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

mjohnson17

Illinois

4.94/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 12 oz bottle

A: Pours jet black, slight head that instantaneously dissipates. Some alcohol legs

S: Balances, a bit muted but well rounded charred oak, fig, roasted malt

T: roast, oak, charred wood, fig, a bit of chocolate and coffee. More of an earthy dry taste than a caramel/toffee sweetness that's sometimes seen in other BB stouts.

M: Very well balanced stout. Coats mouth nicely but not sticky. Full body.

Overall: Fantastic beer. One of the best stouts I've had, let alone bourbon barrel stout. This and BCBS are a near tie for perfection. I also really love the 12 oz format of the 2012 batch. If you have a chance to try this stout do not pass it up!

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 20:01:50 | More by mjohnson17

Kuemmelbrau

Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-26-2013 03:33:18 | More by Kuemmelbrau

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

muletrane

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 05:11:02 | More by muletrane

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 04:06:12 | More by CosmoHopHead

CraftEyeDoc

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -6.6%

05-21-2013 02:35:26 | More by CraftEyeDoc

johntfox

Florida

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-20-2013 23:57:07 | More by johntfox