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

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A fairly thick stout with coffee grounds. Wake up and smell the coffee. Java and roast including burnt ground taste, Ok for some, but not my type of stout. Marvellous appearance, with the dark head. Creamy yet mouth numbing. Bitter and roasty aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2006 02:10:39 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Impenetrable onyx with the merest suggestion of medium brown highlights along the bottom edge of the glass. The coffee-with-cream colored head looks to be milkshake thick and creamy, although I'm pretty sure it's lighter than that. Even without seeing any lace (yet), this how I believe an American double stout ought to look: big and bad. Given the torn curtains that are now beginning to decorate the glass, the score is a pretty easy call.

How one feels about the nose is probably directly related to how one feels about espresso, hugely roasted coffee beans, that sort of thing. I'm not a fan, but even I can appreciate that this is a coffee stout nose of prodigious power. An odd 'cigarette ash' character makes me a little uneasy though.

I like Java Stout, but I don't love it. There's a massive chocolate and roasted malt backbone that shares the stage with roasted coffee. The trouble is, from my standpoint at least, there's too much acrid, burnt ashiness for me to count this as anything but a well-brewed, 'java lovers only' curiosity.

I'd like at least a little chocolate or cocoa to peek through... but it doesn't. It's a fine line with beer of this sub-style. Do you add so many beans that it tastes like iced coffee or do you create a coffee-accented stout? It's a shame that Bell's chose to brew the former because I tend to like the latter. As always, your mileage may vary.

The mouthfeel is an unqualified success; no surprise to anyone who drinks Bell's beer on a regular basis; lucky bastards (oh wait, that includes me now). It isn't as full as the very best of this style, but it's medium-weight silky and as smooth as the day is long. For some reason, I'm not feeling quite as enamored with it as it loses carbonation.

For better or for worse, this a 'love it or sort of like it' kind of beer. It's the latter for me, a non-coffee drinker. If you have that java monkey on your back when you wake up in the morning, and if you have the day off, I can't imagine a better way to start the day than with a bottle of Bell's Java Stout. I'll stick with Kalamazoo and Expedition though, thanks.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2006 16:23:16 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle served at 50 degrees and poured into a pint glass

A – Poured a deep thick dark brown, essentially black and completely opaque with the color of oil coming to mind, although it did not pour as thick as there was some movement of this and it poured rather easily into the glass. A very nice three finger high head of brown colored foam quickly rose up over the top of it and gradually settled down into the glass. Once completely settled there remained a very nice half inch high layer of foam across the top which hung on until the very end of the session. Copious side glass lace was the norm with this one as the glass was almost completely obscured by the end of the session.

S – The aroma was rich with dark baker’s chocolate and an even dark French roasted coffee type of smell. This actually came to me very specifically and I could pick it out right away. Very nice deep smell as well, not overly strong or pungent as you had to get right on top of it to pick it out, but it was very deep and dark. As it warmed there was a subtle bit of sweetness that started to come out and was clearly evident in the overall aroma, a nice hint of caramel, and perhaps vanilla really serving to accent and bring out the rest of the flavors quite nicely.

T – The flavor itself was very good. An overtly coffee like tone took front and center stage on this one as you would have expected, but it was not terribly strong nor was it the sole dominating force in the profile. As it warmed up you could clearly make out lots of lactose sugar flavors and a definite hint of vanilla in the background. It was nice and decently complex in its overall presentation. The coffee notes merged into a dry finish that had the slightest hint of a bittering chocolate agent to it, but again was not overwhelming or dominant and a touch of a grassy like hoppiness to cap it off.

M – Very smooth and silky, I would have thought this would have been a bit thicker then it was to be honest. Now don’t get me wrong this was not thin in any capacity, but rather it was like a strong porter with a medium to full body instead of the thick as milkshake big stouts that I have been used to as of late. Very nice smoothness though and the carbonation seemed to really hang around for a good long time never letting it feel dull or watered down.

D – A very nice session stout would be the way I would categorize this one. The ABV was not terribly high and the flavors were rich but not over the top. It was just full enough to keep it interesting without being too much and having to make a meal out of it. I would have easily put down a few more of these during the course of the night.

Overall I would have to say this one was not terribly bad at all, and in fact was quite a nice little surprise. I really enjoyed that it was not too big and it was something I actually could enjoy without being overwhelmed. I would probably pick up one of these again sometime; it was definitely a good call.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2008 00:05:31 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

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

Thanks to Jeff for sending this one to me.

A: The pour is just about black in color with a finger of light brown head.

S: Like you might hope for from a coffee beer, the nose is dominated by coffee aromas. Quite a strong coffee note with some roasted mlat and a mild toffee malt sweetness underneath.

T: Much the same on the palate. Lots of great, intense coffee flavors. A fair amount of roasted malt flavor which gives a mild bitterness. Not too much of the sweetness from toffee or caramel.

M: Medium in body with a moderate level of carbonation.

O: A solid coffee beer. Like many beers of this nature, you do have to enjoy the coffee flavor, but if you do, this is a winner.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 18:16:09 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a vet dark brown with a tan mocha head and a faint bit of lace. Nose consists mostly of coffee and roasted malt with a bit of chocolate. Coffee takes over the flavor win some dy roast. Between the coffee flavor and bitterness, I really like the feel. Not one of the best coffee beers, but a solid offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2010 11:35:05 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a black body with a lush, though brief, light khaki-colored head.

Smell: Lightly chocolatey aroma with a bit of molasses and the strong scent of stale coffee. There's a vague fruitiness there as well which doesn't really carry over into the taste.

Taste: Sweet, rich chocolate flavor with some sugar laced coffee. Then a roastiness arises and begins to build alongside an earthy bitterness. Eventually, the taste goes to burnt malts and scorched coffee, long ago abandoned in a glass pot on the burner. Starts off good but goes downhill quick.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Silky mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Decent enough, but outshone by some of the other coffee stouts available.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2008 03:51:34 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a pitch black color with a reasonably thick dark tan head; spots of lacing

Smell: Dry tannic coffee tones; smells a bit charred

Taste: Starts out with a bitter, charred coffee flavor that fails to develop much beyond that

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Enjoyable, just like a decent cup of coffee is enjoyable; but it fails the complexity test

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2007 03:41:10 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to bastu for sending me this one!

Pours an opaque black with a 2 inch dark khaki head that settles to a small cap. Very thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, coffee beans, and cocoa powder. Taste is of dark roasted malt and dark chocolate and cocoa dusted coffee/espresso beans. A mild roasty bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a smooth mouthfeel with a nice light carbonation. Overall, this is a very good coffee stout and probably one of the best I have ever tried. I'm very glad I finally got to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 01:20:09 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of Plucier: Poured a deep pitch-black color stout with a nice big foamy head with great retention and great lacing. Aroma of medium dry coffee is well balance with roasted malt and light subtle dark chocolate. Taste of nice coffee without being too overpowering and some nice medium bitter roasted malt. Texture is quite creamy which is appreciated with a quite full body and some adequate carbonation. I thought this was a very well done and well balance example of a coffee stout.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2007 17:28:18 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hey, who put a pot of espresso in my beer glass? That is what it looks like, tastes like, and smells like. It has some high gravity sweetness and body, but the espresso flavors and ground bean texture overpowers it all. I don't know if the bittering is from intense flavor hopping or from grain astringency. It even has a bitter nose that is more reminescent of Itallian espresso than a stout yeast. Nicely earthy and nutty. Nicely alcoholic, something to cut through the body. Warming and intensely flavored into the finish. The aftertaste ligers like a fine cigar.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2005 20:47:19 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep brown with a mocha colored thin head,great aroma of chocolate with some nuttiness and a hint of earth.Very rich flavored beer like chocolate devils food with the coffee really coming thru in the finish and aftertaste its like drinking coffee with a nice rich chocolate cake.A great beer will bring some south with me.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2004 19:49:15 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

Finally getting down to re-trying this guy and putting my thoughts to words. Posterity? Maybe... Anyway, this stuff pours a very dark black-brown with very deep ruby highlights, all topped by a finger of dusty tan foam. The nose is primarily a playground for nutty coffee, though a touch of roast vainly attempts to peek through the bean-y fog. The taste continues this trend, though the roast, still relatively faint, stands a bit stronger than it once did (nasally speaking). The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a somewhat dry finish. Overall, a one-trick pony that has honed his trick decidedly well. Not necessarily top-tier, but close to it.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 06:08:34 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.72/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I love coffee, I love beer, I love the Java Stout, and it loves me...
The coffee stout is truly a dream-come-true for me, ever since my first sample of RedHook DoubleBlack years ago, now, sadly, missing. Well, Bell's came to the rescue, but,alas, we have to wait once a year, and then hoard the little guys to make 'em last...and their own brew is far superior, methinks...
Ebon as the night, with a big, beautiful cocoa-colored, bubbly, thick and powerful head. Incredibly aromatic! Thick with coffee, of course, chocolate, a little bit of spice, too. Excellent balance, strong, solid body. Lace is also indefatigable, like the weavings of a chocolate spider! Perfect as a long, slow nightcap, or a dessert beer. Try it over ice cream!
Only drawback is that the flavors are so rich, thick, incredible and satiating, that it would be better enjoyed in a smaller "nip" bottle, as some Imperial Stouts and Barleywines are.

....1-1-05, and I've found that this is utterly sublime when consumed at room temp....don't get it anywhere near a refridgerator. Amazing, really...if you like coffee, and you love stout, damn, but this is surely your idol, bow down before it and beg to be worthy...that bit about the nip bottles? That wasn't me talkin', that was only my concern for those who can't hack this much coffee...and who cares about them? Not me...can't run with this? Stay away, if you must...it's the ultimate sweetness for me, though...

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2003 15:42:19 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a deep, dark black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has a dry earthy scent that boasts of patent malts and coffee. There is a bit of chocolate malt in there as well to round out the aroma. The taste is good. It has a very dry and earthy black malt taste. It's bitter with coffee and has a bold "black" flavor. The alcohol is hidden well in this one. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking beer. These guys know how to brew stouts. It's black and bold with no holding back on the coffee taste. It's dry and earthy like it's supposed to be.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2007 00:22:07 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Meridian Pint tonight in DC. Beer is black with a wispy head of tiny tan bubbles that leaves very little lacing on the glass. Carbonation low.

The aroma on this one is mildly roasty but with a nice coffee background, still could use a LOT MORE in the aroma.

Beer is medium to light in body with some malt leadoff and nice coffee flavors in the late/mid palate regions. The finish is nice and mildly dry and mildly bitter. No lingering aftertaste. Pretty decent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2010 04:49:20 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

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

The beer pours dark brown to black with a tan head. The aroma is a mix of coffee and chocolate. You also get some bitter notes, either from the coffee or the roasted malts. The flavor is heavy on the coffee with some chocolate mixed in. There is some low bitterness in the beer and the coffee lingers in the aftertaste. Medium-thick mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 02:05:52 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.53/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a jet black color with a light brown, one-finger head. Left no lace.

S - It smelled of java and some sweet toffee.

T - Tasted of coffee and oatmeal. It had a strong roasted malt flavor, too. Not really bitter for a coffee stout.

M - It was dry and sharp. A medium-bodied beer.

D - I'm not a coffee drinker but this is a very tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 04:35:58 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a finger and a half high beige head that gradually died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are moderate aromas of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that the flavors of coffee beans are more concentrated and there are additional hints of dark roasted malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little dry on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer tastes a lot like dark roast coffee beans so if you are a coffee lover you would probably like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 20:38:18 | More by metter98

MasterSki

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 8315 - bottled February 5th, 2008. Currently "on vacation" from the Bell's lineup. Thanks to dschuster03 for throwing a few of these my way. Served in my FOBAB mini-pint glass.

A - Black with a touch of red-brown at the fringes. Thin quick-dissolving tan foam with negligible lacing. While I didn't expect a lot I think a lower ABV stout should give me a little bit more than this.

S - There are people on here who argue that coffee beers fade after 6 months. This one definitely did NOT. Coffee, espresso, as well as hints of sweet malt, chocolate, and dark fruit. I can't imagine how much more coffee flavor there could have been a year ago...

T - Umm...coffee? Lots of dark roast, and a healthy amount of chocolate sweetness. There's a touch of bitterness mid-palate, but it doesn't linger into the aftertaste. The aftertaste is actually quite pleasant, with nice wisps of espresso.

M - It's on the thinner side - more porter or single stout. This is definitely an outlier for Imperial Stouts. Surprising carbonation, with lots of nice tingle on the upper lip, but doesn't get too bloaty. Pretty smooth, with nice residual stickiness. If this were a porter I'd score it higher...

D - The coffee was pretty intense - one 12oz bottle is probably more than sufficient for this one. Otherwise it's pretty easy drinking with an ABV on the lower side and quick-drinking texture.

There's such a glut of coffee beers out there that I see why Bell's stopped bothering with this one. It doesn't really distinguish itself - especially against other Michigan locals (Founders Breakfast, Short's Cup a Joe). It was nice to try it, though.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2009 04:37:00 | More by MasterSki

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Intense aromas of burnt coffee emanate from my glass, there is a bit of off-putting astringency & acidity, as well as a hint of chocolate as well. A deep dense dark brown color, approaching a deep black color. Fairly low carbonation, but when roused the beer produces a thick brow dense head. A thick creamy body. This beer is far better when it is on the warm side, when it is cold it is far to astringent & out of balance. When allowed to warm the sharp acrid roast coffee notes mellow & meld with the rest of the beer. Has a strong roast component as well as a bit of chocolate in the taste. Finishes with a bit of sharp acidity. Perhaps it could use a bit of malt sweetness to balance the roast component. This beer just seems a bit out of balance.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2004 17:45:08 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.68/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Acquired via trade from northertimber so a big “Thank you” goes out to him.
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is strong and pleasant; the only words I can use to describe it would be “black coffee”.

T: Heavy, bitter-sweet roasted coffee/espresso flavor is the prime element here. Again, as good as it is, there really isn’t any other way for me to describe it.

M: Extremely smooth, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is a little sticky.

D: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, a little bit filling, this one is a perfect sipper but you can still knock a few back fairly quickly, another excellent Bell’s product.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2006 06:55:01 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This stout poured out as a deep rich brown color. The head was light brown on top. The lacing wasn't too great on this one. The smell of the beer had a good amount of coffee on the nose. The coffee was probably the entire aroma that this beer had in my opinion other than the roasted malts. The taste of the beer wasnt too bad but I felt that the coffee flavors were a little weak when comparing the nose. The mouthfeel was smooth and dry. Overall this beer was pretty good, I'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 20:46:38 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Date or batch code of 7822, cheers to BARLEYWINEO for this one

Pours mahogany/black with 2+ fingers of brown head. Good lacing & head retention

S: Deep, pleasing coffee notes

t: Roasted grain, then java up front. Hints of baker chocolate & dryness as this warms. Finishes dry with strong, but not too strong coffee, chicory/molasses & baker's chocolate

MF: Oily & chewy with a great creaminess that is just missing from most stouts IMO. Perfect carbonation

Drinks good, not a huge fan of coffee stouts, but this one really works for me, once again, another great beer from bell's

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2007 03:50:43 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Fresh batch #7768.

Pours black with tan foam, stays for a good half-hour.

Aroma of fresh-ground coffee beans, chocolate malt.

Medium acidic coffee bitterness, almost fruity and green. Rich and still approachable, a shade under Breakfast Stout and other "big" coffee stouts. Roasted malt in the middle, milld hop integrated with the coffee, bitter but not herbal or harsh. Fairly sweet, but mild with a residual caramel aspect.

Mouthfeel is ultra smooth, even carbonation that lasts. Very easy to have several in a sitting. My favorite session coffee stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2007 02:40:29 | More by emerge077

jwc215

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Wasatch for this one!

Pours very dark brown - almost black - with a than head that becomes a wide patch.

The smell is of robust espresso-like coffee with bready notes and a rich, deep roastiness.

The tase is of coffee beans - roasted with slightly burnt edges. Alcohol is reasonably well-covered. It has a background of a chocolately, dark stout, though coffee rules here. It has some astringent acidic notes in the dry, roasty finish.

The feel is thick. It is full (or nearly), but the carbonation doesn't hold up as much as it could. Mild carbonation works for this style, but it loses even that as it progresses, making it syrupy thickish. Still, it has a fullness to it.

A rich, robust very coffee-ish stout (almost too coffee-ish). I like coffee and stouts, so expected to like it a bit more, but it's still a nice one. If you like coffee, this one is certainly worth looking out for!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2008 13:38:54 | More by jwc215