Bells Black Note Stout

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

Serve in Snifter

Growler shared by gunhaver. When he comes prepared, he knows how it goes. Pours a midnight black with a tan head. Nose is roast, vanilla, bourbon, mild booze, chocolate, and some other earthy flavors all wrapped up in a pretty little bourbon blanket. Flavor is similar- some notes of roast, chocolate, vanilla, slight coconut, mild anise, and earth all wrapped together with a nice bourbon whiskey goodness. No booziness at all until the finish, and then there is a hint of whiskey and wood that is mildly abrasive. The mouthfeel is silky, the palate is mostly clean, and it is a nice bourbon beer overall.

Smells like bourbon, cocoa, and licorice. Appearance is blacker than black. Very sticky on the palate. Tastes of dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla, and high proof bourbon. In a league of its own. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

On tap. Only knock I have on this is no head. So smooth smelling and tasting. Bourbon is subtle and not over powering. World. Fing. Class.

Sampled at the First Inaugural Raleigh Rare and Vintage Beer Festival. This was a truly amazing beer. I was almost upset that I tried this one first. There were tons of amazing beers at this festival, but nothing was better than this one. Pour a truly beautiful jet black with good brown head. Alcohol is not overwhelming, but is definitely present in the aroma. Huge roast, cocoa, slight coffee, woody, very smooth. Big creamy full chewy body if great. Truly special beer.

WOW.....a limited beer that is actually good!!! Huge Thanks to Kevin for the bottle and Bell’s for keeping the release on the down low! This is the BEST looking, smelling, tasting Stout ever made....and yeah I’ve had most of the big dogs!! You say Narke is better....wow!! BA Hunaphu’s....what a joke....what, just because it has a lower bottle count....BA Speedway... (see BA Hunaphu’s).....Keep on cranking out these gems Mr. Bell and MI will keep supporting you!! Thanks for not selling out :)

Black Note on draft at Burnhearts Bar in Milwaukee. pitch black with a frothy mocha head. nice lacing on the glass! aroma of boozy bourbon, vanilla, chocolate, molasses, some dark fruit and roasty. let it rest for a bit before i dove in.. sweet flavor up front with hints of chocolate, molasses and vanilla. creamy, silky texture. very pleasing on the palate. a bitter, roasted coffee. booooozy finish. damn good!

Draft @ Aromas’ Bells Bowl. First, I would like to say I was so excited to try this treat and it did not let down in the least. So, I had three before moving onto the other offerings. Poured a thick jet black with wispy dark tan head. Nose was bourbon, vanilla, chocolate and oak. Taste was pure magic. Bourbon, vanilla, some oak, leather, so smooth, Chocolate, coffee, creamy. Bourbon definately was king but very well integrated and smooth. This might be as close to perfect that I’ve had in a beer.

Black note on cask at Aromas. Strong taste of plums. Very clean finish. I couldn’t pick up on the bourbon notes, but my friends could. Maybe it is because I drink too much bourbon?