Bell's Larry's Last Stout 4Pk

Bell's Larry's Last Stout 4Pk is a 10% ABV imperial oatmeal stout from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, sold as a four-pack and now discontinued. Scoring 91 on BeerAdvocate, this limited release served as founder Larry Bell's personal farewell beer after 35 years of brewing innovation — a tribute to decades of support from the craft beer community.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10%  |  IBU: 30  |  Origin: Michigan, USA  |  Style: Imperial Oatmeal Stout  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery, founded by Larry Bell in 1985 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest. Larry's Last Stout was brewed with oats and rye malt, a combination that gives the beer its silky body and peppery edge — a deliberate departure from the typical imperial stout grain bill. This was Larry Bell's final personal project before stepping away from the brewery he built, making it both a statement beer and a piece of American craft brewing history. The beer is no longer in production, and remaining four-packs represent the last of the run.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich dark chocolate and roasted coffee dominate the nose, followed by undercurrents of molasses and dried figs. The oat component adds a subtle, bready sweetness beneath the roast.

Taste: The entry is dense and sweet with baking chocolate and dark-roasted malt. Mid-palate, the oats contribute a creamy, full-bodied texture while candy-like sweetness balances the intense roast character. A distinct rye spice emerges toward the peak, adding complexity and keeping the sweetness from becoming cloying.

Finish: Surprisingly soft and balanced for a 10% beer, with lingering notes of black coffee, roasted grain, and a warming rye spice. The oatmeal smoothness carries through, leaving a velvety mouthfeel that fades gradually.

How to Drink Larry's Last Stout

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at around 50–55°F to let the chocolate and roast aromatics open fully. This stout is built for slow sipping neat, and its 10% ABV rewards patience as flavors evolve with warming. For cocktail applications: a Stout Flip benefits from the beer's inherent creaminess and spice; a Black Velvet variation pairs the roast and chocolate richness with dry sparkling wine; and a Beer Float made with vanilla bean ice cream amplifies the baking chocolate and molasses notes beautifully.

Best For

• Collectors seeking discontinued craft beer releases with historical significance
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates Bell's Brewery heritage
• Cold-weather fireside sipping as an after-dinner nightcap
• Vertical tastings alongside other imperial stouts to compare oat and rye influences

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Larry's Last Stout taste like? Larry's Last Stout delivers rich baking chocolate, dark-roasted coffee, and molasses sweetness, with a distinctive rye spice on the back end and a creamy oatmeal body that keeps the 10% ABV remarkably smooth.

How does Larry's Last Stout compare to North Coast Old Rasputin? Old Rasputin leans into bitter dark chocolate and a drier, more sharply roasted profile at 9% ABV, while Larry's Last Stout uses oats and rye malt to achieve a creamier body and a spicy finish that Old Rasputin lacks. Both score well with critics, but Larry's Last Stout is discontinued, making direct comparison increasingly difficult.

Is Larry's Last Stout good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the oat-driven creaminess and balanced sweetness make it an ideal sipper despite its 10% ABV, especially when served slightly below room temperature to let the chocolate and coffee layers develop.

Where is Larry's Last Stout made? Larry's Last Stout was brewed at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, one of the pioneering craft breweries in the American Midwest, founded by Larry Bell in 1985.

What foods pair well with Larry's Last Stout? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the baking chocolate notes; smoked brisket complements the roast and rye spice; aged cheddar provides a sharp contrast to the beer's sweetness; vanilla bean crème brûlée mirrors the molasses and fig character; and espresso-rubbed short ribs echo the deep coffee flavors.

What sizes does Larry's Last Stout come in? Bell's Larry's Last Stout was released in a four-pack format, which is the standard available configuration for this limited-release beer.

Is Larry's Last Stout worth the price? As a discontinued farewell beer from one of America's most influential craft brewery founders, Larry's Last Stout occupies a collectible tier beyond its original premium pricing. Its 91 BeerAdvocate score and 4.1 Untappd rating confirm the liquid quality matches the sentimental significance.

Why Larry's Last Stout?

This is not simply another imperial stout — it is the final creative statement from Larry Bell, one of the most consequential figures in American craft brewing. The unusual combination of oats and rye malt in an imperial stout sets it apart structurally, delivering a silky body with a spicy complexity that few peers attempt. With a 91 from BeerAdvocate and production permanently ceased, remaining four-packs carry both drinking merit and genuine historical weight. For anyone who followed Bell's Brewery through its 35-year arc, this beer closes the chapter with intention and craft.