Big Hugs - Half Acre Beer Company

ehammond1

California

3.76/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle (2010)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, crushedvol!

(Aged for 3 years)

Nearly black, but truly a very dark brown and ruby. Small dark brown head. Irregular spots of stick left down the glass. Pretty stout.

Not a hugely expressive aroma. Will adjust this as I let the beer warm throughout the review, if necessary. Roast and a touch of coffee. Just a bit of chocolate-covered dark fruit as well. In fact, as the beer warms, lots of oxidation character emerges. It's not distracting, but it's not ideal, either.

The flavor follows the aroma, with chocolate-covered dark fruits and a bit of roasted coffee character emerging nicely. Moderate bitterness. Very drinkable, and the alcohol is exceptionally well hidden.

Near full in body with low carbonation.

Excellent. This aged nicely.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:21:41 | More by ehammond1

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Thanks to queens1130 for sharing this one at Wowcoolman's tasting.

Pours an almost opaque super dark brown with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, and coffee aromas. Taste is much the same with cocoa and coffee flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with a nice cocoa and coffee flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 00:42:15 | More by UCLABrewN84

herman77

Minnesota

4.26/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Black with a small tan head. A bit of spotty lacing clinging on.

S: Nice dark roast coffee with some vanilla/hazelnut creamer. More roasted malt with bittersweet chocolate and vanilla sweetness.

T: Lots of roast and coffee (but not too much coffee) right at the start, then lots of sweet malts, vanilla, hazelnut and rich toffee take over to balance the roasty bitterness. A really great balance of sweet and roast that battles throughout the palate. Finish is a bit bitter roasted malt with a touch of creamy sweetness.

M: Medium to fuller body. Average carbonation. A bit smooth and creamy.

O: Really easy drinking for a 10% imperial stout. Probably more roasted bitterness than most stouts because of the coffee, but its got a great vanilla and hazelnut sweetness to balance it out. A solid Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 21:46:18 | More by herman77

russwbeck

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Black pour with a large brown head. The head only sticks around for a few minutes, but laces a decent amount. 4

S: The aroma is of chocolate, light coffee, and some booze. Roasted malt plays a part as well. It's a strange smell, but I do enjoy it. Hard to place, I think it's the chocolate taking over. 4

T: The coffee and chocolate are really the forefront of the taste as well, but there are certainly other tastes as well. The roasted malt comes out in a big way, as well as some caramel and molasses. Some hop bitterness as well. Overall a great taste that is really unique, which is saying something considering how many imperial stouts with coffee I've had. 4

MF: Thick, rich, and full body with the perfect amount of carbonation. The drinkability is great, as I really don't get a lot of alcohol. The bitter finish makes me crave the sweetness of the beginning. 4

O: Really glad I got to try this. It really has a wonderful label, definitely one to save. If you like stouts with coffee, you won't regret getting a Big Hug! 4

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 01:35:31 | More by russwbeck

MCain04

Illinois

4.31/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Served on tap at the brewery into a 13 oz snifter.

A: Dark brown, almost black. 1 finger tan head with good retention and decent lacing.

S: Roasty malts, dark chocolate, a little coffee, some piney hops.

T: Bitter coffee, hazelnuts, toffee, dark chocolate, roasted malt. A little soy sauce when served cold, improved upon warming.

M: Medium carbonation, smooth, dry finish, lingering bitterness.

O: Really liked this, one of my favorite local RIS for sure. A BA version of this would be killer. Maybe a little less bitterness and it'd be world class.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 02:11:51 | More by MCain04

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from MasterSki, 650ml into a tulip.

Dark brown/black with a medium brown head, nice retention and lacing. Nose of roast, milk chocolate, some mild dark fruit notes, brown sugar, a whiff of alcohol and some bruised banana. Tastes of chocolate, roast, vanilla, and again some banana character that I though was peculiar, but interesting. Medium full feel, silky texture and lower carbonation. A very nice imperial stout, focus is on the malts here which I appreciate more in the style than heavily hopped iterations.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 20:44:07 | More by liamt07

rlee1390

Indiana

4.09/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-Black in the glass, one finger brown head that doesn't last long.

S-Good deal of roasted malt, coffee abundant, tad chocolate and vanilla.

T-Roasted malt, coffee, nuts, chocolate. Lots of coffee.

M-Medium bodied, nicely carbonated.

O-A wonderful coffee forward stout. Not the same level as Breakfast stout, but damn, a solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 21:53:56 | More by rlee1390

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

More of a stout than an IS. Fairly fresh. Big licorice. Coffee and a little acidic. Rather ordinary RIS.Thanks Liam. 10% is not apparent over the coffee and roast. Assertive carbonation. Maybe more interesting in a year. Bold flavour but just did not get it tonight.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 04:37:27 | More by northyorksammy

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown-black pour with a thin wispy layer of bubbles for a head; minimal lacing. Aroma was roast-driven, notes of coffee, dark malts, maybe some unsweetened cocoa. More of the same in the taste, toast & roast, dark bread, slightly bitter coffee, semi-sweet chocolate, fleshed out with some dark dried fruit essence, subtle earthy hop notes also detectable. Body was somewhere between medium and full, moderate carbonation, and a bit of harshness from the alcohol, but nothing really detrimental. Good brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 23:02:07 | More by Rifugium

chanokokoro

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 vintage 22 oz. bottle poured into a Half Acre Beer Company branded snifter

Pours a viscous opaque black with a light beige one and half finger head. Average retention , no visible lacing. Espresso, roasted malt, burnt raisin, and some alcohol. Charred, roasted malt, molasses, big, dark roasted coffee beans, hints of black cherry, coffee ground and hop-driven mild bitterness on the finish. Heavy medium to light full body, smooth with some creaminess. Moderate to low carbonation. A solid big stout that delivers some bold flavors without being overpowering. An annual release that have been proven to be always enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 03:44:37 | More by chanokokoro

Lognar

Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75

2012 with the Big Hugs vs. Mecha Hugs bottle art, and poured into a snifter.

A - Looks thick, decent carbonation, and with a light brown sugar colored head that dissipated quickly to a cream colored ring. Nothing special here. Pretty average.

S - Amazing nose on this brew. Reminds me a lot of a milk stout. A mix of sweetness and roast. Vanilla. Chocolate - both milk and dark. A hint of booze. Really nice nose on this brew. One of the best for a coffee stout.

T - Not like a milk stout. Definitely has the flavors of a top notch coffee stout. Awesome coffee flavors. Perhaps a medium to medium dark roast with some sweetness to it. Some really great lingering roastiness. Great mixture of bitter roast and sweetness. Big Hugs has some of the best coffee flavor of any coffee stout I've had.

M - Kinda disappointing because of the medium thickness. However, the creaminess of it makes up for the lack of body. Very drinkable too. The creaminess reminds, again, of good quality coffee.

O - Really enjoyed this one. For me it's second to BCBCS for coffee stouts. In actuality, it reminded me a lot of BCBCS on the nose and taste, except without the bourbon of the BCBCS. This is my first Half Acre brew and I am impressed. The disconnect between the nose and taste was a bit odd, but this brew was so good it really didn't bother me. As far as coffee stouts go for me it's: BCBCS > Big Hugs > Peche Mortel > FBS > Speedway > Bell's Java.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 18:59:57 | More by Lognar

UnderJoath

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Map Room. Pours black with tan head. Smells of boozy malt and dark chocolate with some subtle vanilla. Tastes sweet, chocolate and vanilla, with a bit of burn that lingers for a bit. Beer is a bit thin for my liking but flavor is spot on.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2013 18:07:00 | More by UnderJoath

Finatic

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A special thanks to Mjmoser for this beer.

22oz bomber poured into my miniature CCB snifter. The beer was originally chilled for 2 hours and sat at room temperature for 45 minutes before pouring.

A: Pours a dark black hue with a nice brown foamy head that recedes quickly.

S: Strong smell of roasted malts. Hints of dark chocolate and vanilla. Expresso coffee strong at the start but mellows as the beer warms.

T: Coffee, chocolate and some vanilla on the palate. More sweet than bitter and has a very smooth appeal to it.

M: Very smooth for a 10% beer. A very east drinking Stout.

O: Solid offering from one of my favorite midwest breweries. Half Acre is making some solid brews up there.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 18:29:29 | More by Finatic

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: dark brown to black, excellent hsmall head with great retention and lacing.

S: coffee and stout, delicious smelling, but not super distinguished

T: wonderful stout, excellent fresh coffee flavor, not too sweet at all with some good bitterness to balance a bit of richness

M: great medium carbonation along with medium heavy body and a smooth feeling.

O: delicious. Love coffee stouts, and this is right up there With breakfast stout and peche mortel.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 06:01:51 | More by Holland

Lolli1315

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- A nearly opaque black color with a small amount of brown showing through on the sides. A small tan head disappears almost entirely except for a small ring, but this is a growler that I got earlier in the week so that probably has something to do with it. Small amounts of lacing as well

S- A rich full chocolate smell right away. Moderate amount of roasted malts that is layered with smells of dark chocolate. There might be some slight hints of coffee as well, but this is dominated by the chocolate and roasted malts. There is also small amounts of alcohol noticeable.

T- Smooth chocolate similar to the smell. The chocolate seems to be almost bitter sweet throughout the beer, jumping from one to the other. Some malt sweetness can be tasted as well. Light amount of coffee, but it doesn't quick stack up to the chocolate character. Medium amounts of roasted malt also are apparent throughout. Although this is 10% alcohol, there is only a small amount noticeable at the end of the beer.

M- Full bodied and slightly creamy. Some alcohol warmth towards the end. Terribly smooth for 10% beer.

O- I have been looking forward to this beer and it did not disappoint. Incredibly smooth for its size and its combination of chocolate and roasted malts were a great balance.

Serving type: growler

12-22-2012 20:03:11 | More by Lolli1315

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle into a tulip glass. I believe this is the 2010 edition.

Pours black, with 2 ½ fingers of rich mocha head. This retains with a thick 1/2 finger that drenches the sides of the glass with a sticky latticework of creamy lacing. The aroma smells of ripe earthy hops, roasted coffee, cocoa, some darker fruit, and a touch of spicy alcohol.

The taste is more ripe citrus, leafy bitterness, and crunchy coffee flavor up front, which then gives way to a wave of bittersweet chocolate, tangy caramel, and dark fruit character that, separates itself out from those citric hops. The finish is dry and bitter with some lingering brunt tones. The mouthfeel is full bodied and sharp on the tongue with a firm creaminess that fills out the mouth. This has a light underlying alcohol presence, with a warm spiciness that lingers in the finish as well but is overall pretty smooth and drinkable for the size.

This was a pretty darn nice take on an Imperial Stout, with a nice range of flavors and a bit yet still accessible body on it and I was especially pleased to find that this wore it’s ABV on its sleeve just a bit. This is another solid beer from Half Acre. Worth a look.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 17:01:02 | More by Kegatron

kevanb

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle, 2011 vintage, reviewed live, poured into a Half Acre tulip.

Pours a nice jet black color, lots dark brown when held to the light, a nice big frothy caramel colored head sits atop the beer and has pretty decent retention. Lots of foam sticks around as well and it leaves behind ample webbed lacing. The aromas are good, charred chocolate, toasted dark malts, licorice, touches of coffee but big malt and chocolate presence, faint alcohol. Lots of chocolate on the tongue, bitter toasted malt, burnt coffee and a ton of licorice and alcohol on the finish. The body is good, medium to full, ample carbonation with a nice creamy finish.

Verdict: This is a really fine stout from HA and one I wish they would make more often, especially for their canned line, but even as a winter seasonal, I'm glad they are making this because it's darn good and has aged well.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 04:17:18 | More by kevanb

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.9/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got a bottle of this in a recent trade with Irishgurl4. Thanks a lot for the loot!

From a bomber into a snifter

APPEARANCE: A transparent dark brown pour produces a one finger, medium looking, fizzy, light tan head with good retention. Black body and lower levels of visible carbonation. Head eventually fades to a half wisp and ring. The ring remains until the end but leaves no lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Caramel malt, cocoa, with quite a bit of vanilla and sweet cream in there. Espresso and milk chocolate with lactose sugar as well. Medium strength, and not much in terms of roasted malts. Smells very much like a milk stout.

TASTE: Some lightly roasted flavors up front, with caramel and lots of bitter cocoa and espresso coffee flavors at the swallow. Sweet cream and vanilla show up as well. A bold and very persistent aftertaste of sweet cream, powdery cocoa bitterness, espresso and some lactose sugars as well. This has got to be a milk stout, and a very nice one at that.

PALATE: Medium body and lower levels of soft carbonation. Very creamy, sliky smooth on the palate, goes dowm smooth and finishes slightly dry. Great feel on this one. Just a touch more weight and it'd be a perfect score.

OVERALL: This is a really good beer. The aromas and flavors scream milk stout, but I don't remember reading anything about that on the label or here. Regardless, a good beer is a good beer, and I was glad to have a chance to try this one. Thanks again for the trade Irishgurl4. This one comes recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 12:34:47 | More by Jeffo

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Memphis taproom during PBW.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and decent lacing. The nose is likewise attractive, as I pick up coffee, milk chocolate and vanilla. Given the aroma profile, I was bit surprised by what I picked up on the palate. The beer delivered flavors of dark chocolate, licorice and espresso, all wrapped in a moderately sweet package. However, the licorice seemed to dry this beer our very nicely on the long finish, with the dark chocolate coming on strong as well. There was also a hint of tobacco and leather on the palate that I thought was intriguing. Mouthfeel is fairly full, with lots of chocolate, coffee and licoriceo on the long finish. Alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile, and I really got no sense of the 9.5% abv. in this beer.

A nice enought RIS, but I can't really say it was anything extraordinary either.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2012 20:27:30 | More by johnmichaelsen

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap at Memphis Taproom.

A- Half Acre Big Hugs is black with a nice sturdy 1/2 inch tan head that left some spotty lacing.

S- This stout has a big roasted malt base to it with some chocolate and dark fruits with warming. No sign of the alcohol which is nice. Smells very robust.

T- A tasty stout with more of the chocolate and cocco coming through more than the smell. Also getting just a bit of tootsie roll as well. Roasted malts and not as much hops than I was expected from Half Acre.

M- Big Hugs glides down so smooth it's amazing. This one is a step above medium bodied with light carbonation. Just a hint of the alcohol comes through with some heat. No bitterness as the hops are low, or have faded from when this was kegged.

D- It took me a while to finish this. One glass was plenty and perhaps too much. The alcohol while not sessionable is not over 10 percent which is just fine by me, but the flavors are muddled.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2012 07:36:36 | More by onix1agr

maximum12

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to kawilliams81 for an excellent in-person trade at the equally excellent Central Waters Anniversary party in February. I have judged that this bottle has been gathering dust long enough. Die! 22 oz. bottle split with the wife.

Pour is black. Always fun to watch people try to describe differences in pitch black, eh? Quiet beer. Nose is mostly roast, with a side of sweet sauce. Tame.

Big Hugs could rep the style at the national RIS convention; will the huggy delegate from IL please stand up? Lovely roast character stands up in the front row. Nice sweetness in the middle that tangos with a quick bitterness (hops, I presume) A dash of cream at the end.

Really, this is your double-yellow stripe right down the middle of the road of good big stouts. Nothing exciting, nothing deep, nothing complex, just a standard-bearer in a great style. Good.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 02:36:16 | More by maximum12

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to robbiemoy13 for this bottle. Poured in to CBS Snifter.

A - Poured black with one finger of bubbly espresso coloured head that quickly receded to a few bubbles.

S - Big charred malt aroma up front with some smoke, licorice and bitter dark roasted coffee. More bitter than sweet in the nose and very robust overall.

T - Big roasted malt profile up front that gives way to huge espresso notes. The finish has some licorice, char and smoke. Fairly prominent overall bitterness with some warming alcohol present. There is a sweetness here as well to provide some balance and light chocolate notes but the bitterness dominates, especially in the finish with is fill of huge bitter roast flavours.

M - Medium body and somewhat creamy at times. Light carbonation.

O - A good example of the style but too much bitterness for me. This one would really benefit from some aging.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 13:34:17 | More by TheSevenDuffs

minterro

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to exitmusic for the bottle.

One of the coolest bottle labels I've ever seen.

Says 10% on the label and 9.5% on BA.

A&S: roasty sweet coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, fairly sweet smelling overall. About a finger of dark tan head when poured, retained in a thin layer. specks of lacing. pitch black colored beer but didn't seem very thick.

T&M: More bitter, then sweetness in the smell would make it seem. Slight dark chocolate tones upfront. Pretty large alcohol tones from midway through to the finish. Lots of bitter roastness in the finish. Quite warming. medium-fully bodied, medium carbonation, on the chewy side.

Overall: Very enjoyable and fairly easy to drink despite the large taste of alcohol throughout. Depending on the price I would buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 03:32:11 | More by minterro

DovaliHops

California

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

10%ABV. Pours a very dark black with a medium-large tan head with an attractive ruby hue to it. Scent is lovely with nice chocolate aromas and fresh espresso. A little bit of roasted malt with a little bit of vanilla bean. As it warms, the vanilla shine...as well as the coffee. Taste is outstanding! Initially, just some mellow roasted malt with the slightest bit of smoke/ash. It instantly switches gears to fresh brewed coffee and delicious malt profile. Wonderful chocolate flavors with a lingering vanilla flavor that works well for this beer. Pleasant alcohol warmth in the finish. Mouthfeel is creamy but could have a little more body to it. Drinkability is very high. ABV well hidden. Overall, this is a superb Imperial stout. Thanks to my girlfriend and a certain member of BA for giving me the chance to try this!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 06:45:21 | More by DovaliHops

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My first Half Acre brew courtesy of 2BDChicago (thanks Rich!). 22oz. bottle served in a snifter. Pours two shades shy of black with a loose, quarter inch, tan-colored head that dissipates into a frothy skim. Nose implies artificial sweetener, dark malts and a roasty char - all and all, somewhat subdued. Taste expresses roasted dark malts, chalky cocoa and a faint coffee grounds presence. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a slight acidity and a carbonation level that falls just short of lively. Overall, a decent easy drinking American Double with a well-hidden abv, but nothing really stands out for me on this one. That said, the label art was really great.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 14:22:41 | More by Jwale73