Bells Christmas Ale

3.8/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20

12 ounce bottle, bottled 10/13/11. Pours hazy and cloudy orange color with a nice 2 finger khaki head with good retention that reduces to a lacing cap that lasts. Some spotty lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of big orange zest, pineapple, mango, lemon, caramel, bread and some toasted malts. Some surprisingly fruity aromas that are quite nice and interesting. Very much on the sweet side as well. Taste of caramel, toasted malts, orange, lemon, spices, and breadiness. Light spicy bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of toasted malt, caramel, orange, and spices for a bit. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly creamy mouthfeel and smooth drinking. Good balance of flavors but they seem to be on the weaker side that what I was looking for. No alcohol noticed other than a slight warming after the finish. Overall a very nice scotch ale. Easy drinking and a lot of hop flavor character.

A very nice and drinkable beer. Not what I was expecting from a scotch ale, but nice anyways.