On tap at Oaks Cafe. Pours a very dark brown with a head that doesn’t hang around too long. Smell is an absolutely incredible bourbon with plenty of vanilla. Full and creamy on the mouthfeel. The barrel aging tones the java down a bit, but this is so damn easy drinking. I have to argue with the 7.5% ABV noted here in the profile, I think it’s easily higher than that.

Sample at the Bell’s tasting at Brews Cafe on 3/6/08 (as Bourbon Barrel Java Stout): Pours nearly black with a wispy beige head that recedes quickly. Spotty lacing. Nice coffee aroma with some oak and roasted malt. Rich, smooth body with an understated coffee character. Notes of malt, hops and bourbon flavor. The finish is mostly coffee with touches of caramel and toffee. Hit the ground running with this one because it turned out to be my favorite of the evening. Very good overall.

On tap at the Bell’s dinner at Brews. Dark beer with a thin brown head. The initial aroma is bourbon barrel followed quickly by burnt espresso beans. Warm, round bourbon flavors with oak and vanilla lead in the flavor, followed quickly by stale coffee, brown sugar, and an espresso bean bitterness that lasts well into the finish. Tons of flavors in this beer, all well balanced.

On tap. Pours the same as the regular version. Of the three Barrel aged Bell’s beers I had, this was the most subtle in terms of the barrel aging. Either it spent less time in the barrel or the coffee helped drown out the barrel notes. First aroma is the intense, rich coffee, just like the regular version. The notes from the barrel are there but you have to look for them a little. The flavor is intense, fresh tasting coffee with just a hint of the wood complimenting the coffee taste. Long, sweet, roasty finish. Good.