Bell’s Brewery Kalamazoo Stout

Part of our Oh Happy Day #3 package back in 2008, this bottle of Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout has been lurking at the back of my beer fridge for months, the picture on the label reminding me every day when I open the door why I don’t look in mirrors too often. But I digress – a late Friday night session seemed just the right time to crack it open, and boy, was I glad a did. A creamy, silky pint with a thinner than expected chocolatey head and a heady mix of roasted malt, chocolate and licorice on the nose lead you in to a sweet and delicious drop of beer, this really hit the spot. Whether you’re looking for a stout to ease yourself into the style, or are a seasoned connoiseur of the darker side of the brewer’s craft, this is going to go down well. Thanks, Mr. Rettell, for the delivery – look forward to checking out the rest of Bell’s offerings on their home turf sometime

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Bell’s Brewery Porter

#3 of 4 on the blog for our little care package from Mr. Rettell (read more here) is Bell’s Brewery Porter.  This fine specimen of a porter comes at you big and dark and with a monstrosity for a head.  Its smokey nose leads to a medium body with good roasted malt flavor and a mellow finish.  A very nice porter that doesn’t reach out, slap you on the face, and call you its bitch, which is good for a change.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Bell’s Brewery Amber Ale

The first of the brews from Bell’s that I worked out with Po on writing about.  He gets the stout and the wheat ale and I get the amber and the porter… pretty good deal, I say.  

So, raise a glass with me (hopefully full of this wonderful beer) and read on about Bell’s Brewery Amber Ale.

Dug’s Tasting Notes:

A gorgious golden-copper color poors out of this fancy bird decorated bottle, showing off high carbonation and a 1.5 inch head.  The nose is mildly hoppy and the first taste is mellow… mellow in a great way, though.  You can feel the hops on the edges of your tongue… flitting around, teasing you.  The finish is smooth and just as mellow as the body, leaving you with an ever so slight tang.  This is truly the embodiment of a good Amber Ale and may be at the top of the list in a lineup.  Mug shot below.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win (potential Hall of Fame)

 

Bell’s Brewery Oberon

Fresh off the boat from Minnesota (well… somewhere back east… my knowledge of what’s beyond Montana is a bit sketchy) comes this gift from a fine, fine Chicago gentleman – a bottle of Bell’s Brewery Oberon summer ale, which I can tell you right now has done much to brighten up a pretty dreary week.

Almost criminal that this is a limited-release seasonal beer, only available from late March to October. But seasonal it is – Bell’s summer ale pours a very hazy amber pint with huge downy cloud of a head that floats across the top of this creamy amber delight. A clean, crisp, citrus aroma greets the nose, followed by the refreshing bite of this wheaty ale and it’s long, refreshingly bitter finish that just makes you want to reach for another. Along with a sharp cheddar cheese filled croissant. Damn I’m hungry now.

Long story short: Bell’s, please find a distributor west of the Mississippi. We need easy access to you here in Washington.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery

What a week.  Our friend and coworker just happens to have a brother that lives and works in Chicago and he was so very very kind as to send us something special… actually a few special things:

1. A couple of two-fours of Bell’s Brewery beer (porter, stout, amber, and summer wheat)
2. Some BBQ Sauce (original and mustard q)
3. Some Rub (name?)

This act of kindness and respect for the blog absolutely deserves a new Oh Happy Day post and some kudos/call outs.

First, thanks Jaret for the hook up.  You are a good man… no matter what folks say about you.

Second, thanks to Derek Rettell for individually bubble-wrapping each beer and throwing in the other sides.  You must really like your brother… but we won’t dwell on that one.   The Smoke Daddy website is outstanding, by the way.  Just checking it out makes me want to fly to Chicago and eat at one of your many eateries, D.O.C. Wine Bar included…

Third, thanks to Bell’s Brewery… not for sending us anything, but for making fantastic beer. I just now had my second one and am very, very happy.  Look for posts on the beer from Po and I in the very near future.

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales

Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale

Fifth beer of the night at Monk’s Cafe.  See here for original post.

Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale - Bottle

This beer wa probably one of the least memorable of the night.  Not that I was that far gone or anything, but it just wasn’t that remarkable.  Not a bad beer, but not great.  As noted, high ABV, definitely sweet, lite, and fruity, even after the Maharaja.  I will have to have this beer again if I come across it just to validate my thinking, but I just don’t think this one was one to write home about…

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road