Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI

Bell's Brewery, visited on 10/10 (http://bellsbeer.com/eccentric-cafe/)

As a continuance of our honeymoon/Michigan beer tour, Holly and I headed out on a four-stop trip through Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids (rated #22 among 'beer cities' in the world), and Holland, hitting up some of the state's finest craft beer establishments. I'm going to review Bell's, perhaps my favorite stop of the day.

Bell's Eccentric Cafe is located in a cool somewhat industrial/but downtown part of Kalamazoo. It seems to be near the main drag of the city and adjacent to railroad tracks, adding elements of blue collar nostalgia. The bar is neat with an interesting take on service: you head to the bar to give beer and food orders, and pick up both when they're ready. We enjoyed the pretzel plate which was just ho-hum. There is also a sweet beer store with a ton of beer-making items and ingredients to go along with Bell's shwag.

Entrance to Eccentric Cafe

Here's what we tried, and keep in mind that while I realize 'real' taste-tests need to come in the form of a pint, this was our first stop of the day. I didn't want to blow my beer load but did instantly desire a return visit the moment I walked out the door to get my hands on some fuller pint-tastings:

Draft list

EXP Hop 2012-4 - 4.8%abv; penned a Hefeweizen with 998 hops; nice copper color, much darker than typical hefies; lil head; consistent lacing; airy smell; lil fruity with fruity pebbles up front; solid and interesting as a hoppy-hefe.

Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout - 10.9%abv; let's be honest, we got right after it here...if a beer on the draft list seemed 'big', I ordered it up: no wonder I left here well on my way; the color here is deep mahogany; light red at the top; no head; minimal lacing; boozy on the nose, slightly sweet; very bourbon-y in flavor; very faint smell/taste of cherry; delicious and extremely well balanced...dank!

Bourbon Barrel Batch 9000 - 14.9%abv; um, yeah...this is a f'n wine; it's hardcore with booze and a pint of this would put you on your ass; it's an aged imperial stout; looks dark brown, almost black and tan; minimal head; hints of vanilla and clove; light lacing; really boozy, really bourbon-y (again); this is heady and will get you drunk. 

This One Goes to 11 - 11%abv; imperial red ale; reddish copper; moderate head; grapefruit and citrus strong on the nose; wow, this beer is awesome...delicious pine and citrus balance; one of the best beers I've ever tried; perfect balance! Top notch beer! (note: I somehow found a 6er of this at a farmer's market in Sawyer...I brought it back in full and will review further in a future post. No I will not share).

Rye Stout - 6%abv; 'earthy, dark chocolate aroma'; significant head; strong lacing; deep brown in color; malty on the nose; chocolate malt in flavor; one of the lightest stouts I've tried; easy and sessionable, but slightly bitter.

Double Cream Stout - 6%abv; 'made with 10 specialty malts'; darkest of the beers we tried, and that's saying a lot; medium head; minimal lacing; cocoa and malty nose; slightly bitter; faint hints of hops; easy-drinking stout with a creamy aftertaste, easy mouthfeel; solid overall.

Build your own sampler...and I did! 

Thanks Bell's...we'll be back...and I already can't wait to get in to the sixer of TOGT11 when I get the chance. Jackpot!