Bell's V: Song of the Open Road 6Pk

Bell's V: Song of the Open Road 6Pk is a malt-driven winter warmer from Bell's Brewery at 8.5% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Released as the fifth installment in Bell's literary Leaves of Grass series — named for Walt Whitman's poetry collection — this limited-edition brew has been discontinued since the series concluded in May 2020, making remaining stock increasingly scarce.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  IBU: 35  |  Origin: Comstock, Michigan  |  Style: Winter Warmer  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery (est. 1985)

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery was founded in 1985 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan, growing into one of America's most respected craft breweries with primary operations now based in Comstock, Michigan. Song of the Open Road uses a medium-thick, 45-minute mash built on an array of specialty malts — dark Munich, melanoidin, amber, brown, and additional specialty grains — that together deliver the beer's deep, layered complexity. In a distinctive departure from standard brewing practice, Bell's omits the traditional 60-minute bittering hop addition entirely; the boil runs just 54 minutes with the first Crystal hop addition at the 42-minute mark, and there are no whirlpool or dry hops whatsoever, placing malt character firmly in the foreground.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark chocolate and fudge lead, followed by dried cherries, molasses, and darkly toasted multigrain bread. Deeper notes of honey, prunes, walnut, and turbinado sugar emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich with caramelized sugar and roasted malt, spreading heavy dark malt character across the mid-palate. Baking chocolate and black coffee build through the middle, balanced by a molasses-like sweetness that stays restrained rather than cloying. The full body pushes the mouthfeel toward territory more commonly associated with barley wines and old ales.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering toffee and brown sugar that gradually fade into roasted grain and a subtle coffee bitterness. The 35 IBU provides just enough structure to keep the rich malt from overstaying its welcome.

How to Drink Song of the Open Road

Best served at cellar temperature (50–55°F) in a snifter or tulip glass to concentrate the complex malt aromas; avoid drinking it ice-cold, as the nuanced dark fruit and chocolate notes flatten considerably when over-chilled. At 8.5% ABV, this is a sipping beer designed to be savored slowly. While not a typical cocktail ingredient, winter warmers of this caliber work well in a Beer Float paired with vanilla bean ice cream, a Black Velvet variation layered with dry sparkling cider for a seasonal twist, or a Boilermaker alongside a pour of rye whiskey whose spice complements the malty sweetness.

Best For

• Collectors seeking discontinued craft beer from Bell's limited Leaves of Grass series
• Cold-weather evening sessions by the fireplace
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates malt-forward styles
• Pairing with rich, hearty winter meals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Song of the Open Road taste like? It delivers a rich, malt-forward profile dominated by caramelized sugar, baking chocolate, roasted bread, and dark fruit, with a warming finish of toffee and coffee. The sweetness sits closer to molasses than honey, balanced by moderate hop bitterness at 35 IBU.

How does Song of the Open Road compare to Avery Old Jubilation? Both are malt-centric winter warmers with strong toffee and dark fruit character, but Song of the Open Road leans heavier on roasted grain and chocolate from its complex specialty malt bill. Old Jubilation tends to drink slightly drier, while Bell's entry feels fuller-bodied with a more pronounced caramelized sweetness.

Is Song of the Open Road good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 8.5% ABV, full body, and layered malt complexity make it an ideal sipper when served at cellar temperature in a tulip glass or snifter, much like a barley wine or old ale.

Where is Song of the Open Road made? It was brewed at Bell's Brewery in Comstock, Michigan, a facility operated by one of the Midwest's pioneering craft breweries, founded in Kalamazoo in 1985.

What foods pair well with Song of the Open Road? Braised short ribs complement the beer's roasted malt depth; sharp aged cheddar echoes its toffee and caramel notes; chocolate lava cake mirrors the baking chocolate character; smoked sausages stand up to its full body; and pecan pie aligns naturally with the brown sugar and nutty undertones.

What sizes does Song of the Open Road come in? It was released in six-packs of 12 oz bottles as part of Bell's limited Leaves of Grass series.

Is Song of the Open Road worth the price? As a discontinued limited-series release from a respected American craft brewery, it positions above everyday winter warmers in both complexity and collectibility — the Leaves of Grass series was a finite run that concluded in 2020, adding scarcity value for collectors and enthusiasts.

Why Song of the Open Road?

What sets this beer apart is Bell's deliberate inversion of standard brewing protocol: by eliminating the traditional 60-minute bittering addition and relying solely on a late Crystal hop charge, the brewery allowed its elaborate specialty malt bill to command every aspect of the flavor profile. The result is a winter warmer with uncommon depth — dark Munich, melanoidin, amber, and brown malts layered into a beer that reviewers consistently compared to barley wines and old ales rather than typical seasonal releases. As the fifth chapter in the now-concluded Leaves of Grass series, Song of the Open Road represents a piece of Bell's creative legacy that cannot be replicated, making any remaining stock a genuine find for serious craft beer collectors.