Bells Rye Stout

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Stout
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Bottle batch #9370. Black-brown pour with a small, off-white head. The aroma is smoky with lots of rye. Very reminiscent of pumpernickel bread. There’s a hint of over-ripe, fermenting dark fruit in there too. The flavor is quite peppery and spicy from lots of rye malt. Again it really reminds me of deli fresh pumpernickel bread. There’s some soft notes of currant and plum hiding behind the malt and it finishes with a subtle cocoa note. There is a little metallic quality left in my mouth after each sip. I could see this going well with a really spicy brisket. The body is oily and full with plentiful carbonation. Definitely a unique new twist on a stout to me.

[Bottle] bonused by Sprinkle. Thanks Mike! Pours a mostly clear deep brown with a small and diminishing tan head. Aroma is roasted malts, some dry cocoa, a hint of saltiness, and I really can’t detect a whole lot of rye on the nose. The flavor, though, definitely has the rye present, but on the back burner compared with the dark roast coffee and malts. Medium mouthfeel and ample carbonation despite the lack of a head. Another tasty and well balanced beer from Bells.

Clear dark brown pour, moderate beige head, spots,of lace. Faint nutty aroma. Full spectrum of dark malt flavors, mostly chocolate and dark fruits, a bit of toffee. Slightly sweet, offset by hops bitterness and a spicy alcohol edge. Despite the non-aroma, a very full, well harmonized flavor. Medium body, warm, zesty on the palate.

Aroma of stale coffee and sweaty socks. Taste is not much different, with the rye being so strong that the darker malt of a stout is almost lost. Finish is short and dry, and couldn’t come soon enough.

Hazy dark brown color - almost no head at all. Aroma of roasted coffee, hints of rye bread and raisins. Flavor is roasty and slightly sweet, notes of rye, roasted nuts, caramel and a bit of sweetness. Very little bitterness. Dry, clean and slightly resiny finish

Sour, rather than bitter---which I liked. Nice dark black color. Not much aroma to my nose.

Pours deep black with a large building ddark tan head. The aroma is full; malty and rye with a dry character. It is a very nice and distinct aroma profile. There is quite a bit of sweetness from the malt. Creamy and full, a pincy of a sharp rye. Definately a bready malt flavor, very clean and with a bit of a clean chocolate and chalky finish.

Pours black with little head. Aroma is of spicy rye, dark roast, some slighlty biscuity malt in equal proportions. Flavor is a somewhat sharp roast, spicy rye, a nice full maltiness, and a bit of watery coffee. Aftertaste is long mix of above but with a much more rounded roast. Medium-full body. The palate is watery yet at the same time slightly syrupy.