Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with roasted malt, dark chocolate, and a faint hint of coffee, with a subtle sweetness underneath. On the palate, flavors of bittersweet cocoa and lightly charred grain dominate, with a creaminess that softens the roast character considerably. The body is full and smooth without being heavy, and the finish is moderately dry with a lingering chocolate note. At 6.1% it sits in a comfortable middle range — substantial but not fatiguing.
About the Brewery
Bell's Brewery is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, founded by Larry Bell in 1985, making it one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest. The operation expanded significantly over the decades and now includes a large production facility in Comstock, Michigan. Bell's built its reputation on approachable but well-crafted ales, with Two Hearted Ale and Oberon among its most recognized offerings nationally. The brewery was acquired by Lion Little World Beverages in 2021 while retaining its Michigan identity and operations.
Food Pairings
Barbecue ribs or brisket work well here because the roasted malt mirrors the char on smoked meat without competing with it. Aged cheddar offers a sharp, salty contrast that highlights the beer's chocolate notes. A flourless chocolate cake or a brownie plays directly into the cocoa character and benefits from the beer's creaminess cutting through the richness. Oysters on the half shell are a classic stout pairing — the brininess of the oyster sharpens the roast and makes both taste cleaner. Mole-sauced dishes, with their layers of chili and dark chocolate, find a natural mirror in this beer's flavor profile.
Style Guide
American Stout is a roast-forward dark ale that takes the British stout tradition and pushes up the hop bitterness alongside the expected chocolate and coffee malt character. It typically falls in the 5–7% ABV range, with a full body and moderate to assertive bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. Where an Irish stout like Guinness stays lean and dry and an Imperial Stout cranks everything to an extreme, the American Stout lands in the middle — richer and hoppier than its Irish counterpart, but without the boozy density of an Imperial. The style was central to the American craft brewing movement of the 1980s and 1990s.