Bells Rye Stout

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Stout
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Serve in English pint

Caught little aroma (usually the case for me) and possessed little head. Extremely smooth with perfect carbonation, light, but lively. Taste fit my liking perfectly, not overbearing like some of the stronger sweet stouts, but more taste than say a Guinness type stout. Puzzled a bit over the taste (it was new to me) and would agree with an earlier reviewer regarding the cola undertone. One of my favorites

Dark brown pour with a thin light tan head. Looks like a coke. Roasted malt aroma. Mostly bitter with the faintest touch of sweetness. Roasted malt and grain flavor. Some earthiness. Bitter hop finish.

UPDATED: JUL 16, 2008 Bottle given to me from Robert. Not what I was expecting.. But suprisely good. Dark in color, no head. Aroma that I cant put my finger on. Taste is sweet and smooth. Rye, chocolate, small amount of coffee, roasted malt, but has a nicy spiceyness that suits it well. Texture is a little thin for a stout. Hats off to the brewers at Bells for trying something unique. Good beer! Thanks robert!

Bottle from lampeno420 and I just want to say thanks! Black pour with a very, very small tan head. Aroma is full of chocolate, roasted malt and a good hint of smoke. The rye makes itself known on the nose and the tongue as well. The body is a bit thin, but the flavor is sweet and rich. Molasses, raisins, chocolate, hints of smoke and rye and a finish of hops...damn this is good. I wish I could get more...this would be one of my "go to" beers if available to me.

Appearance: dark black-brown with a meager head of khaki proportions. A slow trickle of bubbles makes their escape from the bottom of my glass to the top. Slightly see through.
Nose: dry and spiced at the same time. Spice and dry wood dominates the back while crumbly, slightly burnt chocolates dapple in the front of the line. Ash is a shadow just barely noticeable. Dark fruit stones and black root add more depth and earthiness.
Palate: surprisingly smooth given her roasted palate. Hershey’s chocolate is a slow stream making its way from first quaff to last. Dry in the back; lingers long in the finish with chocolate graham crackers and chocolate truffle powder. Rye spice and fruitiness in the middle along with black cherries and plums. The dark fruits are interchangeable while the rye and chocolate are a solid presence throughout.
Final Thoughts: another tasty stout from Bells who seems to be the king of stouts, not that I am complaining. I missed this rye train in Vero but was lucky enough to find it in Melbourne, a hop-skip away from my hometown and a drive I have done hundreds of times over the years. If you like stouts and you like rye, this is a no-brainer. And even if you don’t, try and you may just find it to your liking.

Bottle. Pours a very deep brown with almost a hint of red. Has a bit of head (maybe 3/4 inch) that quickly dissipates to a thin ring. Taste is mostly of roasted coffee and some spices, with a tiny bit of bittersweet chocolate. Medium body. (Right between a New Glarus Coffee Stout and a Bell’s Expedition Stout) Not to thin, but you don’t have to chew it either. Very well balanced. A great brew.

On tap at eccentric cafe. Lots of dark, earthy notes in the nose. Pours coffee black with a light tan head. Had nice mixture of coffee bitter chocolate in the front that faded seamlessly into rye as it finished. Most of the bitterness had faded by the end. I’m starting to become a big fan of rye. I like what it does for the beer.

On tap at Pizza/Birreria Paradisio. Pours a clear brown to black with ruby highlights and a thin beige head. Caramel, roast, light toffee. Spicy rye flavor comes through right away along with some chocolate, roast, and just a hint of coffee. Smooth creamy mouthfeel. Finishes up with a nice spicy rye note and a long lingering roast and caramel.