Kalamazoo Common
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store

I had this one on tap at the Ecentric Cafe on 8/28/2009 served in a 12oz glass. From my notes:

A= This steam beer poured a very cloudy but beautifully glowing and effervescent orange gold color. The color reminded me of polished mineral stones. The white head rose just 1/2" and then settled to a thin ring. Some lace present but it was not a major feature of the appearance.

S= As one would expect, a good bit of malty sweetness came through as well as some honey and faint grassy hops.

T= I tasted and tasted and tasted this beer and damned if I could identify any one ingredient as standing out. The very definition of balanced I guess! Within that great balance were flavors of sweet malt, some slight but rich graininess, honey, a bit of sulfur yeast twang, and in-check but definitely present hops. The hops were grassy, earthy, and slightly woody. Finish was sweet, crisp, and had just a hint of alcohol.

MF= Just to the lighter side of medium bodied with a very crisp mouthfeel.

D= Not my favorite beer style, but this wasn't your average steam beer either. Billed as a "warm fermentation lager" this was easy to drink and interesting enough to want to session a few.