First Posted: 8/5/2013
Beer: Oberon Ale
Brewer: Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
Style: American Pale Wheat Ale
ABV: 5.80%
Description: Bell’s Oberon Ale pours a golden copper color with pure white head that dissipates quickly, but leaves a nice thick lacing on the glass. The aroma is strong in the fruit category; notes of oranges, lemons, pears, and apples dominate and are backed up with a sweet wheat aroma and just a hint of breadiness and spice. The taste follows the nose exactly with strong flavors of citrus, wheat, and hints of bread cascading over the tongue initially, trailed quickly by the spices and even a slight hint of apricot, before finishing up nice and dry, mainly due to the high carbonation of this beer. The body of this beer leans more towards the mid-range with a bit more heft than many wheat beers, but not overbearing. If this was porridge, Goldilocks would have chosen it, but thankfully it’s beer and it’s great. Oberon is a very lively summer beer that refreshes the body and palate after a hot summer day.
Food pairing: Seeing as Oberon Ale is a summer ale it should be no surprise that this beer is perfect for your favorite summer dishes. Try Oberon Ale with your favorite salad, especially those topped with fruit; think berries or peaches and topped with a light vinaigrette for a truly inspiring summer afternoon lunch. If you are feeling more like a dinner pairing, think grilled chicken topped with some rosemary, thyme, and a squeeze of lemon with a side of corn on the cob with butter. The sweetness of the corn will be brought forth when paired with the great wheat ale. Other great pairings include: salmon, Camembert cheese, and sushi.
Is it worth trying? Yes, Bell’s Brewery is positively a brewery that you can always rely on to create fantastic beers. While this is not my favorite style of beer, Bell’s has unquestionably made a very enjoyable wheat ale that is perfect for the summer. While lately the summer weather is not nearly as oppressive as it has typically been, and actually has been almost fall-like in the evenings, this summer ale is great to have on hand. Drink up and enjoy what is left of the summer, because before you know it you will be drinking pumpkin beers and then on to winter, and you’ll be looking back longingly on beers like Oberon Ale while dreaming of the warm summer months.
Rating: W W W W
Where can I get it? Currently available in bottles at: J & H Beer, Wilkes-Barre; Exit 190 Beer Deli, Dickson City; Goldstein’s Deli, Kingston; Wegmans, Dickson City; and Krugel’s Georgetown Deli, Wilkes-Barre.
Remember, enjoy responsibly! Cheers!
– Derek Warren is a beer expert, avid homebrewer, and beer historian. Follow Derek’s beer blog at idtapthat.org.
