Beer Man: Hell Hath No Fury is good, not so stout

• Ale is described as cross between a Belgian dubbel and a stout

Beer Man is a weekly profile of beers from across the country and around the world.
This week: Hell Hath No Fury
Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Mich.
bellsbeer.com

My experience with Bell's beers has always been pleasant, from its hoppy Two-Hearted Ale to its many stout manifestations, including its Expedition, Kalamazoo and Java stouts.

The brewery's website calls Hell Hath No Fury (HHNF) a cross between a Belgian dubbel and a stout. Most Belgian dubbels I've had are strong on caramel and chocolate malts, with subtle spices and strong fruit notes; however, my impression of HHNF is simply a strong ale.

It starts with a bready banana aroma that is common with dubbels. It pours much darker than is typical for the style — a deep dark brown that forms a nice tan head that immediately leaves sticky lacing on the sides of the glass, producing more aromas. This seemed to indicate that a stouty experience was coming up.

The main flavor that hit me was a rich raisin flavor that was strong, but not overwhelming. A bit of caramel appeared, but I did not notice much roasted character, or chocolate and coffee flavors, hallmarks of a stout. The fruitiness remained the dominant factor.

The 7.7% ABV beer was sweet throughout, but not excessively so and within the boundaries of a typical dubbel. Unlike a stout, there was no lingering roast bitterness at the end. The body and mouthfeel were solid with a strong creaminess. Hop presence was minimal.

More roasted and chocolate malts would have put HHNF squarely in between the two styles — maybe some fine-tuning will occur before next year's batch, if it is continued.

But just because the beer didn't live up to its description doesn't mean it is a mediocre beer. I liked the sweet dark fruit tones and aromas and the rich mouthfeel, and my six-pack did not last the weekend.

Bell's beers are available in about 18 states, mostly in the Midwest, East and Southeast, but also in Arizona. Its online beer locator can be found at www.bellsbeer.com/brands/brand-finder.

Many beers are available only regionally. Check the brewer's website, which often contains information on product availability. Contact Todd Haefer at beerman@postcrescent.com. To read previous Beer Man columns Click here.