Beer: Bell's Kalamazoo Stout
Brewery Location: Comstock, MI
Beer Style: Milk/Sweet Stout
Serving Style: Bottle
ABV: 6.5%
I've had this beer waiting in the wings for a little while to try. I've had plenty of beers from Bells, but this is the first time I've had the Kalamazoo stout. I've really been hitting up the darker beers lately huh? As soon as it warms up a bit outside I tend to stay away from these beer though, so I guess I am tasting them while I still want to taste them.
The beer pours a very deep black with no highlights when held up to the light. I was a little disappointed on the head on this. A small swirl of tan head dissipated quite quickly, but did leave solid lacing on the glass. The nose is fairly classic for a sweet stout. Chocolate and coffee make way for molasses and roasted grain. The flavor profile's two strongest flavors are roasted coffee and bitter chocolate, but it also has a nice medium sweetness as well. Side flavor characteristics include black liquorice and toasted grain on my palate. The mouthfeel is full bodied and very creamy. An easy drinking stout that I would gladly have again.
Overall, this is a very good stout. Its got a slight sweetness that helps make an good entry level stout for new stout drinkers. I would drink this again, but this costs more than an expedition stout at Party Pak. I would most likely reach for the expedition stout from Bells before I reach for this one again. Those are two very different beers, but I enjoy the expedition much more for a better price tag.
Edit: Upon further review I just got a deal at Party Pak. They have this beer mis marked in the system and I paid to much for this and didn't pay enough for the Expedition stout. Since I bought both at the same time I don't really feel all that bad about it since I would have paid the same price regardless. This will not be cheaper than expedition stout when you are out looking for it. Thanks Chris and Joe for clearing that up.
Cheers!
Matt