Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into a Surly Darkness glass. Big thanks to knifestyles for opening this under-the-radar powerhouse.

A: Black with orange highlights under a thin layer of tan bubbles. All right.

S: Mmmm. Intense coffee + cocoa powder. Not much in the way of whiskey, but the coffee and chocolate are so radically fresh and intense that I don't care. Awesome.

T: Coffee and chocolate essence. Seriously, this is like chocolate-flavored coffee or coffee-flavored chocolate, whichever sounds more delicious to you. There's nothing else here, and what's here is some of the most delicious coffee/chocolate flavor I've ever experienced. The finish is spicy with booze, which is the only thing keeping this from getting full marks. Incredible.

M: Quite viscous - much more so than the appearance would suggest. Moderate carbonation. Absolutely luscious.

O: What a beer. Complex it is not, but it gets the job done like no other stout I can remember. I'd buy more in a heartbeat if I knew where to find it. Drink this beer.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 02:35:41 | More by woosterbill

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a stemmed flare glass at Michael's in Charlottesville. Release #1 (11.7%). Brewed on December 2010 and blended with June 2011. Packaged 22 September 2011.

A: A big, gorgeous tan head. Incredibly black, but shot through with ruby highlights.

S: Amazing! Loads of coffee -- reminiscent of Péché Mortel, one of my all-time favourites -- and sweet, dark chocolate are utterly captivating.

T: Is there such a thing as TOO much coffee bitterness? Maybe... Regardless, this beer is chock full of it, resulting in a long, lingering bitterness and a bittersweet maintaste. I love this beer, even if it's a tad one-dimensional. Smooth and utterly delicious.

M/O: Surprisingly substantial, and altogether bitter. This is a great beer and an amazingly good Imperial Stout. Highly recommended...if you like coffee. I will have another. So good.

Notes
Malts: Muntons Maris Otter Malt, Briess 2-Row Brewer Malt, Crystal Muntons, Weyerman Light Munich Malt T1, 2-Row chocolate malt, 2-row black malt, roasted barley
Hops: Nugget, Chinook, Cascade
Other: Coffee, Cocoa Nibs
+++
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into an Albemarle Ciderworks glass. Release #3 (11.4%). Brewed on 22 August 2011. Packaged 9 December 2011.

4.5A: Pours viscously, black and dark. Opaque, with little to no head.

4S: There is a strange scent here, lingering amongst the coffee. Nitrogen? Carbon dioxide? Not as powerful or as excellent as the first release. Still shit tons of coffee.

4.25T/4: Flat coffee. BIttersweet chocolate. Lingering (coffee) bitterness. The whiskey shows a little bit more on this release, offering a subtle, almost subversive, vanilla sweetness. Substantial, chewy, and thick, but little carbonation. Even some hops in up here.

4.5O: A big, bruiser of a coffee stout. I strongly suspect that actual brewed coffee is added (not just coffee beans). Recommended for coffee lovers. Would drink again, but man it's expensive.

Notes
Malts: Muntons Maris Otter Malt, Briess 2-Row Brewer Malt, Crystal Muntons, Weyerman Light Munich Malt T1, 2-Row chocolate malt, 2-row black malt, roasted barley
Hops: Nugget, Chinook, Cascade
Other: Millcreek Coffee nibs (French Roast), Cocoa Nibs

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 01:06:22 | More by AgentMunky

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a snifter; release #1

Pours a still ink black, absolutely no light getting through this guy. A small brown colored head bubbled up and never truly took shape before fading away.

Charred roasted malt, coffee grounds and bitter dark chocolate leap out of the glass. I could smell it while I was pouring it. Oak and bourbon are low lying additions.

There is a uniqueness to this stout that is growing on me. Charred roast and coffee carry you through the middle where bitter chocolate, dark fruits and bourbon take over. The finish is some more char and bitter coffee grounds. The mildest amount of warming is noticeable, but doesn't detract from anything.

The feel is pretty damn good. Oily smooth with a good amount of heft behind it. Lingering char and coffee with bourbon notes.

The charred malt lends a great partner flavor to the bitter chocolate and coffee grounds. One that I haven't come across before. This is a damn fine stout that is welcome in my glass any time. Solid job, Epic.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 01:52:06 | More by ColForbinBC

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bomber into tulip glass. Pours dark black with a moderate looking viscosity. The head rises an inch or two then settles after a minute. Smell is inviting at first with a rich dark carmel oaky vanilla followed by a bitter coffee smell mellowed by chocolate. The smell of the very strong coffee doesn't appeal to me. Gives off a dark rich roast almost espresso scent. Unfortunately, I am not much of a coffee drinker so you can say this was a bit dark rich bitter astringent. There is a moderate amount of vanilla oak and warm alochol. There is some carmel malt and roasty malt. Mostly coffee mocha and barrel. Light notes of ash, dark fruit and tree bark. There is a lingering sweetness cleaned up by a moderate bitter hop bite. Mouthfeel is medium body with medium carbonation that is creamy. Probably a better beer for those who really swear by coffee.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 19:15:04 | More by CuriousMonk

Vierenner

Ohio

2.48/5  rDev -42.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I had very high expectations but was severly disappointed. I was hoping for a Big John sort of quality & flavor -- it's certainly not that. The smell is powerful but I'm not sure how to describe it -- musty, perhaps? The taste is out of balance ... incoherent. A mix of flavors, each trying to out do the other, certainly not in harmony. Often even a mediocre beer gets better during a sitting as the taste buds acclimate ... not the case for me with this one. Stay away.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 01:11:58 | More by Vierenner

buyBinboaVodka

New Jersey

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

Release #1 11.7% alc

A - pours a dark black with ruby highlights around the edges. Very small head with minimal retention. Little lacing around the glass.

S - Strong cocoa and earthy notes. I get a bit of hazelnut coming through follwed by coffee aroma.

T - Big bold roasted malts followed by a more subtle chocolate coffee taste. This has a nice balance of sweet malts and some bitter dark chocolate.

M - Feels like a rich creamy milkshake thats not thick. Slight carbonation but a little flat.

O - This an awesome beer that deserves some respect. I would recommend this beer to anyone who likes big stouts.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 02:11:01 | More by buyBinboaVodka

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

stimulus

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 2: 11.7% abv.
A: Pours pitch black with a 1/2 finger tan head.
S: BIG coffee with a bit of whiskey and cocoa in the background. Roasted malts are very faint.
T: Wow, tastes like sweet turkish coffee with the cocoa sweetening the intense coffee flavors. Irish whiskey (yet possibly bourbon - can’t tell because of the potent coffee beans) coats the background, with traditional stout flavors filling in at the very end.
M: Smooth as can be for a barrel aged coffee stout; full bodied and well carbonated.
O: Heavy on the coffee, could be more balanced for how it is advertised.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 03:45:34 | More by stimulus

billab914

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Batch 1 poured from a 22oz bottle into my Stone IRS glass. It poured black in color with a frothy tan head barely covering the top of the beer and clinging to the edges of the glass. Nice lacing as I drank it.

The aroma shows a good amount of roasty, bitter coffee flavors to it. The chocolaty flavors really come out in it as well and mix pretty nicely with the whiskey. Some notes of oak and vanilla smooth it out a little. The coffee is a little dominating, but it's a pretty nice aroma overall.

The taste also has a big roasty and bitter coffee flavor throughout. It's a a little overpowering of the other flavors for me. In the finish I do get some of the dark, bitter-sweet chocolate and whiskey flavors coming out along with just a hint of vanilla.

The mouthfeel is heavy with carbonation being low. Overall it was a pretty decent beer, but the roasty, bitter, coffee was a little overpowering for me. I liked the coffee flavors, it just overshadowed the chocolate and whiskey a little too much for me. A little more balance would have really gone a long way. Pretty decent beer of the style, but not an outstanding one for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 01:55:29 | More by billab914

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.47/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Release #1

A: Poured out like a big vat of prune juice with black food coloring. Thick and with no head, this monster just saw there staring at me ominously....

S: More than a hint of coffee...jeez loueez! The coffee was of the gourmet variety and had sort of a soft, buttery quality on the scent.

T: Perhaps that butter is whiskey? ...now that I actually got proactive and read the bottle, it definitely is, alas! Still, lots of coffee and I got some cocoa infusion as well as more sweetness as it warmed.

M: It's rare that I get an equal amount of bourbon and coffee in a beer (usually one trumps the other), but this is one of those that pulls it off. After my tongue pulled out its magnifying glass, it got a few bubbles posing as carbonation, and the aftermath on the glass: minimal lacing. The aftermath on the palate: coffee....and then some.

O: This totally blew me away. If you really want to taste coffee AND bourbon in your beer, this is the one for you!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 22:48:51 | More by Chaney

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.55/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Good coffee laden stout, barely fair as a bourbonesque brew.

Presentation: 22 oz brown capped bottle. Paper label with a simple light cream background and a black label with the name of the brew and series branding punctuated by drawing of a pilgrim/like bearded man opening a jar.. Side narrative Offers a small note about the special and limited character of the brew, and encourages to check their website for more details. Notes release #1, and 11.7 % Alc. by Vol. Served in a snifter.

A - Black pour with brown edges, fair 1/3" creamy brown head, poor retention and lacing with a fair surface memory ring.

S - Prominent coffee nose, not badly done… a bit plain but fair with a minimal hint of complex sweetness behind it.

T- Palate follows with a roasted coffee commanding note, malty… touch of chocolate and a sweetness that is minimally vanilla, whiskyeske… very short there, but the roasted sense and the sturdy but correct coffee do a good job to sustain the brew.

M - Medium-full body with tingly carbonation, fairly smooth ride with a small bitterness and an emerging boozy touch.

O - Nice sipper, a bit to compact and too skewed towards the coffee but pretty pleasing.

Notes: Blasphemy: in the KBS range without the hype, missing the Bourbon barrel, and with good coffee.. not too good a coffee but a fair coffee… Dunno, it is nice but nothing that I would actively seek out.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 17:15:40 | More by Daniellobo

biglite351

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Very dark with just a hint of red around the edges. Creamy medium-dark head that falls slowly.

S - Smells like a coffee roasters place. not like a cup of coffee, but like the actual roast. Hint of chocolate and malts in the mix. After a few moments there is a vanilla and alcohol scent. (I actually did not know this was a whickey barrelled beer until just now)

T - Not as good as the scent. Seems a bit confused. Instead of the coffee, chocolate and barrel ageing mixing, they seem to each be trying to stand on their own. it is like different parts of the mouthful have different flavors.

M - Thin, but leaves a little coating. Mild alcohol tingle in throat. Timgle on sides of tongue.

O - Very close. There is just something about the flavor palate that is odd. it is like this brew is fighting itself.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 02:24:53 | More by biglite351

MaxSpang

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

APPEARANCE

Hey, this a stout here. It's dark, and it's viscus. It had a smidge of a khaki head that went away fast. Only a little bubbles crept up the glass. What else can you say about this Big Bad Baptist?
SMELL

Coffee dominates the nose at first. It's followed up by a nice amount of bitter dark chocolate. After awhile, the whiskey comes through and brings a tinge of alcohol, but it doesn't smell boozey. There's a little bit of bread notes a well as some slight raisin and dark fruits. It's definitely heavy on the coffee, but isn't completely overpowered by it.

TASTE

Like the nose, coffee dominates the palette. The first sip was almost all coffee. Subsequent tastes brought in the dark chocolate in a big way. The whisky is present, and comes through toward the end. There's a lingering sweetness toward the end as well, which brightens the chocolate character. The bitterness is also high, from the hops, coffee, and bitter chocolate. There's a little liquoroce after taste. This isn't as boozy as expected, but it does have a little heat as the beer warms in the class.

MOUTHFEEL

This has got some definite body. It's pretty big on residual sugars, and it's not the easiest drinker. It has a slighlty dry finish, but it isn't smooth per se. The carbonation is medium, and only slighty foams up in the mouth. It's a good example of a "meatier" Imperial Stout.

OVERALL

This is a tasty beer! It's not as polished as other similar beers (Founders KBS, for example) but it's still a good brew. It could stand a little age on it to smooth out, but it's very nice fresh. The name implies that perhaps omeone was sending a message in the land of Mormons, but the massage I'm getting is that this is good beer.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 23:44:50 | More by MaxSpang

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One finger tan head, black body, nice lace.

Nose is coffee grounds, and rich ones, too. But pretty much nothing else.

*Huge* coffee taste. Some bitter cocoa, subdued bourbon, decently balanced, on the bitter side.

Rich and thickly textured.

A stout that's both rich and dry... rare. Incredibly coffee heavy. I can only wonder what aging would do.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 01:30:55 | More by zaphodchak

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

patm1986

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

For a barrel-aged imperial stout, it's not as dark as others. it's more of a darker brown than a dark brown or black. Maybe the nibs have something to do with it. There isn't much of a head at all, nor any carbonation. it also doesn't look as viscous, certainly not motor oil-y.

It smells like mildly roasted coffee beans, sweet cream, cocoa powder, vanilla, and pine, all without much of an alcoholic aroma.

Pronounced flavors of coffee and cream, baking chocolate, roasted coffee beans, a little bit of whiskey--but more an oaky vanilla flavor--but, overall, it tastes like a thicker, carbonated, barely spiced or spiked irish coffee with chocolate syrup.

Finishes smoothly, but thins out greatly the warmer it gets. not much of a body, but such as it is, it lends itself to be more palatable. it leaves that nice mouth tingle though.

this is a solid barrel-aged brew at a time when we're being hit with them from all angles. the cocoa nibs are a really nice touch though. some age on this might thicken it some.
cheers

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 00:03:07 | More by patm1986

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.8/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into an E&J Cask & Cream glass on 10/30/11

Release #1

Pours a stained cherry brown and settle up rather dark with a one finger cap of sandy brown foam. The head drops quickly to a skimmed layer of foam and a large patch of bubbles shoved off to the side. Drippy lace hangs from a third of the glass. Swirling helps keep the head alive.

Dang, the coffee addition rules the roost as far as the aroma is concerned. If I didn't know better, I'd assume this was a spot of espresso. Swirling draws forth meager notes of sweet whiskey and a hint of charred oak. As it warms there are suggestions of vanilla, but I'm not getting anything from the cocoa nibs. It keeps reverting back to espresso throughout the whole glass. Overtones of booze as it warms further.

After taking a sip it seems this is, in fact, beer. Hey, off to a good start, right? That said, the flavor profile table is slanted and all the ingredients are tumbling about, longing for the floor. Things start off sweet, courtesy of chocolate tones and whiskey nips. The middle finds overtones of oak as things shift toward roasted coffee, which carries everything on down. Full on espresso lingers long on the floor. Tastes a bit harsher as it warms, which is kind of a surprise.

Fairly full bodied, but not overly viscous; kind of nimble as far as imperial stouts tend to go (though it does seem to bulk up a bit over time). Carbonation is higher than I prefer, but not inappropriate here, I guess. At least it's puffy instead of prickly. Though not entirely hidden, alcohol is largely masked; it tends to be warming and is most apparent on the floor.

As far as I'm concerned, this needs some serious clean-up. Namely, the coffee is out of control and needs to be reigned in. I hate to be the one to police the Hype Pipe © usage that seems is going on here, but this is far from an astounding barreled take on the style. Perhaps it might improve as the coffee fades, but, at this price point, I'm not likely to pick up a second bottle to find out.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 02:23:43 | More by Ryan011235

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. Release #1, one of "a few thousand bottles released."

4.0 A: Black color. One and a half fingers of dense, creamy light brown head. Retention is good and a small ring of lacing is left.

4.0 S: This is quite a smeller. The whiskey is lightly charred and earthy with melon, apple, and smoky notes. Light booziness. Light woodiness and just a hint of vanilla. The base stout gives a soft roastiness with dark chocolate, coffee, molasses, and an earthy quality.

4.0 T: The bourbon again is slightly more powerful than the stout and offers the same components found in the nose. The cocoa nibs and coffee stick out more in the taste and for that I'm thankful. Booze is very well hidden, but does offer a welcomed warming on the finish. Good stuff.

3.5 M: This is the only part of this beer that I'm not thrilled about. Just thicker than a medium body. This could use a touch more carbonation, but it has a decent creaminess to it. Light astringent aftertaste. I'd prefer a bit of a thicker body.

4.5 D: A couple categories could have been a notch higher, so this is the score it gets here. Solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 06:24:14 | More by DavoleBomb

REDAMI

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into two pint glasses.

A - Pours black, tan/caramel colored head which dissipates quickly with little lacing.

S - Strong bitter chocolate, followed by whiskey, boozy alcohol, and a coffee finish.

T - Starts as a well balanced mocha with an extra shot of espresso. Followed by a strong alcohol edge, which finishes with the bitterness of baking chocolate and dark roasted grains.

M - Smoothness is cut by strong alcohol which thins it somewhat. Should improve wih aging.

O - The flavors are spot on for a mocha stout. However, the alcohol bite takes away from the overall body of the beer. This is still an outstanding brew and I hope I can get another bottle to see how it turns out after aging.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 23:43:15 | More by REDAMI

smakawhat

Maryland

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

Poured from the bottle into a large snifter, release #1.

A real nice creamy appearance of uniform light brown. Bubbles for the most part are tight but have some larger ones. Head forms normally and falls at a good but normal clip. I wouldn't stay it sticks around, but it doesn't disappear quickly either. Some spotted leopard lacing, and this body looks particularly black. I am on the fence between 4 and 4.5 on this one it could go either way. Very nice looking, and leaving a whispy cloud appearing top.

Nose is just a very simple roast coffee. Not much else, but at least the nose is particularly solid, simple and VERY well done here. Honestly, the bouquet is not varied other than that, with some soft sense, kind of creamy sensation coming. Just very solid and good.

Taste is... yeah even more of a surprise. Creamy milk sweetened coffee. A good char roast character on the finish too with a lingering almost milk lactose milk stout sense, giving to slight powdered sugar. Bigger body gives a thicker cream but nothing overpowering, sticky, or thick to swallow. Cream sensation mixes with the coffee and sweetness angle so perfectly.

Overall, it's very much a simple flavored big stout, nothing crazy, or incredibly varied, but just done extremely well. This one is a keeper, this is a winner right here.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 01:06:52 | More by smakawhat

mcallister

Ohio

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

Pours an almost deep purple, a tan head of two fingers fades into a molten top leaving no lace.

Amazing aromas of big and bold freshly brewed coffee. Dark chocolate, black and blueberry, light whiskey and hints of oak. Roasted malts and a hint of smoke.

Coffee monster here and delicious, big and toasty with hints of mocha, heavy cream, burnt caramel, toffee, plum, blueberry, very light wood, with some bourbon notes late in the finish. Other brooding dark fruits, coffee tannins galore and a smidgeon of vanilla.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 18:55:14 | More by mcallister

projectflam86

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber served in a tulip. Release#1 11.7% ABV on the side of the bottle.

A- Pours a deep black color with a medium sized light brown head that leaves some lace.

S- This baby is all coffee. Deep dark roasted coffee aroma and some bittersweet chocolate. Not picking up much from the whiskey barrels but the coffee definitely stands out.

T- Ok, now the whiskey barrels show themselves. Huge wave of alcohol initially with a creamy smooth roasted finish. The coffee still leads the way in the flavor profile but the whiskey is quite noticeable and adds a bit of depth. Some dark chocolate, vanilla beans, and black licorice comes through more as it warms. Charred burnt aftertaste lingers until the next sip.

M- Full bodied with medium carbonation. Silky smooth and rich.

O- This is one doozie of a beer. I think the alcohol is a bit too hot for my personal preference but aging one might take away from the huge coffee flavors. A very nice coffee forward brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 01:39:29 | More by projectflam86

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

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

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

Purchased from epic.$12 for a 22oz bottle. Into an epic snifter.

A: Pitch black with a sand colored head that bubbles up to about an inch then fades to nothing. No laying to speak of. Completely opaque.

S: coffee and a ton of it. Man. This is easily the most coffee forward beer I've ever smelt. Just incredible on the coffee note. Some sweet chocolate and a touch of cocoa. Awesome here.

T: like the nose would lead on, huge coffee, tons of roasted malt and a lot of chocolate as well. Brown sugar and coffee, with a little vanilla as well. Not a ton of barrel character but there is a bit of whiskey and oak. Huge milk chocolate as it continues to warm. Wow. Best beer from epic that I've had.

M: just about right a bit more body would help. Surprisingly not hot, just the right amount of warmth.

O: glad I got a bottle of this, easily the best beer I've had from epic. A little more bal character would really help, but this is damn tasty. I love coffee forward beers and this is awesome. Nicely done epic. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 04:04:48 | More by pokesbeerdude

Urbancaver

Ohio

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

Pours a dark dark brown. Reddish tint. Some light off-white head. Smells incredible. Tons and tons of coffee. Lots of sweetness on the nose as well. Tastes bitter And roasty. A nice solid mouthfeel. Well carbonated. I'm really impressed with this beer

But, no barrel characteristics what so ever.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 19:53:10 | More by Urbancaver