mctous (119), Herndon, Virginia, USA Oct 9, 2006 Burnt toast notes detract from the malt aroma, but appear less in the flavor. Pours a thin, porter-like viscosity with little hop lace. Flavor is primarily grainy, followed by roasted malt and little else. The palate is dry, clean, and short, and the extra alcohol does not even register. Bell’s recipe matches the yeast and malt superbly well, but this needs more malt and less grain. JoshuaB (422), Detroit, Michigan, USA Oct 6, 2006 Yummy yummy yummy I got Bells in my tummy. When will these guys ever dissapoint? Never it seems. Nothing really to add to the prvious ratings, so will leave it at that. DrBayern (1135), Morehead City, North Carolina, USA Oct 3, 2006 12 oz. bottle courtesy Hellomynameis - another Bell’s from Zac! Large beige head develops from an opaque brown/black pour. I found this aroma hard to pin down. Some light roasted coffee, vanilla, and a grainy note that I’m going to assume is the rye. The aroma was overall subtle, yet pleasant. Very smooth with light carbonation, but a bit thin for a stout. Falvor is rich and malty sweet with hints of chocolate, roasted grain, and maybe some plum or other dark fruit. Just a little spicy bitterness prevents it from being sticky, although the finish is still somewhat sweet. Very pleasant and easy drinking stout. TomDecapolis (3130), Skippack, Pennsylvania, USA Sep 22, 2006 Pours a dark, dark brown with very light hints of red when held to the light. Head was small even when poured aggresively. Color of the head was tan and bubbly, left slight lacing. Aroma I actually did pick up the rye up front followed by chocolate, roasted malts and spent coffee grinds along with a hints of smoke. Flavor is a mix of the same. I did like how the rye added to the flavor of this stout. A little on the thin side, but I think I was just expecting more since it was Bells. Is brewed to style though. realale420 (399), west covina, California, USA Sep 21, 2006 12oz bottle (thanks to black95tt) poured a deep dark brown with a small tan colored head. The aroma was chocolate, toffee, roast and some hops. Taste was nice and rich with a big roast flavor and a good bite from the rye malt. Not overpowering in any way just another great stout from Bell’s. imzugzug (103), Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, USA Sep 18, 2006 Dark brown with nearly no head. Coffee and chocolate aromas dominate with possibly a bit of rye scent. Mouthfeel was a bit thin for a stout, lacked a little in the malty creaminess I’ve come to expect from Bell’s. Flavor was nice. Coffee dominates here with a hint of spicyness. Overall enjoyable and very drinkable. JCapriotti (1378), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Sep 12, 2006 Dark brown pour, thin, sparse creamy light brown head.
Aroma is mostly roasted grainy beer.
Flavor adds some sweet, rich coffee with fruit hints. Flavor is better than the aroma, but I wish it was a little richer, especially since it is Bells.
willblake (2160), Belcamp, Maryland, USA Sep 11, 2006 11.09.06 12oz bottle, batch 7235. Mostly dark brown beer with light cola edges and very little head after the initial pour. Aroma is weak coffee, dark chocolate, and mild toasted nuttiness. The nuttiness must be the rye because that’s the closest thing I can find to a grassy or grainy anything in this beer. Very slight acidity near the finish of this otherwise plain (though tasty) stout. The palate is fine with a nice, mild carbonation and somewhat slick but full feel. I can’t knock if for flavor, because it’s good, but I’ll be damned if I can find even a trace of rye anywhere in the flavor or aroma of this stuff. Meh, I’m gonna go drink a bottle of Triumph Roggenbock -- boy am I glad I saved some of that stuff!
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