Another Pleasant Discovery
Jan 18 '06 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
The Bottom Line A direct yet enjoyable beverage. Worth buying if you find it.
I enjoy traveling to my local liquor superstore, looking for more brews to evaluate. It’s been a good winter for new brews: Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner was a hit, Bell’s 7000 was enjoyable, although maybe not worth the $16.99 per six pack that it commanded, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout was another pricey, yet solid offering.
When I was yet one more new brew from the Bell’s Brewery, Inc. (formerly the Kalamazoo Brewing Co.), Bell’s 20th Anniversary Ale, for a price of $9.99, I knew I must possess and consume it.
But as for Bells, they have been putting out quality products as a midwest based craft brewer since 1983. I generally love their brews and they’re not that tough to find in the Chicago area.
Their web site describes this as being worthy of the label and having 5.8% abv.
So, here goes:
The Nose Obvious malt, a little fruity, plenty of audible bubbles.
The Pour Amber towrd the top with an orange-ish bottom, small, lasting head.
The Taste Solid on the malt, moderately carbonated. The body is on the heavy side but pleasant. A hint of sweetness with a caramel flavor. A creamy mouthfeel. Very balanced.
The Aftertaste A nice little bit of hop bitterness, a little yeastiness. The pleasant finish lingered.
This is much less complex than Bell’s Batch 7000. I liked this. It was heavy but satisfying, direct without being bland.
Food parings would be steaks, heavier meat fare, spicy snacks, flavorful cheeses.
The price, $9.99, is a little on the high side for a repeat purchase. I do recommend this. It was released in September as a limited edition, but you might be able to find it in a local liquor store as I did.
Thanks for reading. God bless!
You might enjoy some of my beer reviews
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Goose Island Demolition
Point Special Beer
Budweiser Select
Sam Adams 2005 Imperial Pilsner
Tennent’s Lager
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Bell’s 7000 ale
Baltika #6 Russian Beer
Baltika #4 Russian Beer
Ommegang Belgian-style ale with Cherry Lambic
Unibroue Terrible Belgian-style Ale
Zhiguly 9.5 Grand Lithuanian Beer
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
And my Chicago area restaurant reviews.
Millenium Park Grill
Davis Street Fishmarket
Bob Chinn’s Crab House
Dee's Chinese Restaurant
Hackney’s Restaurant in Glenview
Twin Anchors Restaurant in Chicago
Pavilion Restaurant in Chicago
Szechuan East Restaurant in Chicago
Maggiano’s Little Italy
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