Mybeerbuzz.com Highlights Bell’s Oatsmobile Ale

Before we talk about sampling todays featured beer, I have to say congratulations (and thank you) to Bell’s Brewery for producing one of the very best press-kits I’ve ever had the fortune to receive.  As you can see above (and below) Bell’s sent out a really amazing wooden box branded with the Bell’s Oatsmobile Ale logo.  Inside there were bottles of Oatsmobile Ale as well as the matching pint glass, coasters and some other Bell’s items.  The padded lid is actually padded with a package of oats and hops (see photo below).  Truth be told, my post would have been out much earlier had I not spent so much time marveling at the packaging before refrigerating my Oatsmobile Ale.

Back in early March I brought you a peek at this new beer coming soon from Bell’s, and I knew right away that they had something unique coming.  Bell’s Oatsmobile Ale is the first new year-round beer to be added to the Bell’s lineup since 2010, and once you taste it for yourself, you’ll see why.  This beer is technically a session pale ale, but it’s much more than just that.

Oatsmobile is dry-hopped with mainly Equinox, Glacier and Mosaic hops (some of my favorite newer hop varieties) and to say it’s “hop-forward” really under-sells what this beer has going on.  As you can imagine by the name, Oatsmobile Ale’s signature ingredient is oats and when we get to the tasting portion of this post, you’ll see why that is so important.

Oatsmobile pours a really pretty light almost orange-ish color and you cannot miss the citrus and apricot aromas.  There were some spicey notes in the aroma but the citrus dominates (in a good way).  Oatsmobile follows up the aromas with some really pleasant citrus hop flavors…and lots of them.  I was surprised at how hop-forward this beer is, but how well balanced it all comes together.  In case you forgot, this beer uses malted oats, and they really come up nicely in the mouthfeel of this beer.  While I would never call it a heavy-bodied beer, Oatsmobile has lots of body for a pale ale…and that combination of satisfying mouthfeel and aromatic hops really worked for me.  I honestly was reading the name “Oatsmobile” and expecting a biscuity-malty beer…and in the end it’s a really nicely balanced hop-forward pale ale.

Oatsmobile was originally named “Oat Ale” and “Boiling Pot Pale Ale,” but no matter what you call it, I think you’ll be adding it to your refrigerator.  At 4.3%-AbV this beer is really drinkable yet really satisfying, thanks again in part to the oats and hop content.  Oatsmobile will be available in 12oz bottles and on draft across Bell’s distribution footprint so keep your eye out for it.

Be sure to try Bell’s Oatsmobile Ale, and as always, be sure to let us know what YOU think.