Bell’s Brewery Kalamazoo Stout

**Aroma:** Coffee, floral, and slightly soapy notes with hints of cacao nibs and a sweet roast aroma. Clean woody roast smoothly melds with a light but distinct hop aroma. **Flavor:** Intense dark chocolate and cacao nibs up front, aggresive roasted bitterness coupled with hops bitterness. Espress-like roast is balanced by light vanilla sweetness and medium-full body. The finish is chocolaty and lightly astingent and alcoholic. Some burnt coffee flavor, with some sweet chocolate that comes through and a bit of citrusy hop character. Roasty finish leaves a pleasantly bitter aftertaste. **Overall:** A very assertive beer that remeans very drinkable. Roasty and chocolaty, but the clean finish makes it easy to have a pint or two. It doesn't apologize for beating up your tongue with its stouty goodness, and while it's perhaps a little too hops-forward for the style, it's so deliciously drinkable that you don't care.

Aroma: “Light citrus, caramel, a touch of oral, moderate tangerine, and a grounded earthy note. Lively citrus and and bright pine that steers clear of sticky and resinous. Bright dankness. Very assertive.” Flavor: “Earthy and piney with a slight honey-like malt sweetness and a well-constructed bitter profile that pushes to the edge of harsh without going over it. Citrus notes are more zesty than fruity. As aggressive as the aroma was, the flavor is quite rounded and approachable. A mild grapefruit-rind note helps it from going too far into the forest. Overall: “Fun earthy/piney IPA with a light malt backbone. An enjoyable and lively IPA that would be nice with grilled fish and a kale salad. It’s bright, light, and could even be a nice crossover craft selection for non IPA drinkers who don’t mind a little challenge. A tasty beer that surprises and delights.”

**Aroma:** Medium malt sweetness and a bit of roastiness and toast. Some spicy noble hops and light fruit esters. Not a strong nose. Lacks complexity. **Flavor:** Upfront malt flavor is sweeter than the aroma promises. Malt is rich, lightly toasted, and slightly nutty. Tasty, if a bit simplistic. Medium hop bitterness is balancing. Alcohol is a touch hot but dries the finish. A little sticky. **Overall:** Enjoyable and well made, the flavor delivers more than the aroma. The alcohol could be better integrated into the overall flavor profile: It burns a little. Very well executed and a bit safe. Good body and a very rich malt profile.