Bell's Best Brown 6Pk

Bell's Best Brown 6Pk is a 5.8% ABV American brown ale from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, sold in a six-pack format. Scoring 85 on BeerAdvocate, this malt-forward brew distinguishes itself from traditional English brown ales through its generous use of American hops, delivering a balanced interplay of sweetness and bitterness that has earned it a loyal following among craft beer drinkers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Kalamazoo (Comstock), Michigan  |  Style: American Brown Ale  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery was founded in 1985 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan, making it one of the earliest craft breweries east of the Rocky Mountains. Now operating out of its expanded Comstock facility, Bell's has grown into one of the most recognized independent craft breweries in the Midwest. Best Brown is brewed with a deliberate emphasis on American hop varieties, setting it apart from the English brown ale tradition by introducing a resinous, piney bitterness that counters the beer's considerable malt sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with toasted grain and caramel malt before giving way to subtle fruit and nuttiness. A faint cocoa quality lingers underneath, adding depth without heaviness.

Taste: The entry is sweet with layers of caramel, honey, and molasses carried by a sturdy malt backbone. Mid-palate, roasted grain and nutty flavors emerge, complemented by flashes of orange zest. American hops arrive toward the finish with bitter pine notes that cut through the sweetness and restore balance.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, slightly roasty close that keeps the residual sweetness in check. Lingering impressions of toasted nuts and a gentle hop bitterness encourage the next sip.

How to Drink Best Brown

Best Brown drinks well at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, which allows its malt complexity to fully express itself. A shaker pint or English-style tulip glass showcases the deep reddish-brown pour and its off-white head.

While primarily a sipper, it also works in beer-based mixed drinks: a Brown Ale Shandy with fresh lemonade highlights its caramel sweetness against citrus acidity; a Boilermaker paired with a pour of bourbon echoes its roasty, nutty character; and a Michelada riff with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire plays off the malty depth and hop bitterness.

Best For

• Fall and winter evening sessions around a fire pit
• Introducing hop-shy friends to American craft ale styles
• Pairing with hearty comfort-food dinners
• Stocking a mixed craft beer fridge with a versatile, crowd-friendly option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Best Brown taste like? Best Brown delivers sweet caramel, honey, and molasses up front, followed by roasted grain and nutty mid-palate notes, finishing with a dry hop bitterness from American hops that keeps it balanced rather than cloying.

How does Best Brown compare to Newcastle Brown Ale? Drinkers frequently compare the two, with Best Brown generally described as richer, drier, and more malt-forward than Newcastle. The American hop profile in Best Brown also introduces a piney bitterness not present in Newcastle's smoother, lighter English-style approach.

Is Best Brown good for beginners? Its approachable 5.8% ABV and malt-driven sweetness make it an excellent gateway into American brown ales, particularly for drinkers who find heavily hopped IPAs too intense but want more flavor than a standard lager.

Where is Best Brown made? Best Brown is brewed by Bell's Brewery at its production facility in Comstock Township, just outside Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bell's has operated in the Kalamazoo area since its founding in 1985.

What foods pair well with Best Brown? Smoked brisket or pulled pork benefits from the ale's caramel sweetness cutting through fatty richness. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors its nutty undertones. Roasted root vegetables echo the toasty malt character. Pecan pie or bread pudding amplifies the honey and molasses notes for a dessert pairing.

What sizes does Best Brown come in? Best Brown is commonly available in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles or cans, which is the standard retail format for this beer.

Is Best Brown worth the price? Best Brown positions as a mid-range craft six-pack, delivering more complexity and character than macro brown ales while remaining accessible in both flavor and cost within the American brown ale category.

Why Best Brown?

What makes Best Brown stand out in a crowded ale landscape is its deliberate tension between English brown ale tradition and American brewing sensibility. The American hop bill introduces a bitter pine and citrus zest counterpoint that most brown ales simply don't attempt, creating a beer that rewards attention without demanding it. Coming from one of Michigan's original craft breweries — a house with nearly four decades of production experience — the recipe reflects a mature understanding of malt-hop balance. For anyone seeking a brown ale with genuine depth and drinkability, Best Brown remains one of the more reliable examples the style has to offer.