Bells Expedition Stout

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

This was bottled in Sept 08 and consumed Nov 09. Saved it a year, as I heard it improves the beer tremendously. Poured from bottle into Snifter. Pitch motor oil black with chocolate covered head that leaves some very spotty lacing behind. Huge roasted aroma of burnt molasses, semi-sweet chocolate, licorice root, dark fruit and noticeable alcohol. The roasted malt taste also drifts toward burnt molasses, with some notes of sweet chocolate, anise and coffee. Ends somewhat bitter and with an alcohol kick. Even after aging a year, still seems a trifle raw. Very thick and chewy. Low carbonation, quite smooth and extremely warming. Overall, a luxurious (if somewhat raw) late evening sipper. While not my favorite RIS, it is still quite delectable.

Poured from 12oz bottle into 6oz goblet. A - Pours black with very little tan-colored head. No lacing whatsoever. Looking at it now, all I see is total darkness in my glass. Don’t know if I’m good with this or not. S - Coffee, dark chocolate, some nice bitterness. As I take a few more whiffs, it’s really hard to get a good sense on the nose, don’t know what, but I can’t get a whole lot from this one. T - Alcohol, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, bitterness all melded pretty well together. Maybe a little too much alcohol burn on this right away, but I’m digging the other flavors afterwards. Pretty dry finish, bitter aftertaste with some chocolate notes. Too much booze for me, needs some cellar time to chill out. M - Just about right for me with enough fizzy carbonation to satisfy. I would say medium bodied, but a very "light" medium. Def better then the Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout I just had. D - I like this one, but if I had to choose a regularly available RIS, I’d take an Old Rasputin RIS any day of the week. Will drink again.

Nice aroma, malty, coffee, moderate hops. Pours nice and dark, with a small light brown head. Taste is absolutely absurd. So good. Vinous, dark fruits, coffee, roasty, with a wonderful alcoholic finish. Very well balanced.

Pours thick charcoal. I put my nose to it and my first impression was cherry, which surprised me because its something I’ve not ever tasted in a beer. Tasting it is wonderfully complex- you think its done but its not. Spice, chocolate, alcohol, a smooth taste. There’s something astringent at the end so I can’t quite bring myself to like. Perhaps even too bitter at the end.

Bottle, thanks TheCheeseMan! Pours black with a finger of dark brown head, fades to a ring and spots of suds on the surface. Aroma is intense, heavy roasted malts, loads of strong espresso coffee, high cocoa content chocolate, some alcohol, almost smells like it’s been barrel aged too. Faint vanilla and wood-lke notes. Some alcohol. Flavour is massive, much roastiness, loads of espresso, figs or prunes, and a sold cocoa bitterness and warming alcohol finish. Feels thick and smooth in the mouth, carbonation is just right. Creamy, with just a little sparkle on the tongue. Good stuff.

Bottle. A pitch black and viscous beer with a small brown head that actually shows some retention. Nice lacings. The smell is big, powerful and intense. Lots of everything - hardly roasted malts, cocoa, espresso, wood. Perhaps a hint of vanilla. The alcohol is nicely integrated with the other aromas. And the flavors don’t disappoint either. There’s lots of roasted malts in the mouth, coupled with notes of bitter chocolate and musty espresso. Hints of dark fruits ease up the otherwise heavy character. The finish is very bitter with lots of bitter hop notes, some alcohol, wood and licorice. The mouthfeel is outstanding - a nearly spotless balance of big body, creamy texture and gentle carbonation. This is a really good beer. Bold character, intense and massive. My only objection is that the bitterness is perhaps a bit too generous as it gets slightly overpowering after a while.

Dark cola appearance with brief burnt sienna colored head. Smells of alcohol and light malts. Complex malt flavor with a little bit of hops coming through, land ight spices. Spot on, smooth mouthfeel. I’m glad this one is distributed so broadly. Beautiful.

Bottle. 12 oz. Split with Braden. Pours solid, opaque black, with a thin, creamy amber head. Aroma is pungent and beautiful; fresh peppers, chocolate, barley, bread, roasted malts, soil, and ginger. Full, bold body: this has one of the best mouthfeels I have ever expereienced; very smooth and light at first, but blossoms into a warm, vibrant, velvety finish. Outstanding stout, from start to finish. Highly recommended.