Bell's Winter White Ale
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with coriander and orange peel, layered over a soft wheat base with a faint yeasty, bready quality. On the palate, the spice character stays present but restrained, letting the unfiltered wheat body carry some haze-driven creaminess through the middle. Bitterness is low, and the finish is dry but gentle, with a lingering citrus note. It's a well-balanced witbier that doesn't lean too hard on any single element.
About the Brewery
Bell's is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, founded by Larry Bell in 1985, making it one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest. The brewery is best known for Two Hearted Ale and Oberon, both of which have become regional staples with national distribution. Bell's has maintained a reputation for consistency and range across styles, from their hop-forward ales to darker seasonal offerings. They operate a substantial production facility and tap room presence in southwestern Michigan.
Food Pairings
Steamed mussels in white wine and garlic work well because the citrus and spice in the beer mirror the broth's brightness. A simple roast chicken with herbs shares the same earthy, savory register without overwhelming the beer's lightness. Soft cheeses like brie or camembert contrast the beer's dry finish with their buttery richness. Dishes built around lemon and fresh herbs — a grain salad, tabbouleh, or lemony pasta — find a natural flavor echo in the coriander and orange peel. Shrimp with a light seasoning also pairs cleanly without competing.
Style Guide
Witbier is a Belgian-origin wheat ale brewed with a significant proportion of unmalted wheat, traditionally spiced with coriander and dried orange peel. The style produces a hazy, pale beer with low bitterness, a soft and slightly creamy body, and a dry, lightly spiced finish. It was largely extinct in Belgium until Pierre Celis revived it in the 1960s with Hoegaarden, which became the style's modern benchmark. Compared to German hefeweizen, witbier is spiced rather than yeast-driven, so you get less banana and clove and more citrus and herbal character.