Bells Java Stout

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Stout
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Draft at South Park Tavern in Dayton, OH. Not a huge stout, but flavorful as can be. Big roast, big coffee dominates this beer. The pour is dark, dark brown with the aromas of dark roasted coffee. Very drinkable, very easy going. I could drink these all night.

Bottle from siciliano’s, batch 9363. Opaque black with creamy tan head. Aroma is fresh espresso, dry roast, chocolate, nice and stiff. Flavor is dry coffee and roasted malt that is very well blended, coffee in the finish is a little astringent but not overwhelmingly so, sort of like gun powder, a little tobacco, very nice. Creamy, well carbonated, full body. Very nice, way too many positive things about this beer for any of the negatives to shine through too much.

12oz bottle batch #9363. Pours a duller dark brown chocolate color with a sticky fizzy foamy tan head. Aroma is lovely mellow coffee and cream, a touch woody, reminds me slightly of a blend between DFH Chicory and Tyranena’s coffee porters, dryer slightly chalky, dry woody, toothpick/tongue depressor like, touch of dark chocolate. Flavor starts out a bit harsh but very tasty, very bitter dark chocolate, dark chocolate becomes quite creamy and subtly rich, bright very strong roast coffee beans, espresso, nice balance but still quite aggressive, seems like a stronger version of DFH’s Chicory, has that slight woody dry mellow quality, finishes a bit brighter with some acidity and slight unpleasant astringency. Some bitter charcoal lingering aftertaste. Very dark and bitter. Creamy medium/full body, more towards full, nice finer somewhat sharp fizzy carbonation, finishes just a bit syrupy. Very nice... but I think I prefer the drinkability of DFH Chicory or Founder’s Breakfast.

dark light imprenetable brown, tiny tan bubbles rim the glass, some lace. nose of coffee, dried fruit, licorice. flavor follows nose, coffee, dried fruit, licorice. oily mouth feel, bitter hop finish. an enjoyable stout, well worth repeating.

Pours a dark brown, tan head. Sweet malt, milk chocolate, roasted coffee, smoke, and some nuts. Creamy mouthfeel. I had this side by side with special double cream, and I like this one better.

Bottle batch #9363. Black pour with a small tan head. The aroma is loaded with dark bitter coffee and dark chocolate with a hint of smoke and hazelnut. The flavor is intense espresso with some lacto sugar creaminess, dark chocolate, and a smoky, toasty nuttiness on the finish. The body is thick, oily, and chewy with plentiful carbonation that cleans the palate for the next tasty sip.

12 oz. bottle from Grape & Gourmet (Batch 9363 bottled September 22, 2009). Black pour with a light tan head. Big, bold coffee aroma with rich chocolate. The taste doesn’t disappoint; strong coffee flavor. Sweet chocolate roasted malt balances the flavor. I had this a few years ago and liked it but this is even better than I remembered. This is quite good.

Big pop when opened. Smells of fresh brewed coffee, somewhat bitter smell also.Very smooth and flavorfull with roasted coffee almost sweet. Wow. Creamy and chewy, finishes very well, with just a bit of bitter. Will be picking up more in the future.