Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

bomber bottle into pint glass (sue me beer nerds). batch #5

pitch black with a dark brown head that quickly fades. smell is strong coffee grounds, dry cocoa, no whisky, warm malt, pungent. taste is thick and syrupy big on chocolate and coffee. some toffee-ish sweetness, like cinnamon rolls. bitter finish that may be the hops butting in.

tasty dessert beer at 11%, and the alcohol compliments the flavor

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 05:06:49 | More by jimmah120

gleemonger

California

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pitch black with a thin, creamy brown head, that dissipates pretty quickly leaving just a pleasant little cap, followed by some lacing down the glass. Very nice.

Picking up just about everything they say is in it, starting with some strong chocolate, followed by roasted malts, coffee, booze, and a little whiskey. Strong and complex, but doesn't smell super pungeant or anything. Super interesting and delicious smelling.

Getting all of the above from the flavor as well, with the chocolate leading off again - a kind of mix between dark chocolate and sweet milk chocolate. The coffee and roast is mellow, but definitely there. I get just the faintest hint of whiskey at the back end, and very little alcohol presence despite the massive size. This is one amazing imperial stout, I must say.

Nice and heavy with a light carbonation bite to round it out. Smooth and creamy and delicate - definitely like a dessert and what I love about a great imperial stout.

This is definitely one of my new favorite imperial stouts! Amazingly smooth and complex yet not over the top at all - everything blends totally perfectly and doesn't bury the rest. I would love to always have this one on hand for those times when I want a massive beer, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 19:55:45 | More by gleemonger

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Release #3 into Kuhnhenn tulip

Pour: Jet black with a full three finger tan head. Lacing is enormous and like sticky soap all over the sides of the glass. Head settles to a small pillow on half the surface of the beer.

Smell: Light coffee notes, dark semi-sweet chocolate, oak and vanilla. This is I'm assuming a huge, huge beer and I find everything in the nose to be spot on and in near perfect harmony.

Taste: Just like the nose with the moderate coffee, huge notes of dark chocolate, oak and vanilla. Also getting molasses, booze soaked dark fruit and a bit of char. The spiciness from the whiskey is evident and adds a fantastic additional dimension to this beer. Alcohol heat is here for sure but not distracting.

Mouthfeel: On the lighter side of full with soft carbonation. Creamy (silky) smooth but the alcohol does cut this with a bit of a bite.

Overall: This is a fantastic well balance coffee stout especially for such a huge beer. I am enjoying this one a lot.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 00:19:37 | More by sleuthdog

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Batch #7 poured from a bottle into a clear plastic cup while tailgating.

Appearance- Oily black with a rich brown bubbly head that set up about one finger on the top. Leaves lacing even on the inside of a plastic cup. Greasy, leggy, and rich looking.

Smell- Not much booze, but robust espresso and roasted nuts dominates. Hints of cacao and vanilla sneak out. A bit of a peanut butter sharpness is hiding in there somewhere. Very pleasant. Like walking through a bulk coffee aisle at an upscale grocery store.

Taste- Like the smell, espresso and dark roast coffee dominates. The barrel appears and brings with it a hint of tobacco spiciness, but is quelled quickly by the roasty malt backbone. A nutty, roasty coffee stout accented perfectly by the whiskey notes. Not overpowering from the whiskey at all. The only drawback would be the finish. It finishes fast and very bluntly. Not much of an issue considering the balance of this one.

Mouthfeel- Smooth. Not overly oily or heavy in the mouth or on the way down. Smooth and creamy, surprisingly lighter than some of its contemporaries.

Overall- This may be THE dark horse in the world of hyped-up BBL stouts. A bit surprised by this one. Very well balanced. Not overpowered by the booze. This one has had some age on it in the cellar. Can't wait (but will) to try the other one in the cellar with a few more months on it.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 20:26:15 | More by SaisonRichBiere

SPLITGRIN

Kentucky

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Release #5

I saved this one for my 600th review on BA. I went back to my all time favorite style=BA Imperial stout.

Tons of creamy milk chocolate head is achieved with a vigorous pour (about three fingers actually). Body is the 3000 mile used motor oil standard. Nose is well, Wow! The coffee plays huge here. Really fresh ground coffee of the very fine variety. Fresh chocolate cake is there also, hold the icing. Very nice aroma. With first sip the coffee dominance continues. The coffee is just so bright and flavorful. Rich and succulent just like that perfect morning cup. The bourbon really is hard to find in this beer, maybe it could use just a little more time in the barrels. This may stand as the most pure coffee forward beer that I have ever had the joy of having. Other flavors include molasses, black cherries and bitter dark chocolate. What more can I say, the flavor, the finish, and the feel are just a coffee and stout lovers dream. I may have just found my new favorite morning brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 02:34:27 | More by SPLITGRIN

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

4.96/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Batch3, aged 1.5 years. Spectacular, smooth and integrated. Mind blowing!

Pours a thick viscous black, very little soapy head, intense sugar, barrel, coffee aroma, flavor repeats and doesn't disappoint. Totally integrated flavors, nothing seems out of balance.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 01:24:45 | More by DaPan

ehammond1

California

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Effectively black with a thin brown head. Leave the glass oily and spotted on the way down.

Full aroma of chocolate, mild coffee, and complementary whiskey and barrel. Vanilla and oak combine nicely with the base beer.

The flavor is, too, very well integrated. Nice combination of melted chocolates, some coffee, and integrated bourbon and barrel flavor. Alcohol is hidden very well. Some mild roast and molasses present.

Near full in body with low-moderate carbonation.

A very nice beer. I wish I could find a bottle of this to enjoy.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2013 15:48:25 | More by ehammond1

StArnoldFan

Texas

4.24/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch # 9

Pours dark black with a 3 finger mocha colored head. Smells heavy of coffee and chocolate, almost no whiskey scent at all. Tastes pretty much follow the nose, coffee, chocolate, roasted malts. Mouth on this one is good, perfect carb, not too thick, not too thin. Overall this is a good coffee stout, it's just lacking the barrel that I expect to smell and taste on a good BA stout. My bottle has been aged for around 8 months so maybe that has something to do with it. I'd like to get another one of these and see how they differ from batch to batch.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 02:56:02 | More by StArnoldFan

schwemjw

Ohio

4.51/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Batch #11

A: Black as night, a standard 1 finger mocha head and has a creamy looking texture. looks like an imperial stout!

S: Dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee and a surprising amount of dark fruit underneath it all. definitely some nice roast and a little spicyness to it. Fantastic!

T: NICE! vanilla, chocolate cocoa shavings, a deep espresso roasted malt with a lot of coffee bitterness. There is definitely a whiskey burn and corn/rye note on the end. There is almost a graham cracker flavor.

M: Not much carbonation, very creamy, but lighter than i expected it to be. you definitely know there is alcohol in this though

O: Excellent stuff! it got better as it warmed up and gave you enough of a burn to know there was some whiskey there. but its complex and balanced. alot of depth. Gonna pick another one up to age! 95 was spot on!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 06:00:03 | More by schwemjw

vfgccp

New York

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

#9 (Sep '12) - Ibis Sumatra Dark Coffee, whiskey/bourbon casks, 11.8%

A - Thick, creamy, dark khaki head. Dark black body with thin cola highlights.

S - Nice roast, dark roasted chipotle peppers, dry espresso beans.

T - Awesome flavor profile. Medium roast coffee, milk, 60% cocoa, dry cocoa nibs, espresso beans, light woodiness.

M - Thick, smooth body. Lacks a little bit in depth.

O - An excellent Imperial Stout. Great complexity and integration.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 02:35:55 | More by vfgccp

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.34/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

650ml bomber poured into tulip 1/5/13 cheers Rutager for sending the bottle, looks like batch 3 but it also says 12.5% so I'm guessing that 3 is really a partial 8

A black but has a deep cola edge, a finger of dark mocha foam retains well for a monster and leaves a couple thick rings and random patches deeper down the glass

S nose is mellow but solid, coffee and dark chocolate, almost fudge, a little oak and vanilla with a hint of booze, very faint char and a little more coffee to top it off, everything's working for it but it could be stronger

T its the nose but beefed up, coffees very strong and high quality, there's a little booze but I'm thinking 8ish% 12.5%? I'd never guess and I'm not even sure I believe that. the chocolates not as dark but stronger then the nose, a little cream brulee and a faint nutty aspect. The barrels working for the flavor more then the nose, in fact I'd just say its the nose on steroids

M full bodied and creamy from the bubbles, booze is very well concealed and almost scary really, tannins are stronger then I'd guess from the barrel presence, and I'm loving the coco and coffee that just keeps going long after you swallow

O I like coffee and if I didn't I'd hate this beer, seems that it builds right until its in my stomach. great stuff but I could cope with a little more intensity but I'm happy with whats in my glass

I'm impressed how well they hide 12.5%, I feel it but don't really taste or smell it. barrels there but again the base had some power on its own, I'd look for this one and would love to taste how the batches differ

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 01:28:26 | More by wordemupg

mdaschaf

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Review from notes.

A: Pours black with a small off-white head on top, quickly reducing to a thin cap. Minimal lacing.

S: Lots of cocoa and chocolate upfront. Some light coffee with nice roasted malt. As it warms the coffee aroma intensifies. The barrel imparts a bit of vanilla.

T: Really nice combination of coffee and chocolate here, both a bold flavors that blend nicely for an almost mocha like flavor. Nice roasted malt underneath with a slight kick from the whiskey barrels.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Abv hidden nicely, but slightly warm as it goes down.

O: Was very impressed with this beer. Glad that Epic is now in WA.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 15:20:19 | More by mdaschaf

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Batch #7
Cold snow and rain April night. Seems like a good time.
First whiffs are of heavy coffee and deep dark malt. The barrel aging lends a creamy quality to the aroma as part of the vanilla. The whiskey aroma is mostly background. Hints of the chocolate bits in the periphery.
Pretty much all black. Small dark head that settles to a smear but still leaves a little lacing after the drink. Dark red/brown highlights.
Still fresh enough to be sharp. Big, rather thick and chewy. Small sips fill the mouth with flavor with great endurance. Some heat. Has the complexity of the dark malts, some of the whiskey, some vanilla, bits of chocolate. Warmth pretty darn quickly in the gut. Heavy smooth. The dark malts push to the point too heavy (near burnt- could be the coffee addition). Rather fine carbonation. Aftertaste is strong on coffee with a ground like experience.
This is good. I'm not in love with it. Not sure why, but it's not inspiring a strong reaction. Interesting and well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 01:23:08 | More by garymuchow

dogfishandi

New York

4.34/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle at roughly fridge temp poured into a snifter. Release #8 (Sep. 2012) 12.5% ABV- nearly 1 year old.

Pours out opaque black, with a nice cascading dark tan/ light mocha colored head. Fairly decent head retention for such a big beer. Spotty lacing with just a touch of alcohol legs.

Big coffee aromas, combining both ground coffee and some espresso bean, bitter dark chocolate, heavily roasted, almost slightly toasted malts, a bit of booziness comes in as it warms, somewhat whiskey like, but the whiskey barrel characters are surprisingly tamed.

Bitter roasted, toasty malts, sweet caramel, bitter dark chocolate, roasted coffee more mocha like than espresso, a bit of oak and just hints of whiskey, but again its very tamed. Pretty much o booze in the taste.

Really thick, smooth and creamy as it flows across the palate. Rich. Carbonation is kept to a minimum.

A really nice impy stout, my only complaint is that I would've liked a bit more whiskey to show through. Has a nice toasted roasted malt aspect that a lot of these barrel aged stout seem to lack.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 18:51:18 | More by dogfishandi

kemoarps

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #6, shared with my sister.

Good almost black colour, though not as viscous as I would imagine. Decent little brown head.

I get drip coffee grounds. A little bourbon on the back end. DARK roast coffee bordering on burnt malts.

The taste follows suit. HUGE coffee favour, but not as dominant as the nose. Bourbon and ash with a creamy finish.
Some notes on the nose and tongue I cant QUITE nail down, but I am REALLY glad my sister brought this up for me.

I'm a big fan. That's all.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 06:16:39 | More by kemoarps

Rizalini

Nevada

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A big thanks to Jeremy6566 for sending me this Big Bad bomber! Release#9 poured into my Deschutes tulip glass.

A - Pours almost black, with 1 finger of mocha colored head. It fades leaving a ring of brown lace.

S - The smell is amazing on this one! Coffee initally, but as I inhale deeper, I'm getting the bourbon, followed by some chocolate and coconut.

T/M - Wow, there's a lot going on in the taste. Starts out with a big wave of coffee and bourbon. After the initial burst of coffee and bourbon comes the chocolate and coconut. A nice blend of all the flavors. The coffee and bourbon really take center stage, but then the chocolate comes and really rounds out the flavors. It is a little boozy, but at 11.8% that's to be expected. Full mouthfeel, perfect carbonation

O - Hands down one of the best BBA stouts I've ever had. All the flavors are on point, nothing too over powering. Alcohol is there, but very subdued. Excellent brew, and again, a big thanks to Jeremy6566 for this amazing brew!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 02:27:37 | More by Rizalini

Beerlover

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours black with thin khaki head, smells roasted malty and strongly of coffee. medium low carbonation, smooth on the palate. Taste overwhelmingly of coffee! Great River's "redband" coffee stout is nothing compared to this! tastse like cup of black coffee with no sugar or cream, i wouldn't be surprised if there was 50% or more coffee in this one! no booziness at all or cocoa that i can pick out. the bourbon is also very faint unfortunatly.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 23:12:53 | More by Beerlover

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

4.06/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours a deep opaque black. just a thin film of deep chocolate brown foam. leaves lots of spotty lacing with every sip.

S - the nose is intense. strong notes of bourbon, caramel, and coffee all fight for attention. there is a touch of oak and vanilla. hints of chocolate and a whiff of smoke round out the nose.

T - silky hints of chocolate and biscuit-y malt flavors up front. roasty flavors of oily espresso beans come out mid palate. Notes of caramel and hints of vanilla come through along with a touch of bourbon. Finish is roasty and slightly and slightly sweet.

M - full bodied with a creamy texture. medium to high bubbly carbonation.

O - Solid barrel aged coffee stout. It's quite good but it is a bit one dimensional with mostly coffee and bourbon taking over. But it is quite good for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 01:55:03 | More by Teleweizen2

blakelive784

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

1 pt 6 fl oz brown glass bottle (Release #10) served in a snifter, reviewed from notes:

A - Pours the darkest shade of brown with two fingers of creamy light tan head. Retention is decent for the high ABV, but the head leaves nice cream lacing as it recedes.

S - Sharp dark roast espresso, boozy bourbon soaked oak chips, burnt caramel, semi-sweet chocolates, cream, subtle vanilla and more freshly ground coffee. Amazingly complex and subtle. Seems like it may be pretty boozy, possibly even hot.

T - Espresso heavy latte. Bitter chocolates and coffee. The oak's much more subtle than I'd though it'd be, to its detriment. Subtle bourbon on the finish. Roasted malt body. A bit hot on the back end. The sweetness of the malts counters the bitter coffee notes very well.

M - Full bodied and smooth. Creamy. Not entirely thick.

D - The alcohol is present, but not out of place for the style. The coffee notes on this one are amazing. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 21:40:02 | More by blakelive784

flexabull

California

4.26/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Batch #8

Pours a deep dark flat black color with a small tan head.

Aromas are very nice. Lots of coffee up front, both dark roasted beans, and brewed espresso. Some bourbon and cocoa as well.

Taste is smooth, and fairly easy to drink for such a beast of a beer. Coffee forward, but not overly so like I find a lot of coffee stouts. Light bourbon, heavy roasted malts, and cocoa notes. Finish is warm, with some pine bitterness.

Mouthfeel is smooth and soft. About right for the style.

Overall? Very impressive first beer for me from Epic. Well balanced, flavorful, but not overpowering. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 20:38:05 | More by flexabull

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.36/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle from Beerandboards (thanks!). Release #8 (bottled 09/12). Served in a Burnt Hickory snifter.

Pours jet black with one and a half fingers of active, foamy tan head. Head recedes to a ring around the glass and leaves nice patches of lace.

Smells of coffee, whisky, rich roasty malts and caramel. Nice!

Tasty, bold, up front coffee leads. Followed by dark chocolate, whisky, slightly burnt oak, caramel, vanilla and a nice booze bite. It's a well done blend that my description can't do justice to.

Medium full, creamy feel with pleasantly subtle carbonation. Long whiskey infused coffee finish.

While admittedly I haven't had as many barrel aged coffee stouts as I'd like, Big Bad Baptist is far and away the best I've tried so far. The coffee is delicious, not too burnt and stays in the forefront while the whiskey dances around it. Very well done and worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 16:42:51 | More by ThickNStout

standardcherry

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle poured into a snifter. Writing this review from notes, can't remember which batch it was, I think it was 4.

A: Thick dark brown/black pour. Big mocha colored head that dissipated after a few minutes.
S: Tons of coffee and roastiness. Lots of wood notes followed by bitter chocolate.
T: This is boozy. Lots of chocolate and coffee. Lots of whiskey (peaty flavor) in there as well. Very woody flavor with lots of roasty bitterness. The roastiness was taken too far in my opinion.
M: Silky smooth. Very rich and thick with moderate carbonation.
O: This is a great beer. The roastiness was a bit much but it was still very enjoyable. I would much prefer it without the peat flavors, there should be a bourbon-only version someday.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 05:51:19 | More by standardcherry

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into an Elysian snifter. Pours pitch black with a nice one finger brown head with good retention and lots of lacing. Nice aroma of toasted and sweet malt, chocolate, nuts and a hint of wood. Flavor follows aroma with toasted and biscuit malt, chocolate, coffee, nuts; boozy. Finishes with smoke, toasty malt, vanilla. chocolate liqueur and grassy hops. Medium bodied with some creaminess. A very nice flavor progression and the rich flavor almost covers the high ABV. One the dangerous stouts, it constantly invites further tasting, but the alcohol requires paced sipping. Very enjoyable and well made.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 04:18:21 | More by LiquidAmber

omniscientcause

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Deep dark black with a tan tint. Slim 1 and a half finger inch head only cause i poured aggressive, some sticky lacing that last throughout the entire duration of the beer.

Smell - Very malty, smokey roasty, charcoal, nutty, coffee, molasses, oak. Some whiskey notes also. A little chocolate and cocoa round this monster out but as the beer warms more coffee becomes present.

Taste - Much like the smell, huge malts, roasted with tons of coffee notes. Strong and bold that drinks nicely over and hour. Nice underline of sweet choclate and cocoa, with a little dark fruit presence.

Mouthfeel - Big beer, punches your tongue with roasted malts, where palate gets more chocolate and cocoa, and the sugars. The aftertaste is malty, coffee and sugary. But it is oh so drinkable for almost 12 percent.

Overall - Its a really nice beer, the only beer I have had from epic, but certainly wont be the last. Huge malty flavor, loads of coffee and some sugars. As it warms it becomes one sided with the coffee flavor, but that isnt a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:46:30 | More by omniscientcause

mfavoino

Washington

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a New Belgium globe on 3/2/13.

A: Poured an oily black with one finger of espresso head that retained well. Head receded to a creamy rim covering the body.

S: Tons of roasted coffee jumping out of the glass, roasted malts, sweet milk chocolate. Huge coffee nose.

T: Wow, the roasted coffee comes at the palate right away. Bitter coffee, sweet chocolate, and subtle whiskey barrel as it finishes. Leaves a lingering coffee flavor on the tongue.

M: Thick and creamy with a slight touch of alcohol warmth. Dry finish.

O: I think this is the most coffee flavored stout I've ever encountered. Super flavorful, bold, and decedent. A must have for coffee lovers and those that appreciate a coffee forward Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 04:10:28 | More by mfavoino