Appearance: For starters it pours jet black, filtering out all light that would try to get through. The head is a rich looking mahogany … give the glass a little shake and you will see a nicely bubbly viscosity. The head dissipates after a few minutes.

Aroma: Simple here. Surprisingly muted nose. It is slightly sweet, paired with a hint of roasted smokiness.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is full bodied and rich and lightly carbonated, everything that you would expect from the style.

Taste: This is where most of the action is at in this brew. Its rich mouthfeel is equally matched by a rich, roasted, almost smoky experience on the palate. In fact the flavor of Kalamazoo Stout almost resides on the back of your palate. I noticed that if I took some extended breaks between sips that a bitter roasted flavor persevered on the back of my tongue, an experience akin to smoking a cigar, except drinking a Kalamazoo stout doesn’t get me shunned by my wife. The presence of the brewer’s licorice is ever so slight. My wife hates licorice and didn’t seem to notice it was there. The real win here is that they resisted the temptation to make it too sweet. It is dry and roasty through and through, balanced out by a slight dark chocolate sweetness.

Overall: Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout is an example par excellence of what a Stout should be. It certainly is not a gateway stout as it takes all the things that a stout should be and runs with them. From its thick black appearance and mouth feel to its rich and roasted flavor profile Kalamazoo Stout is a completely enjoyable, slow sipper. Sit down with a book and enjoy one for the long haul as the flavor only becomes more enjoyable with a little warming.

This review need not be complicated: Bell’s has made us all a thoroughly enjoyable Double IPA, a beer that’s cram-jammed with a bunch of hops (6 varieties), finished with liberal Simcoe dry-hopping, and cranked up to 10% ABV. The label shows a picture of a mondo hop leaf totally obliterating some poor dude. The label itself is thoroughly green. Before you even crack one of these, it’s obvious that Bell’s simply created a mouth-smasher Double IPA to satisfy that significant percentage of beer lovers in America whose crack is … hops. After all, the US of A is rife with hopheads these days. As well it should be.

On to the one I drank. Poured it into a (sigh) tumbler pint; wished later I had used a snifter or tulip but oh well. It didn’t really matter because the nice foamy head and HUGE nose blasted me nonetheless. Hopslam is a great smelling beer. It smells like … American hops. Citrus and pine. Fruit and flower. Mega Simcoe. And through it all … a honey-like sweetness that makes my mouth water and the back of my throat tingle. I may as well just skip the beer altogether and nosh on a grapefruit rind covered in pine sap. This is going to taste awesome.

It does (taste awesome) … I really like this beer. It’s aromatic, fiercely bitter, fresh, and even sweet, with resinous mouthfeel and a lingering finish.

Bell’s Hopslam is for people who really, really, like hoppy beer. And no one else. It is made by a stand-up brewer, and it is purposefully exclusive. Considering the natural qualities of hops … this brew is almost medicinal. You don’t drink lots of it … one bottle was enough for me. Its ABV heaviness and the malt backbone that gives it its sweetness are filling, but all those hops make it oh so refreshing as well. And since hops are natural preservatives, maybe it’s possible that enjoying one will add a few extra hours to your life span. Grade: A+

Michael: Winter IPA releases are anticipated in the Midwest like five-year-old on Christmas morning. There is waiting, there is asking, there is rushing to the store. My timing was lucky, I had a few minutes after lunch last week, so I stopped in my local Binny’s to see what was new on the shelves. Hopslam had arrived, in both sixers and mini-kegs. While the limit was a case, I knew I needed no more than six, so I contentedly grabbed my handful and went home.

Upon the writing of this review, I have already had one. My initial sampling came with too much busyness to write, but enough time to drink. And enjoy. While regarded on the interweb as one of the truly greatest beers in the world, my expectations were, needless to say, a bit high. I love the way a good IPA looks, and Hopslam was no exception. With an immediately billowing head, that maxed out at over two fingers, the beer was a pulpy, fruity, almost gelatin like character. It was orange to be sure, with swirls of brown and deep golden. The head, as I said, was notable and a pure sandy white.

The nose held a ridiculous aroma. From grapefruit and solid citrus hints, to a huge floral bouquet, it was exquisite, seriously. I felt like I was walking through a tropical garden or citrus grove. I wanted to chew the scent, it was so good. The taste was exceptional as well. Here, I could see the honey, smooth, sweet and accenting the hops well. The bottle describes it as a ‘tongue bruiser,’ but to me, I’ve had hoppy beers that have assaulted me with much stronger, more bitter, less well-crafted use of hops. This one is just the opposite. It is eloquent in its use of hops, not being subtle or hiding that it is indeed a double IPA, but doing it in a way that rather than ‘hops for hops-sake’ it uses them in a way that adds to the overall impression of the beer.

For a guy who would normally rather have a stout over an IPA, I will definitely return to Hopslam. I hope its not too late to go get my case maximum… Grade: A

Noel: For all its hype, Bell’s Hopslam Ale still delivers…and then some. It’s gloriously dry-hopped (Simcoe, Simcoe, and more Simcoe) and deliciously bitter, it’s potent at 10% ABV, and it’s remarkably fresh and crisp while still boasting a serious malt bill and also some pure honey. With hop resins exploding on your tongue, it’s hard to even make out all the flavors. But citrus and floral notes abound, with plenty of alcohol and lingering sweetness in the background. It’s hard to think of many Double IPAs that can hold a candle to this beast, and that’s probably because there aren’t many. Buy it. Revel in it. Share the love. Grade: A+

Tom: This beast of an Imperial IPA has a stunning lemon/lime aroma on the nose right out the gates. Hints of freshly peeled oranges or orange rhine add a zest to the citrus dimensions. A light touch of caramel and a sugary sweetness help to boost the fruit aromas and lend some balance to the brew. At colder temps the smell is more sharp citrus notes, but as you let it warm more of the honey qualities start to come forward. The appearance is a golden-orange hue with a moderate head. I’ve poured this beer a couple different ways and found that when you pour for the least amount of head the hop resins are retained more in the liquid. Otherwise, they cling to and escape in the head. A delicate swirl will show some legs. To the taste, it is rather approachable for being such a big beer. The hops do leave a tingle and bite the length of your tongue, but the honey added gives a nice soft touch to the palate. It also draws out the floral aspect of the hops. A minor toastiness in the malt lets you know it is there. The finish is boozy and strictly resinous in its assault. I found that right before the aftertaste there was a slight tang that reminded me of the orange marmalade jelly my dad would put on his toast in my youth. Grade: A

Despite sitting for a few extra minutes in my fridge and cooling to slightly below optimum temp, this beer went down incredibly well. There was enough carbonation to make it cleansing and interesting, but it was so well built it went down smooth. It was flavorful and complex, but not overwhelming, making for an easy sipping beer. There was a burnt quality on the aftertaste, earthy and chewy. There was no sign of hops as the maltiness dominated in a very pleasing manner.

It’s been a few dozen IPAs since my last Belgian and for a brief moment I forgot what I was missing. As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, I’m glad to have Bell’s reminder of the perfect type of beer for this season. Rich, complex and distinct, I would definitely put this on your list if you enjoy a decent Belgian Ale.

ABV: 7.5%

Grade: B+

Yes, ladies and gents, it is. And for no reason other than (from what I can tell), it’s simple and classy. Oberon might get a lot of rep from college students trying to expand their horizons beyond Blue Moon and Shock Top, but nothing says flagship like a steady, well-balanced dark(er) ale. Bell’s Amber doesn’t impress as much at colder temperatures, although it does manage to give you a touch of subtle grassy bitterness before those Munich malts kick in. But I’m grateful for the German influence here; the toasty caramel flavor really pairs well with the American hops used (not sure which ones). Think along the lines of a slightly more hop-balanced maibock and you won’t be far off. It’s also not too carbonated; smoother is definitely better with an amber like this.

To tell the truth, the room temperature dregs of the bottle I’m currently polishing off are actually some of the best beer dregs I’ve had in a while. Caramel and toffee notes really shine and it’s a bit more boozy. You definitely don’t have to sip it…but I would recommend prolonging the experience to get to this point. Flagship indeed; a pleasant, malty release from my IPA-infused summer.

ABV: 5.8%

Grade: B

Britton: Cubs opening day, hitting a bucket of golf balls at the range, and my first Oberon of the year … today was a great day. It was a great day because these are three things that signal summer is near. Living in Michigan, we hibernate indoors for the winter months. When I see this fantastic, summer seasonal by Bell’s in the store, I know that the weather is thawing and we can head outside once again.

Oberon was one of the first microbrews I ever had years ago, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart. While I first had it on tap served with an orange, I now prefer it fruit-free to enjoy the pure taste of this wheat ale. This year’s batch is as good as always. It pours a cloudy, golden-orange color that Bell’s claims is the color of a sunny afternoon. There is a very foamy head that lingers on top. The smell is strongly citrus with a bit of hops. The taste is predominately spicy orange. There is a little bit of a hop taste but is very refreshing. The finish lingers for a bit with a grainy mouth feel.

This Michigan favorite is a guaranteed winner if you bring a six-pack to a summer cookout. If you really want to impress your friends as you grill burgers this summer – bring an Oberon mini-keg. Grade: A+

Taylor: Bell’s Brewery and I are in a mostly love, sometimes hate relationship. On my way through their lineup of beers, it’s averaged out to me enjoying 1 out of every 2 beers they brew. It’s finally warmed up here in Chicago, and even though it’s rainy season, I decided to crack open an ice cold Oberon. The enjoyment of this beer begins with its label … I think one of the best summer labels out there. Bright blue and orange, with a sun staring out at you. The whole bottle says summer to me. A lot of Midwesterners swear by this beer during the summer months … it’s become a pretty trendy brew.

Pours a nice rich golden straw color, with a bubbly white head that reduces pretty quickly to nothing. Significant lacing down the side of the pint as you go along. The smells of citrus, like orange and lemon, but not super strong. And of course there’s the grassy wheat tone as well. Upon tasting this beer, I think most people who look to American Wheat Ales during the summer will agree that it delivers standard flavors. It is sweet and refreshing, not at all bitter, highly carbonated. Finishes with a sweetish taste, doesn’t really linger at all. Brewed with Saaz hops for spiciness, but I couldn’t find any spice in the taste at all. While I didn’t drink them side by side, it really just reminded me of Goose Island 312, an equally trendy beer from one of the nation’s finest.

While it would seem that Oberon has a lot going for it on the outside, I actually found this particular bottle lacking in wow! factor. I would say that its flavor profile is somewhat flat compared to my all-time favorite summer beer, Samuel Adams Summer Ale. I have had better bottles of Oberon. Thankfully, I have 5 more in the fridge. Oberon is a good summer beer to have on hand for whenever. But it’s not at all my first pick, and I think Oberon should make it better if it’s going to be the poster child of their operation. Grade: B

ABV: 5.8%

Final Grade: B+

The first time this IPA hit my lips I was shocked at how flavorful it was. I didn’t realize that most beers had more taste than Bud Light…but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s like my eyes had been opened. I had seen the light and realized beer wasn’t supposed to taste like water with a touch of bitterness.

Bell’s Two Hearted proved to be the gateway for me to the world of IPAs. For that, this beer will always hold a special place in my heart. It had been awhile since I enjoyed a bottle of this long time favorite and decided I was due.

It pours a two finger foamy white head and has a very carbonated, golden color. There was a great deal of lacing that adhered to the glass through the duration of the beer. The smell filled my nostrils with the wonderful aroma of hops along with a great floral scent. The taste was as good as ever. The hops are definitely present but not overwhelming. It has a great balance of hops and malts. It is very drinkable and finishes quite crisp.

If you haven’t had this IPA, I encourage you to try my go-to beer when I’m in the mood for some hops.

ABV: 7.0%

Grade: A

Friday’s stop was an intentional one for me. Winter, the perfect time for a stout, seemed to be quickly coming to a close. So Rogue’s Shakespeare was on my list and I bee-lined for its spot on the shelf. When my newly-made beer friend saw me reaching for the Rogue, he suggested another stout, a newly released limited brew by Bell’s. “Batch 9000, he said, now that is some stout!”

I quickly accepted his generous offer to sell me a couple, waited for him to grab them from the back, and headed out. I stuck one in my fridge and one in my ‘cellar’ and hoped the weekend would reveal the perfect moment to partake. After several grueling hours constructing six kitchen chairs (a story much too long and painful for this review) I decided I had darn well earned that Batch 9000 and I sat down to sip.

It seemed to pour black at first, but in better light became an incredibly deep, rich brown. The head puffed and quickly dwindled to a thin layer. The smell was a rush. Bursts of cherries and hints of black licorice. A sweetness of brown sugar and a peculiar, but unmistakable, whiff of soy sauce. It smelled rich and sweet and I began to think I was in for a real treat. Even before sampling, however, it felt as though Bell’s claim of “Imperial Stout” was a bit misleading. I had smelled Quads a bit like this, but no stout! Some other reviewers said it seemed more like an Old Ale. My first sip was…well let me quote from my note-taking sheet: “Woh.” It was unbelievably sweet, as the Binny’s beerman had warned, and to me, almost stingingly alcoholic. Next was a veritable fruit salad, deep dark fruits it seemed, but again overwhelmingly sweet.

As I’ve confessed in the past, I claim to enjoy things that I ‘should’ even though they clearly disagree with my palate. Batch 9000 was just that, but was too tough to continue much past half a glass. There were hints of malt, just enough to remind me that it was indeed beer I was drinking and if the alcohol and sweetness mellowed out a bit, I think the complexities would be interesting and enjoyable. For me, however, I just couldn’t take it. Hopefully a year or two will mellow the cellared bottle and I’ll be able to bump up the grade the next go-round.

ABV: 12.5%

Grade: C-

It poured a very dark, brownish red. There was a small head with a little lacing that quickly dissipated. The smell was a little fruity with other sweet smells such as caramel and chocolate. There were also scents of alcohol. Based on the smell, I was afraid this beer was going to be way too sweet for me. I was pleasantly surprised. The taste was a great balance of smoky caramel with alcohol. There was a great touch of hops in the finish.

Often times I get tired of barley wines half way through the glass because they are either too sweet or have too strong of an alcohol taste. This one, however, went down very easily. It is a very drinkable beer for having such a high ABV. Bell’s recommends putting a bottle in the cellar to mature which I would think would make this great beer more complex. Next time, I will buy a few bottles and put a few away to enjoy later.

10.2% ABV

Grade: A-