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

madbrewer9

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown/black almost opaque. Some reddish hightlights at edges. Almost non-existent tan head with very fine bubbles. No lacing. Very noticable legs.
Great aroma, molassas and dark fruit.
Taste follows the aroma with mollassas and dark fruits, but also some bitter chocolate and hop bitterness.
Med full to full body, creamy, yet finishes slighty dry.
Very drinkable considering the strength. Beautiful beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 06:27:31 | More by madbrewer9

cope0021

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Wow. This is an awesome beer.

Pours a deep, dark black with a tan head. Head starts out about an inch thick and quickly thins out, but sligh tan heads remains the entire time.

Smells slightly sweet with a pleasant aroma.

First taste is heaven. Great balance of alcohol heat and darker grains (bitter coffee and chocolate notes). Mouthfeel is just right; not too thick, not too thin.

Alcohol creeps up on you towards the end of the glass. The alcohol is not overpoweing in the flavor, but by the end of the glass you can feel it.

Great beer. Highly reccomend.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2009 23:28:29 | More by cope0021

gshak

Texas

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

I've had this a number of times, and rated it around 4.75-5. Decided this time, to chime in and write a review. Poured from a year-old (Jan '12) bottle into a Meukow snifter at refrigerator temperature. I had the desire but not the discipline to let this one sit for long and warm up. Here we go:
A - With an aggressive pour, the liquid still went flat into the snifter, only for the bubbles to gradually rise up towards the end, generate a thin mocha-colored head, and fade back into a tiny, persistent, ring. Viscous, and pitch-black; upon swirling leaves noticeable signs of alcohol legs. The mocha-tint lets you know where the beer's been through in your glass. Impressive.
S - Chocolatey, very, very chocolatey with hints of molasses. Now, this may not be much to rate the stout on, but there is that almost zen-like statement from this stout (hyperbolic, I know) the subdued appearance, the subdued aromas that portend of awesome things to come. And for that feeling alone, this gets a 5.
T - Yes, yes, yes. A big hit of dark chocolate and sweet molasses coats the mouth. Transitions into a slightly vinous sensation on the palate most likely the alcohol. I want to keep this in my mouth for as along as I possibly can - ah, the sweet, sweet delight of sipping on this beauty. As it goes down, it dries the palate - possibly a combination of hops and alcohol coming into play. I never felt the alcohol at any time, and the hops are only there to balance out the sweetness of the beer. Even so...this is a malt-lover's dream!
M - Thick, viscous, silky, smooth....the ultimate sipper.

As far as non-barrel aged imperial stouts go, this is the one to beat. I do not see how anyone could possibly out do this one. And even among the barrel-aged ones, I can only pick a few that could, possibly, go toe-to-toe with the Bells Expedition.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 22:39:34 | More by gshak

Broman

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Black as night. Virtually no head. What was atop disappears quickly.

Smell- Nice firm malty aroma. Notes of chocolate and what seems to be coffee are prevalent. Not overpowering, but still a very inviting smell.

Taste- Heavy malts and chocolate consume the mouth. Unexpected and welcome bitterness are noted as well. Slight alcohol tate is noticeable and lingers through the aftertaste. Upon belching the chocolate malts return.

Mouthfeel- Slight carbonation is noticed. Medium to heavy body on the palet. The longer it rests on the tongue the more prevalent the alcohol becomes. No immediate or straightforward flavors.

Overall- Great stout. Easy to drink and enjoy, the alcohol bite reminds you not to enjoy to many. Basic and straightforward with its flavor and not overwhelming. Enjoyable and tasty up to two, but time to switch after that.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 05:12:24 | More by Broman

twelvinlucifer

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours slow and thick. The head looks like chocolate milk foam! Tapers off after a while into a very nice lacing cover. Smells of chocolate and and coffee. Unbelievable smooth taste, lots of roasted malt in this one! There has to be a ton of chocolate malt in this as well. There is a nice bitter back-end on this that I can't quite put my finger on, but, it balances out quite nicely. Mouth feel is very nice, very clean for a stout of this magnitude. The alcohol is definitely present in the taste and when it hits the tummy it really warms you up!

This is probably My favorite stout of all time so far. It's going to be very hard for me to find any other that could top this!

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2006 13:02:41 | More by twelvinlucifer

Jessefive

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first Bells, and my first Imperial Stout. As I expected, the color was the darkest black. A creamy thick body. The flavor was dark chocolate with a soft fruity sweetness hidden in there. There was a little roasted malt flavor, but it wasn't nearly as prominent as I would have imagined. It had a bitter finish. As it warmed a bit, the bitterness of the alcohol and hops became more prominent. Overall, a very tasty and interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2007 21:00:36 | More by Jessefive

phreak1983

Iowa

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poured into a pint glass, it is pitch black with a slight brown foam that I wouldn't really call a head.

S- Smells of sweet roasted malt.

T- Roasted malt and not as sweet as I thought it would be. Finishes with a noticable alcohol warmth but not burn.

M-Good mouthfeel, maybe a little thin and ending slightly dry.

D- Fairly easy to drink although it would be more drinkable if it hid it's alcohol a little better.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2009 12:52:18 | More by phreak1983

winegourmet76

Texas

4.65/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Great beer karma to Nick who bestowed this to me. Three years old. I have heard great things and love the style, was elated to try this one.

Appearance: black as night, aggressive pour, brown head, good lacing

Nose: remarkable, and I have had some amazing wines in my time, but this is irresistible to a great nose. Dark rich chocolate, like 80% cacao, followed by rich, rum and brandy macerated raisins. Very few beers warrant savoring the nose for so long as this one. So rich, so indulgent, can the flavor measure up?

Taste: brandy, chocolate-covered raisins, smoke, this one is definitely in its prime. Mostly I get the rich brandy/rum flavors, which is a nice change from the usual roasted coffee IRS flavors. Only the Bell's Batch 7000 that I was fortunate enough to try bests this one in complexity.

Mouthfeel: A little thin, expected it to be more creamy.

This is a beer that ranks in my top five, hands down. So rich, so complex, I wish I had some to share with my friends. This beer is exactly why I love this style so much.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 02:57:29 | More by winegourmet76

BeerInReview

Wisconsin

3.7/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

It's a typical dark black stout color, but I manage to get some decent head, two fingers worth. The dark tan head gradually dissipated into a collar around the beer and provided nice lacing. I could smell a lot of malt and a twinge of alcohol.
The taste was sweet at first but quickly transitioned to heavy roasted malt. The finish left my mouth dry with chocolate notes. The beer was thin, but full bodied with an appropriate amount of carbonation.
The 10.5% ABV is making my mouth very dry and I don't think I could drink another. One is enough. Overall, the beer was good, as I would not turn this one down if offered, but I've had better stouts.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2010 03:03:30 | More by BeerInReview

pjohnston007

New York

4.78/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of the Kings of brew. I must vehemently disagree with the brothers on this one.

A: Tar Black, "Abysmal Void" liquid with beautiful caramel head and lacing. Good lacing that retains well.

S: Oaked molassas, honey, coffee, vanilla, peat. Bourbon-esque.

T: Deep and complex: Creamy, thick, sweet, balanced acidity (neutral), oaky.

M: Creamy, velvety, clean finish. Luscious and not at all dry. Carbonation (indeed!) that livens up the head (nearly over-poured due to explosion of carbonation).

D: Special occasion--great one-at-a-time, but not something I would keep on-tap (although I would love to try this on-tap!).

Great brew. This evaluation is based on a bottle that I have kept "cellared" for well over a year--perhaps two years. As dark and "strong" as this beer is, it is an absolute pleasure (ease) to drink. Very enjoyable beverage, whether after dinner or after mowing the lawn. The peak of experience would be to take a six-pack of these to either polar cap (or Everest) and enjoy one or two under true expedition conditions!

WOO WOO--I see that I am the 1,000th reviewer!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2009 00:48:57 | More by pjohnston007

Morphoenix

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into my trusty Delirium Tremens snifter, explodes with a reverse-cascading, creamy mocha-colored head that settles down just before eclipsing the rim of the glass. The head very slowly fades to a 1 cm cap atop this impenetrably black brew, leaving beautiful, copious lacing everywhere. Perfection in appearance. Notes of bittersweet chocolate and roasty coffee in the nose. Taste follows smell, with the chocolate and coffee flavors mingling; a nice hint of hops is detectable on the finish as well. Mouthfeel was very nice, with a thick richness characteristic of the style. It didn't have the viscosity of Dark Lord, but then, exceedingly few do. Drinkability was exceptional; I found myself finishing the glass rather quickly and wanting more. Had to wake up early the next morning, so I refrained. At 10.5%, I can see how this one could get dangerous, as the flavor does not make the ABV apparent at all. A wonderful beer, and definitely one of my favorite stouts thus far.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2008 15:46:20 | More by Morphoenix

Jdecarol

Florida

2.15/5  rDev -48.9%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

This bottle was fresh on the shelves at the total wine in Boca Raton but it is absolutely flat. I got the slightly bubble on pouring but that was it. The consistency is that of Hershey Chocolate and no matter how much I chill this drink it still feels like it is room tempreture.

I like the sherry flavor though, but I can't pick up any other flavors behind it and its almost on the verge of being nasty sweet and thick.

I wanted to age the 2nd bottle but I'm just going to chug it seeing as I have a bad batch on hand.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2008 00:03:48 | More by Jdecarol

porkinator

California

4.53/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours creamy and dark as night. Beautiful tan nickel thick head.

S - Roasted malt, coffee, chocolate - Pretty much everthing you want in an RIS. Small amount of raisin & alcohol.

T - A little bitter. Lots of chocolate and malt up front finishing with coffee. Alcohol is very subtle for 10.5%

M - I couldn't ask for more when it comes to mouthfeel. Very smooth, carbonation is on point. Flavor lasts from the tip of my tongue to the back.

O - I'm very excited that I got to try this amazing beer. I hope some of these Midwest beers can start making their way out to the west coast.

Salud
-Porky

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 03:35:55 | More by porkinator

andrewsporter

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - An absolute juggernaut. Pours like sludge. A creamy dark brown head about an inch thick; wouldn't budge. Awesome lacing, thick circles.

Smell - An afterthought for me, didn't do justice to the taste.

Taste - Whammy. So much flavor. Surprisingly sweet, bitter. The bitterness I'd lend to the high abv that lingers in the back of the mouth forever. Sweetness is definitely chocolate.

Mouthfeel - extremely thick as it looks, definitely enjoyable.

Got this one as a gift from a friend. From the looks of other posts I'll buy a pack if I can find one and store it off for a while.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 00:58:53 | More by andrewsporter

genuinedisciple

Michigan

4.95/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Let me start by saying that Expedition and I have a history, a semi-short, but budding history. Expedition Stout was one of the first stouts I ever had. I liked it then, and absolutely love it now. The other day I happened upon a couple sixers of 2008 expedition, dusty bottles and all. Let me confirm for everyone that this beer gets much better with age.

A - very dark, would like to see a bit more lacing, but I'll get over it, because...

S - The smell is fantastic. At first sniff you get struck by coffee, but then you quickly smell chocolate as well...personally, I think you can smell some type of fruit as well, but it is hidden. I encourage people to take multiple sniffs before and during the consumption...use a snifter.

T - Well, it really depends on if you are drinking an aged or non-aged bottle. The non-aged has more harsh flavors with the coffee and chocolate really standing out. However, you can sense that this is a complex beer, but it's difficult to hit all the flavors. The aged bottles are much more mellow. The coffee flavor is not as potent and you can really taste the other flavors that are present.

O - if you couldn't tell...I give it a 5. I'd probably give the regular expedition an A-, but age it a couple years and it's a solid A+ in my opinion...but you know, "that's just like my opinion man"

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 02:16:35 | More by genuinedisciple

menkros

Illinois

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

Pours a black motor oil. Smells of sweet dark fruit. The taste is unexpected and welcome, coffee undertones. Absolutely wonderful. 1 year old beer that pours dark brown, medium fine head, a good looking stout. Aroma up front is malty dark fruit with strong alcohol, the roasted malts come in at the end. Taste is a huge mouthfeel, this is a big ass beer, malty, alcohol, some sharpness which is a warming alcohol. With hop flavor as well. Roasted malts which go very well with chocolate desserts. I have this as a desert beer with chocolate ice cream or desserts often. try this with Ben and Jerry’s New York Super fudge chunk. Great beer one of the top ten I have had made in the US if not the world.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 05:00:04 | More by menkros

erickehoe

Michigan

4.59/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Bottle Date: 12/27/12. Poured into snifter.

Beautiful looking beer. Pitch black liquid with 1/2 inch tan head. Some sparkles in the head due to the frothiness. Nice lacing. I poured this hard into the glass. It's a work of art.

Great smoky aroma, supported by toasted malts. Some cookie-like sweetness.

Firstly, I've never seen the multi-colored head this beer offers after each sip. If you look closely, various hues of brown are floating throughout the froth after you set the glass down.

The taste is magical. A smooth, subtle malt beginning is followed by peanut butter and chocolate. A dry, earthy hop flavor appears, accompanied by a nice, Belgian-like yeast. No alcohol flavor, just a bit of warming. Aftertaste of dark bitter chocolate.

The mouthfeel is silky and velvety, like melting milk chocolate. A dry, bubbly carbonation emerges, followed by more smoothness and a warm, drying finish.

This is the best Russian Imperial Stout I have had.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 20:10:06 | More by erickehoe

phil7568

Mississippi

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed the last two bottles of this at Roof Bros. in Paducha, KY a week ago. I meant to hold on to them for a while but I couldn't resist. I've wanted to try this beer forever.

The beer pours jet black with an inch head which quickly becomes about 1/8". As noted by other reviews the aroma is dominated by dark fruit and chocolate, very enticing.
Awesome flavor. This brew has everything from sweet chocolate to roasted coffee and everything in between with only a hint of alcohol. It's so rich and smooth.

I figured this could not live up to expectations and was actually expecting a letdown. That didn't happen. I can't say anything negative about this awesome RIS. I wish I had more!

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2007 01:55:45 | More by phil7568

FatheadBrew

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours dark black with a very small tan head that quickly dissipates

S: This smells like a rich, decadent dessert. Very chocolatey in the aroma. Some initial aromas that I couldn't put my finger on, almost like alcohol-soaked fruits. The smell invites you to take a sip.

T: Sweet start. Roasty finish. This flavor is very full and very good. The finish is a combination of roast barley and burnt chocolate and seems to go on forever. As it warmed more, the alcohol character became more prevalent.

M: Full, thick, almost like a thin syrup. Carbonation was right where it should be.

D: For such a heavy, strong beer, I definitely wanted another one. This one goes down dangerously easily.

Overall, one of the best Imperial Stouts I have sampled. This one is a must try.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2007 04:30:38 | More by FatheadBrew

phrygian68

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my Corsendonk Christmas Ale Chalice!
Black as night! with a very minimal head that dissipated rather quickly! lacing is virtually none! The mouthfeel is extremely thick and creamy with heavy notes of bitter chocolate, coffee, burnt caramel,and figs with a nice lasting bitter finish,one of the best Stouts i have had the pleasure of tasting!

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2007 01:08:48 | More by phrygian68

rivertrance420

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I get this for $15.99 a sixer when I go out to Indiana. Very delicious Russian Imperial style stout. Very thick in consistency and very sweet. Definitely a good "dessert beer" with a nice abv of 10.5%. Sweet chocolate invades your mouth at first sip, followed by a long lingering chocolate/cocoa taste thats a tad bit bitter. Defintely one of my favorite stouts. Hope the brothers on beer advocate try it again. Sounds like they got a bad batch. I love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2008 03:47:34 | More by rivertrance420

hopflop

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a black like used motor oil. with a tan head that dissipates quickly.

The smell is not impressive mostly coffee with roasted malts with dried fruit and alcohol

The mouth full is creamy and rich. with a huge coffee presences and malts with a hint of chocolate and alcohol at the end

This is a very hefty big stout with a big ABV 10.5%. the drink ability is good, but can't have more then two in one sitting. Would definitely recommend trying.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2008 17:31:35 | More by hopflop

nhopkin

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Poured like crude oil into my oversize wine goblet. Small, brownish tan head arose atop the sea of viscous blackness below...

Smell: raisin, booze, charcoal, a decadent melange of aromas waft from this brew

Taste: Starts with a rich, malty, almost fruity sweetness with lots of dark fruit and chocolate, followed by a dry roasted flavor with hints of coffee. Wait long enough and a little lingering bitterness from the hops comes in. A little detectable booziness, but it hides it's strength remarkably well. mmm. Everything and more I'd expect from a giant of a stout.

Mouthfeel: smooth and scrumptious. Like drinking a milkshake...with a lot of booze

Overall: a superlative brew. A phenom. Wicked. Words don't do it justice. And I'm not even that "in" to Russian Imperials.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2009 04:10:38 | More by nhopkin

joshrosborne

Ohio

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

This has to be one of the best Stout's I've ever tried. Almost like a dessert in a glass. Good stuff.

A: Pours dark as night with a tan milky head that, after dissipating, leaves a nice tan film over the beer. Same colored lacing on the glass.

S: You get a ton of roasted malt from this. I can't smell the espresso, but the chocolate is evident. You can smell the alcohol a bit, too.

T: Almost tastes like a boozy chocolate milk at first. Finishes with a little bitterness from the roasted malts that were in the smell. A little bit of burn from the ABV.

M: Very creamy and smooth. There is a bit of carbonation, but it does nothing but enhance and deliver the creaminess.

D: You don't want to drink this quickly not just b/c of the high ABV, but b/c it tastes so damn good. I couldn't believe this was 10.5%. You can taste the booze, but I had no idea it was that high. This could be a dangerous one.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 00:09:05 | More by joshrosborne

murphyl

Michigan

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

Appearance: Poured thickly, about the consistency of Kahlua coming out of the bottle, pitch black, absolutely opaque (no joke - I put my emergency see-it-a-mile-away LED flashlight against the glass and saw nothing out the other side). Piles of toffee-colored head left copious lace on the glass.

Smell: Hmm, that's interesting. Alcohol is definitely right up front, along with chocolate, raisins and dried cherries (appropriate for Michigan, but in a stout...?). This certainly piques my interest.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Reminiscent of Kalamazoo Stout, only heavier and thicker, almost like a barley wine in terms of mouthfeel. Chocolate and rum flavors, plus a hefty hit of alcohol up front, fading a long, long roasted finish, with the dried cherries making an encore appearance.

Drinkability: I wouldn't advise you drink more than two of these a night, as the 11.5% ABV will sock your brain and your tastebuds into next week. As a nightcap, a special occasion beer or the end of a session, however, you could do far, far worse.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2004 23:11:53 | More by murphyl