-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Expedition Stout
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- From:
- Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #121 - ABV:
- 10.5%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,754 - Avg:
- 4.26 | pDev: 10.09%
- Reviews:
- 2,289
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 06, 2024
- Added:
- Jan 10, 2002
- Wants:
- 604
- Gots:
- 1,847
Expedition Stout offers immensely complex flavors crafted specifically with vintage aging in mind, as its profile will continue to mature and develop over the years. A huge malt body is matched to a heady blend of chocolate, dark fruits, and other aromas. Intensely bitter in its early months, the flavors will slowly meld and grow in depth as the beer ages.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by PatronWizard:
Reviewed by PatronWizard from California
3.93/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Gift from Mauerhan. And you know what they say: never take a gift from a horse's mouth. No, it's never look at a horse's gift. No, never put your junk in a horse's mouth. Oh, screw it, thanks Mauerhan!
Teeny tiny 'lil head of beige color over an open tar pit.
Odd scent to me. What the hell is it?
A unique blend of the coffee chocolate flavor. Both strong, both bitter, and completely mashed together. This one has a little too much soy sauce flavor going on.
Real thick, real smooth, creamy.
Overall: good, but a one timer for me
Nov 10, 2008Teeny tiny 'lil head of beige color over an open tar pit.
Odd scent to me. What the hell is it?
A unique blend of the coffee chocolate flavor. Both strong, both bitter, and completely mashed together. This one has a little too much soy sauce flavor going on.
Real thick, real smooth, creamy.
Overall: good, but a one timer for me
More User Ratings:
Rated by moysauce from Illinois
4/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Rating based off an Untappd check in from 2020 of a bottle from 2015. Take this for what you will.
Mar 06, 2024Rated by DimlyLitQuonsetHut from Virginia
3.02/5 rDev -29.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
3.02/5 rDev -29.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Spicy, sticky, almost too heavy. Decent flavors but somewhat overpowering, even for a seasoned stout lover.
Feb 17, 2024Rated by FRANKHAZE from Florida
4.47/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
This is just one great RIS.
Jan 27, 2024Reviewed by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania
4.42/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle poured into a teku glass. Looks pitch black in the glass with a nice brown head that eventually drops to a cap with a nice ring. Smell is roasted barley malt, cocoa powder, toffee, roasted coffee, some black licorice. Taste starts with dark chocolate, roasted malt. The middle gets a little bitter with some dark fruits, cocoa. Finish sees some black coffee, a bit of char, and some lingering dark fruit. Aftertaste has a bit of molasses in it. Alcohol is pretty well hidden to me. Feel is full bodied, light, tight carbonation. Overall, this is great. It's a well balanced beer with a lot of great flavors. Awesome.
Jan 19, 2024Reviewed by SpaceCamp from Virginia
4.39/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.39/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours a dark, rich chocolate that forms a thin walnut head, which is quick to dissipate, leaving behind a spotty retention on top and a thin ring of lacing around the edge of the snifter. Held to the light, this beer has a
S: Classic RIS aromas of roasted/charred malt, baker's chocolate, coffee roast, burnt sugar, and molasses. A faint whiff of dark fruit.
T: Follows the nose. Big roasted malt, coffee, and baker's chocolate at the front, followed by some alcohol heat, hops, and smokiness. There is a slight lactose sweetness, dark fruit, and burnt brown sugar that somewhat contrasts with the bitterness at the outset. Maybe some slight molasses as well in the finish. However, this beer is driven by the bitter character that is typical of a good Russian. Full marks - easily one of the best RIS from a flavor perspective.
F: Rich, silky, almost velvety and a bit chewy mouthfeel. Full-bodied. Some very light carbonation.
O: This is a fantastic Russian Imperial Stout with no weaknesses. The flavor is top-notch. The body is perhaps the weakest spot but that's nitpicking. Full marks and worth a purchase for any stout lover.
Jan 01, 2024S: Classic RIS aromas of roasted/charred malt, baker's chocolate, coffee roast, burnt sugar, and molasses. A faint whiff of dark fruit.
T: Follows the nose. Big roasted malt, coffee, and baker's chocolate at the front, followed by some alcohol heat, hops, and smokiness. There is a slight lactose sweetness, dark fruit, and burnt brown sugar that somewhat contrasts with the bitterness at the outset. Maybe some slight molasses as well in the finish. However, this beer is driven by the bitter character that is typical of a good Russian. Full marks - easily one of the best RIS from a flavor perspective.
F: Rich, silky, almost velvety and a bit chewy mouthfeel. Full-bodied. Some very light carbonation.
O: This is a fantastic Russian Imperial Stout with no weaknesses. The flavor is top-notch. The body is perhaps the weakest spot but that's nitpicking. Full marks and worth a purchase for any stout lover.
Reviewed by BGDrock from Canada (ON)
4.2/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours thick, a black body with a rich cocoa-coloured head, fine and dense like a marshmallow, with a couple minutes retention.
Aroma is mild, of burnt coffee, molasses, licorice, cassis.
Flavours of dark roasted coffee dominate, bitter and pungent in the finish, almost smokey; some balance is provided by fondant sweetness, a touch of lactose - this is coming together to bring to mind a campfire with marshmallows; the feel is like a soft blanket, with fine, mellow carbonation, and a full body, though there is some stickiness; over time the flavours balance out even more, the bitterness less aggressive.
Bold flavour and a caressing feel, it holds nothing back and demands to be sipped on a cold winter day. Delicious and single-minded.
Nov 18, 2023Aroma is mild, of burnt coffee, molasses, licorice, cassis.
Flavours of dark roasted coffee dominate, bitter and pungent in the finish, almost smokey; some balance is provided by fondant sweetness, a touch of lactose - this is coming together to bring to mind a campfire with marshmallows; the feel is like a soft blanket, with fine, mellow carbonation, and a full body, though there is some stickiness; over time the flavours balance out even more, the bitterness less aggressive.
Bold flavour and a caressing feel, it holds nothing back and demands to be sipped on a cold winter day. Delicious and single-minded.
Reviewed by Braunmeister_1943 from Pennsylvania
4.53/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.53/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased as part of a 6 pack of 12 oz bottles on 11/4/23.
L- Jet black with a super creamy tan head
S- Dark roasted malt and hoppy aroma.
T- Bitter dark chocolate with a creamy
finish.
F- Viscous mouthfeel with very fine
carbonation.
O- An incredible RIS!
Nov 05, 2023L- Jet black with a super creamy tan head
S- Dark roasted malt and hoppy aroma.
T- Bitter dark chocolate with a creamy
finish.
F- Viscous mouthfeel with very fine
carbonation.
O- An incredible RIS!
Reviewed by DokiDokiLitFam from New Jersey
4.59/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.59/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this one yet. Had at least 10 bottles of this over the past few years. Bottled 9/14/21. Just about two years old. A perfect aging.
The pour yields a thin line of dark brown foam. It quickly fades, leaving a ring around the glass.
Nose is right down the middle Russian Imperial material. Roasted malt brings notes of dark chocolate, dark fruits, brown sugar, and the slightest bit of soy sauce. You can tell that this brew will be incredibly animated just from a first glance.
Taste follows through, but bringing even more. Roasted malt, smokiness, dark chocolate, dark fruit, slight caramel, brown sugar or perhaps even black strap molasses. Wonderful stuff. The bitterness on this one is just perfect. Reaching high points, but never overwhelming or obtrusive. The flavors still fly true, almost urged onward by the bitterness, them working in tandem. Everything working together to create the final product.
Mouthfeel is fullbodied, almost pillowy. Has heft and density to it with just the slightest bit of cloying. Very mild carbonation. The mouthfeel delivers the flavor perfectly.
Overall this is easily one of the best Russian Imperials you can buy. In eternal cellared stout, beer fridge, staple material along the likes of Sierra Nevada's Barrel Aged Narwhal, Old Rasputin, and Founders Imperial Stout. A brew that demands respect.
Sep 12, 2023The pour yields a thin line of dark brown foam. It quickly fades, leaving a ring around the glass.
Nose is right down the middle Russian Imperial material. Roasted malt brings notes of dark chocolate, dark fruits, brown sugar, and the slightest bit of soy sauce. You can tell that this brew will be incredibly animated just from a first glance.
Taste follows through, but bringing even more. Roasted malt, smokiness, dark chocolate, dark fruit, slight caramel, brown sugar or perhaps even black strap molasses. Wonderful stuff. The bitterness on this one is just perfect. Reaching high points, but never overwhelming or obtrusive. The flavors still fly true, almost urged onward by the bitterness, them working in tandem. Everything working together to create the final product.
Mouthfeel is fullbodied, almost pillowy. Has heft and density to it with just the slightest bit of cloying. Very mild carbonation. The mouthfeel delivers the flavor perfectly.
Overall this is easily one of the best Russian Imperials you can buy. In eternal cellared stout, beer fridge, staple material along the likes of Sierra Nevada's Barrel Aged Narwhal, Old Rasputin, and Founders Imperial Stout. A brew that demands respect.
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France
4.43/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle into a snifter. Deep dark brew, fine proud brownish foam.
Aroma of cafe Cubano, dark roast malt, stone fruits.
Taste hits like lightning with notes of dark chocolate, prune, coffee, and a pronounced bitterness, all in perfect harmony. Great long and chewy finish, the hoppy bitterness last to exit.
Full body mouthfeel. Medium carbonation.
Overall, a superb, well made, classic RIS for the people!
Aug 23, 2023Aroma of cafe Cubano, dark roast malt, stone fruits.
Taste hits like lightning with notes of dark chocolate, prune, coffee, and a pronounced bitterness, all in perfect harmony. Great long and chewy finish, the hoppy bitterness last to exit.
Full body mouthfeel. Medium carbonation.
Overall, a superb, well made, classic RIS for the people!
Reviewed by mpruden from Ohio
4.75/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.75/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 12-oz bottle, dated 9/7/22, "Shelf Life — Unlimited," and purchased at the brewery last month, into a stout glass.
Appearance: Opaque/black, with a massive dark tan head that lingered a very long time and left beautiful lacing.
Nose: Very complex: dark roast, a bit of coffee, sweet dried fruit, brown sugar -- oh, my!
Mouthfeel: Thick and creamy.
Attack: Bitter, as you would expect from an RIS — but absolutely well-balanced and very smooth — deep dark roast, chocolate, dark fruit sweetness, a little coffee.
Finish: The bitterness from the dark roast as well as from some hops lingers, and lingers very nicely.
Overall: There's a lot going on in this fantastic RIS; few beers are this well balanced. Certainly not a session beer at 10.5% ABV, but more drinkable than just a sipper. I'm having a hard time coming up with anything I don't like about this beer. I understand that my rating numbers are very high for this beer — and higher than the average of other raters; I truly think it's worth these scores.
Aug 05, 2023Appearance: Opaque/black, with a massive dark tan head that lingered a very long time and left beautiful lacing.
Nose: Very complex: dark roast, a bit of coffee, sweet dried fruit, brown sugar -- oh, my!
Mouthfeel: Thick and creamy.
Attack: Bitter, as you would expect from an RIS — but absolutely well-balanced and very smooth — deep dark roast, chocolate, dark fruit sweetness, a little coffee.
Finish: The bitterness from the dark roast as well as from some hops lingers, and lingers very nicely.
Overall: There's a lot going on in this fantastic RIS; few beers are this well balanced. Certainly not a session beer at 10.5% ABV, but more drinkable than just a sipper. I'm having a hard time coming up with anything I don't like about this beer. I understand that my rating numbers are very high for this beer — and higher than the average of other raters; I truly think it's worth these scores.
Reviewed by NorsemanOne from Utah
4.36/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.36/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottled 9.7.22 (debated waiting til the one year mark, but you can all see how that went)
Poured into a NH to tulip at fridge temp and warming up.
Pours dark brown nearly black with a dark mocha head. 4.25
Lots of dark and fermented stone fruit on the initial nose whiff, smidge of coffee and cocoa. 4.5
Taste follows, boozy, bitter (more hoppy than coffee), dark fruit and heavy. 4.25
Body is thick, boozy warm heat, syrupy and heavy. Everything I'd expect from a RIS. 4.25
Overall a true ris if I've ever had one, with the perfect amount of butter hops and deep complexity. 4.5
May 13, 2023Poured into a NH to tulip at fridge temp and warming up.
Pours dark brown nearly black with a dark mocha head. 4.25
Lots of dark and fermented stone fruit on the initial nose whiff, smidge of coffee and cocoa. 4.5
Taste follows, boozy, bitter (more hoppy than coffee), dark fruit and heavy. 4.25
Body is thick, boozy warm heat, syrupy and heavy. Everything I'd expect from a RIS. 4.25
Overall a true ris if I've ever had one, with the perfect amount of butter hops and deep complexity. 4.5
Expedition Stout from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
6624 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!