Feed the pumpkins to squirrels and leave the spice in the cupboard, it’s Stout Season here at Bell’s.
Stouts are some of our favorite beers to enjoy, and fall and winter are some of the best times to do so. Here’s the history of our Stouts and what will be released this year.
History of Bell’s and Stouts
Stouts have always been a part of Bell’s Brewery. Starting off homebrewing, we wanted to make beers that weren’t available at the time. In the mid to late 1990s, craft brewing experienced a slowdown, and several breweries pivoted to lighter beers. However, we doubled down, or ten-folded down – on stouts. We wanted to emphasize why we started brewing: to craft exceptional beer. This led to the “Ten Stouts of November,” where we brewed and released ten different stouts, several of which are still brewed today.
Our Stouts
We’ve brewed dozens upon dozens of stouts over the years.
Here’s a look at the stouts:
Kalamazoo Stout (first brewed 1988): Named after the city where it all began, Kalamazoo Stout is a full-bodied stout boasting aromas and flavors of dark chocolate and freshly roasted coffee, which is balanced with a notable hop presence. Brewer’s Licorice adds a subtle body component and a hint of licorice flavor. This harmonizes perfectly with its roasted malt character. Truly versatile, Kalamazoo Stout is a beer for all seasons, making us one of the few breweries in the country with a year-round stout in their portfolio.
Cherry Stout (first brewed 1988): With a deep ruby-black hue and signature tartness, Cherry Stout is a favorite of Stout Season. Instead of an overpowering sweetness, tart cherries from Northern Michigan balance the warm and dark chocolate notes from the malt. This beer has deep roots, inspired by local homebrewers experimenting with local tart cherries.
Expedition Stout (first brewed 1989): One of the first Russian Imperial Stouts brewed in the U.S., Expedition Stout is a hallmark of craft beer. Its massive malt body gives it flavors of chocolate and dark fruits. Its alcohol content and heavy body, the beer is built to last in the cellar. The beer itself was designed to hold up to travel and changing environments, and beer lovers have brought Expedition Stout around the world.
Double Cream Stout (first brewed 1988): Don’t let the name fool you: there’s no dairy in this beer. Instead, the “creaminess” comes from the balance of 10 specialty roasted malts, which deliver a velvety smooth and creamy texture with rich notes of mocha and espresso.
And Porter, too (first brewed 1988): It’s not a stout, but our Porter can hang with the best of them. Blending the characteristics of malty brown ales and the intense roast of stouts, Porter delivers rich notes of chocolate, roasted barley, and mild coffee with a slight hop bitterness. Porter is neither too sweet nor too roasted. Also, available year-round, it’s a beer that’s light in the winter and heavy in the summer.
Wait, there’s more!
Our original downtown Kalamazoo brewery (lovingly called B1) has several classic and new stouts brewed and on tap throughout the year. Keep an eye on our Tap Cam for the latest. Also, check out All Stouts Day on Black Friday, Nov 24. We will have more than 15 stouts on tap.
