Day 250 - Double Cream Stout

Furthering a trek down the dark path, here's a 4th by this brewer, and second stout.

The deep brown of rain water than has steeped all Fall in a rotted oak stump, I must admit I was expecting the taste to be comparable. Yes, it is heavy, and yes it does have that strong roasted malt taste, but it lacks any kind of sweetness that turns me off, and finishes clean enough. By golly, I might actually like this one...

Specs:

Full Name: Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Brewed By: Bell's Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 6.1%

I'm not sure what exactly "double cream" means in this context, and while "special" is almost as bad as "premium", I'll let them slide on this one. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't replace any of my favs, but if you're looking for a mouthful of flavor and you're out on stouts, you might try this one. I'm guessing I find it acceptable because the roasting imparts a somewhat dry taste, and while it doesn't come close to the bitterness of good hops, it beats anything sweet.

Now more than two thirds through this beerfest, with fewer in front than behind (not to mention it getting harder to find untried ones), this should start to get interesting. Sadly, this also means I'm that much closer to being 50. Good news is, started prelim discussons with dad and brothers about the concept of "whisky of the week" for next year... ;>)

cheers.

Day 219 - Bells Pale Ale

Another long weekend, come and gone, but it ends on a nice hoppy note...

This one poured particularly light yellow for a pale ale, so was cranking down the expectations when I took that first sip. Hum, I like it when I am wrong. Not quite the full on action, but a nice hops flavor with decent finish.

Specs:

Full Name: Bell's Pale Ale
Brewed By: Bell's Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 5.2%


Well, all caught up on the blogs again, after drinking the beer but running out of steam to write the last 2 nights as we left early and got back late both nights.

Day 25 - Kalamazoo Stout

Another busy day topped with a late demo of CrossPoint to some prospects, means no trip to Total Wine and that I'm still limited to what I had on hand. Sure, I could have gone with another pale ale, but being a wild and crazy guy, I chose the only other option ......

A shot glass of this was like a little black hole, no light in or out, but then this isn't about looks so bottoms up and down it went. Big flavor, not too sweet though hints of licorice, which is not high on my list of favorite tastes, but a clean finish and in the end but pretty dang tasty.


Specs


Full Name: Bell's Kalamazoo Stout
Brewed by: Bells Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 6%



This was my dessert tonight, complimenting a late dinner of hickory-smoked chicken and salad. Now I'm totally stuffed, so yep, it met expectations. I'm thinking that every well stocked beer fridge should have a stout for such occasions. Should it be this one, that's a bit premature to say maybe, but if it is, and I have the room, I'd grab it.