Bell's Expedition Stout

Bell’s “Expedition Stout”


88 B+

This robust winter seasonal is built to last through a long expedition, or at least an evening of slow sipping thanks to a respectable amount of alcohol. Layers of chocolate transition into a bitter coffee and dark fruit combination. It’s got sort of a chocolate orange vibe, merging with blackberry and espresso. Alcohol creates a cherry syrup aftertaste that peeks out despite the heavy body. I can’t help but be distracted by the slick thickness of the mouth feel, often syrupy in consistency. More carbonation could have leveled this out. Aside from that, the flavor of the roasted malt is quite good, but hops bring upon a good deal of sourness that doesn’t work to much advantage.


Overall, I could do for a tad less alcohol, because I find it adds a bit too much of a cherry cough syrup aftertaste, offsetting what is otherwise a very good beer. The malt layering of chocolate, coffee, and fruit is interesting and hits with a richness of depth not often found. This makes the 4th or 5th stout from Bell’s and each one is good because of the attention given to malt. Despite the alcoholic negatives, I quite like it. However, I can’t quite recommend this one because I realize it isn’t for everyone.

10.5%

? IBU

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Courtesy of BeerRitual 

This is an “A” beer in my book. And aptly named!