Year of New Beer: Vanilla Black Note, Bell's Brewery (MI)

Written By: Dion on 02/12/2020

Just an unbelievably decadent nose on this one. Chocolate cake batter, figs, espresso, bourbon, and vanilla. And that seems to just scratch the surface. Equally rich on the tongue. Chocolate and dark fruits hit first, with a subtle cherry note that sinks into layers of caramel and burnt sugar. Vanilla begins to assert itself along the middle, sweet and slightly creamy, enhancing the same characteristic of the bourbon barrel. A modest charred malt attempts to balance the lingering, sticky sweetness that hangs on stubbornly through the finish. This is thick, bold, and delicious.