Christmas Ale (All through 2016)

Bell's Brewery in Galesburg, Michigan, United States 🇺🇸

Scottish Ale Winter Out of Production

Score

6.57

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: -

Ticks: 59

The basic inspiration for Bell’s Christmas Ale was to create a sessionable holiday beer, using locally grown malt, which would stand apart from the array of spiced winter warmers that are typically introduced this time of year. In contrast to many other seasonals, Christmas Ale doesn’t contain any spices: all of the dry, toasted notes & subtle toffee flavors come from the 100% Michigan-grown barley, custom malted by Briess Malting, while a blend of hops from Michigan & the Pacific Northwest lend earthy, herbal aromas. At 5.5% ABV, it stands as a smooth, highly drinkable beer intended to complement holiday menus, not overshadow them.

Admin Note: This is the original Bell's Christmas Ale which was last brewed in 2016. In 2017 the brewery revamped the recipe completely and created a Scotch Ale. This entry should only be used for backlogged ratings.

Join Us

Show

All Activity

Only Reviews

tnkw01 (4030) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 8 months ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Bottle. Rather disappointed. Slightly explosive when opened, overflowed and made a mess. Copper-amber in color with a nice off-white head. Aroma is notes of caramel and roasted grains. The taste however was like roasted corn. Strange is would taste that way.

Tried from Bottle on 21 Mar 2025 at 05:13

6.9

Robinvboyer (8025) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 9 months ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Am i the only one who does not see any resemblance to a scotch ale at all?!
Light pale malts, light wood, cherry, and grassy hops. Very light bodied, almost like a lager! Very easy drinking, A little fruity, pleasant.

Tried on 28 Feb 2025 at 05:28

kristincedar (7053) ticked Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 11 months ago

Happy holidays to all of you. Wishlist on there if y'all ever want to know what to get me.

Tried from Bottle on 13 Dec 2024 at 18:34

7.9

Bytemesis (16171) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 7 years ago

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle. Pours hazy chestnut, small tan head, dissipates fairly quickly, good lacing. Aroma is malty, toffee, nutty, rich, coffee notes. Flavor is medium sweet and light bitter. Medium body, creamy mouthfeel. This beer is getting no love, but I thought it was solid.

Tried from Bottle on 15 Dec 2017 at 00:01

6.6

voyageurmike (1083) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 8 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

12 oz bottle from liquor store in Macon. No way this is a legit Scottish ale. Copper colored with spicy caramel sweet taste, and mildly cloying finish. Not awful but surprisingly not up to the standard of this brewery.

Tried from Bottle on 23 Mar 2017 at 21:05

5.8

Rennat42 (5572) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 8 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5

Draft. A- Caramel, malty, spices. A- Copper color, clear liquid, off white head. T- Malty, caramel, spice. P- Medium body, average texture, average carbonation, boring finish. O- More like a scottish ale than a scotch ale for sure. Pretty boring and maybe one of the least exciting beers I’ve had from Bells.

Tried from Draft on 06 Mar 2017 at 07:19

7.2

GenDV138 (9238) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 8 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

4 oz pour on draft at Spacebar. Clear golden orange with off-white head. Aromas of spice, caramel, malt. Tastes of spice, floral, malt, light caramel. Medium body with a dry finish.

Tried from Draft on 10 Jan 2017 at 23:10

bkbergen (9216) ticked Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 9 years ago

Tried on 12 Dec 2016 at 13:02

cellio (387) ticked Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 9 years ago

Tried on 11 Dec 2016 at 20:58

6.3

willisread (9741) reviewed Christmas Ale (All through 2016) from Bell's Brewery 9 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle from West Side. Pours a clear, deep copper color. Big toasted bread malt nose. Light body. Dry on the palate with some light grassy hops. Light bitter finish. Very Oktoberfest like. Simple and drinkable.

Tried from Bottle on 04 Dec 2016 at 13:28