Bell's Cherry Stout bottle date and drinkability

There's never a "correct" bottling date for a beer sitting in a store. You never know how long something has been sitting there. Bell's says the shelf life for this beer is a year so you should be fine. Really sour doesn't sound right though? I haven't heard about any infection though.

 

...sounds about right for Bell's Cherry Stout.

 

depends. some places hold on to things and/or hide them for a while. Some places just move stuff like that slowly.

 

Bell's puts a 12 month shelf life on Cherry Stout, still perfectly reasonable to be on the shelf. While they may officially say 12 months this is one they are not afraid to age. Bottle were found from 1988 (maybe earlier) and were said that is would have taken gold over Expedition Stout in last years aged beer category at the GABF. It ages wonderfully IMO, much better with age.

Bell's uses Montmorency Cherries, these are a tart or sour cherry, this flavor certainly carries over to the beer. It is not the cherry flavor many expect but it is the signature flavor of this beer.

 

I love this beer and always buy enough during the winter to last all year. Ive never had one that I considered really sour, but its definitely tart. I suppose if you never drink sours, this might seem pretty sour though.

So IMO, 11 months and beyond is fine for this one.

 

This beer normally has some tartness (that could be described also as sour) from the sour cherries. If it's not puckerishly sour then I think you're experiencing its normal taste.

 

I picked up a sixer when total wine put it on sale after season. It was a bit tart bit not too bad. I didnt really enjoy drinking it until towards the end of the sixer, I hate when that happens. Hopefully they will put it on sale again next year!