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Appearance
As black as they come, no light can make it through this one. Even the head is a
medium to dark brown. Long lasting head, full of rockiness and character. In my
view an absolutely perfect appearance for a stout. Beautiful brew. Dark roast
black to brown with effervescence in head. Head remains rocky and present with
an incredible copper base. Excellent texture in pour. Silky and about as good as it
gets.
Aroma
Very strong multi-dimensional aroma, some spicy, some sweet. The roasted
malt, spicy hops, and coffee scents predominate with some sweet citrus (lime)
and alcohol tones also present. Complex, inviting, balanced, simply wonderful.
Rich blend of malt, chocolate, citrus, and coffee. Flavors infuse to present an
intense experience. There are components here that just aren't in other stouts.
One could almost create a checklist of stout characteristics to check off. This has
them all plus lemon and orange and hops making this example truly unique.
Palate
Wow, extremely pleasant creaminess right out of the gate. Enjoyably strong
roasted malt flavor, the lime citrus, some chocolate, and some hop spice. Full
flavored as soon as it hits the tip of the tongue, amazing ! Wow, creamy and
complex. All components of aroma mixed with a malty sweetness followed by the
immediate sense of alcohol warmth. The true quality of this stout is its ability to
mix sweet with tartness of hops and still provide unique flavors. It's all there,
coffee, roast, citrus, hoppy freshness, and chocolate, fantastic !
Finish
Its hard to believe this example had any room to intensify given the strength of the
palate, but is does intensify in a big way. Bold roasted malt flavor and hop spice
blend is complex and the chocolate, coffee, citrus tones, and alcohol warmth
carry through. Perfectly balanced as long as its aged some, more on this later.
Strong malt and hard coffee tendencies are the initial trait. After a few moments
these subside slightly to allow other qualities to march in. Bitterness becomes
notable, then the malty sweetness returns. This stout is so drinkable and
perfected but is also hearty and mindblowing. Doesn't get any better.
Synopsis
In decades of beer tasting, this stout is the finest I have ever had, my favorite
without reservation. Of course one needs to enjoy the stout style to appreciate any
stout. Expedition bursts with flavor, strength, creaminess, all in a tasty and
balanced package. Of important and interesting note, this beer changes with age.
I have had very recently made batches that were significantly more hoppy, more
bitter. I agree with what is described on the label "aging and improving". While
great anytime, I prefer aging (warm) a minimum of three months, and preferably
six months, after the batch is bottled. In this range the hop zing and bitter flavors
add to the pleasing complexity without overshadowing the other components.
This is a beer I have had and enjoyed many times. It is full of complexities, but in
reality requires some care. I cannot emphasize enough that to fully appreciate
this beer you must allow it to age (if you are getting a recent production run off the
store shelf). There is so much going on that it takes some time to bloom. As an
eyeopener, it puts meaning on the importance of aging some quality beers in
order to reach their full potential. In my view, THIS IS THE BEST BEER IN THE
WORLD TO DATE !
As black as they come, no light can make it through this one. Even the head is a
medium to dark brown. Long lasting head, full of rockiness and character. In my
view an absolutely perfect appearance for a stout. Beautiful brew. Dark roast
black to brown with effervescence in head. Head remains rocky and present with
an incredible copper base. Excellent texture in pour. Silky and about as good as it
gets.
Aroma
Very strong multi-dimensional aroma, some spicy, some sweet. The roasted
malt, spicy hops, and coffee scents predominate with some sweet citrus (lime)
and alcohol tones also present. Complex, inviting, balanced, simply wonderful.
Rich blend of malt, chocolate, citrus, and coffee. Flavors infuse to present an
intense experience. There are components here that just aren't in other stouts.
One could almost create a checklist of stout characteristics to check off. This has
them all plus lemon and orange and hops making this example truly unique.
Palate
Wow, extremely pleasant creaminess right out of the gate. Enjoyably strong
roasted malt flavor, the lime citrus, some chocolate, and some hop spice. Full
flavored as soon as it hits the tip of the tongue, amazing ! Wow, creamy and
complex. All components of aroma mixed with a malty sweetness followed by the
immediate sense of alcohol warmth. The true quality of this stout is its ability to
mix sweet with tartness of hops and still provide unique flavors. It's all there,
coffee, roast, citrus, hoppy freshness, and chocolate, fantastic !
Finish
Its hard to believe this example had any room to intensify given the strength of the
palate, but is does intensify in a big way. Bold roasted malt flavor and hop spice
blend is complex and the chocolate, coffee, citrus tones, and alcohol warmth
carry through. Perfectly balanced as long as its aged some, more on this later.
Strong malt and hard coffee tendencies are the initial trait. After a few moments
these subside slightly to allow other qualities to march in. Bitterness becomes
notable, then the malty sweetness returns. This stout is so drinkable and
perfected but is also hearty and mindblowing. Doesn't get any better.
Synopsis
In decades of beer tasting, this stout is the finest I have ever had, my favorite
without reservation. Of course one needs to enjoy the stout style to appreciate any
stout. Expedition bursts with flavor, strength, creaminess, all in a tasty and
balanced package. Of important and interesting note, this beer changes with age.
I have had very recently made batches that were significantly more hoppy, more
bitter. I agree with what is described on the label "aging and improving". While
great anytime, I prefer aging (warm) a minimum of three months, and preferably
six months, after the batch is bottled. In this range the hop zing and bitter flavors
add to the pleasing complexity without overshadowing the other components.
This is a beer I have had and enjoyed many times. It is full of complexities, but in
reality requires some care. I cannot emphasize enough that to fully appreciate
this beer you must allow it to age (if you are getting a recent production run off the
store shelf). There is so much going on that it takes some time to bloom. As an
eyeopener, it puts meaning on the importance of aging some quality beers in
order to reach their full potential. In my view, THIS IS THE BEST BEER IN THE
WORLD TO DATE !
Bell's Brewery, Inc., Comstock, MI
Here's a beer that thirsts for travel, holding up impressively under the rigors of
any journey. At the same time, it's perfectly content to sit quietly in your cellar,
aging and improving while you wait for the moment that seems perfectly
appropriate for its consumption.
any journey. At the same time, it's perfectly content to sit quietly in your cellar,
aging and improving while you wait for the moment that seems perfectly
appropriate for its consumption.
Beer Blitz Rater Comments
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