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Saturday, April 24, 2010

Day 114 Drink: Bell's Batch 9,000 Ale


Bell's Brewery was originally called Kalamazoo Brewing Co. and was founded by Larry Bell as a homebrew supply shop in 1983. The company sold its first beer in 1985 and quickly established itself as one of the best craft breweries in the Midwest.

In the last few years Bell's has greatly expanded its distribution territory, but has maintained high quality around a set of core brands, including Oberon, Two Hearted Ale and Kalamazoo Stout.

Bell's Batch 9,000 Ale is as big and as bold as craft beers come these days. It was brewed to mark the company's 9,000 batch. This brew weighs in at 12.5 percent alcohol by volume and it actually drinks bigger than that number. On draught this brew pours a dark brownish black color with a nice thick tan head. The nose has some candy and dark fruit qualities, with a hint of the alcohol. Your first sip explodes with flavor. Plenty of rich sweet malt, balanced with some baker's chocolate notes, hints of vanilla and a finish of anise.

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