Big Hugs - Half Acre Beer Company

jeffthecheff

Connecticut

2.78/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a black color with some red hue towards the top. Light brown head forms at first and then dies down to a weak, diamond shaped lace in the middle.

The aroma is not very nice. It's incredibly boozy. Even though its strong and intense, it still manages to be bland. There are some dark, plummy, fruit aromas in there but it's not very good. A bit of solvent, nail polish remover aromas are in there as well.

The taste is not as boozy as the aroma. It drinks like your typical imperial stout with some coffee in the finish. There was a gooey, ash type of sharp roast in there that is too acrid for my tastes. There is a bit of dark, chocolaty sweetness as well as licorice flavors.

Mouthfeel is thick and coating with a still, undercarbonated feeling. Not as full feeling as some of the better imperial stouts but its still good.

I wasn't a big fan of this beer, and even when it was split three ways we ended up dumping some. The aroma hurts the drinkability and it doesn't taste like a well made imperial stout. Maybe it was rushed.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2010 15:48:41 | More by jeffthecheff

Ineedabeerhere

Connecticut

3.05/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Thanks for sending this one, Dave! Had it on 3.26, from notes.

Pours deep deep black abyss, oily with small tan foam, dotted lace not too much retention.

Big booze in the aroma, day old coffee grounds, a little acrid with pure ethanol. Chocolate is there too but the booze dominates. Wow, well the taste is much less boozy surprisingly. Much more integrated, still pretty robust and some more appealing chocolatey notes and coffee bean flavor. A little oily on the mouthfeel accentuates the booziness felt on the palate. We split a bomber between 3 people and there was still one third of the bottle left.. nobody wanted to finish it. Maybe some time would do it justice.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2010 22:32:10 | More by Ineedabeerhere

Spider889

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Another beer from the first Central Ohio Beer Tasting. I can't remember whose this was atm, I want to say schwaeh...

Black as night, had a decent cap of mocha head.

Toasty malt flavor, lots of char and bitterness. At this point I was just finding out that this was a coffee beer. Really? Coffee beers are some of my favorite, but I wasn't getting a shred of coffee in the aroma here.

The coffee in the flavor is also nearly nonexistent imo, but it's there if you try to find it. Dark and syrupy. This ale is full of biting green hops that provide a grassiness I am growing to dislike in a stout (think IST).

Not a bad stout, but as a coffee beer this is a fail.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 09:34:10 | More by Spider889

BigBigPickle

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bought a bomber at the Half Acre facility on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago - what a great looking place. The loading door was open and it smelled divine. Looked cool too - I will be booking a tour soon.

A: Pours jet black, cola with a toasty brown head - marvelous looking beer in the glass. The head has okay staying power and there is great lacing on the glass.

S: HEAVY malt and coffee grounds with a sweet, slightly nutty smell.

T: Bitter at first, sweet, too sweet and fruity. Some coffee, but I have to be honest - way too thin and sweet fruit for a big beer like this. I really think it missed the mark.

M: Just okay - thin body with residual coffee and hop bitterness creating a decent mouth feel.

D: Eh. I would like to try it again to be certain of this review, but not at $10.99 per bomber. I drink a lot of stouts and this one missed the mark for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 15:24:38 | More by BigBigPickle

scottfrie

California

3.45/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2010 vintage. 10% ABV. Thanks to the generous BA who hooked it up a while ago.

A: Pours black with a finger of very dark brown head that faded into a thin collar leaving almost no lace.
S: Rich notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, a splash of coffee, and light alcohol vapor.
T: The dark chocolate dominates but there is a good amount of ‘roasted’ flavors to the brew. The coffee may be a bit faded by now but it shows up nicely in the finish and aftertaste. I get a kind of bitter nuttiness overall as well as a touch of dark fruit. Vanilla is in the aftertaste.
M: Super smooth mouthfeel, no trace of alcohol, low carbonation and a thick body. It could be a touch thicker, especially towards the finish.
O: Not the boldest of the imperial stouts but enjoyable none the less. I hardy get any coffee at all though. Is there supposed to be coffee? The bottle leads me to believe there should be.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 01:06:39 | More by scottfrie

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in a chalice)
A- This beer pours a jet black body with a thick head that fades to a thick tan ring and last for a bit. It is too dense to see any sign of carbonation.
S- This beer has a dark roasted coffee aroma followed by a tootsie roll note and a nougat hint that becomes more mocha as the beer warms.
T- This beer has a big dark coffee flavor with a spicy cream finish. There are some roasted dark malt notes underneath and a nougat note that finishes with a slight tartness that grows as the beer warms.
M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with no alcohol heat noted and a chewy texture for the first few sips.
D- This beer is a bit one dimensional with the coffee, although pleasant, dominating the flavor and little support from the stout. It is very smooth and easy to drink for an imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2010 20:04:13 | More by rhoadsrage

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

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

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by mdfb79 at a recent tasting. Served in a Bruery tulip.

Pour yields a dark brew with an off-white head that sticks around for a bit before falling into a cap and a thin collar. Nose brings forward mostly roast with a touch of coffee and chocolate in the background. The flavor is pretty similar to the nose in that they're really both on the light side with just a splash of coffee. Body is medium--though light for the style--with moderate carbonation and a smoothness without much booze. Nothing too complex or earth shattering, but pleasantly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 12:20:09 | More by Thorpe429

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

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

jampics2

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle into a tasting snifter. I've been holding on to this to share at the right occasion, and a throw-down for a great friend who is leaving town seemed like a perfect opportunity. I believe this was an extra in a trade!

The beer looks great in the glass. It's a nice dark color with only the slightest touches of color variation around the edges. The black and dark brown liquid is capped with a nice off-white crown of foam that stays for a few minutes than sinks back into the abyss below.

The taste is full of roasty notes. The roasted malt gives dark chocolate impressions while the added coffee lurks a bit in the background. There's more of a molasses or fudge note than a coffee domination IMO.

The taste brings whatever coffee was missing in the nose, though. There's some initial sweetness, powered by roasted malts giving caramel and milk chocolate impressions. Then, the chocolate steals the spotlight, followed up by the coffee. A true star of the show, the coffee closes the experience in good form, dominating the closing set but also allowing the pervious flavors to sit in for a song or two.

The mouthfeel was really the only unpleasant or notably dissapointing aspect of this brew. It was just way too thin, with too little viscosity to balance out the flavors. Other than that, the booze was masked really well, and the beer was good overall. This is nothing jaw-dropping, but I would take another hug sometime in the future. Especially as an extra. Free hugs, right?

The mouthfeel

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 13:12:26 | More by jampics2

chicagobeerriot

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

As the name suggests, this offering from Half-Acre represents the softer side of imperial stouts. Rather than clobbering the taste buds with overwhelming char or sticky sweetness, Big Hugs takes a subtler approach.

It pours black with lighter brown edges that emerge when held up to the light. A vigorous pour lets out a surprising amount of carbonation that eventually settles down to a thin but persistent layer of head. There's no need for anyone to pull out their review thesaurus to describe forboding blackness.

The smell leans towards the coffee flavors with dark chocolate providing a nice complement.

The mouthfeel is a bit thin for the style, but it's smooth enough.

The taste again leans towards the coffee flavors, chocolate, raisin and some burnt sugar follow the lead. The finish is somewhat abrupt, without the lingering flavors that I enjoy in this style. That said, this is a very drinkable effort from Half Acre and well worth a try.

One note for the cellaring types: I've had this several times since its release and I would not recommend this for extended aging. The coffee flavors are fading quite a bit and, so far, no other flavors are stepping up to take their place.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 16:29:01 | More by chicagobeerriot

MbpBugeye

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Second to last blind. Thanks for the surprise box AleWatcher! Another one that calls for a snifter.

A- This beer is not pitch black at all. Its a dark brown with reds thrown in. There is a sticky yellow-tan head that leaves polka dots of lace. 4

S- Hops like a wet dog are the first thing I notice. Citrus pith and grass. The hoppiness is pretty out front. The balancing characteristics are white chocolate and cocoa powder. There is some slight butterscotch as well. Coffee comes out suddenly and strongly with adequate warmth. Im thinking Black IPA. 3.5

T- Nice balance. Starts out like a normal IPA, full of floral and citrus hops. Candied orange and the like. Very juicy. Black pepper segues things into a dark malt base of milk chocolate, cocoa and caramel. The finish bitters up with pine and coffee. The coffee strengthens with warmth. This is pretty good, but I dont normally like black IPAs. 4

M- Dry powdery finish. Body is somewhere in the middle. 3

D- I like this, but I dont think I'd drink it religiously. 4

The reveal: Half Acre Big Hugs? Huh? An imperial stout with coffee? Damn, this is a solid beer but it falls shy of being a great coffee stout. I was much happier thinking this was a CDA. Someone needs to make a Black IPA with coffee...

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 21:29:47 | More by MbpBugeye

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

AgentZero

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Just to start off with, what a goofy looking bottle, although, not really in a bad way, just funny. Very dark, basically black, looks fairly viscous, small tan head, not sure how high it would have rose had a server not poured it.

T - Big coffee notes, slightly roasted bitter cocoa smell to it. It's really a huge dark roasted coffee smell that is present more than anyhthing else.

T - Tons of coffee flavor on this one, slightly smokey mixes in with a bitter chocolate taste. Very rich, with some small earthy tones.

M - Solid, full bodied, dry finish.

D - Tastes good, but so much coffee, could only do one.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2010 23:25:40 | More by AgentZero

orbitalr0x

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to emerge for grabbing me this one. Pours an extremely dark brown that borders on black with a thin light tan head on top. Aromas are solid with dark roasted malts alongside a bright fresh brewed coffee, akin to sniffing some fresh ground beans.

First sip brings smooth dark malts up against a wall of rich coffee flavor. Hints of chocolate intertwine with a nice roast. Flows down with a touch of creaminess and lingering java aftertaste. Not nearly as viscous as I expected.

Mouthfeel is smooth with good carbonation..body is more along the lines of a regular stout to me than an "imperial" stout but I'm not complaining. Overall, a tasty coffee stout from a great new local brewery. Being this is my first bottle Half Acre beer I've tried, I am looking forward to more.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2010 01:36:15 | More by orbitalr0x

nhindian

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a Portsmouth Brewery tulip. Big thanks to Alewatcher for throwing this in as an extra in his 'Rare Bourbon County LIF', thanks Jeff!

This is the label with a 'King Kong' Cat stomping a castle and Japanese-influenced font. 10.00% ABV

A - Pours a flat black in color, and slowly but gradually develops a frothy, tan head. Coming in at about 2-fingers, the head is almost packed completely dense with bubbles so it almost resembles an inverted black and tan (though with a different shade of tan). The head retention is pretty good, lasting for several minutes, and as it fades it leaves intricate lacing.

S - This smells of roasted malts, a good amount of coffee grounds, and slight alcohol. There are notes of hop as well. Sniffs of chocolate ink their way out of the malts, but for the most part this is a robust nose focused on roast and coffee. Overall fairly sweet and enjoyable.

T - At first this beer is a pretty heavy hitter, bringing a big rush of espresso and chocolate, but it quickly drops the roast for more chocolate sweetness. Given the nose, I was expecting a lot more coffee and am kind of let down that there isn't more here. Near the end some citrusy hops add their own twist to the flavor, while a rather fusel alcohol finish is a bit off-putting.

M - Mouthfeel is moderately heavy with above-average carbonation for the style. This is definitely a full-bodied beer and it will take a while to finish. Normally this amount of carbonation would be a hindrance for the style, but with the relatively hoppy finish, I feel it goes well.

D - Drinkability is moderate. Honestly I was expecting a bit more from this beer in terms of coffee influence, because as of now, it's faint and short-lived. Probably not the best idea to follow Kate the Great with this, but it's still a solid beer if you like a more sweet, hoppy stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 03:20:08 | More by nhindian

homebrew311

Illinois

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

A: pours a deep black with a slight amount of clarity on the pour, a coffee colored head forms and persists, leaves heavy lacing

S: strong brewed coffee notes on the front which are melded with chocolate and roasted barley. Smells very robust

T: the taste is similar to the nose with some added malt sweetness in the mid palate, some molasses, lots of roasted/burnt flavors, not as much coffee on the palate as the nose led me to believe , this beer is good but isn't anything I would go out of my way to get

MF: creamy texture, medium to thick body

D: the alcohol is well hidden and the flavors are smooth. I was expecting the coffee to be more prominent than it was. Overall I enjoyed this beer, but it wasn't as good as I hoped for.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 06:09:01 | More by homebrew311

oregonskibum

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a small snifter glass.

A: Color is black, fading to a very dark brown along the edges. Pours with a 3/4 tan head that drops off to a tan ring around the glass and a faint film on top.

S: Smell on first impression contains more cocoa than coffee. But on second smell, the rich roasted characteristics of a dark coffee bean are definitely present. Not overpowering and pleasant.

T: There's a definite sweetness to this stout from start thru mid-taste, more noticeable than than the coffee. Rich milk chocolate flavors make for a very creamy taste. Some roasted coffee is present, but not dominate, even less so than on the smell. Finish is slightly bitter with some roasted coffee notes. Pleasant. Almost no heat from the alcohol.

M: Big, low carbonation. Very creamy and smooth.

D: This was quite nice. I marked the beer down just a little because it seemed a bit on the sweet side. But I still really enjoyed this one. I've had it for a while (from a trade) and I don't see a bottle date. I suspect that when fresh, the coffee would be more present in the taste and provide a better balance to the base beer's sweetness. Will re-visit this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 19:41:41 | More by oregonskibum

weatherdog

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler provided by Richard and shared among friends, poured into a Cigar City snifter.

It pours big, black and thick with a smaller mocha colored head.

The aroma is filled with a deep roasted fresh coffee with a backend of bitter chocolate

The taste follows up with the huge roasted coffee flavor, it borders on burnt though which is distracting. An alcohol is pretty noticeable at the end as well.

The mouthfeel is on the lighter side which really help the beer from becoming too sweet. Drinkability is also pretty good with the only exception being the alcohol finish.

Serving type: growler

01-11-2011 00:26:05 | More by weatherdog

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

jrallen34

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I tried this on tap into a snifter.

The beer is black with a medium tan head, not a ton of retention or lacing.

The aroma is all roasted coffee, same thing with the taste. It is a little too much bitter coffee for my liking to be great.

The feel is ok, decent drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2010 21:37:28 | More by jrallen34

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle purchased in Chicago about 2 months ago. Cool label with a Godzilla fat kittie, a little katakana thrown in to make it look a little more Japanese.

The beer is dark brown to the edge of being black, opaque but it seems a murky brown when held to the light, really thick creamy tan head. The aroma is sweet malts and chocolate, lots of chocolate. On tasting the chocolate comes through strong but you can taste the coffee too for sure. Roasted malts in the after-taste. The body is on the thin side for a double stout, not bad but it doesn't match the big flavors too well.

This is a good stout, no doubt about it, but I'm not sure if it's special enough to stand out from the competition. The field is simply so filled with strong stouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 01:10:22 | More by TurdFurgison

Lazerlobe

Washington

3.88/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 Bottling

A: Dark brown, slightly viscous pour yields a toasted brown congregation of head that recedes quickly leaving a cappuccino foam behind.

S: Creamy marshmallow, hot cocoa, and coffee notes reminiscent of an empty cup of espresso. I don't have a 2010 to compare to but the coffee must already be the out. This still allows the base beer to shine and it is intoxicating.

T: Bummer, the coffee is bitter and slightly sour. Heavily kilned malts mix in with the coffee upfront. Roast and graham cracker poke through the coffee facade but don't get too far. The aftertaste is in line with a coffee stout though. I feel like I just had a cup.

M: Thinner than I like but subtle carbonation compliments the body.

D: This is a light beer that goes down easily. Not a night cap by any means. Glad I got to try this and I'll need a 2010 to compare to!

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 02:22:39 | More by Lazerlobe