, smooth and slightly warming.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Pours a murky mahogany color with a ring of bubbles around the top of the glass. Nutty aroma of red wine, some hops, malt and alcohol. Very barleywinish. Musty taste included hints of dark fruit, ginger, caramel malt, some hops and alcohol as well. Very fulfilling mouthfeel.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Reddish brown appearance. Flavor is cherries, nutmeg, nuts, raisins, and chocolate. Very complex. The alcohol was covered up well by the assortment of flavors. Very good