Bells Batch 7000 Ale

Formerly brewed at Bells Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Nice-looking stout - very black, thin tan head around the snifter...Nice, slightly sweet, heavily roasty aroma, with hints of cherries and vanilla, yet some dark chocolate too. Very, very thick and heavy - WOW! This is one to drink very slowly! The alcohol is obvious, but it is warming and not too offensive. Pretty amazing.

Completely black pour, with rising tan bubbles leaving an unbroken ring of lace - aroma has lots of dark fruit, brown sugar, caramel, some oak - the flavor is very odd for an imperial stout, but that’s not a bad thing - the coffee and dark fruit are there, but they are far in the back - instead, there are a lot of light, crisp fruity esters, some flaked oats, woodiness, caramel and a nice hop bite on the back end - this tastes like an imperial stout/barleywine hybrid, and I’m loving it! Thanks to OhioDad for this bottle.

Pitch black with only a small tan ring of very tight bubbles, only slight lacing. Aroma is chocolate and alcohol, dark fruity esters. Flavor is overwhelmed by alcohol. Disappointing. This needs time to age. I will need to RERATE it at some point.

Christmas gift bottle from my son. The aroma hints at what is to follow, big malt overtones and caramel. Appearance is black - no red tints when held to the light - with a small, tan head that lingers for only a few minutes. First sips reveal a pronounced roast/burnt flavor, not unpleasant, followed by berry and molasses. Alcohol warming ikicks in after a few sips. Finish is long, back of the tongue, somewhat tart and bitter. I was expecting an amped version of Expedition, which I enjoy, but this stout stands (surpasses?) on its own merits. The only criticism I offer is that the recipe is to be brewed once.

Bottled version. Aroma is rich, roasty and full, the powerful maltiness contributing notes of semi-sweet chocolate and espresso, along with lighter additions of burnt sugar, black cherry, dried plum, charred wood, alcohol and a certain loamy, musty character. Solidly black in color, nearly imposingly so with a fine, slight and lasting dark tan head. Massive flavors abound, starting with some strong dark chocolate and tangy sweetness, becoming infused with a deep burnt grain bitterness and roastiness that increases in strength throughout, culminating at the finish where it is met with a blend of spicy alcohol and hop bitterness, drying substantially amidst the incredibly long, warming finish. Palate is bracing and thick, very heavy and creamy in feel with a suitably ample body. Shares a scant thing or two in common with Expedition but I find this even more to my taste.

12oz. bottle. Black in color with a medium sized tan head. Aroma of molasses, dark roasted malts, chocolate and a hint of the alcohol to come. Flavor of molasses, soy sauce, roasted malt and a warming alcoholic finish. Very rich and full bodied.

Thanks Sully! Pours a cloudy rich dark brown color with a small head and just a little bit of sticky, off white lacing. Aroma is roasty with chocolate hints. Very smooth and enticing to the nose. Flavor is roasty and full of chocolate with hints of vanilla and a spice I can’t place. Also presents with a strong alcohol aftertaste. Very thick and rich on the palate, just the way a stout should be! Absolutely fantastic beer in my opinion!

Pours a dark rich black color with a small brownish beige head. Looks like motor oil as it pours. Complex and unusual aroma. Smells of matchsticks, malts, coffee,prunes and leather. Taste is thick and rich with lots of malts, dark rich chocolate,black licorice,molasses,vanilla coffee creamer and some sort of unusual sweet spice that is present in the aftertaste. Very good, yet different. A very slow sipper and not ur everyday beverage.