The Brewery: Bell's Brewing (Kalamazoo, MI)
Availability: Bottles/Draft (Year-Round)
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center
The Story? My cousin introduced me to Bell's luscious nectars via their Expedition Stout, one of the earliest examples of a Russian Imperial Stout brewed in the U.S., and I was instantly smitten. On the road, I've been able to sneak a peak at their Two Hearted and Golden Rye Ale as well, but that barely scratches the surface of their illustrious offerings.
Until this year, Bell's has never distributed through NYS. I never really thought it would either, so it was with great excite I reveled in the news with my fellow Bell's lovers here in upstate NY, that we would be the first to receive these great beers. I picked up three staples of their year-round line (two I haven't enjoyed prior) as an introduction. Look for a post on Expedition Stout (2012) coming soon.
Two Hearted Ale (IPA) | ABV: 7% | Rating: 9/10
This American IPA starts off with a wonderful, orange-filled citrus nose. The taste follows suit, with a smooth mouthful of fruity orange flavor and floral hop notes. Brewed exclusively with Centennial hops yields an aromatic, but clean brew with significant room for the malt body to shine through. There are even hints of apple and esters. An intricate, year-round IPA offering that is about more than just hops.
Porter | ABV: 5.6% | Rating: 8.8/10
A rich, full nose with heaps of roasted malt aromas and a dash of chocolate are revealed on this simply monikered brew. The taste counters with dry, roasted flavors and an almost champagne mouthfeel, carbonation, and dryness . Very intriguing and drinkable.
The chocolate notes begin more in the spectrum of coco powder, but blossom in richness when pared with food. Fresh, roasted, semi-sweet, and dry - this one is a treat for any year-round porter lover.
Kalamazoo Stout | ABV: 6.0% | Rating: 9/10
This one kicks off sweet and chocolaty in the nose easily transitioning into a rich, silky mouthfeel that is a touch on the side of creamy. Well carbonated for a stout with a unique, sharp bitterness in the finish attributed to the anise aspects of the licorice it's brewed with.
Smooth, full-bodied, and artfully complex. There's plenty of subtlety in this big brew to stroke your beard (or lack of beard) to here - hints of smoke, toffee, chocolate, coffee bean... it's choose your own adventure, really.
Well, there you have it. Three must-try brews that are readily available year round in NYS now. Crack one open and let me know what you think!
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