Bells Bourbon Barrel Batch 7000 Ale

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

On tap at Maduro. I’ll depart from my peers on this one in terms of the final score. I certainly enjoyed it, but I found there to be an excessive amount of bourbon, so much so that it detracted from the beer that underlay it. In nose and palate, BA 7000 very much resembled Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Special Reserve, supporting my claim that 7000 is more old ale than imperial stout, at least in the vein of the Harvieston interpretation. (And a tasting last week of the non BA 7000 offered additional supportive evidence, but I seem to have detractors here.) Concerning the specifics, notes of raisin, tar, semi-sweet chocolate, dried cherry, vanilla, and toast dominate. Finish is sherry and alcohol-fueled warmth. Good stuff, just not spectacular in my mind.

On tap at Maduro – GTMW pre-party. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Take one of my top-notch stouts and give it a little quality time in the bourbon barrel. Poured deep black with a light ring of darker tan head.. highly-viscous. Aroma was of very deeply-roasted dark chocolates and dark fruity goodness smacked upside the head with a powerful (yet somehow intricate and well-integrated) presence from the barrel.. heavy vanilla and bourbon sugars with splinters of oak

Vanilla and bourbon were also major players in the flavor department, and were very enjoyable!.. well-roasted dark chocolate, dry espresso beans and brandy-like vinous sugars ride through the back end to the long and very warm finish. The booze was not shy in this one, but was quite welcomed! Creamy and thick on the palate with well-placed sourness accenting the roasty finish. Fantastic!!

On tap at the pre GTMW party at Maduro.
Opague black. Fudgey dense with a ring of brown foam. The aroma reminds me of fresh fudge borwnies with a bourbon chocoalte sauce and some crushed coffee beans sprinkled on top. Little note of vanilla as well. The flavor didn’t dissappoint either. It was just so rich and dense on the palate. The bourbon was a fantastic compliment for an already top notch beer.

Great taste on tap. Dark brownish black color. Smell of bourbon, chocolate, malt, toffee, vanillia, roasted coffee and dark fruit. Taste of bourbon, oak, vanillia, caramel, dark fruit, roasted coffee and coco. Bourbon dominates the flavor but other flavors come and go with teh sips. Wonderful brew!

On tap at Maduro’s

This to me was the clear winner of the night. I was fortunate enough to try the Barrel Aged Double Cream/Expedition at the Great Taste the next day. This was in all ways equal. It will move instantly into my personal Top 10 which is quite a feat at this point. The only real flaw in this gem was the alcoholic bite which one will either love or find a turnoff.

Aroma / Appearance - The nose of this is so rich that even the smell of cigar smoke can not mask it. In fact it almost enhanced the rich combination. Coffee, smoke and licorice still stand out from the Batch 7000. They are complimented by the oaky vanilla creaminess imparted by the barrels. The body has not changed color at all - it is murky black even when held up to direct light. A beautiful tan head makes this perfect in all aspects - if you aren’t sure what it looks like just crack open a Batch 7000 and bask in its beauty.

Flavor / Palate - Creamy vanilla flows down the throat along with coffee liquor, anise and cocoa. A slight alcoholic presence begins to slowly gain strength. The mouthfeel is full, smooth and intense. It is perfectly balanced - the bourbon has given this great beer even more quality. The oaky finish leaves a chocolately impression that takes forever to fade. This is the best $4 pint I have ever had to date.

Tap at Maduro pre-GTMW party. The beer pours to a murky black body with a small creamy light brown head that mostly dissipates. The aroma is heavy on the roasted black malts, chocolate, pine hops, black fruits, bourbon. The flavor is heavy as well. Roasted black malt, molasses, maple syrup, chocolate, pine hops, bourbon, and charred wood. The palate has a medium sweetness and full body. The texture is oily and really creamy. The alcohol is very noticeable, but I liked that.