Bells Batch 6000 Ale

Formerly brewed at Bells Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Bottled. Dark amber coloured with a medium sized head. Very nicely balanced with notes of hops, caramel, alcohol, wood, pines and mapel. Very nice.

By far the best BW I have had and the only beer I felt inadequate to write a review on as I could never come to a conclusion, the 18 bottles were not enough and went far too fast. A murky oak color with the light being absorbed by the grains of malt. Every time I would sniff, a different world of aromas would hit me as if I was John Carter. Oaken barrels left to dry, fresh buttered toffee, and a field of woody hops tended by no-one. Each sip would bring me closer to realize that while my wine friends claimed divine intervention on certain vintages of wine a true brewmaster did not depend on how much rain fell on the west side of a mountain to produce a vintage like this. Alcohol not noticeable and in a lame attempt to get the brewer to make this a regular rotation, one of the best beers I have had, period.

Bottle courtesy of the most kind and generous Slob. Wasn’t sure what style this one was and upon opening initially thought, eh, smells like a dIPA, not sure I’m in the mood (oops, should read before opening). A few more whiffs persuaded me toward a barleywine, and I was much more interested. The bottle was in stellar condition, strong phsstt upon opening, great carbonation revelaed after the pour, remaining long afterwards, leaving a nice half finger head that thinned to a covering, yet all the way down coating the glass walls, nice wavy rings around the glass, off-white tannish color. The aroma was rich, maple-like at first (said, uh oh, too old?), but quickliy picking up pine and even some grapefruits with tobacco, cherries, and grapes behind it all, one of those strong American Barleywines stirring underneath it all. Flavor was malty assertive, all sorts of light and dark fruits there, caramel, oak or some wood and toasted notes, molasses,and whamo strong hops still in the finish. How old is this sucker I wonder, the hops must have been killer when fresh, as they’ve held up quite well, very firm, lots of zing on the tongue, even if the malt is more at a balanced level now? Mouthfeel is full bodied, starting slightly sticky, yet kept sharp and tingly with those hops. A very nice take on the style, couldn’t imagine what a vertical of this one would be like. Bert, my friend, a great big thanks for this wonderful treat!

Dark cloudy amber color. Rich, thick, and chewy with no head and minmal carbonation. The aroma was of roasted malt, strong caramel notes and grapes. The taste was the same with good bitterness mixed in. Nice big finish with some alcohol coming thru .

Sampled in October 2004. Thick brown head boils up from a very dark copper and chestnut body. The head is mostly lasting and leaves regal lacing in its wake. The nose is staggeringly hoppy, grape residue following shortly thereafter. Alcoholic presence is bold. Caramel malts are robust and seem very fresh, fresher certainly than this beer is. The most exciting component of the aroma is the fresh feeling, from the malt, to the hops, to the vibrance the nose and appearance exude. Flavor is abrasive in its bitterness, though very fulfilling. Vinous notes coexist peacefully with exhuberant malts, toasty and caramel in nature. The taste is crawling with malt, bitter hops, alcohol, really packed in to the point that I find myself wondering what kind of enormous mess was made on brew day. Sweetness is counteracted at every twist and turn of the flavor with bold, bitter hoppiness and scorched grains. Typically that characteristic in malt is distracting, but these malts seem enveloped in a buttery alcoholic sheath. The mouthfeel is very, very thick and dries out slowly in a lean and long finish. Carbonation is light but adequate. Very good.

Pours a hazy mahogany color with a tan head. Aroma is malty woody, vanilla. Flavor is malty, woody vanilla, some molasses, a touch of chocolate. Great barley wine.

Thanks Dr. Bill! In the midst of a fog, comes the nectar of gods. A smokey wisp arises from the glass, mingling with old, smooth aged caramel and a bite of toast. Oaky and tannic, even in aroma. Sophisticated and suave. Pours florid amber, with a bit of hickory. Lightly tan edge. Flavor develops along a intense malt bill, with savory campfire and simmered pecans. Faint chocolate dust builds through and wheaty caramels slide in from the north. A hop residue finds balance in plain C. Hickory dryness rises from the fumes and I’m finding harmony. There’s awesome balance amongst this beer, that only bells can really bring. With all you want from the oaky, aged malt, sugariness, aged hops, and well-concealed alcohol. Delicious. Must have more!

12oz Bottle. This one’s not going towards the whole rating. Cracks with a nice spritz and the blood-brown clear liquor throws up pale sycamore-barked colored head. Aromas are dense and tawny, yet heading towards old age. A bit of citrus-inflected soy mingles with some dust and a touch of old hop and dried grapefruit rind. I can see the setting of the sun from here. Flavor quickly develops alcohols, a bit thin and shallow, before yielding a deeper chewier malt character that seems to have held up in the way a british barleywine does. However, the hops are fading a bit. They’re not too bad however, with a bright, dried lime and almond skin flavor, before getting dusty. A nip of celery seed and cumin liquor. This is holding on okay, but I’m sure isn’t quite what it used to be. I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a whole bottle by myself under more sacred circumstances. Thanks Joey!

[bottle, HUGE thanks to TAR for this one] Pours beautifully, with a dense reddish head and a dark maroon body. Aroma is musty and sweet. Flavors are primarily sweet-- brown sugar, molasses and some dark fruits (raisins, prunes, dates). Some sherry elements come through in the end, with a slight metallic finish. Overall, excellent... I only wish I could have tried a fresh bottle!