Subsidiaries
7.6/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
2006 bottles drunk on numerous occasions in November ’06
Typical bells appearance, with light sediment on the bottom, and tiny bottle conditioned bubbles producing a lightly creamy, white head that is medium in height and retained very well, leaving clumps of lacing as it recedes. High clarity leaving the sediment behind with just a slight touch of haziness. Soft peach and honey colored body has a bit of tangerine and very light strawberry tones.
Vibrantly fruity is the nose, with luscious lychee, strawberries, sweet cherries and guavas. It tapers off teasingly in a modestly bitter, grapefruity finish that calls upon light base malt sweetness and an even more reserved caramel-like hint. The aroma smells creamy, if that’s possible. Of abundant strength and just fantastically fresh and fuzzy are the hops. Tremendous care with dry-hopping is apparent. The malt sweetness and fruitiness do not come off overbearing, though they are definitely a factor in the nose. Clean as always from Bells, but still distinctly Bells. No alcohol noted. Other things that arent noted: overdone bittering, leafy/vegetal notes, obnoxious pine resin, astringent/hard crystal malts, sourish munich malts.
Malt and hop immediately vie for power at first sip. Sweet, honey-caramel malt notes are balanced by fruity, fuzzy, fresh, green, juicy hops. Bitterness through the middle is quite reserved for a double IPA. Some dry citric notes (white grapefruit, oranges, mild lemons) consider acidifying things, but a resurgence of malt sugars right before the finish wipe them out and you’re left with more succulent hop flavors of watermelon, guava, cherry and strawberry.
To be honest, my first impression was that this wasnt bitter enough, probably the first time I’ve ever said that about an DIPA. But the extra malt sugars that come through combine nicely with the hop notes to produce all of the softer, sweeter fruit notes mentioned, so it’s not so much of a bad thing in that aspect. Just maybe a touch too sweet to drink too many of them, though DIPAs are hardly a session beer. Still, I’d be intrigued to see what a little more attenuation would produce. Soft texture with a medium-low amount of carbonation that is reasonably tight. Some hop acids and light phenolic dryness do eventually build-up and linger on the palate, with just an ever-so-slight touch of alcohol warming toward the end of the bottle, giving almost a bittersweet edge to the beer.
Typical bells appearance, with light sediment on the bottom, and tiny bottle conditioned bubbles producing a lightly creamy, white head that is medium in height and retained very well, leaving clumps of lacing as it recedes. High clarity leaving the sediment behind with just a slight touch of haziness. Soft peach and honey colored body has a bit of tangerine and very light strawberry tones.
Vibrantly fruity is the nose, with luscious lychee, strawberries, sweet cherries and guavas. It tapers off teasingly in a modestly bitter, grapefruity finish that calls upon light base malt sweetness and an even more reserved caramel-like hint. The aroma smells creamy, if that’s possible. Of abundant strength and just fantastically fresh and fuzzy are the hops. Tremendous care with dry-hopping is apparent. The malt sweetness and fruitiness do not come off overbearing, though they are definitely a factor in the nose. Clean as always from Bells, but still distinctly Bells. No alcohol noted. Other things that arent noted: overdone bittering, leafy/vegetal notes, obnoxious pine resin, astringent/hard crystal malts, sourish munich malts.
Malt and hop immediately vie for power at first sip. Sweet, honey-caramel malt notes are balanced by fruity, fuzzy, fresh, green, juicy hops. Bitterness through the middle is quite reserved for a double IPA. Some dry citric notes (white grapefruit, oranges, mild lemons) consider acidifying things, but a resurgence of malt sugars right before the finish wipe them out and you’re left with more succulent hop flavors of watermelon, guava, cherry and strawberry.
To be honest, my first impression was that this wasnt bitter enough, probably the first time I’ve ever said that about an DIPA. But the extra malt sugars that come through combine nicely with the hop notes to produce all of the softer, sweeter fruit notes mentioned, so it’s not so much of a bad thing in that aspect. Just maybe a touch too sweet to drink too many of them, though DIPAs are hardly a session beer. Still, I’d be intrigued to see what a little more attenuation would produce. Soft texture with a medium-low amount of carbonation that is reasonably tight. Some hop acids and light phenolic dryness do eventually build-up and linger on the palate, with just an ever-so-slight touch of alcohol warming toward the end of the bottle, giving almost a bittersweet edge to the beer.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Mar 2025
at 13:30
5.3/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Batch 1 750mL cork/caged bottled 10/28/2011 drunk 9/20/17.
Inky, ebony with very little light making it through the edges. No head, even after a vigorous pour and some warming....
So at a full six years of age, you can't really fault a beer for being well past its prime. That being said, this was specifically designed to lay down, which I did, since acquiring it young, in a wine fridge. So I was, I think understandably/justifiably, VERY disappointed when this thing was just plain DEAD. I mean, I could understand if it was well past its prime or something, but this was just fully oxidized soy sauce. Will certainly get a bottle to rerate and just put in an average placeholder score. Bells instills no confidence any more and I can't remember too many good beers I've had from them in the past 10 years. 2002 Expedition stout, in a 12oz capped bottle no less, aged FAR, FAR better and longer than this piece of crap.
Inky, ebony with very little light making it through the edges. No head, even after a vigorous pour and some warming....
So at a full six years of age, you can't really fault a beer for being well past its prime. That being said, this was specifically designed to lay down, which I did, since acquiring it young, in a wine fridge. So I was, I think understandably/justifiably, VERY disappointed when this thing was just plain DEAD. I mean, I could understand if it was well past its prime or something, but this was just fully oxidized soy sauce. Will certainly get a bottle to rerate and just put in an average placeholder score. Bells instills no confidence any more and I can't remember too many good beers I've had from them in the past 10 years. 2002 Expedition stout, in a 12oz capped bottle no less, aged FAR, FAR better and longer than this piece of crap.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2025
at 13:34
8.6/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2005 bottle, batch 7205.
Pretty thick and chewy, obviously, and actually I ended up liking the aroma more than the flavor. Too much soy/oxidized dark malt on the finish of the flavor. The nose had a beautiful, but now faded, hop nose, very fruity and wintergreen/resin-like. Prunes, black chocolate and plenty of drawn out vinousness with a big backing of roast. I haven't been floored by any of the 2005 or 2006 batches.
Pretty thick and chewy, obviously, and actually I ended up liking the aroma more than the flavor. Too much soy/oxidized dark malt on the finish of the flavor. The nose had a beautiful, but now faded, hop nose, very fruity and wintergreen/resin-like. Prunes, black chocolate and plenty of drawn out vinousness with a big backing of roast. I haven't been floored by any of the 2005 or 2006 batches.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2025
at 13:28
9/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 9
Overall 9
2004 bottle. Still pretty close to perfect. Hops mellow out wonderfully after a year. Tried side by side with the batch 7000 and the malt structure is fairly similar, albeit a little less brash and having less "Spanish coffee" influences, for lack of a better term. Thick, rich malt, but yet balanced and supremely thick, rewarding texture.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2025
at 13:27
9/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 9
Overall 9
2003 Bottle. Oh wow. This is so young it’s ridiculous. Can hardly finish, too sweet yet, bitter hops are overpowering. This will age NICELY!!! 2003 bottle aged 13 months A bottle from an early November 2003 batch consumed 12/26/04. This stuff ages perfectly. The hops die off and you just have beautiful malt, a full body, thick chewy chocolate and roast. I can’t get enough of it.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2025
at 13:26
9.8/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 9.5
Flavor 10
Texture 10
Overall 9.5
2002 bottled. Black, with deep, dark violet tinges around the edge. Head is almost nonexistant from this bottle, and there is plenty of burnt white colored lacing. Aroma is incredible. Strong, alcohol and malt with some rich maple smoked malt and some dark fruit aroma.
This beer opens up with huge malt flavor that is fairly sweet, somewhat oily texture, and full of alcohol and malt. There is plenty of brown sugar appeal, along with some smokey almost sweet maple sausage flavor. Has a nutty taste that becomes a little more apparent and a mild bitter quality comes out as the body progresses. Slowly a nice dry/woody hops flavor appears and inserts its flavor smoothly. Flavor is still bursting with ripe dark fruit and in the finish there is a woody hops appeal that is just apparent enough to balance out the malt. Has a wonderful balance of hops and malt. The best I’ve seen in an Imperial yet. This beer gives it all. Hops, roast, chocolate/coffee malt, dark fruit, alcohol, woody smoke flavor, some bitterness. . .and plenty more. Extra Full Body, perfect carbonation (almost none). After trying this, I had to order another. Incredible complexity, so many flavors to pick out. This beer will keep producing new sensations every time you try it. This would be incredible aged, as well. If this beer was more affordable, or I had more money, I would be drinking it daily. Rerate. Sure, this beer has some acidic moments and alot of hop bitterness, but again, huge flavors, rich complexity and potential for extended aging, comes at a price. If you can’t handle the high ABV, bitterness and some acidic notes, drink a different style of beer.
This beer opens up with huge malt flavor that is fairly sweet, somewhat oily texture, and full of alcohol and malt. There is plenty of brown sugar appeal, along with some smokey almost sweet maple sausage flavor. Has a nutty taste that becomes a little more apparent and a mild bitter quality comes out as the body progresses. Slowly a nice dry/woody hops flavor appears and inserts its flavor smoothly. Flavor is still bursting with ripe dark fruit and in the finish there is a woody hops appeal that is just apparent enough to balance out the malt. Has a wonderful balance of hops and malt. The best I’ve seen in an Imperial yet. This beer gives it all. Hops, roast, chocolate/coffee malt, dark fruit, alcohol, woody smoke flavor, some bitterness. . .and plenty more. Extra Full Body, perfect carbonation (almost none). After trying this, I had to order another. Incredible complexity, so many flavors to pick out. This beer will keep producing new sensations every time you try it. This would be incredible aged, as well. If this beer was more affordable, or I had more money, I would be drinking it daily. Rerate. Sure, this beer has some acidic moments and alot of hop bitterness, but again, huge flavors, rich complexity and potential for extended aging, comes at a price. If you can’t handle the high ABV, bitterness and some acidic notes, drink a different style of beer.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2025
at 13:08
7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
Bottle. Dark brown with burgundy highlights. Chocked full of Chocolate- cherry goodness. Yum.
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Mar 2025
at 05:59
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Can. Gold in Color. That aroma is grains with just light fruit. Taste had more fruit in it.
Tried
from Can
on 10 Mar 2025
at 05:58
7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
Bottle. Dark, brown with a wispy head. Aroma had notes of roasted grains and bourbon barrell. Taste was great. Flavors of roasted grains, dark toast and hints of the barrel
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Mar 2025
at 05:49
6.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottle. Gold in color with a three finger head. Aroma was hoppy and citrus. Taste was also hoppy.
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Mar 2025
at 05:49