Try?
Eccentric Ale?
Larry Bell couldn't have come up with a better name for this beer. Of
course, eccentric is a descriptor that is readily applicable to Larry Bell
as well, and the way this beer is made. I recall reading that an amazing
variety of ingredients are added to the brew during production, among them
champagne, chocolate, spices, and other "mystery" elements that can change
from year to year. Try to see if you can determine some of them; it's much
more difficult than you might think. Production of this winter seasonal beer
is very limited as is the distribution area for Bell's beers; I strongly
recommend buying it if you come across it. It's expensive, but well worth
it.
The first thing you notice when you pour it in your glass, besides the muddy brown color, is the almost total lack of carbonation here. In a beer of this strength (11% alcohol by volume) and gravity (a whopping 1.1), that's not a bad thing though. The nose is big and yeasty with powerful spice notes that are almost Worcestershire sauce-like. That's nothing, though, compared to what lies in store when you take your first sip. The taste buds are almost overwhelmed by this monster beer. A bready, slightly citric, rich caramel and butterscotch body form the stage on which dance a rich melange of spices (Nutmeg? Spruce? Ginger?), all leading into a spectacular hop bite (Larry loves hops) and alcoholic warmth in the finish. Mix equal parts Thomas Hardy's Ale, Anchor Our Special Ale, and Sierra Nevada Celebration and you'll get an idea what this beer is like. What more can one say? This beer is truly... Eccentric!
The first thing you notice when you pour it in your glass, besides the muddy brown color, is the almost total lack of carbonation here. In a beer of this strength (11% alcohol by volume) and gravity (a whopping 1.1), that's not a bad thing though. The nose is big and yeasty with powerful spice notes that are almost Worcestershire sauce-like. That's nothing, though, compared to what lies in store when you take your first sip. The taste buds are almost overwhelmed by this monster beer. A bready, slightly citric, rich caramel and butterscotch body form the stage on which dance a rich melange of spices (Nutmeg? Spruce? Ginger?), all leading into a spectacular hop bite (Larry loves hops) and alcoholic warmth in the finish. Mix equal parts Thomas Hardy's Ale, Anchor Our Special Ale, and Sierra Nevada Celebration and you'll get an idea what this beer is like. What more can one say? This beer is truly... Eccentric!
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
