Bell's Amber Ale 6Pk

Bell's Amber Ale 6-Pack is a 5.8% ABV American amber ale from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, available in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Known as "the beer that built the brewery," this flagship dates back to 1985 and holds an 86 rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Michigan, United States  |  Style: American Amber Ale  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery founder Larry Bell first brewed this amber ale in 1985 on a 15-gallon soup pot system, originally calling it "Great Lakes Amber Ale." The grist relies on a foundation of pale malt supported by Munich and caramel malts, which provide the beer's signature toasted, biscuity backbone. As the very first recipe Bell's ever produced, this amber ale occupies a foundational place in the Michigan craft beer scene and in the broader story of American craft brewing.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet caramel malt leads, followed by light toasted grain and subtle herbal and citrus hop aromas. The nose is inviting without being heavy.

Taste: The entry is malt-forward with caramel sweetness and a nutty, biscuit-like quality from the Munich malt. Mid-palate, roasted malt character takes over, supported by a mild hop flavor that keeps things grounded. A clean, noticeable bitterness emerges on the back end, balancing the malt sweetness with precision.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, crisp close driven by that balancing bitterness. Lingering toasted grain and a faint caramel warmth round things out.

How to Drink Bell's Amber Ale

Pour into a pint glass or tulip at around 45–50°F to let the malt complexity open up; drinking straight from the bottle will mute the caramel and toasted grain aromas. This amber works well in a Beer Shandy, where its malt sweetness plays against fresh lemonade. It also stands up in a Michelada, adding toasty depth to the tomato-lime-hot sauce base. For something simple, try a Beermosa at brunch — the caramel notes complement orange juice better than most lagers.

Best For

• Introducing someone to craft beer beyond pale ales and IPAs
• Backyard grilling sessions with burgers and brats
• Fall and early winter seasonal drinking
• Stocking a well-rounded beer fridge with an American classic

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bell's Amber Ale taste like? Bell's Amber Ale is malt-driven with toasted caramel and nutty flavors up front, balanced by a clean hop bitterness on the finish. It sits squarely in the middle ground between sweet and bitter, making it highly approachable.

How does Bell's Amber Ale compare to Fat Tire Amber Ale? Both are benchmark American ambers, but Bell's leans more into roasted malt character and a firmer hop bitterness at 5.8% ABV, while New Belgium's Fat Tire (5.2% ABV) tends toward a softer, biscuity profile with less assertive hops. Bell's also predates Fat Tire by about six years, having been first brewed in 1985.

Is Bell's Amber Ale good for beginners? Yes — its balanced malt sweetness and moderate bitterness make it an excellent bridge for drinkers moving from mainstream lagers into craft beer territory. The 5.8% ABV is sessionable enough to remain approachable.

Where is Bell's Amber Ale made? Bell's Amber Ale is brewed by Bell's Brewery, which operates out of Comstock and Kalamazoo, Michigan. The brewery was founded by Larry Bell and has been a cornerstone of the Michigan craft beer community since 1985.

What foods pair well with Bell's Amber Ale? Grilled burgers and cheddar cheese work naturally with the toasted malt sweetness. Roasted chicken benefits from the beer's clean bitterness cutting through the fat. Caramelized onion dishes and mushroom-based recipes echo the amber's nutty, roasted character. A slice of pecan pie mirrors the caramel and nut notes in the malt bill.

What sizes does Bell's Amber Ale come in? Bell's Amber Ale is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles as well as 12-pack formats.

Is Bell's Amber Ale worth the price? Bell's Amber Ale positions as a solid everyday craft beer, sitting in the accessible end of the craft pricing spectrum. For a recipe with nearly four decades of heritage and an 86 BeerAdvocate rating, it delivers strong value in the American amber category.

Why Bell's Amber Ale?

This is not just another amber ale — it is the recipe that launched one of America's most respected craft breweries. First brewed on a 15-gallon soup pot in 1985, it predates much of the craft beer movement and has remained in continuous production because the balance of caramel malt sweetness and hop bitterness simply works. With over 127,000 ratings on Untappd and an 86 on BeerAdvocate, it has been tested by a massive audience and continues to hold its ground. For drinkers who want a reliable, well-built amber ale rooted in real brewing history, few competitors carry the same legacy.