Bell's Oarsman Ale
First brewed in 2008 at our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, Oarsman Ale grew out of our desire to explore the tradition of session beers and to create a unique, flavorful experience for everyone, no matter what the occasion.
Tart and refreshing, this sessionable, bright Wheat Ale exudes citrus and lemony aromas from Cascade hops and trades sour intensity for finesse. A perfect companion for any occasion, Oarsman Ale is a beer based in tradition, but with that distinctive Bell’s twist.
A perfect beer to compliment any menu.
Tart and refreshing, this sessionable, bright Wheat Ale exudes citrus and lemony aromas from Cascade hops and trades sour intensity for finesse. A perfect companion for any occasion, Oarsman Ale is a beer based in tradition, but with that distinctive Bell’s twist.
A perfect beer to compliment any menu.
3.1
851 reviews
Comstock, United States
Community reviews
boa cerveja! o "tart" é bem pronunciado. nao conheço muito o estilo... lembra un pouco vinho branco...
Apricots and cherries up front and a bit overripe. Alcohol is well hidden. A bit to sweet for my taste.
Sour citrus fruits, grapefruit, bread, grain and cereal malts, zesty lemon, lime. Hazy gold, small, creamy, white head. Light bitter. More sour, bitter citrus fruits, yet not too intense, more bread and cereal malts, soft carbonation, light bodied. Decent Berliner Weisse, refreshing and well-balanced. Keg at Beavertown Extravaganza 17, Canada Water.
Can pours a hazy straw color with a huge white head that lingers leaving lots of lace on glass. Aromas of citrus fruit, herbs,and wild flowers.Tastes of tart lemons, seltzer and mildly sweet wheat bread.Light body, abundant carbonation, slick, tongue tingling mouthfeel and a nice tart,lightly salty finish. It is not to tart and very light. This beer is very refreshing and easy to drink on a hot fall afternoon. I like it!
Interesting session wheat beer. Light with notes of lemon. The sour/tartness makes it unique. Interesting but too light for my taste
Tap at BeaverEx 2017, London. Colour is cloudy golden with small white head. Aromas and flavours: Fruits, citrus, some wheat? and malts.
(thanks for sharing!) Sampled draft @ The Beavertown Extravaganza 2017. Day 1. Pale citrus golden. Nose is fruity pastry dough and peach. Taste is oily sweet peach, bread, pastry dough. Milky caramel body. Not bad, surprised by a) the low score here & b) this being a Berliner Weisse.
Pours a light amber from a can. Developed a huge white head. Flavor is mild for an ale. My preference is for a dark, heavy ale. And that influences my opinion.
Keg at beaverfest. Pours yellow, nose is funk, grassy, lemon, taste is similar, too grassy
Tap. Hazy yellow color with white head. Aroma is fresh yeast, dough. Taste is grainy, apricot, peppery yeasts. Oily mouthfeel. Not bad.
Keg at the BeaverFest 2017 Friday.. Hazy yellow amber.. Thin white lacing.. Soft dry floral fruit nose.. Dry zezty floral fruits
Nice light tart summer brew. I like it on summer nights versus a heavier IPA. Easy to drink, sour but not funky or musty lime other sour ales. Citrus and smooth, lively mouth feel. Another great beer from bells.
Hazy golden color. Big , white head. Aroma of wheat malt, bread and lemon . Malty taste with touch of fruity tartness and spices. Refreshing and easy to drink.
May 9, 2014 - at Blue Monk, on draught. Refractive slightly hazy light gold with a large white foamy head. Beautiful aroma - simple floral/grassy golden ale, no alcohol, nice lacto tartness - salty too. Taste follows, less tartness and salt - zero alcohol, a little gluten. Sticky mouthfeel, light carbonation, lightly sour/salty in the quick finish. Lovely, simple.
Ehhhhhhhh it is what it is. Really has a sour taste, not really good to me. I would avoid it if possible, but I can't drink it. It's just not great
Bell’s Oarsman has a very thick, creamy, stark-white head, a very hazy, yellow appearance, bubbles, and a descending gray-yellow cloud & tan chunks, following the "swish & pour". Aroma is of light lemon, white wheat bread, and maybe some spice. Taste is faint citrus, bread, and spice, with an overriding tap water note. Mouthfeel is soft and medium, and Oarsman finishes medium dry and bland.
RJT
Appearance: light yellow; slight head
Taste: very light & tart
7/3/17 - Bell's (Kalamazoo, MI)) 5oz $2
Can at Craft Room. Hazy golden, tiny white head. Sourish, lactic, olives, hm. Oxidated malt, light lacticity, very light tartness. Berliner Weisse for beginners.
Poured from a can, a hazy straw color with a lasting white well laced head and lots of carbonation. Aroma is grainy with a hint of lemon and malt. A lighter body with a refreshing taste of lemons with a tart fruit finish.
Can. Pours a clear light yellow with a thin white head. Aroma of wheat malt, sour fruits, floral notes. Flavor of bready malt, melon, faintly sour fruits. Light, malty, not very sour/tart at all, quite drinkable but maybe a little dull
On tap at Tap & Bottle, pours a cloudy blonde with a small white head. Aroma brings out light coriander and a touch of citrus. Flavour is laid back, with coriander seed upfront, followed by citrus and lacto. But it’s all obscured and rather jumbled. Not the best but it’s reasonably constructed.
355ml Dose. Blond und trüb mit minimaler Schaumkrone. Aroma von Grapefruit. Süffig. Säuerlich. Leichter Körper. Spritzig.
It’s certainly not bad. Matter of fact, it actually had some interesting grain characteristics with the wheat. That being said the tartness is kind of unremarkable and it just isn’t that exciting. Then again, certainly not bad.
2 year old bottle on the shelf at Discount...expectations are low. Pours a slightly hazy gold with a small white head that bubbles up. Lacto-driven nose...wheaty. Lightly tart on the palate, lemon yogurt and wheat. Sweet but has a lingering dry, tart note. Surprisingly pretty good.
Tap at Growler Spot. Light whitish head. Slightly hazy pale yellowish color. Aroma of very lightly tart wheat. Tastes almost like nothing; very lightly tart wheat. Thin, light.
Tap at Kool Keg. Hazy golden straw color. White foamy head. Light wheat aroma, some tartness. Light fruity notes. Light bodied. Flavor is lightly tart, some wheat notes, low sweetness. Finishes crisp.
Canned at Tin Can. Light and tart. A great summer beer. Mostly wheaty taste.
Highly drinkable, very light lactic acid, spices connect everything well. Perfect for summer.
But would definitely put it in witbier style.
0.355l can. Hazy yellow color with white head. Aroma is citrusy and tart. Taste is tart with citruses. It has dry finish. Overall it’s very good beer.
0.33 l can from Svijet piva, Zagreb. Shared with Višnja 666 and Nikola. Hazy yellow, minimal head. Light hopped, citrus, lemon, light floral, some honey. Tart, balanced, no bitterness. Light body, soft carbonation, light, moderate citrus finish. Interesting approach, but has it’s problems.