Bell’s Expedition Stout
Bell’s Expedition Stout is a Russian Imperial Stout, 10.5% ABV, packaged 09/28/16, shelf life “unlimited”. I very well might be the only craft beer drinker on earth that isn’t enamored with this beer. I do try to give beers more than one chance, so when my wife picked up a six pack I figured it was time to revisit.
The pour is black as night with a nice tan head that settles on top of the beer leaving some excellent lacing. A fairly classic Russian Imperial Stout combination of big roasted malts, dark chocolate, alcohol and black licorice make up the aroma. Syrupy sweet, yet still somehow intensely roasted malts dominate the taste. As the beer warms layers of vanilla, licorice and some incredibly potent alcohol heat are added to the flavor profile. There is an extremely burnt flavor and bitterness on the finish of this beer that really turns me off to it overall.
I don’t think I’ll be returning to this one very often (there are too many similar beers I don’t have to “try” to like), but I’m glad I gave it another shot. Expedition Stout may never be my go to Russian Imperial Stout, but I have a new respect for the quality of it.
