Bell's Expedition Stout 6Pk

Bell's Expedition Stout 6Pk is a Russian Imperial Stout from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles at 10.5% ABV. Rated a perfect 100 on RateBeer and earning a 95 "World-Class" designation on BeerAdvocate, Expedition Stout stands as one of the most acclaimed American imperial stouts ever produced. It is also recognized as one of the earliest examples of the Russian Imperial Stout style brewed in the United States, a distinction that has cemented its legacy among craft beer drinkers for decades.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.5%  |  Origin: Comstock, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Russian Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery, founded by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1985, is one of the pioneering craft breweries in the United States and now operates its main production facility in nearby Comstock. Expedition Stout is built on a massive grain bill — containing double the malt and five times the hops used in Bell's Kalamazoo Stout — fermented with the brewery's proprietary house ale yeast. Brewed with water, malt, hops, and that signature yeast strain, the beer was designed specifically with cellaring in mind, meaning its complex flavors continue to evolve and deepen over years of proper storage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a powerful wave of dark chocolate and espresso, followed by layers of bourbon-like warmth, mocha, and dark dried fruit. Beneath that initial intensity, subtle notes of molasses and a faint smokiness round out the aromatics.

Taste: The first sip delivers a surge of bitter cocoa and cold-brewed coffee, quickly expanding into cordial cherry, raisin, and dark plum across the mid-palate. Black strap molasses and burnt caramel emerge as the malt backbone takes full hold, with a spicy alcohol warmth that never overwhelms. The body is very full — nearly syrupy — carried by brisk, slightly sharp carbonation that keeps each sip from becoming heavy.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering bittersweet chocolate, dried fruit, and a subtle roasted espresso bean character. A gentle heat from the 10.5% ABV persists, leaving a dry, slightly smoky impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Expedition Stout

This stout is best enjoyed at around 50–55°F in a snifter or tulip glass, which concentrates its rich aromatics. Pouring slowly and allowing it a few minutes to open up rewards the drinker with greater complexity. Expedition Stout also makes a compelling base for beer cocktails: try it in a Black Velvet (topped with sparkling wine) for a dramatic contrast of weight and effervescence, a Stout Float with quality vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert drink, or a Depth Charge dropped into a glass of porter for an intensified dark-beer experience.

Best For

• Cellaring and vertical tastings alongside other vintages of Expedition Stout
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates bold, high-gravity styles
• Pairing with a rich dessert course at a dinner gathering
• Cold-weather evening sipping sessions by a fireplace

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Expedition Stout taste like? Expedition Stout delivers bold flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, black strap molasses, and dark fruit like raisin and plum, all supported by a very full, nearly syrupy body and warming 10.5% alcohol.

How does Expedition Stout compare to Founders Imperial Stout? Both are frequently cited among the best Russian Imperial Stouts produced in the United States and share a Michigan origin, but Expedition Stout leans more heavily into dark fruit and molasses complexity while Founders Imperial Stout tends toward a drier, more roast-forward profile. Expedition Stout was also specifically designed for long-term aging, making it a favorite for cellaring.

Is Expedition Stout good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its layered complexity and full body make it one of the most rewarding beers to sip slowly on its own, ideally served slightly below room temperature to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Expedition Stout made? Expedition Stout is brewed by Bell's Brewery at its production facility in Comstock, Michigan, just outside Kalamazoo, where the brewery was originally founded in 1985.

What foods pair well with Expedition Stout? Dark chocolate truffles complement the beer's cocoa and espresso character; aged blue cheese mirrors its intensity and adds a savory counterpoint; smoked brisket or barbecue ribs echo the subtle smokiness in the finish; flourless chocolate cake creates a seamless dessert pairing; and sharp aged cheddar provides a tangy contrast to the malt sweetness.

What sizes does Expedition Stout come in? Expedition Stout is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, and may also be found in single 12 oz bottles depending on market availability.

Is Expedition Stout worth the price? Expedition Stout positions as a premium craft offering within the Russian Imperial Stout category, and its perfect RateBeer score and World-Class BeerAdvocate rating suggest it consistently delivers a level of complexity and depth that justifies its standing among the best in its style.

Why Expedition Stout?

Few American imperial stouts carry the historical weight and critical acclaim that Expedition Stout has earned since its creation. A perfect 100 on RateBeer and a 95 "World-Class" score on BeerAdvocate place it in elite company — distinctions backed by well over a hundred thousand individual consumer ratings. Its formulation, with double the malt and five times the hops of Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, produces a beer of extraordinary density and layered flavor that genuinely evolves in the bottle over time. For anyone serious about the Russian Imperial Stout style, Expedition Stout remains a benchmark against which others are measured.