The colour is dark brown, but actually pretty light for a stout. The head was a nice fluffy slightly light brown and left a decent lacing on the side of the glass. The Smell is definately malty, malty and more malty. Some chocolate and coffee notes, but other than that, not much else. The taste is pretty light bodied (once again, especially for a stout) and is pretty simple: malt and a bit of bittering flavours (coffee and chocolate). Decent beer, but I actually expected more from the first Bell's beer I've had...I guess I've got two more to look forward to: Expedition & Third Coast Old. I got this at Merchant's in Dearborn, Michigan in a 12 ounce bottle.

2002 draft. Wasnt sure what to expect when told this was a lighter version of the Kalamazoo Stout. It had some light chocolate notes and the tones were warm. Reminded me of a porter minus the bitterness. Good beer, nothing exceptional, could use some more complexity, but certainly a well made ale.

2002 bottle consumed on 2/2/06 A badly needed rerate. The pour still showed plenty of signs of life, a rich caramel-toffee colored body, vigorous, large head that was slowly receding to cover. Light lacing and well unfiltered. The nose has light prunes and touches of dry coffee, but is mainly rich, thick, earthy barley, with a touch of baker’s chocolate. The flavor has held up remarkably for 3.5 years in the bottle. Little to no oxidation, just some light madeira at best. Rich chocolate and barley, more crunchy, dry coffee and a smooth toffee-cream finish with little bits of bitter black chocolate to keep things interesting. Soothing mouthfeel and a rich consistency, almost fluffy. Rating is for this sample, as I dont really trust any of my ratings back when I had this first.

Crackerlike, brown bread aroma. Well, when I get to the taste itself it's like brown bread crust. Not from your 7-Eleven loaf, I mean from the good stuff down at the expensive bakery that you only buy when you have guests over. Lightish body, pretty typical stout flavours, no shortage of hops. I have to be honest, I was more concerned with how well this was working with the Pink Floyd than I was with the beer itself.