Bells Porter

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Porter
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Serve in English pint, Stem glass

Dark, chestnut brown appearance, reddish edges, with a huge, thick fluffy, cocoa-toned head, leaving much lace, softly sizzling down in size. Aroma is rich, full of espresso notes, chocolate, spices, deep, roasty,and rustic, a wonderful complex, though still straightforward nose. Taste: nice bitterness up front, good hop content, starts bold, then mellows and is quite a treat on the tongue and down the throat. Coffee connotations continue through the flavor, but excellent balance provides that that sapect never goes too far, with some sweetness from malt that matches just right. Drinkability, terrific, full-bodied, long-finish, total satisfaction. I'm a porter-lover, and this ranks among my favorites, may even be my very favorite, but we haven't held that contest yet. On tap, utterly excellent!

UPDATED: MAY 26, 2005 Slight rerate - originally claimed this was my favorite Bell’s brew to date. Then I met Expedition. Nevertheless, the original review... Smells robust, chocolatey and dry hopped. Full tasting; slick, oily feel on the palate. Resonating tobacco and roasted - but not yet burnt - chocolate characteristics. Smooth and complex. Smokey aspects, but they’re subtle. Great interpretation of the style, and my favorite Bells brew to date.

Dry, opaque, malty good....You can really taste the ROASTED malt, and I mean ROASTED - really well made. Nice subtle chocolate undertones, great finsih and mouthfeel, true to the style - highly recommended.

Oh yeah. This is as serious as it gets. Dark as night with a glorious head that lingers. Smells of roasted coffee bean and malted cocoa. Full nectar with ample effers. This brew is dry as a bone and very European with a moderate roast component. The finish is bittered with a perfect hop tingling. Just beautiful!

Pours a beautiful dark brown with 2 inch tan head formation. The pouring suggests a medium body, which is later confirmed. The head is persistent and settles in at 1.5 inches a flat, creamy top and plethora of micro-bubbles intermingled with larger cavities up to 1/8th inch. As you drink this ale the Belgian lace is well formed and decorative. The nose provides deep roasted notes. Hops are not evident. The porter has a medium body with a light cream texture. The suggestive chocolate and coffee notes join the maltyness, making the ale very nicely balanced. Carbonation is pleasant. The alcohol is moderate and not noticeable on the palate. Combined with delicious lingering this porter definitely invites repeat tastes. Another moreish ale! Light enough to be a restorative and a refresher, yet full enough of flavor to satisfy most any palate.

UPDATED: NOV 1, 2007 Dark brown to black with good, foamy tan head / Roasty, chocolate nose / Medium body with strong hops and good finish / Smokey, chewy flavors of roast coffee, nuts, chocolate, with sherried dark roast coffee finish / Good and complex.

RateBeer Rating, Style and Glass: 93, porter, pint, stem glass ABV, Volume & Calories: 5.6% in 12fl oz. estimated at 150 C Purchased at: Bound Beverages, Bensalem, PA for $3.33 Aroma: nice, chocolate, malty, dark, roasty. 8 out of 10. Visuals: tasteful, brown, opaque, tan head, thick lace. 5 out of 5. Taste: heavy malt, light hops, medium strength, high craft. 9 out of 10. Palate: high quality, smooth texture, roasted finish. 5 out of 5. Overall: deep, malty, I’d have it again, okay value, high craft. 18 out of 20.

12 ounce bottle that pours dark brown with a tan head. Hints of chocolate and coffee. Smooth and creamy with a mild finish. Enjoyable.