Topic Archives: Bell’s Planetary Series
Bell’s Mars is back on shelves, inspired by Gustav Holst
Bell’s Mars, part of the brewery’s “Planetary Series” is making a second appearance this month.
In 2014, Bell’s Mars was the first release in a series of beers inspired by composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets. The piece was first conceived in 1913, thanks to his interest in astrology. Mars was the first to be written, with Mercury completed in 1915. (Don’t go looking for Pluto.) The brewery released beers in order of composition. Bell’s Mars was first.
An imperial IPA was chosen to represent Mars, The Bringer of War. The dank, hop bomb was easily one of the most popular in the series.
Mars (The Bringer of War) is a Double IPA inspired by the music of Gustav Holst. An intense hopping regime imparts incredible notes of tropical fruit, citrus and pine, while Munich malt provides balance and a deep red hue.
Bell’s Mars has returned to brewery’s lineup for a limited time in April, 2017. Important to note – the brewery plans to have a little bit more stock to go around this time.
Style: Imperial IPA
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Latest Return: April, 2017
10.1% ABV
Bell’s Mercury “The Winged Messenger”
Bell’s Mercury “The Winged Messenger”
Image: Beer Street Journal
Bell’s Uranus Ready To Ship
Bell’s Uranus, the sixth release in the brewery’ Planetary Series is ready to go.
Starting last year, Bell’s kicked off a new series based on composer Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” orchestral suite. The beer series, like the suite contains seven movements (beers). Bell’s Mars, The Bringer of War arrived in late summer, 2014.
Bell’s Uranus, The Magician, is an black imperial IPA, in an attempted to capture the essence of the dark planet that is almost 1.6 billion miles from Earth when it is closest.
The hop profile is enormous and complex with help from Citra, Galaxy, Polaris and other hard to find hops. The use of de-bittered or de-husked black malt lends color without the overly astringent or roasty flavors normally associated with stouts and porters.
Bell’s Uranus is available in June in 12oz bottles for a limited time.
Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Citra, Galaxy, Polaris
Availability: 12oz Bottles. One-time Release
Arrival: June, 2015
9.5% ABV
Image via Bell’s Brewery
Bell’s Jupiter Brown Ale, Botted
The fourth edition in Bell’s Brewery’s Planetary Series, Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity has been bottled and will ship soon. This “4th movement” and fermented homage to Gustav Holst is an imperial brown ale.
The fourth release in our Planets Series shines the spotlight on specialty malts, while the hops take on more of a supporting role. Brewed with seven different varieties of malt and hopped for a balanced bitterness, this Imperial Brown Ale has bready, biscuity, toasty notes along with light chocolate and roast flavors. This beer is robust, warming and satisfying like the piece of music it was named after.
In Roman mythology, Jupiter is a principal god. As a planet, Jupiter is the largest in the solar system. Critics commenting on Holst’s composition of The Planets, suggests that the Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity was the center point of the suite, perhaps explaining Bell’s use of a plethora of specialty malts in the brew.
Listen below, you’re sure to recognize Jupiter. The center section of the piece is also sung separately as “I Vow to Thee My Country” patriotic hymn.
Bell’s Jupiter is available in 12oz bottles for a limited time.
Style: Imperial Brown Ale
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Arrival: February, 2015
8% ABV
Read more: Bell’s Planetary Series
Image via Bell’s
Bell’s Planetary Spotlight: Venus
Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, MI) celebrates Gustav Holst’s classical masterpiece “The Planets”, with a specialty beer series that starts this year.
Each offering is a different interpretation of the composer’s movements, like the above Venus, The Bringer of Peace. This edition is first and foremost a blonde ale, brewed with apricot juice, honey, cardamom, and vanilla beans.
Expect Bell’s Venus sometime in October, 2014.
Style: Blonde Ale (w/ Vanilla Beans, Cardamom, Honey, Apricot Juice)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Arrival: Mid-October, 2014
7.5% ABV
Read more: Bell’s Planetary Series
Bells Kicks Off New Series Based on Holst’s “The Planets” [UPDATED]
English composer Gustav Holst is best known for his orchestral suite “The Planets.” The piece was first conceived in 1913, thanks to his interest in astrology. Mars was the first to be written, with Mercury completed in 1915. (Don’t go looking for Pluto.)
Bell’s Brewery is a fan of Holst too, kicking off a new series dedicated to each piece. Mercury being the last composed, but appears fourth in the composition.
This is one of a seven part series inspired by Gustav Holst’s musical composition, “The Planets.” Strap in and embark on a flavor tour of our solar system – in the order of Holst’s piece, Mars To Neptune.
Bell’s Mercury The Winged Messenger Belgian-Style Ale will be available in 12oz bottles.
Style: Belgian-Style Ale
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Arrival: TBA
4.8% ABV
Update 6/6: 6 packs and draft will ship to all of Bell’s states starting in August with Mercury The Winged Messenger Belgian-Style Ale. The final release will drop in July, 2015. The rundown is as follows:
“Mars, The Bringer of War” – Double IPA (August, 2014)
“Venus, The Bringer of Peace” – A Blonde Ale brewed with honey, apricot, vanilla and cardamom (ETA October, 2014)
“Mercury, The Winged Messenger” – A Belgian Single (ETA December, 2014)
“Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity” – A malt forward Brown Ale (ETA February, 2015)
“Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age” – A Bourbon Barrel-aged Barleywine (ETA April, 2015)
“Uranus, The Magician” – Black Double IPA (ETA June, 2015)
“Neptune, The Mystic” – A beer inspired by Dr. Bell’s Medicinal Stout, one of Larry Bell’s homebrews that also helped inspire Eccentric Ale. (July, 2015)
