Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Release #7, 11.0% ABV.

I wasn't really planning to review this beer. I just wanted to open in and drink it. But then I smelled it, and knew I would have to review it. So here goes.

A standard pour into a tulip produces a pitch-black liquid and an ethereal, dark tan foam. The head is not aggressive, and it dissipates fairly soon, leaving little lacing. The beer itself is as dark as any I have seen. It's not quite as viscous as some, but it's espresso black.

Coffee is evident to my nose. But chocolate is the dominant smell. And I don't mean it smells like a typical chocolate stout. To me, it smells like one of those chocolates that are 75% or 85% cocoa. The label says it spent time in whiskey barrels, but I would never have guessed.

It tastes like it smells. A hint of coffee, but huge, high cocoa chocolate notes. No oak, no whiskey. And hey -- it's none the worse off for lack of whiskey notes. I sometimes think brewers try to cram too many flavors into a bottle. This one is complex enough as-is.

Mouthfeel is a little thin for such a big beer. Alcohol is well-masked. This one is really easy to drink. It's my favorite beer from Epic so far.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 05:23:44 | More by DaveAnderson

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

06-18-2013 02:34:06 | More by Reagan1984

MastaShonuf

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

06-17-2013 07:03:11 | More by MastaShonuf

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

striker2160

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

06-16-2013 22:11:51 | More by striker2160

tarheels4life23

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

06-14-2013 23:29:37 | More by tarheels4life23

ACB

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

06-14-2013 22:33:20 | More by ACB

djre4orm

Virginia

4/5  rDev -7.2%

06-13-2013 20:27:20 | More by djre4orm

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

Sisky

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

06-12-2013 04:26:34 | More by Sisky

kevrice88

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -30.4%

06-11-2013 01:30:55 | More by kevrice88

biggied

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

06-10-2013 23:08:04 | More by biggied

mvdillman

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

06-10-2013 18:33:09 | More by mvdillman

jarrgal

North Dakota

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

06-10-2013 03:30:44 | More by jarrgal

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

CORKSCREWFISH

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

06-09-2013 07:57:39 | More by CORKSCREWFISH

Lukass

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

06-08-2013 00:18:40 | More by Lukass

BMart

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

06-07-2013 18:32:22 | More by BMart

ninner00

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

06-06-2013 19:08:39 | More by ninner00

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

06-04-2013 00:25:51 | More by wisrarebeer

francisweizen

Australia

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

06-03-2013 20:28:21 | More by francisweizen

Mscarpen

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

06-03-2013 18:07:15 | More by Mscarpen

kscaldef

Oregon

4/5  rDev -7.2%

06-03-2013 17:13:29 | More by kscaldef

bbrown12

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

06-03-2013 14:36:25 | More by bbrown12