Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

Someguy1_8t

California

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Release #7 - served in a tulip glass.

Appearance - The color for this was black. It had about a finger of rapidly diminishing head.

Smell - The first aroma to hit me was a strong coffee scent. This was followed by wet oak or wood grilling planks, which I'm assuming comes from the whiskey barrel aging. The aroma was strong enough to smell from about 2-3 feet away. There where also hints of sweet vanilla and chocolate and some booze, again probably from the barrel aging.

Taste - The taste was much like the smell. Bold taste of roasted malts , chocolate and dark roast coffee. There was also vanilla, oak, and a hint of booze.

Mouthfeel- There was a full bodied mouth feel to this one with very little carbonation. Viscous and velvet like. With a lingering of the roasted coffee for a bit.

Overall - I thought this was one of the best Imperial stouts I have ever tried, if not certainly the most interesting and intriguing.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 05:33:37 | More by Someguy1_8t

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

this is an absolutely insane bottle of beer, dont ever pass up a chance to drink one of these. it pours inky black, thick, and dangerous. smell is coffee, dark dark pure cocoa, burnt barley, and pipe tobacco. the taste is unbeatable to me, and i almost never give out 5's. this surpases the abyss to me on flavor, really. fantastically rich brewed coffee up front with lots of woodsy, burning, organic matter hitting in the middle. big semisweet chocolate flavors come in just past the halfway point, followed by fresh tobacco tones and a syrupy sugar cane alcoholic tingle. this all rides on a slow rolling wave of the fullest body you can imagine and mellow carbonation just enough to keep it moving. a touch sludgy though, and maybe a good one to share around for the fainter of heart. gets downright hot boozy as it warms up, and is a definite slow sipper. if there is a better imperial stout on the planet, bring it to me, because this one is absolutely magic. black magic! best beer ive had from epic, and the highlight of my beer tour of utah. world class

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 16:13:39 | More by StonedTrippin

joecast

Australia

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at Hollingsheads in Orange Ca.

Well, what can I say. One of the best beers I've had in a long time. Exceptional balance, mouthfeel and drinkability.

Superb, delicate chocolate aroma. Light oak and roast. Taste is as smooth as anything. Hardly any alcohol heat which is quite an accomplishment considering the abv. And so easy to drink, not filling or overpowering. Fits as a desert beer, accompaniment with dinner, or just something to sip on before bed.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 22:03:49 | More by joecast

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4.74/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a nice, full dark brown head and looks black as night.

Has a velvety smooth, rich feel in the mouth. This has a strong smell of cocoa, coffee and a slight hint of whiskey. It is fine to drink on the colder side, but the cocoa comes out even more the warmer it gets.

The taste has a strong amount of black coffee, cocoa and subtle sweetness of aged whiskey with a dry aftertaste.

Even though there is a high ABV (11.7) this is extremely easy to drink and is light-medium bodied not very thick and heavy despite the rich flavors.

I'm going to pick up another bottle or two and see how it ages. This is my new favorite from Epic and I would love to have this on tap.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 07:45:43 | More by JohnnyMc

johnnybgood1999

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poors pitch black with a mellow, brown cocoa head. Smells like a delicous mocha coffee. Vanilla and bourbon are noticeable secondary notes.
On the first sip, Big Baptist coats the tongue with a well balanced mix of cocoa and coffee. The coffee blend tastes like a quality brand was used, very robust and quasi espresso flavors come through. The chocolate was dark, sweet, and bitter. This made me happy, as I prefer dark chocolate versus super sweet in my beers. Vanilla, bourbon, and oak are present throughout, but become more pronounced on the back end of the palate. The mouthfeel is viscous, yet pleasantly light enough. Baptist drinks smooth and easy. I actually wanted more after I finished my bomber. Overall, this was an impressive beer that I rank right up there with The Abyss, but slightly below Goose Island BCBS. I can't compare it to KBS, as the only one I was able to procure mysteriously disappeared a year ago from my fridge. Yes, I'm still crying about that. Baptist fills a niche that I'm fond of; a beer you want when you can't tackle a bigger BCBS type brew. My first beer from Epic and it will not be my last. Very nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 13:43:50 | More by johnnybgood1999

jtd1969

North Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Deep black and beautiful, no lacing...

N - Chocolate, sweet fruit, coffee

T - Coffee, sweet fruit, chocolate, lite bourbon(mainly on after taste) Taste more like a bourbon soaked fruit with nibs...

M - Full bodied, medium carbonation, smooth!

O - One of my fav stouts for winter!! So good not to try it!! Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 01:52:48 | More by jtd1969

DonDirkA

Arizona

4.68/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Release #2, 11.3% ABV. Very very strong nose of roasted black coffee. Cocoa scents weave their way in and out through the coffee smell. The coffee is dominant through the sip and the swallow, but not in an overbearing way, as can be the issue with many coffee stouts. There is a slight trace of chocolate that is followed by a subtle oakiness. The swallow is a bit hot, no doubt from the whiskey barrel aging, but not uncomfortably so. The rich mouthfeel is complimented by the coffee flavors that wash everything down and stick around on your tongue long after you've finished. Overall this a pretty extreme beer from all angles and it will definitely be too much for some but fans of strong, burly stouts will find plenty to love here.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 10:24:37 | More by DonDirkA

beer2day

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Opaque black pour with no light filtering through at all. Dark khaki head, 1 fingers worth. Only downside is the beer is light on head retention. Thin sheen of wet lace all around the glass.

Nose is very complex. Coffee overwhelms, but cocoa comes through along with oak underneath that. Smells like a roasted chocolate covered espresso bean.

Strong coffee flavor, espresso even, with a strong roast chocolate presence. Citrus hops manage to sneak through all the coffee and chocolate bitters in the finish. Definite smoked oak flavor from the barrels. Not really picking up the whiskey until the very end of the bottle. Vanilla starts to pick up late in the bottle, too. Wow, this is complex.

Feel is a bit disappointing. A little on the thin side. For a beer this powerful on the tongue, a thicker feel would pair better.

Overall, this rivals the best coffee stouts I've tasted. The best beer I've had from Epic.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 02:47:40 | More by beer2day

dfernandez77

California

4.68/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance:
Dark brown like bittersweet bakers chocolate. Clear but dark enough light barely penetrates. Medium dark tan head that dissipates to creamy tan foam.

smell:
Bittersweet chocolate, vanilla caramel, butterscotch, espresso, and dulce de leche. Amazing rich depth and complexity.

taste:
All of the richness and characteristics of the aroma. Like a smooth 70% Cacao chocolate, with vanilla, espresso, and sweetened condensed milk. Super phat roasty malts well balanced with the cacao bitterness. Like a beerTiramisu mouthgasm.

mouthfeel:
Big slippery fat oat stout assault, then the slight dry astringency is all over your tongue. Finishes inexplicably simultaneously slippery and dry. Crazy complex.

overall:
OMFG! Stunning. Sign me up for a barrel. Give me a huge Chalice full accompanied by a Tiramisu soaked in French roast espresso with secret layers of blackberry jam. Amazing.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 02:18:45 | More by dfernandez77

Rizalini

Nevada

4.68/5  rDev +8.8%
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

yamar68

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An imposing looking beer... thick black syrup that shows barely an edge of copper clarity, dense half finger of light brown that leaves loads of boozy lacing.

Massive charred wood on the nose, sweet whiskey notes, bitterish coffee presence, sphagnum, burnt caramel, oats, syrupy dark chocolate notes... hot cocoa or something, the 11% abv is perfectly integrated on the nose.

Oh, wow... one word comes to mind - "whiskey-choco-timber-syrup-cafe-caramel." Such enormous flavors taking so many different directions. What I'm actually most impressed by though is the perfect placement of hot whiskey... it blends beautifully with earthy charred woods and mocha flavors. Fantastic stuff.

Wow.

Jesus, man.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 00:48:15 | More by yamar68

Beerlover

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +8.1%
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

Beejay

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Release #1

A: Thick and deep brown as it pours. Waiting a few moments lets the head grow up out of the body in a nice dark tan color. The beer in the glass is black.

S: Man there is a lot of chocolate in there. The first thing that hits is cocoa nibs, followed by a rich, but slightly bitter smelling coffee aroma. There is a nice oak and vanilla character in the finish, although it is a lot more subdued than the coffee and chocolate. If someone planted a cafe mocha and it grew into a tree, this is how an orchard of them would smell.

T: Coffee, chocolate, and now a hint of the whiskey. The finish is sweet, with a meandering coffee note, and an oaky overtone. It's certainly one hell of a beer.

M: Thick, and creamy. The finish has a bit of an oily feel about it. The carbonation may actually be just a touch high on it for me, but it's a thin line between being a bit too much, and being perfect.

O: This is luscious, rich, and delicious. Everything that a coffee, chocolate, whiskey barrel stout should be. Fine work.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 23:35:32 | More by Beejay

Ohiovania

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a chance to try this at 2011 Brewzilla in Cleveland during Beer week. So I decided to pick up a couple bottles @ Acme in Akron, OH.

$12.99/ bottle (worth it)

Knocked my socks off. Best chocolate/ coffee imperial stout I have ever had to date. The only down side is that it's a bit sweet.

The alcohol is barely noticeable and the flavor is overwhelmingly complex. Get this one while it last. It's rumored to be a one time brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 19:43:05 | More by Ohiovania

Avast

4.6/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite imperial stouts I've ever had. Great body, pours a smooth, deep black color. Beautiful dark copper head. Right off the bat you can smell the coffee and chocolate. First taste is a bitter bite from the whiskey cask aging and the acidity from the coffee. Smooths out with a wonderful dark chocolate finish. I love this beer. Perfect for a cold winter night. Make sure you share, its a big boy.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 22:14:22 | More by Avast

Bierguy5

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle. Release #1, 11.7% abv. Deep brown, approaching black. Nice contrasting mocha head. Head fades to a thin layer after a minute, but still a good looking brew. No lace.

Coffee and some cream seem to jump out of the glass. A nice, darker roast. Caramel, burnt sugar, and some bittersweet dark chocolate notes. Maybe a hint of oak.

Dark chocolate, along with some fresh roast coffee. Some dry, burnt notes. Caramel, and burnt sugar. Dry tannins at the finish, along with a hint of booze.

Full body, chewy with lower carbonation. Some warmth at the finish. This is certainly a blast of coffee, with some nice compliments. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 00:14:07 | More by Bierguy5

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #7, received in a trade and poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Poured a nice deep dark brown with a good slightly bigger than one finger mocha head that faded to leave a thin blanket and light, light side lacing. Nice appearance for an 11% beer.

S - Mmmm. Sumantra coffee. Super light bourbon notes along with oak and good vanilla. Make no mistake, this nose is pure Sumantra coffee, light alcohol. Not getting much roast malts of chocolate as this glorious coffee drowns it out.

T - Much more bitter coffee notes here, fresh grounds, light 85% cocoa. The bourbon comes out nicely in this one and interplays wonderfully with the coffee. 2 months old, has this faded a bit? Possibly, but the coffee is still dancing around in the mouth. The wiskey is a bit faint but that is alright, the alcohol isnt super noticeable, however, its still a sipper. Absolutely delicious

M - Mouthfeel is lowly carbonated, silky smooth. Alcohol isnt really noticeable but definately a sipper. Nicely done.

O - Overall, this is a damn good stout. Damn good. The marks would have been higher if BA Speedway wasnt fresh in my memory as far as coffee stouts go. Seek this one out BAers, its worth it.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 04:49:01 | More by rudzud

mfavoino

Washington

4.58/5  rDev +6.5%
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

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

bomber. release #3.

A: pitch black with a dark brown head. retention really is not very impressive. neither is the lacing.

S: coffee all up in your face. and chocolate. man this is inviting. a little bit of bitterness with dark burnt grain.

T: similar to the nose, a rich french roast starts the palate off. vanilla beans. dark chocolate. burnt grains. this thing is complex with new flavors coming across each sip. the flavor lingers with coffee and chocolate. bitter. absolutely fantastic.

M: mild carbonation. definitely a full body.

D: man this is good. the flavor as well as the nose is everything i want in a coffee stout. really impressed and well worth the search.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 03:47:26 | More by Jimmys

denver10

Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours black with a dark khaki head. Alright retention given its barrel aged. Never smelt anything quite like this and I like. No, I love it. Smells of huge whiskey filled burnt mocha frappucino. Huge cocoa, coffee, and whiskey barrels. Flavor is just as unique; starts off with the whiskey barrels, then some coffee, and leaves with a huge thick, melted chocolate. A medium to fuller mouthfeel. Overall, yeah, this beer is great. Glad I had someone to share this bomber with because its a little too big for me to personally drink on my own, but enjoyed every sip of this I took. Just might have to head back to the liquor store to grab a few more bottles of this.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 01:10:03 | More by denver10

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle of Release #8 poured into a Nonic.

A: Pours a black color with a 1 1/2 finger head and some lacing.

S: Strong aromas of espresso, dark chocolate, vanilla, and oak. Very inviting smell.

T: The taste follows the nose...lots of espresso, dark chocolate, and oak. Hides the alcohol well.

M: Heavy bodied with good carbonation.

O: This is an exceptional Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. It's very smooth, extremely tasty, and quite enjoyable. I'll gladly have it again anytime.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 21:04:58 | More by nUgZ

AmericanGirl90

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As a coffee addict, this beer had me sold just by the smell. A strong whiff of espresso, cocoa, alcohol, and vanilla. Color was deep black with no light escaping.

Bold taste of espresso, cocoa, and alcohol/malt, but not sharp at all. Quite mellow, balanced, and easy to drink...slowly. Slight hint of oak and vanilla in the back.

If you like coffee, this is a fantastic beer for you.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 23:42:40 | More by AmericanGirl90

portia99

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle (release #3, 11.4% ABV) courtesy of hoppymcgee. Thanks again Greg! Poured into a Brooklyn snifter.

A - Pours an almost pitch black color that is quite opaque in the glass. A finger of dense, dark brown head lingers for a minute or two and falls slowly to the surface leaving a foamy collar and some lacing on the glass.

S - From a distance to the glass, my first impression is a chocolate donut. Closer inspection changes this and reveals much more. Serious coffee which smells great, dark chocolate, faint hints of whiskey, a bit of char, lots of dark roasted malt. Actually reminds me quite a bit to a KBS. I hope this tastes as good as it smells.

T - Coffee is still front and center in the flavor but perhaps is second in intensity behind a prominent charcoal and burnt toast aspect. Cocoa nibs come thru nicely especially towards the finish. Barrel is extremely subtle but definitely adds a layer of nuance. Doesn't quite stand up to KBS or its own aroma, but this is really, really good.

M - Medium bodied with a lower level carbonation that is a touch tingly...or is that the whiskey? If it is the whiskey it is really the only evidence of the spirit in the mouthfeel. Alcohol is well hidden, no heat at all, flavor contribution is subtle but complementary. Maybe the weakest aspect of this beer, but that is a bit nit-picky and definitely speaks to how good the other aspects of this stout are.

O - Very glad Greg suggested this one to me...honestly hadn't heard of it at the time and had to look it up. This is one of the better imperial stouts I've had recently...really like the powerful coffee flavors, subtle barrel treatment, amazing aroma. Would really like to get another bottle of this one somewhere down the road.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 23:15:13 | More by portia99

KingofHops

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Rich dark pour with an exquisite head and color. Easily mistaken for a rich cup of coffee, the appearance clearly reflects that chocolate and java elements, smooth feel with a perfect complement of carbonation. The tones of java are unmistakable and are perfectly complimented by the settle chocolate hint. Fantastic imperial stout, one that most certainly requires indulging on multiple occasions.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 02:34:38 | More by KingofHops

DovaliHops

California

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a thick, pitch black color with a large, brownish-java colored head that goes down slowly. Scent is...amazing...So much fresh coffee in the aroma. Sweet vanilla aromas with subtle oak. A good amount of bourbon whiskey in the nose. Dark chocolate with more coffee and espresso. Such an inviting aroma. Taste is just as good! At first, I get sweet vanilla and bourbon. A bit of a chocolate liqueur flavor as well. Fresh espresso with a hint of coconut and dark fruits. More bourbon in the finish. High ABV is noticeable, but well-balanced with the flavors. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and creamy. Drinkability is high, especially for such a big beer. Overall, I was blown away by this beer. I haven't been too impressed by all the other offering I have had from Epic, but this one definitely is EPIC (as much as I hate to use that overused word). Definitely goes up there with the BCBSs, Parabolas, and KBSs.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 05:32:04 | More by DovaliHops