Beer Review – Bell’s Expedition Stout

Since it looks like the bitter cold weather is back, I’ve decided to try a dark and menacing beer this evening. Though 27 degrees is definitely cold (the current temp out there), I really shouldn’t complain, because it’s not going to get above 30 degrees in Kalamazoo, MI until at least Sunday. Kalamazoo, MI is the home of Bell’s Brewery, but since I’m sure you’ve read our review of the Bell’s Pale Ale, you already knew this.

The Expedition Porter is Bell’s version of a Russian Imperial Stout. Here is a description of this beer from their website:

“Bell’s Expedition Stout offers immensely complex flavors crafted specifically with vintage aging in mind, as its profile will continue to mature and develop over the years. A huge malt body is matched to a heady blend of chocolate, dark fruits, and other aromas. Intensely bitter in its early months, the flavors will slowly meld and grow in depth as the beer ages.”

I’m not sure how I feel about aging beer, since I generally lack patience (I want my beer and I want it now! Not in six month or a year from now). I’ll leave that kind of work to our friend Miracle Max. Let’s find out how this beer tastes today…

Beer Review – Bell’s Pale Ale

Kalamazoo! That is the town in Michigan where the original Bell’s Brewery and The Eccentric Cafe (their brewpub) are located. Their main brewery is located 15 miles away in Comstock, MI. Bell’s Pale Ale is available year round, and their website offers up the following description:

“Unlike so many of its citrus-oriented cousins, Bell’s Pale Ale favors more herbal, earthy hop aromas. Bitterness is firmly anchored in a depth of malt body, allowing the hop flavors to be bold & appreciated without sliding into aggressiveness. These combine with the malt body to create an exceptionally drinkable pale ale.”

• Appearance: Pale orange and somewhat cloudy. Some sediment is evident, and it eventually settles to the bottom of the glass. Fluffy, half inch head that dissipates slowly. Moderate lacing clings to the glass as you drink it down.
• Aroma: Orange and lemon peel. Yeast. Mild hop scent.
• Taste: Medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Citrus flavors at first, followed by a moderately bitter finish.

The Bell’s Pale Ale is very different from the other Pale Ales that I have had over the past few months (Dale’s Pale Ale and Great Lakes Burning River in particular). While the other two beers have an ABV above 6% and a much stronger hop flavor, the Bell’s Pale Ale is noticeably lighter in both flavor and alcohol content (5.2% ABV). While it’s not my favorite pale ale, it is very well balanced and session worthy. Much like the Bell’s Oarsman Ale, this would be a very good beer to have on a warm summer day.