Bell's Black Note Stout - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

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BA SCORE
100
world-class
-
1,356 Ratings

rAvg: 4.55
pDev: 8.57%
Reviews: 353
Hads: 1003

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Bell's Brewery, Inc.

Michigan, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 11.50% ABV

Availability: Rotating. on-tap (185), bottle (141), growler (27).

Notes:
One of the most sought-after stouts in Bell's history, Black Note Stout blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout and ages the combination in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso & dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel. Aimed squarely at the stout and bourbon aficionados, Black Note makes a grand statement about the art of the dark.

View: Beers (75) | Reviews (159) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by Weli:

Weli

Wisconsin

3.98/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at the Republic West Bank MSP

A-Pitch black beer with thin tan head, just enough to lace the rim leaving the center of the pint obsidian black

S-Can definitely tell the bourbon from a mile away. Oak, velvet, dark cocoa, vanilla and bourbon with an estery British stout character

T-Kinda overpowering, Very sweet malt character, balanced by dark chocolate, espresso with body from the oak tannins and bourbon. Underlain by vanilla notes.

M-Thick and cloying

O-I much prefer the expedition stout to black note even though black note contains some expedition stout. This beer is excellent, but even 8oz is a bit much at one sitting really belongs in a snifter glass served as an appertif or with a dessert course. It is very sweet while at the same time assertively bitter. A very complex beer, I nonetheless might skip the oak barrels or age longer as the flavors as presented are somewhat discordant.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 06:16:40 | More by Weli

More User Reviews:

NW2285

Ohio

4.25/5 rDev -6.6%

05-26-2013 00:12:57 | More by NW2285

sludgegnome

Pennsylvania

3.75/5 rDev -17.6%

05-25-2013 22:15:17 | More by sludgegnome

DooshBagalow

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-25-2013 18:49:25 | More by DooshBagalow

ajzy

Wisconsin

5/5 rDev +9.9%

05-25-2013 17:05:37 | More by ajzy

RayUF07

Florida

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-25-2013 05:49:08 | More by RayUF07

GimmeGumballHead

Illinois

5/5 rDev +9.9%

05-25-2013 03:55:12 | More by GimmeGumballHead

wezzul

Michigan

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 16:36:28 | More by wezzul

Beer_Drinker

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-24-2013 16:36:18 | More by Beer_Drinker

kspongeworthy

Texas

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 15:12:14 | More by kspongeworthy

derkfromwi

Wisconsin

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 01:53:03 | More by derkfromwi

azureoval

California

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 01:10:17 | More by azureoval

bobv

Vermont

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-23-2013 19:32:51 | More by bobv

dizztracted

North Dakota

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-23-2013 02:35:01 | More by dizztracted

Dpayne

Michigan

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-23-2013 00:48:41 | More by Dpayne

Bigtwin

Michigan

4.25/5 rDev -6.6%

05-22-2013 16:29:06 | More by Bigtwin

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5 rDev -6.6%

05-22-2013 01:05:19 | More by mikeincharleston

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-22-2013 00:31:33 | More by sacrelicio

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 19:01:58 | More by Beerandboards

mdaschaf

Washington

4.46/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes.

A: Pours a very deep brown, practically black with a small tan/mocha colored head on top that forms a pretty tight cap. Decent read retention with thin lacing.

S: Dark chocolate upfront with some light roasted malt. Bourbon mixed with vanilla and a bit of brown sugar and molasses as well.

T: The first flavor I got was vanilla with dark chocolate, a great combination. The bourbon kicks in adding some wood, a bit of caramelized sugar, and some molasses. Faint dark fruit as well, cherries. Slight bitter/roast on the back end.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation, pretty smooth.

O: A very nice beer, understandable why it scores so hi. Very impressed and look forward to trying it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 11:06:40 | More by mdaschaf