Another big beer review in an attempt to help catch Ray and his reviews. Alright, that might not happen but a review none the less! :laugh: Got this as part of a Midwest care package from Aventinus, thanks Pete! Although there was no date on the bottle, I am guessing it was fairly fresh.
An excellent brewery out of Michigan, I have recently had the opportunity to sample several of their offerings including the famed Hop Slam which I will review soon.
Beer: Bell's Expedition Stout
Type: Russian Imperial Stout
Origin: Bell's Brewery, Inc. Kalamazoo, Michigan
ABV: 10.5%
Price: $15/Sixer
Rarity: 2/10 – Winter Release
Setting/Pairing:Poured into a smaller brandy type snifter and enjoyed in the man room while watching the Nuggets get pounded by the Bulls.
Appearance: Pours a viscous black with an airy light one finger cappuccino colored head.
Nose: Deep dark roasted malt, sweet molasses, coffee. Very full, appetizing nose.
Taste: Dark bittersweet chocolate is first present on the tongue balanced nicely with soft dark fruit and followed by a slightly bitter long coffee bean finish. Very nice somewhat subtle but full flavor.
Mouthfeel: The light carbonation enhances the feel, creamy and viscous, coats the mouth nicely. Not the thickest RIS I have had, but about the standard I would expect from this style.
Drinkability: ABV was noticeable as it warmed but it was quite drinkable despite that. Match the ABV with the full flavor and if you really wanted to you could probably drink 2 in a sitting, but its no doubt a warming sipper.
Final Comments: Very good offering from Bell's, a classic example of what a good RIS should be. If I could find it locally it would be a staple six pack in my fridge despite the price tag which has almost come to be expected with the recent craze for high ABV beers.The best part is it is fairly easy to find and should be readily available to those of you up north.
Serving type: bottle
Rating: B+ / 4 of 5 -- look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 3.5
An excellent brewery out of Michigan, I have recently had the opportunity to sample several of their offerings including the famed Hop Slam which I will review soon.
Big Beer Review Series:
Beer: Bell's Expedition Stout
Type: Russian Imperial Stout
Origin: Bell's Brewery, Inc. Kalamazoo, Michigan
ABV: 10.5%
Price: $15/Sixer
Rarity: 2/10 – Winter Release
Setting/Pairing:Poured into a smaller brandy type snifter and enjoyed in the man room while watching the Nuggets get pounded by the Bulls.
Appearance: Pours a viscous black with an airy light one finger cappuccino colored head.
Nose: Deep dark roasted malt, sweet molasses, coffee. Very full, appetizing nose.
Taste: Dark bittersweet chocolate is first present on the tongue balanced nicely with soft dark fruit and followed by a slightly bitter long coffee bean finish. Very nice somewhat subtle but full flavor.
Mouthfeel: The light carbonation enhances the feel, creamy and viscous, coats the mouth nicely. Not the thickest RIS I have had, but about the standard I would expect from this style.
Drinkability: ABV was noticeable as it warmed but it was quite drinkable despite that. Match the ABV with the full flavor and if you really wanted to you could probably drink 2 in a sitting, but its no doubt a warming sipper.
Final Comments: Very good offering from Bell's, a classic example of what a good RIS should be. If I could find it locally it would be a staple six pack in my fridge despite the price tag which has almost come to be expected with the recent craze for high ABV beers.The best part is it is fairly easy to find and should be readily available to those of you up north.
Serving type: bottle
Rating: B+ / 4 of 5 -- look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 3.5
