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

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.81/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – The beer is served a nearly pitch black color with a fine, thin tan colored head. The head fades very fast to leave only a light level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is on the sweeter side with a good presence of chocolate and a nice sweet lactose/milk aroma. Mixed with these smells are notes of a light coffee smell as well.

Taste – The taste begins with some flavors of a sweet milk chocolate and a roasted malt flavor. While upfront there is a good sweet milky presence, as the taste advances the sweet loses some of its ground and the flavor becomes more bitter and darker in nature. While this occurs, some lighter earthy hop flavors start coming to the tongue. These, in the end, when combined with the more roasted, lightly sweet, and darker chocolate flavors create a very nice roasty flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the slightly thicker and chewier side with a carbonation level that is rather average. The thicker body was quite nice for the darker and roasted flavor of the brew and made it drink more like an 8-9 % abv brew as opposed to its 6.1 % abv nature.

Overall –Quite a tasty brew. It’s a “not too overly sweet” and fairly roasty cream stout. Well worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 00:16:58 | More by Darkmagus82

champ103

Texas

3.53/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Crane Ally in Urbana, IL

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. A two finger tan head forms and sticks throughout. Plenty of lace is left behind.
S: Big roasted malt up front and center. Coffee, cereal grains, light chocolate. Then comes a metallic and almost acidic twang. That pretty much takes over in the finish.
T: Follows the nose with a big roasted malt, coffee, and cereal grain flavor. Finishes very metallic and acidic.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Just a bit on the thin side. Not hard to drink, but just not a fan of the metallic finish. Not something I am coming back to often.

Not a bad stout. It would be great if not for the metallic and acidic finish. I will probably try this a few more times because I have had wildly different experiences with different stout batches from Bell's.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 04:52:24 | More by champ103

CooperEllis

New York

3.88/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz into modified tulip.

Mocha pour, rich color. Tan, thin bubbles with a sweet lactic aroma.

Aroma is a particular highlight for this brew and certainly lives up to the name. The flavor and mouthfeel both reflect the 'creamy' aspect of the title but the underlying maltynes isn't lost, but muted enough to damage/limit any complexity in the flavor; not to my taste. Comparing this to other Bell's offerings, it is in line with the crispness that I've come to expect but the nature of this one mutes even that finish.

There is a pleasant 'bite' but the palate is coated and the aftertaste is all cream. If you're expecting a stout I believe you have the right to feel aggrieved. If you're expecting the carpet to match the drapes - you're in the right spot.

(192nd)

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 19:47:21 | More by CooperEllis

PorterIV

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very solid stout. Malty/Roasty aroma - you definitely get the roasted barley. Thick mouthfeel and very roasty. Excellent on a cold, rainy fall day. This is a winter seasonal beer and should be enjoyed seasonally. Overall, another solid offering form Bell's.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2012 04:03:38 | More by PorterIV

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

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

Sampled last at brewery:

Appearance: darkest of the beers we tried, and that's saying a lot (darker than bourbon barrel stout, etc.) medium head; minimal lacing;

Smell: cocoa and malty nose

Taste: slightly bitter; faint hints of hops; easy-drinking stout with a creamy aftertaste

Mouthfeel: easy mouthfeel, very subtle

Solid overall.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 01:12:13 | More by SkeeterBoganski

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pretty damn dark, big surprise. Light brown head, not too thick. About a finger. Leaves decent lacing.

S - Heavy on the coffee and roasted character. Definitely getting a tiny bit of chocolate, but this is a coffee and roasted malt forward beer in the nose.

T - Backs up my suspicions. The dominant flavors are coffee and roasted malt, and then chocolate.

M - It's pretty smooth. Not the smoothest stout I've had, but it's not bad. Pretty drinkable. No hint of the abv.

O - This is a solid entry at a lower level abv stout. I typically drink imperial stouts, but I figured I'd give this a shot based on what they have on tap where I am. I don't regret my decision, unlike my first beer, Oberon.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2012 01:42:20 | More by nrs207

exonthebottle

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

very good lighter stout, nice smooth taste that is malty but has a sweet and lingering malty drier coffee malt that comes through in an okay way. Is this a great stout depends what you think is a good stout or ale. Bell's is a shitty brewery run by bad man I hate to indorse Larry Bell but he did a good job and this is his best stout which isn't saying much.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 04:40:26 | More by exonthebottle

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

175th Review
Served in a half pint
On-draft at the mothership itself in Kalamazoo!

From notes.

A: Deep brown/black. Quarter (mocha) fingernail head.

S: Very roasty! Toasted dark malt, coffee, molasses, semi-sweet chocolate, and fresh cream. Smells "smooth" if that makes any sense.

T: Follows the aromas quite close, but there is a burnt character here - not bad, but interesting as it mixes well with chocolate sweetness. Roasty is nice and the taste is very, very smooth. Reminds me of chocolate milk.

M: Medium bodied with smooth, soft carbonation. Delightful!

O: This beer is very rich, smooth, and easy to drink. About what I would expect for a cream stout...well done!

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 10:54:51 | More by spdyfire83

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

tap

Pours opaque black with the slightest red tinge around the edge. Tan head is a thin lacing.

Smells of chocolate malts, smokey oak and a bit of brown sugar.

Tastes very mildly toasted, bready, chocolatey and sweet with brown sugar malts. Rich but not overbearing.

Body is medium and very creamy with sharp pin pricks of carbonation all through the mouth.

Overall, very good, would definitely have again. Great flavor profile, good body without being overly strong, an excellent creamy stout.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 17:29:02 | More by Cylinsier

Jerone

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Very dark, can barely see through it when the glass is tipped around the edges, cream colored one and a half finger head that sticks around and leaves good lacing.

S - Dark roasted malt with some sweet vanilla and cream, very nice!

T - Dark roasted malts hits your palate and mixes with some sweet cream, vanilla and sweet malt flavor, the end leaves a nice roasted taste in your mouth, the bitterness of the roasted malt is balanced by the cream though.

M - Creamy and smooth with a touch of carbonation to make things interesting. Medium bodied stout, great mouthfeel that enhances the flavors of the beer.

O - An excellent stout that is very drinkable and with no harsh flavors. An excellent stout to introduce to someone who is new to the style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 17:57:57 | More by Jerone

blackcompg

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed in a 5oz glass as part of a 6 beer flight at Bell's Brewery...

Appearance - Translucent dark brown cola color, lite brown cap which left nice lacing.

Smell - Wow, heavy cream, baileys, with notes of vanilla and carmel.

Taste - Very balanced, not overly sweet, cream and lite carmel flavors riding along a nice backbone of litely roasted grains and freshly baked wheatbread.

Mouthfeel - Medium to almost creamy mouthfeel that gives way near the end of the sip to medium carb that adds some nice crispness to the sides of the tongue - great drinkability.

Overall - well balanced and complex, very smooth flavors and mouthfeel, great drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 16:53:48 | More by blackcompg

mltobin

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Isaac Newtown`s.

The appearance is dark brown with a short cream colored head. Double Cream Stout has a a smell of toffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, and a burned aspect too. It tastes of roasted malts, more coffee and dark chocolate. Mouthfeel is kinda creamy as the name would lead one to guess. An enjoyable and quaffable stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 01:49:10 | More by mltobin

zoso1967

Michigan

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

Special Double Cream Stout is served up a deep and viscous black brown with a head that is somewhere between tan and beige. Both the retention and lacing are pretty average looking in this pint.

The aroma is nice and roasty with a definite coffee character to it. Some nice chocolate and a slight chalky character are also present. A touch of vanilla rounds out the flavors near the end of each sip.

The flavor mimics the aroma well with the roasted and chocolate flavors taking center stage. They are backed up by a creamy sweetness that is spiked with vanilla. As the beer warms some nice cocoa flavors begin to come out as well.

The mouthfeel of this beer is surely its best attribute. It is smooth and creamy with a body that is on the heavier side of medium. It seemingly slides down as I imbibe this brew and disappears with a surprisingly dry and roasty finish.

While I remembered this beer being better than I thought it was today, it remains a very solid beer for its style. It is quite impressive what Bell’s is able to do with malt in a beer that has no special ingredients.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 01:20:05 | More by zoso1967

57md

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown in appearance with a finger head and no retention. There is a slight roasty smell that would be better if it were more upfront. The malt taste is a bit thin. There is a pleasant coffee finish, but this entire offering lacks the distinct roasted bite that would make it complete.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 06:02:01 | More by 57md

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

New slim 1/4 barrel keg tapped last weekend. Draft poured into my Stone RIS tulip.

A: Pours a murky dark shade of brown with a big beautiful frothy tan head (2 fingers worth) on top of it.

S: Roasted malts with a touch of vanilla, all done at a moderate volume. I pick up on some cocoa as well. To style.

T: Wow. Thick, rich, velvety, creamy. These are some of the words that first pop into my mind. Vanilla and cream first appear, followed closely by notes of luscious cocoa. A dry, semi-sweet finish, full of "roasted malt flavors", really rounds the experience out for me and make this an excellent, highly drinkable, thoroughly enjoyable Stout.

M: Elite. It's thick, full, luscious, and creamy. Simultaneous "full" and yet "light". Frothy and creamy, with a great moderately dry finish.

D/O: Highly drinkable. Thoroughly enjoyable. Strongly recommend. This keg purchase was not a mistake.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 00:35:32 | More by psuKinger

kylehay2004

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: single finger head. Black. Some lace.

S: mild roast. Touch of dark chocolate

T: sweet, mild roast start and very nice dark chocolate/cocoa finish. The cream is also evident.

M: moderate carbonation and full but not thick body.

Overall: bells doesn't disappoint. Drinkable, flavorful and complex taste.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2011 01:24:25 | More by kylehay2004

ArrogantDeadGuy

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A strictly black pour with a thin mocha cap. Aromas of caramel, toasted hops, mocha, and coffee are all distincly present and making my mouth water. A very creamy brew with great toasty notes with a lactic finish that lets you know that the cream is ther. The carbonation is nice on the pallet and the full bodied brew is creamy and thick going down the hatch. The bittnerness does get a little harsh after a full pint and is actually a little mroe typical of a chocolate stout. Overall the beer is very drinkabel though maybe only slightly out of bounds with regard to style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 02:58:55 | More by ArrogantDeadGuy

chilidog

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got the chance try a pint on tap.

Nice dark black appearance. Cream like tan head. Lace was thick enough to maintain and lace fair.

Aroma was dark roasted malts, cocoa and coffee.

Taste and mouth is sweet coffee with cream, dark cocoa, roasted malts, dark earthy notes of barral and pine.

Drinkable, very much so, would order another.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2011 01:09:00 | More by chilidog

jar2574

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Charlie Hooper's in KC. Nice looking pour, 1/2 inch dark head over midnight black beer. Smell is really faint but mostly of roasted malts. This is a mild, creamy, tasty stout. Malts predominate, not sensing any hops. Not much bitterness or too much roasted flavor. A very good choice as a session beer for a stout.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2011 22:29:34 | More by jar2574

thedoubler55

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pitch black in color, a nice off white head that leaves a bit of lacing around the glass.

S: Sweet malts, as well as chocolate, and slight hints of coffee.

T: Chocolate, coffee and some vanilla, almost exactly like the nose.

M:Creamy, great stout, very minimal carbonation

D: Another great brew from Bells, never disappointed with this brewery. Will definitely have another.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2011 01:40:01 | More by thedoubler55

Flipadelphia84

Minnesota

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

A- Almost pure black but not quite. Dark cream colored head, looks to be medium to high carbonation.

S-Coffee, Dark roasted malts, a little chocolate. Somewhat smokey.

T- Heavy on the roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, very smokey, a little sweet. A sort of sour smokey finish. Very good.

M- I expected a thicker body but it was slightly above average. Medium carbonation.

D- Good drinkability for a heavier stout.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2011 00:46:03 | More by Flipadelphia84

deebo

Minnesota

2.2/5  rDev -45%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A-Very dark with thick tan head-Guinness like
S-Dark roasted malts with heavy smoky character
T-Upfront nice dark malt flavor that is overpowered with a heavy smoke note that also has a strong black pepper flavor that is too strong and makes this unpleasant
M-Medium to heavy bodied
D-Hard to drink a pint of this unless you like smoky/peppery style beers

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2011 03:34:47 | More by deebo

atsprings

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Flying Saucer Charlotte served in a standard pint glass a deep opaque black with a nice frothy khaki head that lasts and leaves great lacing on the glass. Aroma is some mild roasted malts and not much else. The taste is a wonderfully smooth kick of roasted malts with nice subtle cocoa that leaves a wonderful finish. The beer is quite light, crisp and smooth with nice carbonation. This is a great stout, one I've been overlooking for a few years.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2011 23:11:55 | More by atsprings

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a shaker. Poured pitch black with a half finger tan head. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, cream, and slight roasted malt. The flavor was of sweet malt, caramel, roasted malt, and cream on the followthrough. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall the flavor on this one was kind of watered-down in my opinion. The aroma on this one isn't overly great either, but decent. Just seemed to be lacking in intensity in both aspects. With that said however, it is worth trying at least once. I could imagine this being mixed with Expedition and being QUITE good. Mouthfeel on this one was kind of thin as well for my taste. While this helps the drinkability of the brew, it also hurts it overall.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2010 13:01:00 | More by thagr81us

Thur123

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

This brew pours a nearly opaque ruby black color with a small amount of medium khaki head. The smell isn't too strong, with lots of sweetness as well as a bit of toasty malt smell. Smell not too strong  

Glug glug glug

The flavor is big on the lactose. Creamy sweetness thy almost reminds me of ice cream. There is enough sweet and surly malt to balance the whole thing very nicely. Mouthfeel is fantastically smoky and creamy. Drinkable as well...doesn't feel too heavy or boozy. A dessert stout if you will.   

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 20:34:10 | More by Thur123