Black Note Stout
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store

Black Note StoutBlack Note Stout
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From:
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #35
ABV:
11.2%
Score:
100
Ranked #117
Avg:
4.54 | pDev: 7.71%
Reviews:
841
Ratings:
4,977
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 20, 2024
Added:
Jun 16, 2007
Wants:
  2,724
Gots:
  1,325
One of the most sought-after stouts in Bell's history, Black Note Stout blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout and ages the combination in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso & dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel. Aimed squarely at the stout and bourbon aficionados, Black Note makes a grand statement about the art of the dark.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by spicelab:
Photo of spicelab
Reviewed by spicelab from Australia

4.17/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle with big thanks to MrKennedy.

Decent hiss on opening. Dark chocolate brown, not your typical RIS motor oil look look, with a modest dark tan head that falls relatively quickly to a collar.

Undoubtedly a rich vein of bourbon running through notes of liquorice bullets, choc-caramel slice, soy sauce, used coffee grounds and molten plastic. Predominantly dry, big and deceptively complex.

A tad sweeter, with impressively rich caramel fudge and butterscotch giving way to coconut, vanilla and the woodier aspects of the barrel.

Light bodied for 11.8%, in no small part due to above average carbonation for the style. Makes it easier to drink, but reduces the oomph.

Worthy BA RIS no doubt, but not quite in the top echelon for me. Lacking a little in presence and intensity.
Jun 15, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.53 by chrishiker1409 from New York

Feb 20, 2024
Photo of LesDewitt4beer
Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

4.67/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle fill date 10/31/23 into a snifter.
L: SRM 40 Pours jet black with a thin dark khaki head that quickly recedes to edge foam, low carbonation, no lacing.
S: Bourbon barrel notes, chocolate, darkly roasted cereal grains, caramel.
T: Mingling dark fruits, complex char, chocolate, dark berries, bourbon, wood barrel notes, dark caramelized malts, a bit nutty from the oaken barrels, finish is malty with espresso, bourbon, and sweet dark cocoa.
F: Smooth & resilient heavy-bodied feel with a long finish that is fairly drying.
O: Simply one of the finest BBA stouts I've had. Does not taste fake or adjunct-ridden as do many others. Smooth, rich, deep, long finish. Exceptional. Unlimited shelf life is touted but I'll get to the other 3 bottles this year. Good price point. This beer is absolutely world-class in its style.
Feb 15, 2024
Photo of jkblr
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottled 10/31/23 (3+ months ago) poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 11.4% ABV. The beer pours impenetrable black with medium brown colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island. Spotty lacing. The aroma is moderate in strength with bourbon soaked fudge brownie and lesser notes of ash and oak. The taste is bittersweet roasted malt with more bourbon, fudge brownie, oak and classic, ashy roasted malt character. The feel is medium plus bodied with just less that average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, world class BBA imperial stout.
Feb 11, 2024
 
Rated: 5 by BigIronH from Michigan

Feb 04, 2024
Photo of jmeehan7
Reviewed by jmeehan7

4.66/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Terrific stout! This is everything a barrel aged stout should be.

Dark chocolate, espresso, and plum flavors jump out the most. Brown sugar lingers on the finish. The mouthfeel is wonderful as well. If you see it, buy it!
Jan 23, 2024
 
Rated: 4.71 by NateHarburg from Michigan

Jan 08, 2024
Photo of ZAP
Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota

4.49/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
L-Dark brown/black...no head...

S-Soy sauce like maltiness....rich....

T-Starts off with that Expedition rich, soy sauce like maltiness....then a tremendous touch of nougat, vanilla and very light bourbon....next a mild impression of dark fruits...plums, raisins....this is really excellent...very light touch of coffee deeper in....dark chocolate as well....

F-Creamy...big but smooth...no heat from the ABV....not cloying....easy to drink...a rare beast with immense flavors but a drinkability that could lead to more than one if compelled.

O-Love the taste of this and the way it drinks....sometimes with this style I'll really enjoy a particular offering but then have no craving to have it again to to the richness...that's not the case here despite it being plenty rich....aroma is a bit bland and one sided with the soy sauce maltiness...
Dec 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.33 by BeerKegger

Dec 25, 2023
Photo of defunksta
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin

4.12/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a completely black, dark color with a massive and deep, rich, dark tan head. SRM of 24. (4.25)

Aroma: Strong aromas of bittersweet chocolate, cream, cocoa upfront. Some hints of coffee roast and more cream in the middle. Mild bourbon underneath. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong flavors of rich chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, and cream upfront. Strong creamy chocolate notes linger before it evolves into a lactose and vanilla flavor. Some bourbon starts to balance, but ultimately the sweet chocolate cream overpowers and it finishes sweet and smooth. (4.25)

Feel: Heavier-bodied, average to low carbonation. Sweet, malty, creaminess linger. (4.00)

Overall: Rated 100 World-Class on BeerAdvocate and ranked #33 for American Imperial Stout. Supposedly similar to their Expedition Stout, but aged in Bourbon Barrels. Upfront drinks very much like their Expedition Stout. A beer battle between the two would be far too dangerous. Dark, chocolate, creamy, and sweet. Some hints of bourbon and minimal roastedness. The bourbon is relatively hidden within the sweetness. This one leans sweeter and rich in typical Bells fashion. I wouldn't drink this often. A sipper and almost an occasional or dessert beer I'd say. (Rating: 4.12)
Dec 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by blissfulNemo from Michigan

Dec 17, 2023
Photo of Mdog
Reviewed by Mdog from Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Black, ok head at first, fades to nothing.

Smell: Strong roast and char, molasses. Surprisingly little barrel.

Taste: Dark chocolate, roasted malt, a little cherry alcohol hit, a splash of black coffee. Lots going on but the flavors are working together. As it warms up, the barrel starts showing up with some woody vanilla. Medium-heavy mouthfeel. More chocolate in the finish as it warms.

Overall: Finally getting to try Black Note, total wine had a shelf full. Very nice BA stout. I've been a little hit-or-miss with Bell's big stouts, sometimes they are not quite sweet enough for my palate, but this beer hits the spot. Very Good!
Dec 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.87 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Dec 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by Oktoberfest from Ohio

Dec 08, 2023
Photo of drdiesel9483
Reviewed by drdiesel9483 from Ohio

4.18/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look - black and thick with a big lasting foamy tan head and sticky. at the end, no real rimming. Still great looking beer though.
Smell - bourbon barrel, dark chocolate, slight espresso and cola
Taste -boozy bourbon barrel, dark chocolate, dark fruit, bitter. Slight cola when it warms up. Pretty classic for a "classic" BA sout.
Feel - full body medium carb
OVerall - Really classic BA Stout
Dec 07, 2023
Photo of Valdez_Mescalito
Reviewed by Valdez_Mescalito from Michigan

4.12/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
November 2023 Release - 4 pack
12 oz. bottle dated 10/31/2023 - 11.1% ABV / 40 IBUs
Brewed and bottled in Comstock, MI
Poured into a Bell's branded tulip snifter glass

Look - Pours a very thin mocha-colored head that leaves lacing. Opaque, black appearance.
Smell - The scent is bourbon, oak, chocolate, dark fruits, vanilla, and maybe some cola.
Taste - The bourbon and cola flavors seem to be the most dominant, and there's a slight dark fruit and chocolate bitterness in the aftertaste. The alcohol is non detectable.
Feel - Thin bodied with a watery mouthfeel that finishes dry.
Overall - The nose promised more than the thin flavor and thin mouthfeel delivered.
Nov 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.77 by Nyoder

Nov 25, 2023
Photo of dd53grif
Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a black color with virtually no head. Aroma of sweet vanilla and caramel, coffee and roasted malts. Taste is alcohol and black coffee. Immediately hit with a strong alcohol warmth. Smooth and creamy.
Nov 24, 2023
 
 
Rated: 4.68 by TreyJ88

Nov 23, 2023
Black Note Stout from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 4977 ratings