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

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque black/brown, small tan head forms, some nice lacing. Smell is roasty, with some rye spice, wheat, caramel, and a little citrus. Taste is roasty chocolate and coffee, caramel, some citrus and rye spice in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation. Nicely done, first for me for a rye stout. Thanks DrJay!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2006 02:03:49 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

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

Nice opaque appearance with some yeast sediment noticeable. Thick brown head that is a bit fizzy. It disappears quickly. Smells of oats to me. Very inviting aroma. Very creamy mouthfeel. A slight spiciness is present, presumably from the rye. Medium body. Just a little viscous but not overbearing. At times, I think it tastes a bit like a chocolate candy bar. But I don't get that in every taste. Not overly bitter. Easy drinking. Quality Stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2002 23:30:10 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark pitch black that's completely opaque with only the faintest of dark mahogany edges and a one finger frothy beige head with decent retention, only slowly fading into a lasting ring. Slight spots of lacing left behind.

Sweet caramel malt aroma with hints of toffee and sweet rye. Slight roasted notes with some dark fruit notes and subtle burnt toast.

Slightly viscous medium body with a nice balance of roasted malt and sweet caramel and rye malt notes. Hints of toffee, roasted coffee bean and hazelnut with a nice hoppy dry finish. Very nicely balanced with subtle alcohol heat. Very drinkable with lots of silky chocolate malt and sweet ruye notes balancing out the roasted notes and alcohol heat.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 05:49:41 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours less dark than expected, a dark brown moreso than used motor oil black like in many of the Bell's stouts. Aroma, could discern the rye portion of this. Other than that, it was pretty average in every way. Average roasting, sweetness etc. . .

Taste, solid. Some toffee which probably helped with the darker brown appearance. Still not really getting what makes this a rye stout, just can't taste or smell it. Mild chocolate malt. Seemed like it was more of an oatmeal than a rye stout at times. Hint of smoke.

For a Bell's stout (cherry, expedition etc. . . ) it was below average, but easily above average for every other stout out there. Enjoyable and would drink again. I think the next bottle I'll drink as my first beer of the day to try and get a better grasp on the rye aspect.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 17:31:54 | More by Beerandraiderfan

glid02

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours one shade from black with a one-finger tan head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of smooth roasted malts with good amounts of baker's chocolate and lighter amounts of spicy rye. Also present are slight hints of smoke.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Sweet roasted malt flavors kick things off. Midway through the sip equal amounts of dark and milk chocolate flavors make an appearance. Before the end of the sip mild amounts of spicy rye flavors work their way into things and carry through to a mildly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a very smooth thickness with grainy carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I had no problems finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall I had higher hopes for this beer however I found the rye influence to be more muted than I would have liked. Still, an easy drinking beer with a good deal of complexity that's worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2010 16:14:45 | More by glid02

Gusler

Arizona

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The color piceous with a gargantuan sized head, the texture frothy, the color a light chocolate with the decomposition of the head a satiny veil of lace forms to obscure the glass. The ray adds a bit of earthiness to the somewhat sweet nose, toasted grains evident, and a fine sniffer for sure. Front is thick and sweet, top full bodied and rich in its feel to the palate. Finish is mild in its acidity; the hops are pleasing in their spicy bite, bitter chocolate dry aftertaste a real treat that I sample only rarely.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2003 23:03:08 | More by Gusler

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Very dark, nearly black, but really more of a clear, deep ruby. A short tan head of fine bubbles appeared after a fairly aggressive pour. Great lacing. The aroma is very roasted with a bitter coffee character. Kind of caramel sweet and chocolatey too. Milk chocolate and roasted flavour, mild bitterness, with a bit of spice and a hint of alcohol warmth in the finish. Full, creamy body with low carbonation. Luxurious texture. Another high quality stout from Bell's.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2006 01:35:29 | More by DrJay

plaid75

New York

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a deep dark black hue with a one finger creamy tan head. There was good retention and sticky lacing.

The smell featured a mildly spicy and very biscuity toasted malt aroma. A very unique rye aroma.

The taste was ultra smooth with a very doughy and mildly spicy element. The rye imparts an amazing rich flavor.

The mouthfeel was full and chewy.

Overall an excellent stout. The rye adds an added dimension to this stout. Absoultely delicious.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2006 01:36:52 | More by plaid75

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I picked this up in Michigan. Bottle is numbered 7235, packaged on February 9, 2006.

A: Black; pours with a little tan head; verly little retention or lace.

S: Dark chocolate, dark rye bread, brown sugar, slight roasted acidity. Aroma isn't very intense, but it's pleasant & has some depth.

T: Very roasty, but not burnt. Dark rye bread, nut, coffee, grainy, raisin, caramel. Bitterness is fairly smooth, with a slightly sharp finish. Very slight hint of acidity (mainly in finish).

M: Moderate body, carbonation is slightly higher than moderate.

D: Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2006 00:57:49 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm a big fan of rye beers, so I was very pleased to see this on-tap at the Brick Store Pub. It's easy enough to find a rye ipa or lighter beer, much harder to find a rye stout. I really enjoyed this quite a bit. Poured dark brown, approaching black, with a creamy head. Smells of spicy rye balanced beatifully with some firm malt and some roastiness. Tastes similar- and very nice. Lovely gobs of spicy rye supported by lightly roasty malt and a huge creaminess. The rye really shines here and isn't overwhelmed by charred notes. Great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 21:53:15 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an English pint glass.

Pours hardly any light tan head at all. Remains a ring for the duration of the beer. Color is a dark bark brown, near black.

Aroma: At first, I get a lot of cocoa, then some sweet malts come in, some toffee and caramel. A nice roasted flavor to it. A hint of rye as well. The aroma is amazing. I simply love it.

Taste: Cocoa, grassy hops, roasted malt profile, caramel and some toffee. Some nice rye notes. I thought that the roasted part of this beer would not suit me, but I this beer is growing on me quickly.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, creamy, and roasted. It has a decent amount of carbonation, despite the little head. It is also a little dry. Medium to full bodied beer. Ends roasted and dry.

Overall, I really enjoyed this beer on top of all the roasted malt characteristics. It is pretty easy drinking. The cocoa in the aroma is awesome. I am glad that they brought this one back.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2010 02:52:37 | More by mothman

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bell's is liquid crack for Stout lovers like me. This beer pours almost black with a medium thin light brown head. Very little lacing. Nice bittersweet aroma of chocolate and black cherry. Flavor is a smooth blend of roasted coffee and what I am assuming must be rye. Points for pulling off something unique so well.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2002 12:04:15 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark brown blackish color with an immensely thick and crispy cocoa brown head that grew to about a finger high only to subside fairly quick to a thin ring, leaves a good amount of spotty lace all over the glass as it goes. Smell has a big time sweet roastyness, tangy dark cherryness with sweet chocolate, vanilla, and cookie dough notes, but mostly a very heavy roasted black malt heft on top with some coffee beans and a juicy tart-like sweetness. Taste is more of the same, light roastyness starts it out but is headed off quickly by a major tangy sweetness of dark cherry and maybe some dark orange that coats the palate and mouth with a chewy tanged sweetness which resides some as it fades out bringing in some light sweet chocolate and notches of coffee. Trails of the tangyness lead into the finish which dries out slowly bringing in a touch of bitterness of hops and coffee. Feel is a solid medium body, pretty smooth and creamy with a moderate sweet/tarting bite and a lightly dry finish showing through late. Its a fine stout with a sweet/tart effect thats OK, maybe if that tang were held off by just a bit it would be better. Seems to closely resemble the Cherry Stout, with a bit bit more roastyness in the nose. Possibly the same ingredients as the Cherry with a slight twist in the recipe?

Big thanks to my drinkin' buddy Feloniousmonk for the bottle!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2003 03:04:05 | More by tavernjef

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bell's Rye Stout, poured ontap into a pint glass. A very dark brownish black with an off white head and just a bit of lace.

Aroma is of chocolate malt, espresso, rye. Very bready and inviting.

Taste consists of alot of stout flavors. Roasted malt, chocolate and a nice helping of peppery rye spiciness. Everything works together quite well.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and fairly smooth.

Rather fair drinkability. Big and flavorful, this beer is worthy of a good session in the winter months.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2009 13:44:51 | More by Stinkypuss

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 2-5-06.

Appearance- Pours a one finger hazelnut head with poor retention but still leaves a film on the brew. Color is a dark brown slash mahogany with a few reddish highlights when hld to the light.

Smell- A dry chocolate mixed with a hint of sweet rye bread and roasty malts.

Taste- Only a little dry malt flavor on the sides of tongue with the chocolate, hops and rye making their appearance on the center of the tongue.

Mouthfeel- A little dry and chocolatey. But the entire palate is covered with flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2006 17:47:29 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

-This is a beautiful stout...nice subtle cocoa aroma with grains present...just a wonderful sweet-style stout that isn't overly thick or overly sweet...nice character..unique hop bite on aftertaste..very well made stout by the stout king.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2001 22:33:53 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Cobblestone's on 1/6/10. Served chilled in a pint.

A - A very dark brown w/ caramel brown highlights. A practically opaque clarity w/ very thin pale tan head. The bead is pin sized and barely any lace clings

S - A dark roasted coffee and mild cocoa nose w/ spice and subtle caramel scents. The vanilla aroma from the malt is prominent w/ mellow breadiness in the nose

M - A full roasted texture w/ mild nutty and dry toasted feel w/ rye spice accent. There is moderate carbonation and a creaminess w/ mildly sweet finish

T - A very tasty stout - it has a light dry start w/ coffee and caramel creeping in w/ pretty substantial rye flavor. A hint of smoke is noted which accents the dark malts well and has a gentle vanilla taste from caramel malt in the finish

D - This is a seriously tasty stout - Bell's is a master w/ so many great tasting stouts. This is one of the best they make as the rye addition is not overdone, just enough to compliment the caramel and dark malt flavor. The smokiness adds complexity-truly drinkable

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2010 15:06:42 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz single, Riley's, batch #7235

appearance: pours a dark mahogany, bordering on black...opaque appearance, bubbly-foamy tan cap with just a little lacing around the rim

smell: roasty, dark roasted malt, roasted barley, smoke, burnt rye loaf, hints of cocoa powder, coffee grounds, light molassess perhaps

taste: interesting stout from bell's and this is my first tasting of it...I didnt even know they were still brewing it....big bready rye presence up front provides an interesting spin on thier normal stout direction...hints of cocoa powder and medium roast still found throughout, sweet caramel

mouthfeel: creamy yet chewy, medium-full body

drinkability: somewhat hindered by the nature of it, but still solid

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2006 02:09:16 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a beer that really grew on me. I didn't much care for it at first. But now that the last bottle of my 12 is dwindling, I know I am going to miss it. Nice, unique take on the style.
Pours a deep brown orange. Basically black unless held to a light source. Pale brown head serves up a cooled bacon grease consistency. And just as clinging and sticky.
Rye is noticed first on the nose. But it is buried beneath the light roast and chocolate whaffs. Bells funky old yeast in a major player scent-wise as well.
Taste begins with a dash of roastedness and a smoothed out chocolate impression that slides directly into the somewhat grainy rye notes. The rye profile is overall slight, but provides hints of mixed nuts and, well, rye bread. The Kzoo yeast enters next with the typical lactic and lightly fruity sourness. There is a oat-like sweetness here also. Hops dry things at the finish, but are not otherwise noteworthy.
Medium bodied, with a rolling smoothness. Perhaps on the thin side. But well liked by my oral cavity.
A tasty little stout, aided in memorablity by the rye. Sessions are possible, as this one never gets too overpowering to enjoy more of.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2002 22:55:26 | More by cokes

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from a sixer purchased in Detroit in December 2009. The beer is nearly opaque, dark burnt reddish brown, thin tan foam. The aroma is NICE! Roasted malts, chocolate, a nice dose of rye, just brilliant. The taste is no slouch either, roasted but not overly bitter, some rye spiciness that contrasts the dark malts, possibly some wheat but it's hard to tell through all the other rich flavors. Thick and creamy mouthfeel, maybe some oatmeal was added? Seems like Bell's pulled all stops on this one, outstanding and delicious. Needs to be a standard beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 01:57:20 | More by TurdFurgison

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

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

12 oz bottle poured into an Imperial Pint. Batch #9370 (Sept. 29th '09).

Thanks to Sweemzander for yet another good MI brew.

A - Clear dark brown that's near black in the glass with dark brown amber highlights. A quiet pour gives off a small off-white head with little retention and a thin right left over.

S - I can't say I have much experience in the rye area but I pick up a grainy, wheat-like dry aroma I can only imagine is rye. It blends really well with a coffee and roasted malt nose. The more I smell it the more it smells like a coffee stout.

T - Lots of black coffee flavor and dark roasted malts with a touch of molasses and a bitter finish. The grainy wheat-like thing I assume is rye comes out on the finish and lingers through the aftertaste.

M - A higher level of carbonation gives the rye stout a lighter feel with a crisp finish. Medium-full bodied and dry and bitter at the end.

D - I like it. I could have another I think but again, my lack of experience in the rye area doesn't allow me much insight into the exact uniqueness of this over, say, Bell's Java Stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 21:07:51 | More by BeerFMAndy

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer comes to me via Feloniousmonk in Bell's Land. This stout poured a very dark, nearly opaque brown/black colour with a small tan head, that had pretty good retention and lacing. The aromas were a mixed bag of coffee, fruits, green tea, chocolate, caramel, various malts, and more. The taste was sweet, like a milk stout, with a strong coffee flavor, and a nice lactic (sour/bitter) after-taste. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, but quite syrupy and full and the drinkability was nice.

This is a very interesting stout from Bell's (one of my favorite breweries) i'll have to re-visit it sometime in the near future!

Cheers!

F

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2003 19:59:20 | More by francisweizen

tpd975

Florida

3.1/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This one was on my wants list and arrived via imstillthegman for winning the BA fantasy football league.

A: Dark black in color with an average head. No lacing and no collar after the head subsided.

S: Nice tones of milk chocolate and a hint of coffee. has sweet tones to balance the bitter. Pretty nice nose.

T: Not what I was expecting from this one. It's rather watery and not real big on flavor. Nothing spicey really sticks out to let you know rye was even used. Hints of milk chocolate and a tinge of overcooked coffee. Not what I was expecting from this one.

M: Very thin and watery for a stout.

D: If it's your cup of tea, the thin quality would let you drink several.

Overall: Not what I was expecting and a slight disappointment for a Bell's stout. Nonetheless I was happy to try it and I think imstillthegman for his wonderful package of brews.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2008 19:41:35 | More by tpd975

bluejacket74

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler purchased from Liquor Barn, Louisville, KY (Springhurst). Served in a pint glass, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, and rye. Taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, but with the addition of some dark fruit and a little bit of licorice. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy and has good carbonation. Drinkability is good, it's smooth and goes down easy. I think this is a good overall brew, and a great beer for a cold winter day. I'd definitely buy this again.

Serving type: growler

01-11-2010 22:43:25 | More by bluejacket74

smakawhat

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on tap at Churchkey into a snifter glass.

An off tan head, fizzy but uniform looking a little foamy but doesn't last. Body color is a dark walnut brown with perhaps some red hues.

Nose is a nice mild drip coffee, with some faint roast, a sense of wetness seems to be noticeable or perceived.

Taste is very soft bodied, real nice. Coffee and mild roast character shines through with some chewy grain. Carbonation seems fairly high for a stout, a little fizzy, but strangely doesn't take away from enjoying the palate. There's some dry finish here a little.

Overall, I wouldn't have guessed there was rye in this, but it's a fairly tasty stout from Bell's.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2012 00:57:03 | More by smakawhat