Beer of the Week

The beer: Special Double Cream Stout

Brewed by: Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Description (from the website): "Named for its velvety smooth, creamy texture, this incredibly rich stout is brewed with 10 different specialty roasted malts chosen that impart notes of rich mocha and espresso. Dark and sweet tones intermingle with a soft, roasty finish."

Would I buy it again?: I was expecting a bit more from something called a special double cream stout. There was nothing wrong with it, it tasted good, nice and creamy, but the name advertised something special, and this wasn't that. So no, I probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Tropical Oberon Ale

Brewed by: Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Description (from the website): "Oberon shines vibrant and bright in this limited release. Brewed with real passionfruit, pink guava and mango, this ale takes your favorite summer beer to new shores. Mini drink umbrellas sold separately."

Would I buy it again?: One thing is for sure: This was the cloudiest beer I've ever had. You can see the bits of condensed yeast in the glass there, and it looked even more unappetizing in person. Yeah, it all settled down, but still, not a great start. Honestly though, the beer tasted fine; not my favorite, but decent enough. But when it comes to beer, there's a fine margin for error, and the yeast is enough reason for me to pass on this in the future.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Two Hearted Ale

Brewed by: Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Description (from the website): "Brewed with 100% Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest and named after the Two Hearted River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this IPA is bursting with hop aromas ranging from pine to grapefruit from massive hop additions in both the kettle and the fermenter. Perfectly balanced with a malt backbone and combined with the signature fruity aromas of Bell's house yeast, this beer is remarkably drinkable and well suited for adventures everywhere."

Would I buy it again?: This isn't the first time I've purchased this particular beer, and I doubt it'll be the last. I don't often buy IPAs on their own, and there's a good reason for that: I don't like IPAs. This is a notable exception, because it honestly doesn't taste too much like an IPA. It's hoppy and bitter, but not excessively so, and there's enough maltiness there to balance it out. It's not my favorite beer of all time, but it's definitely interesting.