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

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As I have mentioned in a few other reviews, we don't get Bell's in New Jersey. I wish they would come here.

Kalamazoo was black with about one finger of tan head that drops down to some nice scum. The scum led to very good lacing.

The smell had light coffee with some hopping. I also pick up a little bit of sweetness. The flavor have better coffee flavor. It was really smoothe; not very harsh.

This is a very good stout. It has very clean flavor, and the aftertaste is really good. I wish I could get this in New Jersey. I would like to age a few bottles to try over time. Maybe I could find this in Pennsylvania.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 01:31:20 | More by ummswimmin

ronniebruner

Arizona

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First off, I must say those guys over there at Bell's continue to put out a quality product. This beer is very good. UPon pouring you will notice the rich, dark chocolate color and how smoothly it pours with the right amount of head and lace. The aroma is of creamy malts and a hint of chocolate. The taste is extraordinary. Very few beers go down this smooth! THis is a great stout, leaves no aftertaste, just smooth refreshing stout at its finest.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 03:33:39 | More by ronniebruner

soju6

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a virtual black color with a good creamy head that fades slowly to ample lacing.

S: Aroma of roasted malt, coffee and bit of caramel sweetness.

T: Initial taste of burnt coffee, roasted malt and bittersweet chocolate. Has a lingering finish and a clean finish.

F: Full body, thick, smooth and creamy.

O: Easy drinker and an excellent stout. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 02:32:31 | More by soju6

Jparker37

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass. Bottled on 8/22/11

A - One finger thick dark brown head dissipates quickly but looks delicious. Very opaque black with no cling of lacing.

S - Awesome complex dark chocolate malt. More subtler coffee roastiness. I don't quite get the licorice yet. Very rich! Hint of smokey tobacco as it warms.

T - Not creamy nor sweet, but complex with coffee roast and dark chocolate. Finishes with a sharper roasty bitterness.

M - A thinner mouthfeel was unexpected. On the dry side for the style with little carbonation.

O - The licorice never really crossed my palate or was identified. I thought the smell was unmatched for a simple American stout but lacked depth in taste. Still very much enjoyed. I blame some of the quality on the store which I purchased this single beer from (world market) where this beer was stored warm for multiple months. I can easily get a six pack fresh which I will do and re-review.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 02:04:32 | More by Jparker37

TheCondor

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I grabbed a bottle of this in a mix and match six pack of stouts at the local store when I had a serious hankerin’ for stouts. Poured from the bottle into a Boulevard oversized wine glass.

Appearance – Pours an impressive deep brown, almost black color with a nice two finger tan head which leaves pretty good lacing. A nice looking beer overall.

Smell – Roasts, chocolate, and coffee come at you full steam ahead. There is no doubt as to the desired scent of this beer. It does not have a nasal identity crisis. Just a flat out good smelling stout.

Taste – Impressive! There is a sweetness in the opening, followed by the more traditional roasts, chocolate, and coffee flavors of a stout, then finishing with a nice bitterness. Excellently balanced, I love it. I am really impressed by this beer.

Mouthfeel – This may be one of the most impressive aspects of the brew. It is so smooth, goes down like almost like milk. Thick, creamy, smooth, easily drinkable.

Overall – This is an excellent example of a solid stout, another good offering from Bell’s. I have been disappointed with my last few reviews so it is nice to review an impressive beer which exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this brew, sessionable, easy to drink a bunch of them. Man this was good. I will get more.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 02:49:10 | More by TheCondor

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 11/14/11.

As one might expect, the beer is black with a tan head. Head is moderately sized and begins to dissipate pretty quickly.

Smell strongly contains the black liquorish that bottle indicates is present, along with roasted malt. Coffee and chocolate scents as well. A bit of a vanilla scent. Quite nice.

Taste is nice and big for a "regular-strength" stout. The liquorice again plays a prominent role but does not overpower the rest of the beer. Speaking as somebody who is not a big liquorice fan, I think the flavour is very nice. The roasted malt is also strong, and brings along with it a coffee flavour, though not as strongly as in the nose. All flavours are well integrated and the beer is very nicely balanced- very mildly bitter aftertaste.

Moderate carbonation, full bodied and fairly creamy.

Overall, a very nice stout. Bell's seems to do no wrong and I only wish that I could buy their beers in Ontario.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 01:39:56 | More by jrenihan

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from Piccadilly in Champaign, IL
Poured into a New Belgium globe glass

Pours a ~2cm head of dark tan to light brown bubbles, fairly dense in stature. Descends in a few minutes to what is a perpetual, thin cap atop the body. Leaves good lacing: spots and lines remain after each sip. Body is quite dark, a nearly-black brown, that even when held to the light, is still opaque and offers light brown edges.

Aroma of roasted and specialty malts, giving some roasted, dark chocolate, vanilla, and heavy-on-the-cream-coffee.

Taste is generous with burnt toast, dark chocolate, vanilla, cream (or lactose sweetness), and very dark dried figs. Lingering aftertaste of mild bitterness, burnt toast, and chocolate.

Beer is medium-bodied with modest carbonation. Mouthfeel is very creamy and smooth, accentuated by the body and carbonation. Quite pleasant to sip.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 03:56:18 | More by falloutsnow

DefenCorps

Oregon

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

I'm astounded at the fact that I haven't reviewed this yet. Bottled 28th October 2011

Pouring black with dark brown highlights, this beer is capped with a creamy brown head with great retention and some lacing. The nose is pretty excellent. An excellent blend of roast, dark chocolate syrup, a blend of grainy bitterness and licorice, this is pretty excellent. Lactose sweetness is also present, as is some molasses. Exceptional balance IMO.

The palate opens with a wonderful blend of licorice, dark chocolate and an aggressive yet restrained roast. Fruity mid-palate with some dried figs, along with an excellent creaminess. Dries up on the finish with a rather exceptional balance of roast, licorice, dark chocolate and just enough sweetness to balance them all out, this is really nice. Medium-light in body with moderate but creamy carbonation, this feels really really good on the palate. Among the best stouts there is, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 02:10:59 | More by DefenCorps

match1112

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a: pours a dark cola color, settles in black as nite. thin tight head disappears rather quickly. less than average retention and lacing.

s: roasted malts and a slight charred wood aroma dominate. some licorice in there as well.

t: roasted malts, some toffee and lactose are detected as well. slight hop presence as well.

m: in a blind tasting i would of said this is a milk stout. medium body and creamy. short lived dry roasted finish.

o: very drinkable, but also pretty standard for the style. .

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 02:54:03 | More by match1112

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased at a very good bottle shop, “PKGD 9/14/11” marked on label, (packaged?), purchased 12/11 and well stored.

Poured into a Dogfish Head Signature Snifter

Pours a rather thin head typical of the style which reduces to a thin but still present cap.
Black opaque color with a medium tan colored head. Decent lacing on glass.

Medium distinct, malt and yeast aroma. Not much else really.

Nice clean, crisp, wonderfully carbonated entry onto the palate, followed by a balanced roasted malt flavor which is somewhat muted yet very persistent. After it warms up to 60 degrees or so a nice light chocolate flavor kicks in. Good medium full mouth feel. Quite a pleasant drink

Nine finish of mildly bitter malt.

Very, very drinkable Stout. At 6% ABV I could be drinking this all night, (well at least until 9:00 PM anyway).
It’s not outstanding in any way, but taken on its own merits it is a very drinkable Stout and easily a session Ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 02:48:51 | More by JTSbeerislife

frenchblood21

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into Goose Island pint glass.

Appearance- Cola black w/ a one finger tan head. Tons of carbonation in the bottom of the glass. Great lacing.

Smell- Roasted barley and rootbeer come right at you. That's followed by the traditional chocolate and coffee.

Taste- A good roasted taste is the primary flavor. Not sweet at all...more of a bitter aftertaste. Some dark chocolate in the back.

Mouthfeel- Smooth and creamy...not much else to say.

Overall- Not the best stout in Bell's line-up. Coming in at only 6%, its a welcomed change from all the heavy hitters I've had lately.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 04:09:30 | More by frenchblood21

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Smith pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown color one expects from a stout. It's not impregnable to the light, but it works well. The head is a one finger dark cream color with good lacing, but lacking retention.

S: Very strong roast, espresso, and chocolate notes, with the licorice appearing as a secondary characteristic to the main scent. Amazingly in your face aroma.

T: The flavors are quite good, if not on the same level as the smell. There's an opening of wood and vanilla, followed by a sudden, welcome upsurge of roasted malt and chocolate. Finally, there's a combination of a vegetal component and some subtle licorice on the finish. The flavors progress smoothly and create a good balance, being neither overly sweet nor bitter, and tastes bigger than its 6% might suggest.

M: Good thickness overall, with a smooth, semi-creamy body and little dryness on the back end. Carbonation is low.

O: Definitely a great stout. It's not perfect, but it genuinely makes me wish I didn't have to drive to Virginia to get it (then again, it's worth going a state over to pick it up...)

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 23:23:58 | More by ThisWangsChung

ToasterChef

Maine

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes typed up during the recent BA server transition.

Opaque, deep, dark brown liquid fills my glass. On top rests a foamy head colored brown. Good brown lacing remains behind and I sip the beer out of my pint glass.

Roasted malts, coffee bitterness and some alcohol make up the aroma. It is rounded out by a hint of licorice.

This is a malty, semi-sweet beer. The brewer's licorice used in this beer has a strong flavor. Earthy, roasted malts also make up a lot of what I taste. Mild bitterness can be tasted as I swallow.

This beer has a fuller body and lower levels of carbonation. My lips are left somewhat sticky, and a noticeable coat is left in my mouth. There is a little bit of flavor in the coat, but it tastes slightly diluted.

This is an enjoyable stout, but not one I would go out of my way to have again. I would recommend it if you see it offered somewhere where you're shopping, or if you are a big fan of licorice as an additive.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 15:40:27 | More by ToasterChef

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The roast holds true to this one, but its not a harsh roast - it's very smooth. Raisins and other dark strong fruits (dark cherry syrup) come through on the nose as well. A very nice aroma overall.

To the eye, the beer is incredibly dark with slight slight slight brown highlights where the light penetrates. The head poured out a mocha color at about a finger high, but dissipated quickly - never disappearing all the way.

Those wonderful aromas duplicate in a stringer fashion in the flavor. Again, big roast notes and dark fruit dominate with a nice espresso bean finish.

The mouthfeel is on the lighter side of full bodied, with moderate carbonation. The beer finishes dry. Overall, this is a great stout, even if I would only have one per sitting.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 06:12:59 | More by tlazaroff

Swim424

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured into cigar city pint glass

A-very dark brown with a tiny mocha brown head that fell quick leaving a thin layer on top

S-smells like a mocha coffee also. not getting much else.

T- alot like the smell. im getting sort of a creamy mocha coffee smell. maybe a bit of chocolate up front with the coffee all the way through.

MF-pretty creamy, medium body for a stout. nice feel, very well balanced carbonation. good lingering aftertaste.

O-this is pretty good. nothing special, but great stout for a pretty good price. could benefit from a bit more of a chocolate flavor. but very good still.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 03:30:08 | More by Swim424

Daktyls

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very dark brown, almost black color with minimal tan lacing that slowly dissipates to rough patches.

S: Roasted malts, some dark syrupy notes of molasses and dark fruits. Some coffee and typical stout notes are somewhat present as well.

T: Dark molasses and fruits are the predominant tastes here, different than the usual chocolate/coffee dominated mouthfeel. Dark fruits are mildly present on the backend with roasted malts mixed in here and there.

M: Full bodied with a decent amount of complexity, medium-low amount of carbonation and a very small hint of alcohol.

O: Overall, quite good, again, somewhat different than the usual stout, but still quite good in its own respects.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 20:46:16 | More by Daktyls

eric5bellies

Australia

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank from my Duvel tulip glass.

A - Pours a deep Ebony colour with a large tanned head that reduces to a one fingered head.

S - Heavy roasted malt and molassis aromas, small hint of sweetness and cocoa and hop.

T - Up front some nice vanilla flavours, followed by nice roasted malts and finishes with a slightly sweet coffee flavour. Nice balance and the finish is long.

M - Medium to full body with low carbonation.

O - A very tasty brew with a nice balance. The coffee is very well presented.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 14:39:57 | More by eric5bellies

troysoy2

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11/14/11 DOB, poured into a pint glass.

Opaque black, with just a hint of red to it. Bubbly, one and a half finger of light tan head quickly reduces to a thin covering. A bit of webby lacing.

Nice, but subdued raosty smell. A hint of bitter chocolate, and maybe even the faintest bit of a dark fruit to it. Definitely not to the degree of a Belgian, though. Still, interesting. The chocolate comes out even more as it warms up.

The taste is robust. A balanced bit of hop bitterness is definitely there, while the dark malt leaves an amazing roasty, bourbon-esque flavor in your mouth long after you swallow. The mouthfeel is chewy and only ever so slightly carbonated. I don't know how they pulled this off while keeping it at 6% ABV. I'm impressed. A good sipper.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 05:25:09 | More by troysoy2

iabeerbaron

Iowa

3.43/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a really dark black with a medium tan head. Smell of roasted coffee and chocolate. Taste is the same as the smell; roasted coffee and chocolate. Great beer and on a winter day. Also a very good beer to pair with dessert. Highly enjoyable!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 19:38:48 | More by iabeerbaron

iadler

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a dark brown with a one finger off white head, which dissipates into a thin cap. No lacing is left behind.

S- Light cocoa powder, roasted malt, coffee and dark fruit. Not bad, but a pretty subdued aroma.

T- Cocoa upfront followed by some dark fruits with notes of plumb and raisins and a hint of licorice with a sudden overpowering amount of roasted dry malt, char and bitter coffee grounds at the end.

M- Low to medium carbonation and a slight light mouthfeel. Finishes dry and bitter that unfortunately lingers on for too long.

O- Not really my type of stout. It was overwhelmingly dry and bitter and just lacked much flavor with the licorice barely being noticeable.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 03:10:53 | More by iadler

blackcompg

Illinois

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

Poured from their 12oz bottle...

Appearance - Poures a finger of mocha colored bumpy cumulus, color of the beer is a dark opaque brown. Lacing is nice and fairly substantial.

Smell - Rich roast and char notes, molasses, dark fruits, whiff of soy sauce, freshly baked pumpernickel bread.

Taste - Starts with full, rich roasted and char flavors, astringent black coffee, then tart plum peels, black licorice with just a touch of sweetness, finishes with a wonderful combo of grassy herbal hops, coffee grounds, dark fruit skins and burnt rye pumpernickel toast.

Mouthfeel - Begins medium and creamy, then a rich smooth carb foams across the palate paving the way for the bitter and drying characters to shine through.

Overall - This is a very flavorful and complex stout. While I prefer a touch more sweetness personally, the flavors, balance and complexity still make for a fantastic stout. Bell's has never let me down, and this is no exception. A 6% ABV makes this sessionable, another plus.

*One last note - the "brewers licorice" comment on the label made me shy away from this at first, do not let this deter you if you don't like licorice. This is NOT a "licorice beer". The licorice is simply a component of a complex symphony, one that is worthy of tasting.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 06:18:27 | More by blackcompg

Jerone

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark dark brown approaching black, can see some through red around the edges. Nice fluffy can head that sticks around.

S - Some wood, charcoal, touch of chocolate and coffee and some hops.

T - Taste has some roasty toasty notes, some wood, tad bit of chocolate and some liquorice, ending goes to some hops that give a slight bitterness. Good flavors in this brew.

M - Medium body with relatively thin and low carbonation mouthfeel.

O - The flavors and smell are right on, although a tad more liqorice would be nice, but to me a more substantial mouthfeel would make this a much more enjoyable beer. Maybe more carbonation or simply a bit thicker/oily/whatever.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 04:02:19 | More by Jerone

senorscientist

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my go to beer when there are limited options.

A dark beer with the aroma of chocolate and a hint of coffee.

Easy drinking, smooth taste. I remember my first time drinking it after a night out, that it tasted like pure chocolate. Of course, in more of a sober state it doesn't taste exactly like chocolate, but it is pretty close.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 06:38:46 | More by senorscientist

Merkur

Tennessee

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Beer pours a nice dark brown color, with very little head. Just a touch of ligher brown.

Beer smells slightly roasty of dark chocolate. Also present is the slight hint of licorice.

Beer taste does not overpower at all. Very light roasty taste slightly of coffee and a bit of the licorice on the backend.

Fairly light in body and easy drinking.

Pretty good non-Imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 15:19:34 | More by Merkur

superspak

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, bottled 9/14/2011. Pours pitch black color, with a nice 2 finger fairly dense tan head with great retention that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some decent lacing clinging to the glass. Aromas of big milk chocolate, caramel, coffee, roasted malt, light herbal hops, and a hint of licorice. Nice well balanced aromas with good strength. Taste of big milk chocolate, coffee, caramel, roasted malt, pine, herbal hops, and a bit of spiciness. Good amount of bitterness on the finish with lingering notes of milk chocolate, caramel, pine, and herbal spiciness for a bit. Very robust flavors for 6%, with great balance. Medium carbonation and body; with a nice creamy mouthfeel. Hardly any alcohol presence except for a slight warming after the finish. Overall this is an excellent and highly robust stout. Very drinkable with great flavor balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 08:02:59 | More by superspak