Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 9000 - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

josephwa

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a large tulip glass.

A - jet black, completely opaque, perfect head. Inviting indeed.

S - Bourbon and sweetness calling my name.

T - So rich in flavor, perfectly sweetened, the bourbon aging is very nice. Lots of complexity.

M - This has a lighter weight to it than expected. There is no alcohol burn on this at all. Hard to believe it is 14.9%! Perfect carbonation as well.

O - I wish this beer were perpetually available for me to enjoy. Dear God.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2012 19:04:44 | More by josephwa

MCImes

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

You can read the other wordy reviews if you want. Ill keep mine short.

This beer ruined me. It set a new bar on my palette, and thus, made everything else taste a little worse by comparison. Bells knocked it out of the park with this one. It deserves 5.1/5, as it set a new bar for goodness in my life.

*starts chant* Re-brew! Re-brew! Re-brew! Re-brew!

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2013 18:02:05 | More by MCImes

deebo

Minnesota

4.95/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Bryant lake bowl. Huge fan of batch 9000 so very excited to try this!

A-a generous pour served in an oversized snifter yields a finger of large bubbled tan foam that breaks down into a lacing and finally a small ring half way through the drink. Black
S-bourbon yes but so much more than that. It does still smell like the non-barreled version dark sweet fruits (raisin rum molasses and vanilla aromas all very prominent). Delicious
T-the aging has made this beer sweeter than the younger in barreled version. It is definitely sweet but not cloying. I'm a fan. The bourbon is here but is not overpowering at all. Plenty of sweet and toasted malt. Finish is smooth and a bit muscat-like
M-heavy body, low carbonation and smooth
O-yep I like this beast. The sweetness drowns out the alcohol bite. All I get is a little burn way down deep to let you know this is a brew to savor not slam

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2012 01:46:45 | More by deebo

mnphish

Minnesota

4.93/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Consumed about 2 hours ago on tap at Pracna on Main in MPLS. Reviewed from fresh memory and some notes. 5 oz. pour.

A dark brown/light black with a small tan head. The nose reeks of bourbon, dark chocolate and dry-dark fruit, nuts, oatmeal, a small roast character, and loads of oak and vanilla. The taste follows suit with a punch of chocolate covered cherries.

It has a medium-full body with a light warming effect and small doses of booze. This is really close to perfection. Could I pretend this beer has something negative about it? Absolutely not, it is simply otherworldly. Cheers Bells!

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2013 00:36:01 | More by mnphish

standardcherry

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Pours pitch black. A small tan head formed but dissipated after a few seconds.
S: Huge and rich aromas of bourbon, caramel, dark fruits and oak. So much bourbon! A bit of chocolate, vanilla, licorice and molasses too. I normally detest licorice but it blends in very well here. Very aromatic, I could smell it from a few feet away.
T: So much going on here, I can't make up my mind. Bourbon first of all, followed by chocolate, vanilla (almost marshmallow), oak, dark fruits, and tons of caramel. A slight bit of licorice in there (perfect amount, enough to complement the other flavors but not enough to make it gross). I thought this would be overly sweet but it's very well balanced. Fairly boozy and warming as expected from both the barrel and the 15%abv.
M: Full bodied with light carbonation. Very well balanced. Pleasant booziness, not burning like in other beers.
O: Extremely well made BA beer. This has to be one of my top beers ever. Glad I got the chance to try it, although I fear I won't be able to trade for it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 08:11:15 | More by standardcherry

ediaz

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

On tap at World of Beer UCF 1/24/13 into a snifter.

A: motor oil black with dark brown edges. Light mocha head

S: bourbon, toffee, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, malty goodness

T: follows the nose. Sweet bourbon and choco-coffee up front. Sweetness carries into a vanilla that transitions to a finish is of a Heath bar - one of the better beers I've ever had.

M: lighter than expected but still has a decent weight to it. Mild carbonation, just right.

O: Outstanding. I crapped my pants when I heard we got a keg, as I thought I'd never try this. This beer lives up to the hype. I'm now on a permanent ISO. If you like bcbs you'll love this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 22:45:47 | More by ediaz

TCgoalie

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at 8th St Grille in Holland.

The appearance is tough to judge given the lighting situation but I enjoy the filmy splotchy head and the ring of lacing around the parameter. This beer has legs like a six foot brunette.

Bourbon oak heaven in the smell with dark intriguing fruits lingering in its abyss.

So much going on in the taste...licorice, charred marshmallow, honey, bourbon soaked cherries, oak, vanilla, love, maple, tobacco...I could go on all night. A lingering bitterness helps balance the sweetness all wrapped up with an alcohol heat sting in the end.

3 words can describe the mouthfeel: Thick Syrup Chewbacca. This is thick, chewy, smooth, with a lovely sweet treat left on my lips after the swallow.

I'm going to try not to let my excitement go over board when grading this but this is terrific! I love regular batch 9000 and this is even a step up. Awesome!

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2013 01:38:17 | More by TCgoalie

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.79/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

On-tap at the Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, celebrating my best friend's acceptance to medical school.

A: Pitch black, opaque, can't even see through the peripheries. Looks like a stout, or a very mean dark ale, turns out to be the latter.

S: Good god, the bourbon. Vanilla, slight spices, malty sweetness. Heaven.

T: Bourbon, bourbon, bourbon, dark grains with large hits of roasty caramel and raisins, and smaller hints dark chocolate. Nutmeg-like spiciness, could even be cinnamon almost. Sweet alcohol flavor with plenty of burn. Low bitterness. Complex and aggressive. It'll put hair on your chest.

M: Creamy, smooth, and thick. Even though this beer will blow your nuts off, it'll do it in an elegant fashion.

Overall, one of the best beers I have ever had, which is saying a lot. I would do dirty things to get a growler of this, or even another taste. Thankfully, there is talk of going back to Michigan soon.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2013 19:48:44 | More by Trifecta1

weonfire

Kentucky

4.78/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Had this on tap in a 10oz snifter glass at The Beer Trappe in Lexington, Ky.

A. First glance looks jet black. But as you turn the glass the rim is a deep burgundy. Snifter was filled to the brim, but a light white head present.

S - numerous. I wont prentend like you can pick out exact fruits in this. very strong, nicely aged and balanced fruits is all can say for sure. licorice and chocolate.

T - Chocolate, aged fruit, plum, licorice, fudge, molasses, alcohol, and small smoke as it goes down the throat

M - thick, viscosity was medium.

O - reminded me more of 2012 Goose Island's BCBS than I thought it would. excellent brew. Was very sweet. You will taste this beer for an hour after consuming.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 15:44:01 | More by weonfire

maximum12

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Have now had this a couple times on tap & at the risk of giving away my review, fuck-yeah. This beer is amazing. Sampled at Bryant Lake Bowl & Whistle Binkie's, among others.

Unlike some of the haters, I looooved the original Batch 9000. This is the same color, dark brownish, very dark. The nose is 9000 + barrel: bourbon, molasses, toffee, gnomes of goodness. Yum.

Bourbon Barrel Batch 9000 takes the original fantastic base & bumps it up a titch or two, which is hard to do. The bourbon here bonds to the base beer to bring out a huge bag of marshmalow: really. Sweet, vanilla marshmallow like I've never experienced in another beer dominates like Scott Studwell's steely blues. Toffee, caramel, molasses, & a mouthfeel like real syrup make this a sipper. Oh yeah, & the alcohol stings a little. But I could sip it all night (& did once, on a Tuesday - this is not recommended, & only stupid people probably do this).

Overall? Elite. Totally understand why bottles of this beer are so sought after, because this is top-shelf. I'd drink this any & every day of the week. Fantastic beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 03:40:11 | More by maximum12

JDizzle

Indiana

4.74/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Got a 12 oz pour at the eccentric cafe. $6.75

Charlie Murphy black with negative head...zero.

Wow, smells like dark fruits, booze, licorice, bourbon, and more booze.

Complex is a good word. Again, dark fruits like dates and raisins are strong. The bourbon barrel aging is present, but does not take over like usual. It has a nice dry finish from the barrel. It's hot, but it's very drinkable for a 15%er.

Mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and dry. Carbs are low as they should be. Nice!!

What a great beer! This is so much better than 9000.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2012 16:36:12 | More by JDizzle

timc100

Illinois

4.74/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Notes from Thanksgiving '12

A: Dark dark dark dark brown with a thin instantly dissipating khaki head

S: WOW big and boozy, but not necessarily bourbon booze, just a big fresh strong ale. Creamy oak and vanilla, strong licorice, big tart cherry, and rich milk and some dark chocolate.

T: Like a lush rip tart michigan cherry filled with bourbon and dipped in chocolate. Very hot and complex. Bourbon vanilla and caramel sweetness throughout.

P: Chewy, very chewy. Full bodied light carbonation. Complements the other elements perfectly

O: Just fantastic, wonderful, brilliant beer. The Bells fridge was packed with these guys and I didn't know what was in front of me. Though pricey, if I could go back and buy 3 more for the cellar I would have. Amazing stuff

I am sure age will do wonders.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 15:04:52 | More by timc100

jera1350

Minnesota

4.73/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at New Bohemia.

Served in a tulip, the body is pure black with a thin little head of creamy khaki foam. The nose is full of bourbon, oak and malty sweetness. Huge flavor profile, but everything is just beautifully blended without anything overpowering the rest. Loads of malty sweetness with some dark fruit, chocolate and molasses, with a warm bourbon flavor that adds vanilla and caramelized sugar. Full bodied, with no trace of being nearly fifteen percent alcohol. The bourbon hints at it, but I would have guessed it to be ten percent based on how easily this goes down. This was so outstanding that I wish to indulge again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 19:11:36 | More by jera1350

Doodler

Colorado

4.71/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

C&C 750 Bottle – generously shared by Dr. Chad at Crooked Stave….thanks amigo! Poured a deep coffee color with a small tan head and lacing. Nose is aromatic with bourbon, vanilla, roasted malts and dark chocolates floating around. Full bodied flavor that is somewhat sweet and oaky. Lightly carbed with loads of bourbon, vanilla and dark fruits working throughout and on the finish. Very tasty stuff. Get some….

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 01:04:56 | More by Doodler

sweemzander

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

750mL corked and caged bottle poured into a snifter. Thanks to Matt for trading this with me! Bottle #806/1502.

(A)- Pours practically pitch black and fairly thick. Some surprising tan froth formed considering this behemoth's ABV, but dissipated after awhile.

(S)- A hugely rich and decadent aroma. It oozes booze soaked raisin with bits of licorice and oak. The molasses is there too, but in a more of a supporting role. Very complex as it kind of jumps here and there within those aromas.

(T)- Very much like the smell. Such a rich and complex profile to this. Very dynamic with tons of raisin, prune, plum, and molasses with a caramel-rich bourbon barrel oak profile. There is so much more to this than I can really describe here. The way the barrel interacts with the base beer is so well integrated.

(M)- A very mellow carbonation level that works perfectly with this. So well balanced and integrated together despite how sweet and rich this is. In all honesty, it would be really tough to tackle a bottle of this by your lonesome. A huge ABV on this, but almost zero burn; really well integrated ABV.

(O)- Just an extremely well crafted barrel aged beer. I have been a big fan of how the base beer has been aging since its release, but the way the bourbon barrel has treated this is an absolute improvement and a joy to drink. So complex with explosive flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 18:34:23 | More by sweemzander

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.69/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Small head with low retention. Clear, oily, sticky lacing. Dark, dark, ruby in color, borderline black. Aroma includes some roasted malt, some alcohol, molasses, port and some beautiful bourbon. Mouthfeel is extremely thick and viscous, tongue and mouth coating. Taste includes molasses, some prune, some bourbon, touch of vanilla and brown sugar. The alcohol is well hidden. This beer deserves all of the hype that it has received to this point and will certainly receive in the future. God damn.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 06:13:53 | More by KickbacksSteve

Toadvine

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I had this on tap at Jerry's. Poured into a snifter. It had a brown syrup color with a thin beige head. I got scents of caramel and toffee and vanilla. The taste was sweet on the front end, with flavors of maple and brown sugar, rounded off by subtle wood flavors and finally a light booze finish. This beer had a wonderful rich velvety body. And I really enjoyed the subtlety of the booze, which complemented the ale without overpowering it.

Like sinking into the world's softest beanbag, with your favorite slippers on, in front of a warm fire, on a rainy fall night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 21:51:28 | More by Toadvine

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.61/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle opened on 2.18.13
Bottle 602/1502
Batch 11590

A - Pours a very dark brown with very dark amber highlights, a small fizzy dark tan head appears and fades slowly.

S - Bourbon up front, then some oak, anise, and a hint of dark chocolate.

T - Again the bourbon is present, then some chocolate, followed by wood acid and a touch of carmel.

D - Decent carbonation with a heavier body.

O - This is a BA beer done right. This one is so tasty, it was hard to write it all down.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 04:05:56 | More by HuskyinPDX

jeonseh

Indiana

4.6/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Deep dark brown with no head. Very clean looking and reflective.

S - Bourbon, vanilla, caramel, slight black licorice and orange peel. The nose is nice and complex but wish it were a bit stronger

T - Bourbon upfront. Nice anise and chocolate in the middle to gives it an edge that is balanced against vanilla and caramel. Light oak and orange peel on the finish. Very well balanced and flavorful. One that you want to keep drinking it

MF - Medium body with nice carbonation that makes it very smooth and easy to drink despite the high ABV.

O - This is the best Bell's beer that I've had. Nice bourbon presence that is well blended with the base beer to add another layer of complexity. Wish I had gotten more than a bottle

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2012 04:39:20 | More by jeonseh

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.59/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Half Acre snifter.

A- pours near black with a 1 finger tan head. No lacing.

S- big chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, toffee, caramel

T- caramel, toffee, chocolate, bourbon and vanilla

M- full body and medium carbonation. Slightly syrupy with some acidity.

O- very good beer. Had it on tap at Bells in October and that it was just ok, but it is a very good beer out of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:36:20 | More by kawilliams81

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.58/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Much like a caterpillar that undergoes its cocoon, yet to emerge as a butterfly- the Batch 9,000 does much the same; with spectacular results. But the adolescent ale was a far cry from a worm, it was pretty special as it was but the bourbon barrel aging gives the beer a serious 2.0 upgrade.

Though the beer defies styles, the beer can easily be mistaken as imperial stout- Its ultra viscous density is as thick black as motor oil, and is further reinforced with its lumbered head that slowly generates on top and is short lives. The beer's foam character quickly succumbs to its sheer weight, alcohol, and light carbonation. Providing as much value for its brandy-like legging than its head retention or Belgian lace, the beer simply looks heavy.

Incredibly savory aromas nearly buckle the knees as the aroma of molasses, maple, and caramel join with a candied bourbon scent of oak, vanilla, and sherry wine. Deep, dark fruit notes all carry the scent of being soaked in obvious bourbon, but also not-so-obvious port wine and butter rum. Darker notes of chocolate, mild coffee, candied almonds, and soy sauce keep the waves of complexities wafting over the nose.

Just as delicious as the aromas promised, the flavors of molasses, toffee, and sorghum sugars all carry a slightly scorched and savory character that extends into the taste of bourbon, fruit, and maturity to come. Figs, dates, plumb, red grape, and light licorice notes fuse well with the umami-rich sherry, soy sauce, and chocolate notes for ultra complexity and variety of taste. All these flavors are awash with bourbon soaked oak- rich with vanilla, cherry, and light char. As the beer warms, more fruit vinous notes rise and keep delivering complex notes right down to the last sip.

Incredibly rich and mouth coating, the beer's sultry sweetness clings to the mouth and saturates those soft tissues with bourbon alcohol, light wine-like acidity, and seductive malt sweetness. The beer lingers with its weight and viscosity very late with only a mild quiver of alcohol dryness that triggers the beer's finish. It lingers indefinite, as its intent is to link up with the next sip- a dessert-like sipper for sure!

Where the original 9,000 demonstrated a strong potential for world class stock or old ale, this bourbon barreled version bridges in the taste of imperial stout, barleywine, and port equally as well. It's simply a magical beer that exceeds expectations!

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 06:00:11 | More by BEERchitect

Sean9689

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at the Cafe.

Pours black with a thin tan collar, wisps on top, bubbles here and there. Nose is bourbon, chocolate, caramel, and a wonderful barrel character. Flavor is chocolate, bourbon, oak, toffee, burnt sugars, and caramel. The sweetness and booze work together perfectly with this monstrous beer. Full body, perfect light carbonation, creamy sweet finish.

Wow, what a monster this is. Clocking in at 15% with only 12oz pours available, I had to pass some off to a couple other guys at the bar or risk a diabetic coma with a buzz. This beer takes Batch 9000 to another level, no doubt about it. It's a sipper but perfectly done for what it's suppose to be.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2012 20:54:58 | More by Sean9689

sarro

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a slightly red copper tinted black, but you can still see through it against light.
Thin head. Smell is sweet licorice, oak, vanilla, toasted malt and wood, prunes, and figs. Taste is long lasting bourbon heat with notes of sweet chocolate, molasses, and finishes with a strong booze note. Full bodied mouthfeel with low carbonation. Dry alcohol finish. Overall, very good and a huge improvement on Batch 9000 between the mellowed aging and added barrel character.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 22:43:02 | More by sarro

CooperEllis

New York

4.58/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

At The Tap House in Rochester during Take-over.

Perfect pour. Rich coloring with deep ruby fingering at the edges. The head is present out of the tap but gone in seconds leading a thick crown of tightly wound beige.

The aroma up front can not compare with the aroma at the end, when dark fruit dominates with fig and plum up front with candied notes including caramel linger at the death.

This could be chewy, could be sipped, but on draught this is a straight easy drinking, high abv, early-evening making brew. The mouthfeel on this is spot on for perfect, regardless of style. Enough to know its there; gone in time to miss it. Only a fig flavor lingers and that invites anothe sip.

I doubt I'd ever open a bottle by myself, but a couple 6oz pours would last the night.

(201st)

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 03:03:45 | More by CooperEllis

khumbard

Indiana

4.55/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to eyeenjoybeer for the share....

Pours a dark brownish black with a dissipating head, pretty much expected. The nose is probably the best part of the beer for me... subtle bourbon, dark fruits, coffee, molasses.... very nice. Taste is sweet and complex. The barrel has really improved the base beer significantly. It rounded out all of the odd edges that hurt the base. The bourbon comes through just enough, along with the molasses and raisin sweeness. Finishes with a lingering sweetness that is a bit sticky... but if you've ever had the standard 9000 that is to be expected. The barrel may have thinned it out just slightly, but the mouthfeel is pretty much the same as the base.... a bit syrupy, but nothing too over the top. Overall, this was really darn good and an improvement on the base beer. I'm in the group that didn't really enjoy the base beer fresh, but it has grown on me the last 3 years. I was really excited to try the barreled version, and Bell's didn't disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 05:14:38 | More by khumbard