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

marcpal

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottled poured into nonic glass on 1/30. Another venture into Bell's- as it turns out, one of the lesser inspired offerings from this fine brewery. Not Cherry stout bad, but not all that great.
Bottle Graphics: 6/10.

A: Poured vigorously and still very little head, gas, and carbonation. Just about black with a thin rim of mocha colored bubbling.

S: Roasted coffee beans. Pretty pungent and somewhat smoky. More complexity in the aroma than the taste.

T: Plenty of coffee in the flavor without the bitter coffee grinds. Whereas I have come to like the coffee beers that have the flavored coffee flavors, this one is really one note. It comes clean with the dark roasted offee beans but leaves things a bit dry and plain Jane.

I do give them kudos for not relying on chocolate flavors and sticking true to the java claim.

M: Thick and lustrous. A nice trait on this beer, the carbonation is low even though it was gently poured and pretty dry in the finish. Not much puckering or bitterness that hits you.

D: It is not a bad beer, but not nearly as good as some of the finer coffee stouts on the market. The coffee is there and not cloying but I was happy to get a chance at one but happy it ended there.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2009 21:22:37 | More by marcpal

ackeeper

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-22-2013 02:01:36 | More by ackeeper

phunkychickita

Maine

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-20-2013 16:59:20 | More by phunkychickita

bcuz7

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +20.6%

05-19-2013 21:16:00 | More by bcuz7

jakeox

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-19-2013 00:06:06 | More by jakeox

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3/5  rDev -23.9%

05-19-2013 00:00:47 | More by Photekut

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-18-2013 19:15:08 | More by EricClayton

Demarais20

North Dakota

4.75/5  rDev +20.6%

05-16-2013 07:58:43 | More by Demarais20

cyrushire

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-16-2013 05:42:01 | More by cyrushire

GetTheYayo

Colorado

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-16-2013 00:54:20 | More by GetTheYayo

Nolen12

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-15-2013 05:15:59 | More by Nolen12

GinsuDave

Michigan

3/5  rDev -23.9%

05-15-2013 02:13:34 | More by GinsuDave

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-13-2013 18:26:40 | More by vrbulldog22

Jade

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-10-2013 23:58:18 | More by Jade

bconsidine

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-10-2013 18:24:42 | More by bconsidine

Roman5150

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

bottle into chalice

appearance: black, slight off white 1 finger head, very intricate lacing

smell: very coffee/espresso forward (iced coffee to be specific), roasted earthy malts and dark chocolate/caramel, milk

taste: This is the most coffee forward beer i've ever tasted, tastes like a very dark and black java roast as the name would imply. Strong roasted malt, follows the nose, and s bitter hoppy dark chocolate finish. Very drinkable, yet also pleasantly bitter and dry from the earthy hops and coffee flavors.

mouthfeel: decent amount of carbonation, very thick full beer, feels like an iced coffee

overall: This is almost more coffee than beer, if you like black coffee you will like this. I prefer Stone's Espresso IRS over this, but I could easily drink this every morning. Better than Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout. Maybe not for everyone, but if you like strong coffee flavored beers Bells hit this one spot on.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 07:00:02 | More by Roman5150

Arsenal0328

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-09-2013 23:39:08 | More by Arsenal0328

MSandahl23

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-08-2013 13:54:11 | More by MSandahl23

Johnnyramirez

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

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cantfindme

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%

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iaminside

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-02-2013 23:59:53 | More by iaminside

amcaleh

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-02-2013 12:33:07 | More by amcaleh

myron317

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-01-2013 01:15:05 | More by myron317

ahbithwabm

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%

04-30-2013 16:27:13 | More by ahbithwabm

SFNC

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.5%

04-28-2013 23:02:01 | More by SFNC