Bell's Kalamazoo Stout - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from Beeradvocate Magazine March 07.

A bit of a cult classic for Stout lovers, the label states, "Stout Brewed with Brewers Licorice." Okay, it's got our interest.

Pours out a thick brown with a tight, tiny-bubbled head. Head retention is above average. Pretty much pitch black in color--there is no light shining through this liquid. Charred-wood aroma with faint smoke, a hint of licorice, mineral and a kiss of black currant in the back. Primo smoothness sets the full-bodied tone. Big on char and burnt flavors, with just enough astringency to play off the malt underneath, and not so much that it ruins the palate. The licorice adds a complex top layer unlike any other beer we've had. Hints of fruit, burnt toffee, baker's chocolate and dark roast coffee in the middle. Finishes bittersweet with a long, lingering char flavor that the palate just can't shake.

Yeah, we can see why this beer has cult status. This Stout is so robust, you can almost chew it. Big thumbs up for the subtle and artful addition of licorice. For a pairing, try some rosemary beer-braised lamb lollipops, or even an old-fashioned pot roast.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2008 19:11:11 | More by BeerAdvocate

Jason

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz brown bottle with no freshness date.

Appearance: The thick foaming light brown head leaves big sticky chunks in the glass, the colour is a shade or two from pitch black.

Smell: Yeasty aroma, dark fruitiness under a wild estery and buttery burnt caramel smell.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Full bodied, creamy smooth and on the sweet side ... the sweetness seems clouded though. Big yeast bite mixes it up with the roasted character. Ghost like beef broth and dark fruit. Bitter chocolate and some roasted coffee bean in there. A bit hoppy with some flavour middle to end, lots of soft charcoal flavour as well.

Notes: The minimal astringency does not get in the way yet the flavours just don’t meld well together … a little unbalanced some would say. I am not say it is bad, I enjoyed it but it certainly did not rock my world.

Thanks to sakaroo for the sample.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2003 01:39:53 | More by Jason

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-23-2013 01:18:53 | More by mikeincharleston

Jade

Ohio

2.25/5  rDev -44.2%

05-23-2013 00:59:14 | More by Jade

PopnLoads

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-21-2013 15:30:27 | More by PopnLoads

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-21-2013 00:30:30 | More by johntfox

phunkychickita

Maine

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-20-2013 16:58:42 | More by phunkychickita

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-20-2013 14:13:08 | More by InspectorBob

twelveinches

Washington

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-20-2013 05:19:18 | More by twelveinches

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-19-2013 14:15:33 | More by drgonzo2k2

NJB145

Michigan

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-19-2013 00:59:49 | More by NJB145

wac9

Pennsylvania

3.49/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

love the beer love the name pour black in a glass looks a little watery but thats ok its the taste that will keep you coming back for more frist taste of bitterness works for me i coulddrink this all night i taste chcolate and other goodness enjoy this and their bell porter are wonderful

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 18:28:40 | More by wac9

mverity

Florida

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-16-2013 21:36:34 | More by mverity

shiguy16

North Dakota

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-16-2013 15:00:53 | More by shiguy16

Demarais20

North Dakota

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-16-2013 07:59:07 | More by Demarais20

GinsuDave

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-15-2013 10:18:18 | More by GinsuDave

JohnG190

New York

4.48/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into tulip. Served at 50 degrees.

Appearance - inky black with light brown head that stick around for a while.

Aroma - burnt malt, espresso, and dark chocolate dominate. Faint whiff of anise.

Taste - initial sweetness gives way to nice, ever so slightly bitter finish. Flavors follow aroma with slightly more licorice than aroma.

Mouthfeel - medium body with soft carbonation.

Overall - one could almost call this a session stout at 6% ABV, I now understand why this American stout is so talked about. Will definitely visit again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 23:21:58 | More by JohnG190

klingenator

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-14-2013 20:07:40 | More by klingenator

BigLittleHokis

California

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-14-2013 06:34:57 | More by BigLittleHokis

bravefan44

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-14-2013 03:10:07 | More by bravefan44

ZombieJester

California

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-14-2013 03:09:56 | More by ZombieJester

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-13-2013 23:11:36 | More by AmandaSchaefer

vrbulldog22

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-13-2013 18:26:52 | More by vrbulldog22

csfcmitchell

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-13-2013 16:03:25 | More by csfcmitchell

Kubrickx

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-12-2013 18:01:20 | More by Kubrickx