Why are Bell's beers either World Class or really "average"?

I just bought a 6-pack and was not impressed. So I put 1 chopped up vanilla bean, some cocoa nibs and a bottle of Cherry Stout in a mason jar and let it sit overnight. Big improvement! Now I know what I'm doing with the remaining 4 bottles.

 

I'm not an expert on Bells but it seems to be their beers are consistently Good if not always Great.

 

I think all of Bell's beers are world class in a sense that their beers serves as a benchmark for everyone else in the industry. I personally think all of their beers are average Everyone else falls on, above or below that benchmark. Same with Sierra Nevada. Even their sought-after stuff like Hopslam and Black Note are nothing special, to me.

 

I am drinking Kalamazoo Stout right now and it seems very good to me.

 

and Mars > Hopslam

 

Sounds like someone is still getting past stouts and IPAs. Let us know in a few years after you stop riding that train.

 

You have to give Biff a lot of credit. No one else can start a pointless thread and get 5 pages of replies.