Kalamazoo, Michigan
Batch 9000
Style: American Strong Ale
Availability: Limited - One Time Brew
Format: 12oz - 6pk
ABV: 12.0%
Batch: 9000 (duh) packaged January 27th, 2010
Bottle text & Info:
"black, dense and rich, this is a great ale for aging"
Tasting Notes:
So this is one of Bell's most anticipated releases. Ever. Released every 1000 batches, this release never even hit the state this year due to packaging laws that require the ABV be on the label. Bell's sent a lengthy letter saying it was impossible to nail the ABV down and promise it be within the required .02 ABV that is required to be listed on the package. So...big beer karma and heaps of thank you's to a regular who picked this up in Virginia and dropped off a bottle at the store. Now, to the beer. Pours inky black with syrupy thickness. A quarter inch light brown head dissipates into a ring leaving behind spotted lacing floating adrift the top. Intensely complex nose. Chalk full of anise and molasses additions up front with dark fruits, booze, cane sugar, chocolate, lavender and some subtle hopping. Woooooweeeee. This thing is big. So soaked dark fruits including figs and plums with heavy amount of black licorice and bitter anise. This is a bit sweet and boozy. Brandy like heat that mellows as the ale warms. Malts dominate what little hopping has been done in an attempt to balance this. Frankly, the flavors and the complexity is enjoyable, but this should probably be laid up to mature a bit. Simply too cloying at this point. Good in apertif proportions. If you can get your paws on some - put it away and sample one every 6 months or so. A great night capper and an amiable companion to a nice cigar.
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