Bell's Cherry Stout

[ray m]

FINALLY!!!! Saw a lone single at the Party Source and snatched it up yesterday. Had to taste it tonight. Here are my thoughts:

Very, very dark....head doesn't last too long, but a ring of foam stays with the glass as you drink it. It tastes like a dark, roasty kriek lambic, actually, because of the tartness of cherries (I think they are sour cherries), but you can also taste the stout character, too. However, the sour lambic-like character rules the flavor profile. Had a lot of crap floatin' around the glass the first few minutes from sediment.

I think it's a hell of a stout (fairly potent, too!!), and already plan on buying a 6 pack before the store runs out again (it didn't last a week the last time the store got it in).

Anybody else try this brew? I'd like to see additional comments.

Drink hearty, y'all!!!!!

Ray

[Herb Ninja]

I love stouts and I love kriek lambic! If they had this beer on Maui and it was affordable id buy it all out, just from your description. In fact i'm going insane just thinking about it as we speak. *SHAKES HEAD WILDLY* Whats the abv or does it not say?

[ray m]

I checked 2 sources on the abv: beeradvocate states 8.0% and the Bell's website states 8.5%. Usually brews in this range tend to knock me on my ass, but the only thing I felt after consuming this was remorse at the fact I didn't have another available.

I gotta get to the Party Source tomorrow to get that 6 pack (or 2)---didn't make it there today.

I also noticed on the Bell's website that, unfortunately, their distribution range is rather limited---I think the farthest west they distribute is Wisconsin (the farthest south is Kentucky, where I live). I feel pain at your, uh, misfortune for being on Maui;)

[kevin]

I only live about an hours drive from Bell's, maybe I'll take a drive Saturday and see what they got, never been to the brewery.

[ray m]

I finally went to the Party Source today and picked up 2 six packs of Bell's Cherry Stout. I gasped a little at the $13.98 per 6 pack price, but I sucked it up and paid it. Well worth it, I think tho. This brew has now officially claimed the title of most expensive brew I have purchased.

[steveh]

Originally posted by ray m
...I gasped a little at the $13.98 per 6 pack price, but I sucked it up and paid it. Well worth it, I think tho. This brew has now officially claimed the title of most expensive brew I have purchased.

I was going to ask what others were paying for Bell's beers. My local store just got a few cases of the Batch 6000 and the owner was figuring the costs of six-packs for me: $12.99!

I told him, as did his distributor, that he should sell them in single bottles so as not to frighten the timid (or me!) away. He sold me a bottle for $2.00, which isn't really bad if you consider what you pay for a beer in a bar.

S.

[ray m]

It seems to me those kinds of prices are not unusual for Bell's products. Third Coast Old, Expedition & Cherry Stout, etc. run, where I live, $13.99 a sixer. I think the double cream stout is @ $10.

Usually I have a staunch policy about my ceiling for how much I'm willing to pay for beer. A lot of these great beers I can't afford...so I tease myself by buying singles, if I can. The most I'll usually pay is $10 a 6 pack, but I had to make an exception for the Cherry Stout----it's instantly become my favorite stout.

Drink hearty, y'all!!!!!

Ray

[davesarman]

I picked up a six of the Bell's cherry stout last week for a trade I've got going on, so I have a few bottles I'd be willing to send someone if they've got something interesting to offer in return.

Also, I asked last week at my fav beer store about the batch 6000 and they didn't think it would be out for a while yet. Obviously they were wrong, if someone else has already got it. Anybody willing to trade this beer?

[b3s]

well, i just popped one of these open today from a trade with ray (thanks ray!).

WOW! First off, yeah, the stout characteristics are very good...there is a tremendous stout hiding in there. Second, the tartness is definitely very much like a lambic.

The aroma is very pleasing. The mouth appeal is excellent...kinda twinges the taste buds from the tartness...and the beer goes down quite smoothly. Pleasant aftertaste where you are left wondering if you had a swig of beer or ate a tart cherry pie.

I think my beer fridge is a little cold...this one should definitely be served warmer than the (allegedly) 42F temp my fridge is at.

[tavernjef]

Bell's Cherry Stout is quite a sweet, dark cherry heavenly brew.
This years batch from the new brewery seems much more tart and sour from what I remember last years batch which had more of a heavier roastyness and some chocolate tones.
This years looks great and smells great but the sour tartness thats coming through from those cherries is a bit overbearring for me on this years batch. I'll still pick it up from time to time cuz the Mrs. still really likes it. Bummer to see Bell's skipping out on putting out the other Nov. Stouts this year. I'll miss Harry Magills Spiced Stout, but this years Java stout is fabulous and is widely distributed so I'll live.

Cheers.

[b3s]

still need to find a way to get expedition stout, but the cherry stout was quite excellent...never had it before and i enjoyed the tartness to it!

[chazwicke]

All of the Bells beers that I have ever tasted were very good. Thanks for the recent trades guys!

[tjones_jr]

they have a variety case with all of the stouts...or at least six of them. I know the cherry, java, cream are in it. there are 3 more. I plan on picking up a case in the next week or two. I can get it for $44 which is a good deal, considering I was spending $25-$35 at the foodery in phila, for 2 mix a sixes.

[Bruno_78]

I tried this one last week, and also thought the tartness was overwhelming. Didn't keep me from finishing it though. It was very enjoyable. I think I paid the most, with tax came to almost $15 for a 6 pack. Most of the other Bell's around here are $10 - 11. Their specialties, like the cherry, are a bit more. I've seen the expedition stout around here at a few shops, as I'm not all that far from the brewery.

[chazwicke]

You should not have told us you live so close to the brewery Bruno. Now you are obligated to trade with all of us! :D

[sundontlie]

after reading a few of your posts about this Bells stuff... my mouth is watering... I tracked down their website, and much to my dismay - I'll have to drive 3+ hours to Philly to get some... I'm willing to pay anything though.. I once paid $7.99 for 1 twelve ounce bottle of Dogfishead's World Wide Stout (the current record holder?) at 22% abv. or something, but it was worth every penny to experience.

[MeridianFC]

I love the Bells beers, esp. the Cherry Stout.

Sometimes they have a secret stash at the Brickskeller, for those in the DC area.......

[Bruno_78]

I'm actually in South Bend, Indiana, approximately an hour or so away from kalmazoo. The girlfriend and I have been looking for an excuse to take a weekend trip up there to hit the brewpubs, bell's included. I've still got 4 bottles in my fridge, I suppose I could part with a couple.

[chazwicke]

I 've got a couple Bells beers in my fridge from a trade. I think I may go sample one now. BRB

[Bruno_78]

I revisited this beer again tonight. This is actually one of the six that I had from last year. I've kept them all summer just for this occasion. I think that it has "settled down" a little. Well, more like a lot. The tartness is still there, but it's not overpowering like I remember it. Everything has mellowed very nicely. I guess now I'll have to get some this year and keep them until next.

[ray m]

I had one last week from the '03 batch as well, Bruno. It certainly held up well to 1 yr. + aging. It tasted pretty much as I remembered it. And still very, very good.

I am curious how the '04 batch is compared to last year's. Anyone on the board try the '04 stuff yet? Is it still "lambic-ish"?

[Bruno_78]

I haven't seen any of it around yet. Looks like it's released in mid october though.

[chazwicke]

Your sinature line there offends me sir! I have a beer bottle cap collection. A small one but a collection none the less. Some of my antique caps are worth in excess of $200.00. And a buddy of mine is known as the "Crown King" he has the largest collection in the country with tons of very old and rare beer caps.

[Bruno_78]

Well, I assure you sir, no offense was intended. My caps are neither old, nor rare. In fact, you couldn't find another more mediocre collection of bottle caps in the country. I think that's a title worthy of bosting.

[chazwicke]

Mine are almost all from DC or Virginia breweries past and present. I had a wonderful tour today of the "Brew Masters Castle" the Heurich Mansion in DC. Gary Heurich the grandson of Christian Heurich and the progenitor of the Foggy Bottom brands of beer gave the tour. He is an old friend. It had been at least 15 years since I was last through the house a DC landmark and sole surving example of an intact late victorian building. It was a real treat. Similiar to the Newport "Cottages".

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
Well, I assure you sir, no offense was intended. My caps are neither old, nor rare. In fact, you couldn't find another more mediocre collection of bottle caps in the country. I think that's a title worthy of boAsting. There. I fixed it for you.... ;)

[chazwicke]

The always vigilent Fret. Keep up the good work.

[danno]

if your paint store has batch 6000, then they're last year's. I'm under the impression that it was a one time production run, not to be repeated... not that it's a bad thing, it's a big barleywine and it's improving nicely. I'd pick it up...

Dave, I still have about a case left, I'd be willing to part with a couple of bottles... perhaps a Twin Cities RealBeer meet-n-greet-n-quaff is in order...

[davesarman]

Originally posted by danno
if your paint store has batch 6000, then they're last year's. I'm under the impression that it was a one time production run, not to be repeated... not that it's a bad thing, it's a big barleywine and it's improving nicely. I'd pick it up...

Dave, I still have about a case left, I'd be willing to part with a couple of bottles... perhaps a Twin Cities RealBeer meet-n-greet-n-quaff is in order...

I did manage to get my hands on a sixer of the batch 2000 a few month back and had one and am aging the rest. But I'm always up for a meet-n-drink, schedule permitting that is.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
The always vigilAnt Fret. Keep up the good work. Will do. ;)

[chazwicke]

AH ya got me.