Bell's Special Double Cream Stout - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Opaque and hazy very dark brown. Thin light brown head. Looks like it will lace nicely.

Aroma: Sweet roasted malt. Creamy chocolate and caramel.

Taste: Says on the bottle they use ten different types of malts and it actually shows well in the complexity on the palate. Starts creamy and sweet then you get toffee and a nutty character about halfway through. The finish slowly goes from roasted chocolate to a black coffee bitterness in the aftertaste. Quite complex for 6.1% ABV but not overly so. No hop presence but I attribute the bit of bitterness right at the beginning to whatever hop addition(s) was made. The roasted malt and bitter aftertaste does a good job of balancing an otherwise sweet flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied but feels more viscous. Real nice creamy feel before the finish. Easy drinkability but complex enough to warrant a slower enjoyment. My only gripe is that it's a little over carbonated.

Final Thoughts: I've been anticipating this beer's seasonal release but without incredibly high expectations. In the end it has left me satisfied with making the purchase of a sixer. Would I drink it again? Yep. Given the season and limited availability I'll be sure to ration them throughout the long winter and probably buy it again next year.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 06:25:00 | More by JamesMN

jkrug5

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

06-19-2013 01:12:01 | More by jkrug5

cfrances33

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

06-18-2013 17:33:37 | More by cfrances33

FHSPSU67

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -37.5%

06-17-2013 12:37:48 | More by FHSPSU67

Troville1990

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

06-15-2013 04:48:05 | More by Troville1990

DooshBagalow

Illinois

4/5  rDev 0%

06-15-2013 00:55:57 | More by DooshBagalow

marcb105

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%

06-14-2013 02:15:59 | More by marcb105

JMUbrewz

Virginia

4/5  rDev 0%

06-12-2013 16:55:49 | More by JMUbrewz

GraduatedCashew

California

4/5  rDev 0%

06-11-2013 17:27:34 | More by GraduatedCashew

goblin7704

Ohio

4/5  rDev 0%

06-11-2013 16:29:06 | More by goblin7704

jarrgal

North Dakota

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%

06-10-2013 12:02:31 | More by jarrgal

Marty91

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

06-09-2013 22:57:19 | More by Marty91

Satsuma

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

06-09-2013 02:05:52 | More by Satsuma

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4/5  rDev 0%

06-07-2013 14:22:17 | More by DeutschesBier

savagepm

Colorado

4/5  rDev 0%

06-06-2013 00:54:08 | More by savagepm

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

06-06-2013 00:30:27 | More by mendvicdog

Old_Jeffro

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

06-03-2013 02:42:09 | More by Old_Jeffro

DavidRose

Kentucky

4/5  rDev 0%

06-02-2013 22:46:56 | More by DavidRose

GrindFatherBob

New York

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

06-02-2013 15:42:24 | More by GrindFatherBob

animal69

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

06-02-2013 00:34:01 | More by animal69

ONUMello

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pours a pitch black color with a 1/2-finger tan head
S: Burnt malt, coffee, cocoa powder- good but not like some stouts I want to keep smelling all day
T: Roasted malt, cocoa, coffee, a hint of burnt sugar
M: Medium-bodied, smooth
O: Not my favorite stout, not my favorite Bells beer, but overall a solid beer & enjoyable to drink

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 04:44:11 | More by ONUMello

sblanton83

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

05-28-2013 23:40:00 | More by sblanton83

mpayne5

Indiana

4/5  rDev 0%

05-28-2013 01:53:09 | More by mpayne5

spark3148857

New York

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

05-28-2013 01:14:16 | More by spark3148857

rypkr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

05-27-2013 02:01:15 | More by rypkr