Bells Batch 6000 Ale

When the Batch comes out, rush to the store and buy more than one six. This one was intense. Heavy malts. Serious alcohol content. It made me forget the previous Batches, but just a little bit.

Rating #600. Trade from Walleye. Thanks Jim. Dark amber/brown body with reddish hints. The small, tan head fades to a wispy cover. Big malty aroma, toffee, caramel apples, figs and plums, slight nuttiness and some pine, a touch of oxidation as well. Incredible nose. The light oxidation is more evident in the flavor, lots of toffee, pine, cherries, figs and a touch of burnt. The mouthfeel is very soft, creamy, coating and dare I say, Expedition-like with just a touch of warmth in the bitter finish.

Huge malt,dark fruit, wood, maple, licorice and alcohol aroma, followd soon by milk and dark chocolates,rich complex full taste consisting of black forest cake stuffed with raisins and prunes and anise liquoer and just a touch of backing hop.The first sample I had of this last year was more coffeeish and the alcohol almost had a vodka sharpness. It has become a little sweeter and the alcohol has really mellowed.P robaly will age nice for some time A classic!!!!!

Big glass poured by Larry Bell from a jeroboam at GTMW 2006. Semi-translucent and scarlet amber in color with a tan sawdusted head. Lovely bing cherries and grenadine sauce melt longingly in the aroma, beauteously complimented by candied apple raisins and plum vines. Sinks into the nose and saturates it with dates smothered in caramel so it’s the first thing the tongue recognizes as it comes by mean of mouth. Ripe necessities drum caramel and toffee, melting into a buttery palate bliss. Candied pralines meet with a greasy rum elegance and pipe brandy and amaretto smoothness. At times it’s like quaffing caramel cordials injected with brandy. Crème brûlée character evolves with a caramelized plum glaze with Disaronno liquor to keep things subtly hot. Sipping the oily stream yields delectable flavor hop formulas while the bitterness is omnipresent to the buds at the same time. Blissful full-bodied blankets abate and ring with bing and almond integrated into honey grahams. Such a pleasure and a treat. Lord, bless Larry Bell.

This was probably the best presentation of a beer all-time... Mr. Larry Bell pouring this 10/2/03 brew from a 9L bottle at the Great Taste of the Midwest! Pour itself was a deep reddish-mahogany with a cap of beige head and solid dose of sediment. Nose was of lightly-smoked rich toffee, caramel, candied raisins, other dried dark fruits, and an undertow of alcohol. Dark, dried fruits, chewy toffee, chocolate, and spicy hops provided a phenominal flavor... no hint of oxidation noted. Full and remarkably smooth on the palate... with alcohol intricately intertwined and a mild spicy bitterness surrounding. Thank you, Larry for the opportunity!

HWOH. Pours a bright deep amber, mostly clear, with a thin lasting beige/light orange head. Aroma is very sweet caramel, toffee and molasses, with a hint of citrus hops and lots of nice subdued fruity esters. Thick malt flavor with just a hint of oxidation. Sweet caramel, dried fruits, candy sugar, raisin, and a bit of alcohol as it warms. Body is pretty big and covers the alcohol pretty well. Great smooth finish and aftertaste- coats the tongue and leaves you wanting more. Luckily my SS just dropped off a bottle, so now I do have more!

Intense, rich, malty aroma - caramel, toffee, biscuit, moderate fruitiness, mild sherry notes, even the faintest hint of hops. Clear brown color, thin tan head, but good retention. Lots of caramel and toffee in the flavor, nice spiciness - a mix of peppery alcohol and hops. Solid hop bitterness. Lingering bitter finish. Medium-full body, slight alcohol warming. This is everything that a barleywine should be - rich, smooth, and satisfying.

Bottle with a big thanks to TheBeerCellar2 for sending this my way. Dark brown pour with a small tan head. Aroma was filled with thick rich malts, chocolate, dark fruits, maybe some burnt malts. Flavor had more chocolate, a little roasty caramel, enough hops to keep it balanced. This was really good. Finish had a nice roasty bitterness to it.