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

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: 12 fluid ounce, long neck, simple label with the word Bell’s, beneath which there is a strange compass like drawing on the front, with the words Expediton Stout below. 2002 offering.

Appearance: Holy Shit! - that reminds me I need to change the oil in my Car. Jet black viscous pour, I’ve seen lighter colored heavy fractions from the bottom of a tar filled Refinery Distillation column. The massive head is a dark brown, expansive & well aerated at first, after which, it settles to an incredibly smooth offering with shallow ravines & some pock-marks give a lunar landscape look about this Stout. The head eventually breaks, but not after it leaves an amazing lace. Solid inherent carbonation.

Nose: Roasted malts, coffee beans, dark chocolate & some fruit aspects, I actually got a light whiff of fresh Strawberries at first, but mixed with the dark chocolate - I can see why people get Cherries.

Taste: Starts & finishes with a long, deep, massive bitter-roast missives, which makes it a delight to re-taste after each swallow. After a while, I get a cherry fruitiness in the beginning as well as a Cocoa powder dryness in the middle, the ending has some Vanilla aspects. It takes a while & quite a bit of concentration to work this one out.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, but the bitter, roasted flavors coat the mouth like synthetic lubricating oil. It takes a few swallows before the bitter-roast flavors are eroded by the mere act of salivation. Mmmm, nice! Solid.

Drinkability: I simply do not believe that this is 11.5%, is it? – Nah, never! - it can’t be! - can it? Wow, if it is, it hides the alcohol so incredibly well. I will be honest to admit that if I sampled this blind, others could easily fool me into telling me it is between 6-8%, such is the balance. Bloody Hell, my Glass is empty!

Overall: Excellent ! I am so glad I got a good sample of this Expedition Stout from Bell’s, now I know why people are so pissed when they get less than par samples of this quite stupendous Stout – it would be a huge disappointment & a let-down for me also after tasting a good one.

Thanks to BigHuge, you came up trumps yet again!!

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2003 04:09:36 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The King of Imperial Stouts in my opinion....we did a blind taste test a few years back and everything else paled in comparision..this is thick...rich...and chewy....black in color with a tinge of ruby red...no light gets through....the nose is sweet dark fruits, burnt malts, dark cocoa, and alcohol...mouthfeel is not quite as overbearingly thick as I remember...don't get me wrong because it is thick, but it is surprisingly drinkable...taste mimicks the nose. The dark cocoa and burnt malts emerge at first but as it warms it I get more of the sweet dark fruits....finishes with a dry bite...outstanding beer..among the best I've tried...

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2002 22:14:05 | More by ZAP

jrallen34

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I drank this on tap into a tasting glass.

The beer is black with a medium tan head that has lots of retention and great lacing.

The aroma is very malty, lots of sweet chocolate with vanilla and hops right at the end.

The taste is off from the aroma with lots of coffee on the front and big hoppy finish.

The feel is very heavy and viscous with a decent drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2009 15:31:58 | More by jrallen34

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is the ale I chose to celebrate my 500th review. I picked this up at Capone's in Norristown and cellared this for 6 months. Decanted at approx 45 degrees in a snifter and goblet for the sake of experiment.

A - Very, very very deep brown w/ medium brown head that appears like a sturdy tree trunk w/ rings after a swirl of the glass. The bead is ultra fine w/ a smooth cappuccino-like appearance on the foam.

M - Dry, luscious roasted malt w/ a toasted charred feel like the texture of over-roasted marshmallows. Intense spice and sweetness w/ moderately low carbonation and a decent amount of hop bitterness as the liquid is swallowed.

S - Supreme dark malt w/ heavy roast and fruit aromas. The sweet chewy malt has a creamy milky caramel aroma. There is subtle molasses and smokey wood notes w/ light spiced hop odors that round out the smell of this complex ale.

T - Dark fruit and berry flavors w/ vanilla-like oaky and slightly smokey flavored sweet chocolate cookie-like malt. The hops are pungent w/ sweet leafy and piney flavors that have a sugar coated taste. The flavors of dark crystal malt w/ roasted grains tastes as fresh as fresh brewed wort. A nice brown sugar-like note w/ a nice accent of citrus coming from the hops works in a synergystic way. There are many flavor layers w/ a dominant dark chocolate flavor that surrounds the tongue and makes this stout seem like a hoppy version of liquid truffles w/ anise spice added for good measure.

D - One of the best American Imperial Stouts I have tasted in a bottle. Just about flawless w/ a balance of hops and so much malt flavor you can't go wrong here. Even the boozy taste is within optimal range for my taste (6 months cellared) I prefer the bottled version, but I will update this when I can w/ the draft version. I can honestly say this deserves all the accolades this big stout receives.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2008 13:57:29 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

7/27/06 update: Re-reviewed for the context of Imperial/Russion Stout Session...9th in line for myself, expatsteve, DaPeculierDane, and Golden2wenty1. Overall analysis remains similar. My notes revealed a 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3.5 scoring.


12oz single, from the cellar fridge, batch 6672, 04 edition

appearance: black as night, a foamy deep brown head begins to form, but is a bit smaller than usual, some minimal ruby tinting...pours like motor oil, as has often been said

smell: big and bold, very deep roast, dark bittersweet chocolate, raisin, black coffee, some hints of underlying hops

taste: This is a big stout. Very rich with quite evident alcohol. The flavors are so dark and rich...the dark chocolate flavors are dominant, very sweet, dark caramel, toasted malts, espresso

mouthfeel: creamy and rich, bittersweet

drinkability: tasty but a beast, more than 1 is tough

I heart you expedition

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2005 02:34:30 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

4.95/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I am stunned by this amazing concoction. A masterpiece through and through. It is easly the best imperial I have tried. As good, if not better than the much heralded Storm King.

Expedition pours pitch black...light enters but cannot escape. A wispy tan head appears, but the beer itself is hardly carbonated. Makes the mouth feel wonderfully slippery.

Smell is of dark fruit, charcoal, sharp hops and alcohol. Taste contains all of these plus expresso, chocolate, molasses, caramel, and faint vanilla bean. Starts with some burnt sweetness, the comes the onslaught of the hops (cascades?). Even the huge hop profile is quickly buried beneath the avalanche of massive roasted flavors. Alcohol is not too evident (especially for 10%ABV) but provides a delighful warming sensation.

Very well integrated right now, but I can't wait to see how this matures. Kepping my hands off the rest will truly test my will-power.

Update 3.22.03:
(2yr old bottle.) Holy shit.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2002 01:07:55 | More by cokes

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.72/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours from 12oz bottle a pitch black with a medium sized head of foam that shrinks rather quickly leaving just a fine ring around the edge of the glass.

The smell is very strong but nice. There's oodles of roasted and sweet malt on the nose and also some fruitiness.

The taste is also hugely malty. Lots of roastiness and sweet caramel malt along with chocolate and hot cocoa that adds some nice bitterness that creates one heck of a complex and pleasing experience to my palate. Wow is this ever a great sipping Imperial Stout! I did have a couple bottles of it a few years back but I think I'm enjoying it more now because of my "evolved" appreciation of quality microbrews.

I'm about halfway through now and though the abv is pretty darned high, I'm not getting any of it in the taste, just some warming as it goes down. What a great brew to have on this very cold Casper winter evening...

Bottom line: A *superb* full bodied, full flavoured Imperial Stout that borders on perfection. I can't recommend this one enough!

Thanks to ColoradoBobs for allowing me to try this beauty again!!!

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2007 00:37:03 | More by Bitterbill

Tone

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, jet black. 1/4 inch head of a dark tan color. Great retention and Good lacing. Smells strongly of sweet malt, slight hops, alcohol, and some roasted malts. Fits the style of a Russian Imperial Stout. Thick and smooth mouth feel. Low carbonation level present, and a noticeable bitterness and dryness left on the palate. Tastes of strong malt, roasted malt, slight hop kick noticeable, some chocolate, and an overall sweetness. Strong body along with a slight alcohol flavor. Overall, a good complex beer full of different malt flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2009 05:11:29 | More by Tone

beertunes

Washington

3.8/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Received in a recent trade, but I've forgotten with who, apologies and thanks! Bottle with code # 9554. Poured into 10oz glass. Poured solidly black with just under an inch of light brown head that had decent retention and lacing.

The aroma full and rich, lots of roasted and toasted scents. The flavors were also well executed examples of the style. In addition to the roasted flavors there was a nice little hop tang at the end.

The body was typically full, rich and tongue coating. Drinkability will vary depending on your personal taste for the style, 1 of these at a time is usually enough for me, YMMV.

Overall, a very good example of the style and better than some much more highly hyped versions. Worth trying when you see it.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2010 20:10:58 | More by beertunes

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tumbler. The beer was completely black with a thin tan head. The aroma is sweet and malty. The flavor is rich with malt and chocolate and other things that kick ass. It's perfect for the style, maybe even better than Batch 7000 due to easier drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2006 00:59:31 | More by TurdFurgison

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Over the years, as my tastes evolved, I think this is one of the beers that's seen the greatest falloff in palatability to me. The first time I reviewed this, I gave it a 4.8 or 4.85. Batch 8728 from Sept 2008.

Jet black with a dense, very dark brown (almost Hunahpu's-like) that falls off to a ring, leaving a little lace. As always, very motor oil-like. The nose is intense. Licorice and soy are most noticeable, and there's dark chocolate, plenty of roasted malt with a firm, grainy bitterness on the back end. Molasses is also quite noticeable. Alcohol is *very* well hidden here.
The palate is quite gargantuan. Massive waves of flavors roll through, with licorice and molasses being most noticeable. This is closer to the British interpretation, with the only sweetness present being roasty, bitter and grainy without much caramel or brown sugar, both which seem to be embraced by more brewers because they make for more drinkable beers. Thankfully, the soy that I picked up on the nose isn't as intense on the palate. Fresh, I remember this being pretty hoppy, but 2+years has given this time to mellow out and the hops have pretty much disappeared. Quite sweet without being cloying (in no small part, thanks to the lower levels of crystal malt?) A little ashy as well. Again, a touch of soy appears on the finish with some licorice. Full in body with soft carbonation, this beast is a treat on the palate, but ultimately, too intense to be drinkable in large quantities. Still, this is an intense sipper and a rewarding one.

**Original review dated 01-23-2008 03:11:43**
4.5/4.5/4.5/5/4.5
12oz bottle (Batch # 8145) poured into my Duvel tulip. Poured like motor oil

A: Jet black with a dense 1 1/2 finger head. Good retention and lacing

S: Roasted malts, dark chocolate and some hops right up front. Definite vanilla presence. Hints of alcohol. Excellent! As it warms up, a bitterness reminiscent of licorice is apparent.

T: Damn, this is one tasty beer. Massive chocolate, espresso up front with a wave of creamy vanilla. A smorgasbord of all flavors dark - roasted malt, molasses, licorice. The finish is mildly bitter, with a touch of hops and some licorice.

M: Soft, creamy and viscous. Perfect

D: This goes down easier than it should and i will pay for it if i have more than a couple. In any case, this one's near perfect.

Get it. This is a new favorite of mine

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 04:34:17 | More by DefenCorps

francisweizen

Australia

4.85/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Updated: 2003 version pours at slightly below room temp with a humungous head of tan 5, thus increasing the appearance and aroma to a '5'. Taste is also a 5 to me now, but this stuff is just too thick so I have to drop .5 for drinkabiity and mouthfeel. Still, this is one of the best imperial stouts out there on the market!

Like the previous reviewer my bottle was also very flat. Rendering me with only an almost inaudible 'pfft' as I popped the cap. This beer poured as dark as darkness itself but unfrotunately for me, it had no head. The aroma was a little intense at first, but as this beer warmed up you could small dark roasted flavors, malts, chocolate, candies, and fruits...very nice. The taste was, of course, exceptional but the mouthfeel was a little too thick for the low carbonation of this bottle. This has a good drinkability and it is one of my favorite Imperial Stouts by far. If I could get this with a nice head on it and some more carbonation it would probably rate all 5's. I have heard about this breweries inconsistency so perhaps my next bottle will be the 'straight 5's monster' I think this beer can be!
thanks to sakaroo for the sample...
cheers!,
F.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2003 06:48:53 | More by francisweizen

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Motor oil viscosity pouring out of the bottle! Brown head dissipates quickly to a nice collar.

Smells like chocolate malts, raspberries, blackberries, red apples and a bit of grassy hops. Quite complex.

Mouthfeel is uber thick and creamy. Would have liked to have aged this a while, but phuket...didnt feel like packing it in my luggage. Tastes like alcohol, dark berries, raisins, hay and espresso. This is a big beer and it lets you know it. The high hop content would allow for some good aging and let all the flavors melt together. I could see this being an A+ with a year or so under it's belt.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2008 04:43:57 | More by twiggamortis420

nickfl

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Small, brownish-orange head that dissipates quickly. Virtually opaque black body with just a hint of ruby showing through.

S - Roasty malt aroma with subtle notes of both chocolate and coffee. A velvety hop note lurks in the background as a nice complimnet to the roasted malt.

T - Sweet and malty up front with some deep, dark chocolate flavors. Hop flavor kicks in early with a resiny, velvety smooth note and a round bitterness that compliments rather than cuts the sweetness. The finish is strongly bitter with competing bitter components from the malt and the hops and lingering notes of coffee, tobacco, and smoke.

M - Very thick, oily body with low carbonation and a sweet, slightly alcoholic finish.

D - Reasonably drinkable considering how huge this beer is. The flavors are profoundly dark and quite complex, and the only flaw I can find is the mildly hot alcohol in the finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2008 04:41:27 | More by nickfl

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into an Imperial Pint. Batch #8728 - Packaged Sept. 16th, 2008. 10.5% ABV.
Thanks to Sweemzander for this one!

A - Poured with the color and near consistency of molasses it was a visible clear dark brown while hitting the glass until it was full. The result was a pitch black beer with a loose-bubbled, one-finger, milk chocolate colored head. It stayed around for a good amount of time considering the alcohol percent which left visible legs on the glass. A thin layer was left while little lacing adorned the glass.

S - Huge roasted malts pour out with out any regard for overwhelming your senses. Carried with them are a toffee and caramel with brown sugar sweetness along side a sharp, unmistakable molasses aroma. Drifting in the background is a coffee bean burnt-ness and what seems like a light hop aroma. Up front with the malts is a slightly warm boozy spice scent too. Full of brute strength yet complex.

T - You may call this a malt punch in the mouth. One of the most robust beers I've ever encountered in my beer expedition, it's heavily bitter from the roastiness with a caramel sweetness that takes the back seat to the molasses kick, coffee roast, and alcoholic boozy spice. A touch of toffee can be sampled here and there but is pretty scarce amidst the malty onslaught. Woody notes are also present as well.

M - Full-bodied in every sense of the word, it features almost no carbonation detection and coats the mouth and throat like syrup. The roasted malts give off a hefty bitterness that balances well with the sweetness and finishes with a very warm alcohol spice. The lingering alcohol kick is a bit much to finish out with in conjunction with the cocoa powder dryness.

D - While I love and respect this beer for what it is, it is not drinkable. It's thick as molasses and twice as strong but don't get me wrong; it's a great sipper for a cold winter day. Otherwise the alcohol is a bit too present for my tastes. This big beer demands all of your attention and would substitute well for a cup of coffee and breakfast in the morning, however; one is plenty. Sip slowly and enjoy for a while.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 01:35:27 | More by BeerFMAndy

tpd975

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Like the java stout I just reviewed this one comes to Florida from Indiana with love from my brother. God bless him.

A: The perfect pouring stout. Nice large 3 finger espresso colored head that settles down nicely to a small pillow atop the brew. There is also very nice lacing down the glass. This one could make People' Magazines 100 most beautiful list.

S: Lacking. There is not much really coming from the glass. I like big bold smells when it comes to beer and this one just don't have it. There is some sweetness that I can detect along with some char of the malt. I wanted nice strong tones of coffee and chocolate, none were found here.

T: The taste is good, but not great. The taste of charred malt is in there, which gives you a sense of coffee. The chocolate taste is of bitter chocolate. To be honest I expected more.

M: This one is thick like a milkshake. The coating is wonderful on your mouth. Had the taste been great this would have helped to put the beer over the top.

D: If this is your cup of tea you could drink several despite the ABV. It goes down rather smooth and hides the alcohol nicely.

Overall: I was expecting this to be Bell's best stout. Right before drinking this one I had a Java Stout which I like sooo much better. I have also had their Kalamazoo stout which I also prefer to this one. I realize those are lighter stouts with this being a RIS. Maybe I was expecting too much coming in to this one. I will revisit in a few days as I have a six pack of it. I will also put a few back to age. Time may be on its side.

I almost feel as though I am being too critical. Bell's is quite possibly my favorite brewer. I have to revisit this one. Will update after my second go around with this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2007 16:28:39 | More by tpd975

FosterJM

California

3.68/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

243rd review on BA
bottle to snifter
No bottle code- Emailed bells said only issue was batch 9424 bottled on 10/29/2009

2009 Vintage

App- A very dark brown pour almost black with a dark tan almost brown head. Quickly receding to a ring of bubbles.

Smell- A lot of booze on this even with a year on it. Big RIS scents fill the nose. Chocolate, coffee, malt.

Taste- A bit stout with some less than balanced flavors that somehow still manage to taste great. The malt is a bit too strong with a underdevloped roast. A bit of a nutty aftertaste.

Mouth- A light/medium body with a low carb slick oily feel to it.

Drink- I was expecting a bit more but still pretty good. I give it high marks.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 03:33:08 | More by FosterJM

smakawhat

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a large snifter glass. Nice to see how this out of the bottle for a change. Packaged September 26th 2011 off we go.

Out of the bottle this pours supper dark and motor oil thick with an incredibly dark DARK brown chocolate head, creamy tiny bubbles and big lacing edges around the glass. Body color is a classic walnut black/brown.

Nose is very fruity, banana, barleywine sense, and mild malts. Interesting very creamy smelling, not so much roasty or malty, quite nice though.

Taste is a great mix of milk chocolate, and very hop bitter finish. Slightly prickly but mostly velvety chocolate texture in the mid palate, and finishing with a very noticeable grapefruit hop bitter. Hop character seems to take over the remaining drink, but still give a basic impression of a dark malty stout.

Overall pretty tasty, but was quite surprised by this hop bitter presence.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 02:45:25 | More by smakawhat

LilBeerDoctor

New York

4.55/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 5/11/08. Bottle. Pours a dark black with the most beautiful dark brown/red head, as thick as a milkshake, man I can't wait to drink this! Aroma of chocolate, coffee, roast, sweet aroma (the aroma is probably the weakest component of the beer). Flavor of similar chocolate, coffee, roast, light alcohol, sweet sweet malt with a bitter hops finish. So rich, probably one of the richest beers I've ever had. The mouthfeel is just incredible. Although it is rich, it is fairly smooth and easy to drink. The best Imperial Stout that I've had to date--just super awesome and I'm so sad we don't get this in NY.
8/5/10/5/18 (4.6/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2008 02:42:58 | More by LilBeerDoctor

RedDiamond

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A seriously dark beer with a thin brown head. The flavor is a muscular mix of dense roasty elements, bitter chocolate, a welcome sweetness, and a formidable measure of alcohol. The smell touches upon mocha at first, then dry roasted goodness, alcohol, and coffee. CO2 is minimal, lace is absent.

An ambitious recipe with plenty of kick. Special thanks to cmaruschak.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2005 20:41:30 | More by RedDiamond

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass, the beer pours very, very dark brown with a thick brown head. Head retention and lacing are both excellent. It smells like chocolate, molasses, coffee, dark fruit and a bit of alcohol. It tastes mostly bitter with a bit of sweetness, like coffee, plums and/or figs, semi-sweet chocolate and roasted malt. The alcohol warming in the taste is noticeable, but it's not too much. Mouthfeel is full, smooth and creamy. The drinkability is good, but I don't think I'd want any more than 2 at a time. I think it's a good choice as a nightcap. IMO, it's a very good beer. Another winner from Bell's!

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2007 03:29:50 | More by bluejacket74

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle and tap multiple times and more to come!

Poured a dark black with an averaged sized brown head. Aromas and tastes of mocha chocolates, roasted malts, and light bitter coffee. This is one good tasting beer. Alcohol content well hidden. Smooth and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2008 19:44:22 | More by hopdog

AgentZero

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -24%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Black beer that browns on the edges with a couple fingers of mocha-colored head.

S - Sweet, and slightly hot, typical RIS with chocolate and coffee notes, bit of roasted malt, caramel, and molasses.

T - Sweet, molasses and chocolate are definitely there, and it drinks a little bit boozy as well. Some roast, but it is a bit heavy on the molasses and taste a little burnt as well. It's okay, but nothing special.

M - Slightly overcarbed, but full bodied.

O - It's not a bad beer, but I've had a lot better and wouldn't really seek this out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 05:10:07 | More by AgentZero

Brent

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured a stygian black - no light could escape the gravitational pull of this beer black-hole. A tannish head quickly fizzed about, and then departed, thereafter the beer seemed quite lightly carbonated. Aroma was sweet and creamy, boasting of highly roasted malts. Dark roasted malt flavors packed the liquid, like strong brewed coffee, without the coffee flavor. Mouthfeel was rather disconcertingly thin, which seemed out of place against the onslaught of roasted malt. Hops in the finish vied with a rather harsh alcohol flavor for control of the finishing note, with the alcohol winning out after a hard-fought battle. Overall, the flavor profile seemed out of whack for the style - a great deal of effort had gone into crafting the beer, but the final product is one which failed to win me over.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2003 07:30:32 | More by Brent

blackie

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Probably my introduction to the Midwestern beer world, or maybe it was Two Hearted. In any case, a review is long overdue.

a: Pours a nice brick-mocha head with decent retention. The beer is a deep brown in color, essentially black.

s: Rich roasted malt aromas coupled with earthy, pine hops. A touch of creamy bittersweet chocolate and espresso. Welcome ethanol note. Very rich.

m: Carbonation on the low side, and very smooth. The body is very full, and everything balances out very well. Creamy. Can't ask for much more here.

t: Roasted malt backbone with a big dose of piney Centennial hop flavor...perhaps killing some complexity. A range of creamy roasts makes up the bulk of the flavor, with a touch of smoke coming through. Moderate bitterness in the long espresso finish. A great RIS, but this fresh the depth is lost to the astringent roast and fresh hop combination.

d: easy enough for the style

batch 8295

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2008 04:32:42 | More by blackie