Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

GregSVT

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber into a snifter - Release #3

A: Pours a very dark brown, nearly black, with a light brown head that fades to a ring and leaves some lacing on the glass.

S: Holy coffee! The aroma of fresh roasted coffee immediately hits me as I breathe this in. As it warms I can detect subtle notes of chocolate, vanilla, and molasses. The coffee dominates here but it smells wonderful.

T: The taste follows the nose with a big rush of dark roasted espresso on the tongue followed by nice flavors of vanilla, cocoa, and a touch of molasses. Again the coffee dominates but the barrel and base beer are noticeable as well.

M: The feel is medium bodied and creamy from the carbonation.

O: I think this could be world class if it toned down the coffee just a touch...maybe 10% less coffee. Otherwise it's a damn tasty beverage. If you don't like coffee I'd steer clear of this one as it's basically a nice stout with a double shot of espresso dumped in. I have a Batch #1 someone sent me as well and I may age it for a while to see if the coffee fades enough to bring out more flavors.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 01:39:59 | More by GregSVT

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

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

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

Beer #62 in my great Utah Brew Hunt.

So this is #9, which is aged in whiskey and bourbon barrels.

Hey now. Super tasty cocoa tones. It has quite a bit of coffee bitterness that seems to mesh extremely well with all of the characteristics of the beer. I get a very slight touch of vanilla that shows in a quite interesting way. Seems the perfect tone from a barrel, or the nicest way it could show.

I remember seeing someone on the boards here say that this was better than KBS, or something along those lines. Founders Breakfast Stout will always be one of my favorite beers, so I can't really go near that statement. But this is definitely a world class beer.

If this were bottled year round, and available at a cheaper price, this would be my go-to beer almost every day of the year. A pity it is such a rare release, but I am definitely glad I had a chance to try it.

Too bad this will most likely overshadow all other beers brewed in Utah I try from here on out.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 04:43:13 | More by RblWthACoz

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

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

thanks to TATURBO for sharing this beer! Thanks Chris!

poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: black bodied beer with 1 finger of light tan head. Beer has some spotty lacing clingn to the side of glass.

Smell: Heavy char, beef jerky / bacony / meaty smoke, oak, little chalky, touch of vanilla, and roast.

Taste: Really oaky and fully roasted to the point of being charred notes upfront that mix with some vanilla and chocolate sweetness. A hint of molasses, black licorice and cocoa. Beer finishes with a smokey whiskey finish!

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with low end of maderate carbonation. Really smooth with just a hint of heat from ABV. This beer really well made and carbonated very nicely!

Overall: This is my third beer from EPIC Brewing. They picked an appropriate name for the brewery bacause 2 of the 3 beer I have drank from them have been EPIC! I am a fan of Big Bad Baptist!

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 14:30:18 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

MrDanno96

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours pitch black with a finger of tan head and some foamy lacing.

S: A burst of dark-roasted coffee immediately meets the nose, intermingled with strong aromas of roasted malt. Alcohol-soaked coco nibs linger in the background as well. Notes of oak are also present, but surprisingly little whiskey aroma. Nevertheless, the nose is really incredible--the in-your-face roastiness is sublime.

T: Coco nibs and straight chocolate comes through much more in the flavor and almost becomes cloying before it is saved by roasty bitterness in the finish. Some oaky vanilla flavors and alcohol burn come through in the finish as well. The whiskey finally makes an appearance! After the nose, the flavor is a slight let down, but still very good.

M: Full bodied. Thick and oily. Very mild carbonation and a slight warming from the alcohol. Spot-on mouthfeel.

O: The flavor needs just a little more balance, but otherwise this brew is spot on. Well done! I will be looking out for future iterations of this brew for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 01:36:44 | More by MrDanno96

chefdaddy18042

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Amazing brew! Everything the bottle described is in this brew. Has the taste of an RIS with a touch more sweetness and this is where the cocoa nibs come into play with the bitterness matched with the sweet. Color was magnificent, dark black appearance with the rusty grey head. Very much in love with this brew. Shame I only have one bottle left, but I will be saving this one for a special occasion

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 19:06:58 | More by chefdaddy18042

chardlogic

Florida

4.23/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nose: Coffee roast, milk chocolate, chocolate cake, slight whiskey, a touch of oak.

Taste: Prominent coffee, bittersweet chocolate with a slight sweetness, char, oak, whiskey.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, slight carbonation, a touch of heat, but hardly any booze burn.

Overall: Feels like a cross between FBS and KBS. Delicious, must revisit this one soon.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 22:26:22 | More by chardlogic

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

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

superspak

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle into snifter, batch 1; bottled 9/22/2011. Pours pitch black color with a small dense tan head with good retention; that reduces to a very thin cap that lingers. Some decent spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of huge dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, toffee, vanilla, whiskey, oak, molasses, toast, and light char. Fantastic aromas with awesome balance and complexity. Taste of big roasted coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel, roasted malt, molasses, toffee, whiskey, oak, molasses, and toast. Light bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, coffee, whiskey, oak, toast, molasses, caramel, toffee, and vanilla on the finish for a while. Fantastic balance of the barrel flavors with the beer; no overwhelming whiskey flavors at all. Medium carbonation and full bodied; with a nice creamy, slick, and thick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic barrel aged imperial stout! Great balance of flavors with the barrel aging; and very smooth to sip on for being 11.7%. This is the easier to find substitute for KBS in my book.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 05:06:47 | More by superspak

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

thagr81us

South Carolina

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

Big thanks goes out to beeruser for sharing this one at a recent tasting! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller oversized wine glass. Poured pitch black with a half finger tan head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of roasted malt, coffee, caramel, and sweet alcohol. The flavor was of roasted malt, coffee, cream, wood, sweet alcohol, and espresso. It had a heavy feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was an excellent brew. I truly went into this brew not expecting to like what I found. Fortunately, I was QUITE surprised! This thing really amazed me with all the flavors and aromas I got off it. They were so intense throughout while still remaining balanced. This one really wowed everyone at the tasting that evening. If you have constant access to this, I definitely envy you. If you don’t, you need to get this thing on your palate STAT!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 11:34:24 | More by thagr81us

ao125

Virginia

5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've drank a number of beers, and done a number of beer reviews, but there are few things that come even remotely close to this beer.

The only way I can describe it is like: "Drinking a midnight-black and thick, glass of chocolate-covered espresso beans".

It's sweet.
It's filling.
It's difficult as hell to get through a whole bottle on your own.

But it's also quite delicious.

Definitely a dessert beer of "Epic" proportions.

The "Big Bad Baptist" name also fits, if you think about this as "coffee and donuts after church"... now I just need to find a church that serves it.

Hands down, one of my favorite beers. I've tried batches #1, #3, and #4.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 16:28:31 | More by ao125

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from release #4 (bottled on 1/23/12) poured in to CBS snifter.

A - Poured black. One finger of bubbly espresso coloured head that receded to a thin layer. Some light lacing.

S - Whiskey up front that gives way to a bold espresso aroma, charred oak and cocoa nibs. The overall nose is very bitter with noticeable alcohol.

T - Massive espresso flavours up front that give way to whiskey, charred oak and heavily roasted chocolate malts. Bitter cocoa nibs are present as well, which combine with the espresso to create an almost overpowering bitterness that dominate the palate, somewhat muting the barrel aging qualities; but that is not a bad thing, as it allows the flavours to integrate well with good balance.

M - Medium to full body. Somewhat viscous. Light carbonation.

O - A little to heavy on the coffee but very good. Will be interesting to see what happens to my other bottle with a year or so of age on it.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 14:20:49 | More by TheSevenDuffs

brstls4drmrs

North Carolina

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

A--pours a dark, thick, opaque liquid with a perfectly thin caramel head. Good lacing occurs with some froth sticking to the glass.

S--dark chocolate malts, earth, coffee, burnt vanilla bean.

T--coffee and strong malts. Faint dark chocolate with some burnt, dark fruits.

M--thick and slightly creamy as temp rises. Finish sticks around for a while which is quite pleasing.

O--great brew. Would definitely get more of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 04:27:46 | More by brstls4drmrs

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #58 (November 2011):

LOOK: Pitch black, impressive head

SMELL: Exotic coffee, dark chocolate, soft charcoal, burnt currants, vanilla, booze, wood

TASTE: Thick, syrupy, smooth, bitter char, wood, booze, espresso, cocoa powder, faint vanilla

This beer is a beast! Usually you don't see such grace and balance with bigger Stouts. From roasted, wood, booze and sweetness, it all comes together. Seriously, this one gives some of the more hyped Imperial Stouts something to think about. A true ticker, beer geek, hunter or whatever, should be seeking this brew out.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 03:40:55 | More by BeerAdvocate

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

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

Batch #2. Bottled 11/28/11 and brewed with Tanzanian Rimini coffee (from Epic's website). Poured from a bottle into a Brooklyn Brewery snifter. Very dark pour. Lightly carbonated. Thin tan head with rapid dissipation. The nose has a lot of coffee on it. GOOD coffee. It smells like fine roasted coffee beans (not bitter old coffee). There's so much coffee on it, I don't seem to get much else.

Very interesting flavor. The strong coffee components come in very quickly and hit you with their bitterness. My first impression was one of disappointment for having missed out on any malty sweetness. However, the bitterness is not overwhelming and at mid-palate, some oak and cocoa flavors join in and match their bitterness to that of the coffee. At the back of the palate, there's a bit of alcohol warmth and a slight touch of whiskey that lingers a bit on the finish with the coffee. The body is very full and the mouthfeel is slightly oily and mouthcoating.

You gotta love a beer from Utah called ``Big Bad Baptist". I would love to give this beer higher marks simply because it's one of the ``coffee-est'' stouts I've had, but it's just a little too bitter for me to rate it any higher than I have. Still, it has a lot of flavor and if you like bitter beers, you'll probably flip over this. For me, it would have been better with a bit more sweetness to balance out all that coffee and cocoa. Also, for a whiskey barrel-aged beer, it doesn't have much vanilla or bourbon flavor to it. Still, a solid and enjoyable beer that I may buy again simply to see how it ages. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 00:54:05 | More by deadonhisfeet

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

HUGE thanks to VegasBeerMan...

A: Pours a pitch black motor oil slime with a full finger of mocha colored head. The foam settles fairly quickly leaving a nice frothy ring around the edges of the glass.

S: The nose is coffee, chocolate, roast, ans smoked meat. It's the perfect balance of everything wonderful in an Imp Stout. Damn. I want to drink this beer immediately.

T: Mmm. Great sweet malt up front mixed with char and barrel aged greatness. I get chocolate and more chared wonder as this beer comes through in the middle. The finish is pure milk chocolate and roast. Absolutely fantastic.

M: Full bodied beer. This beer is silky smooth, coating, and lingers forever. It's perfect.

O: This beer is killer! I had no expectations before I opened the bottle, and now I want a case more. This is one of the best/most memorable BA beers I've had in a long, long, long, long ass time. This beer is glorious.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 01:32:19 | More by trxxpaxxs

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

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally tried it after Ted and others bugged me for like 3 months.

Pours black with a small white head. Then the smell. Holy shit its coffee. Like lots of coffee. bitter coffee and dark chocolate and oak in the taste. Light body, low carbonation, and lots of coffee. There wasnt as much bourbon as I was expecting, but it gets the job done.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 20:22:21 | More by VncentLIFE

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

A coffee story from intro to epilogue. Black as night, oily texture, sweeter side with chocolate. The coffee wafts, it is much more coffee composition than coffee stouts. Some roasted malt. Good for what it is, it is surprisingly drinkable at 11% abv.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 03:19:59 | More by northyorksammy

tdm168

North Carolina

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

Thanks to jtd1969 for sharing.

Pours a big, blackish brown with a mountain of brown head that has great retention. The nose is big and robust with an immense coffee aroma and faint chocolate. The flavor is dominated by coffee with some rich, roasted malts and underlying chocolate. There is a faint, citrusy hop finish that adds a little balance to the richness of the malts. The mouthfeel is definitely full bodied, very smooth, and well carbonated.

This was a great stout. The coffee was immense and intense, the alcohol is big and warm, the flavor was profound, but at the same time it was drinkable and smooth. It was all around enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 18:43:44 | More by tdm168

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours jet black with a tan like head. In the aroma, coffee, chocolate, and a note of alcohol. In the taste, dry coffee and balanced with a sweet cocoa, with notes of alcohol all the way through. A smooth and medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel, with a note of dry coffee and small alcohol in the aftertaste. Dry coffee balanced with sweet cocoa, with a nice alcohol presence, very nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 17:33:12 | More by OWSLEY069