Session # 169
Bell’s | Oberon Ale
Pale Wheat Ale | Kalamazoo, Michigan | 5.8% ABV

One year ago: De Dolle Dulle Teve 10º

So I feel like I can finally say the weather has started to officially warm up. And with warmer weather comes the need to drink lighter beers. Today I’m doing so with a Bell’s Oberon, an American Pale Wheat Ale, that is suitable for the occasion. It’s definitely meant for summer as Bell’s suggests by the sunshine orange and blue label and cap. When I poured this beer into my pint glass it was the same color pale yellowish-orange with a slight bit of sediment floating in the beer. The aroma, while not complex at all, had touches of malt breadiness, yeast, and light hops. The flavor didn’t stray too far from that with its light mouthfeel and fair carbonation to help pus those light lemon and orange peel flavors onto the tongue. This was not a flashy beer, but rather an easy drinking summer beer as it should be. A little more hops would have made this much more enjoyable for me, and not just because I’m a hop junky but because it would have added a touch more character to the beer. Rating: 83/100

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This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Cass McCombs “County Line”



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Session # 118 | Bell’s | Expedition Stout | 10.5% ABV
Imperial Stout | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rating: 87/100

Autumn is literally the best time of the year. For a brief period, the weather is amazing and football is aplenty. Recently Tim and I got together to watch some football and found the evening to be so nice out that we just had to take the camera on the porch. On this night it was Bell’s Expedition Stout, which is one of the first Imperial Stouts I ever tried. This was one lone bottle in my basement that I had forgotten about and so I was excited to know there was some age on it. As we poured the beer in to our glasses it was immediately obvious that this was a huge beer. It’s black like the oil that’s been sitting in a 20 year old car. The head is traditional with its light tan color. But it’s the aroma that brings the heat. There is tons of caramel, molasses, and dark fruits like raisins, dates, and plums. The coffee bitterness that is sometimes associated with these beers, however, is non-existent. The taste is right on the same page: molasses, rich burnt caramel, and dark fruits attack the palate and coat the lips. For a 10.5% ABV beer, this one lasts a very long time on the palate.

Up Next: Portsmouth Gose

Others: Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Great Divide Yeti, North Coast Old Rasputin

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Avey Tare “Oliver Twist”



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Hopry Short # 6 | Bell’s| Two Hearted Ale | 7.10% ABV
India Pale Ale | Rating: 90/100

People tend to ask the question a lot: “What’s a go-to beer for you when you just want something good to drink that’s not overly hard to get?” My first response is usually North Coast’s Old Rasputin or Boulevard’s Tank 7, but I also find myself picking up a six-pack of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale on quite a few occasions. In fact, if I know I’m going to be on vacation or have a good long weekend at home, I will look to pick up one of their mini-kegs of the stuff. Now, it’s not the hoppiest IPA by today’s standards, but it’s enough to give you what you need to drink it for a fairly long period of time. Its aroma (when fresh of course) is very clean and refreshing with beautiful citric and tropical fruit components, which Bell’s has mastered. The taste is virtually the same with a nice little bite from the bitterness and healthy amount of hops. Did I mention that I am crazily in love with the packaging? It makes me want to go fishing in the great northwest while having one of these sitting on a rock next to me. It’s very good imagery and it’s also very good beer.

This is it guys — the holy grail of beer for me. I don’t know how else to put it except to tell you that Bell’s Hopslam is the single best beer on the market. Released only once a year, people stand in line, leave their name on waiting lists, or just outright stalk liquor stores for it. I’ve done all three…so I know. Last year I only purchased two six-packs and I’ve regretted that decision all year. So this year I opted for not just one case, but two. Call it panic, call it crazy, call it whatever you want — but I’m sitting on enough Hopslam to last me for at least three or four months (maybe longer since it’s all sitting in cold refrigeration). The second this gorgeous Imperial IPA is poured, the aromas waft up out of the glass so strongly that you know you’re in for a special treat. TONS of pineapple and mango (even luxurious papaya) just begin to wreak havoc on your nostrils and make you glad you’re alive. It’s virtually a clear golden color with the perfect amount of off-white head, its smell (again) is out of this world, but the taste is the real star here. Let’s just say this is pure perfection as I know it. And that’s all I’m going to say. Go steal some from your friends. Or go drive two states away. Or pay $10 for a bottle on eBay. Whatever you do – get on board with this beer because you’ll truly see what the hype is all about. And don’t forget… REFRIGERATE YOUR HOPS PEOPLE!!!

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This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Atlas Sound

Brewery: Bell’s
Beer: Hopslam
Style: Imperial IPA
Location: Comstock, Michigan
ABV: 10%
Rating: 100/100

I really have to give a lot of love to Bells Brewery out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The first time I had one of their beers was at my local Flying Saucer Draft Emporium here in Kansas City. It was their Imperial IPA called Hopslam. I mean I seriously almost cried after taking my first sip of its pineapple and mango hoppiness. It was THE most pivotal moment in my beer tasting journey and would become the moment I knew I would really dig my teeth into the craft beer industry. Keep in mind, too, that this was only last January. So you can see what type of impression it had on me. But we’re talking about their Java Stout today, so let’s do it. If you like coffee and stouts, then you’re in for a treat. This bad boy has both. It’s a style that has taken off in recent years where breweries actually add coffee beans to the brew tanks to further enhance the already coffee-like qualities that come from the heavily roasted malts. And though I tend to think the coffee is a touch heavy in this brew, I think that’s the point. Furthermore, I believe this style of beer is one that can be a gateway for a lot of folks in that they can at least relate to the heavy coffee notes. Oh yeah…if you’re one of those people (like me) who loves to make breakfast for dinner, look no further than Bells Java Stout to be the perfect accompaniment. I might also recommend Founders Breakfast Stout and Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast if you are a fan of these coffee-centric stouts. But the best coffee stout is yet to come on The Hopry. It should be posted in the next week or so. Be on the lookout!!!

For a larger HD experience click here.
This beer can be found in these states (including Missouri).
On the iPod: Gillian Welch

Brewery: Bells
Beer: Java Stout
Style: Stout
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
ABV: 7.5%
Rating: 91/100