Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

kojevergas

California

4.03/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Acquired in Los Angeles for $11.99 a couple days ago. Reviewed live. 11.4% according to my (2012) bottle. Release #10. 1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Expectations are high given its current ratings.

Served refrigerator cold but allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 1.5 finger rich tan colour head of great cream, thickness, and retention (considering the high ABV). Body colour is a solid nontransparent opaque black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Solid for the style.

Sm: Cocoa, coffee, quite strong roast bitterness from the coffee, roasted barley, some stale coffee notes, and dark malts. Coffee/java is definiteley dominant. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Coffee (with some notable bitterness on the climax), some roast, java, subtle chocolate on the open, and whiskey - as subtle as can possibly be. Wow. A bit of malty sweetness. Coffee is dominant. Some caramel. Really marvelously balanced. I quite like it, though the bitterness does come through a bit too much on the finish.

Mf: Great. Ideal smoothness/coarseness balance. Good wetness. Perfect carbonation. Suits the flavour brilliantly. Great thickness to support the flavours. Actually not too heavy on the palate.

Dr: Very drinkable for the high ABV. I'm impressed. A very coffee oriented imperial stout. I could down this all night. Incredible. It's surpassed my expectations. I'd definitely have this again. Epic surprised me. I'd like to have it on-draught. Not a perfect example of the style, but a pretty damned good one.

Low A-

*I had to manipulate the appearance score to give it the letter grade I wanted. Please see my profile page for more information. This keeps my reviews fair and consistent.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 05:48:07 | More by kojevergas

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Release #7, bottled 8 September 2012. Tasted 7 December 2012.

Pours dark brown, effectively black in the glass. One finger of medium-dark tan head, good retention, and pretty darn good lacing. Looks tasty.

Smell is big on the coffee, with a chocolate chaser. Smooth, with little evidence of bourbon. I'm liking the coffee, just wishing there was more stout, or more something else in here. I get a touch of whiskey, but like I said (did I say it already?), it's heavy on the coffee.

Taste is decidedly disjunct. Starts out with coffee and a touch of chocolate, then fades, then comes ripping back with hop bitterness and a light bourbon kick. Pretty tasty, thanks to all the good parts that are in there, but they're integrated rather poorly. It's rough, in a way that I don't think would smooth out with time.

Mouthfeel is fine. Body is lighter than I expected; medium-heavy. Medium-low carbonation. Just fine.

A decent stout, but in the middle tier. Definitely more of a coffee stout than a barrel-aged stout. I really wish the components worked together better.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 04:55:23 | More by zeledonia

stakem

Pennsylvania

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

Batch #3 care of joefc, thanks man! Bomber into a cervoise, the brew appears black with a finger of brown to khaki head that fades slow leaving some stringy lace sticking to the glass. A swirl revives about a finger back to the surface and paints some spotty lacing effect on the glass. When held to the light, the brew shows some ruby clarity through the body.

The smell is robust with earthy coffee. For being a year old at this point, it is still smelling pretty fantastic. I can only dream about how awesome the sumatra versions must be when fresh. The coffee imparts its own unique blend of citrus aspect mixed with hops. There is a raw oak quality about this that blends into the earthiness mixing with some mineral aspect that is almost dusty to rusty. The roasted aspect of the grain provides a bit of chocolate and a tang of whiskey becomes more evident as the brew warms up.

The taste is very roasty from a combination of heavily kilned grains and strong coffee flavors that are both earthy and include a bit of citrus coffee bean elements. Some warming alcohol is present with an accenting whiskey tang. The coffee's earthen aspect reminds me very much of kopi luwak for some reason. More sips reveal a bit of dusty to almost rusty mineral inclusion that while awkward at first dissolve away into a flavor of nothing but coffee and roasted grains that are at this point almost like milk chocolate with a bit of herbal hop flavoring.

This is a medium to lighter bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. I tip my hat to epic brewing company for making a seriously epic coffee stout. The alcohol is masterfully integrated and while the coffee flavors push to be almost excessive and overdone, it is fantastic. I need to try the other batches of this ASAP.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 02:18:46 | More by stakem

DocJitsu

California

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

Pours an opaque, very dark brown color with a mocha colored head. The head dissipates a little too quickly. Otherwise, I would've given its appearance a score of 4.5. I like the uniqueness of the aroma. But, the aroma, in my opinion, just doesn't deserve a 4.5. I note coffee, griddle smoke, and olives. Moutfheel is viscous and slick. Just what I was hoping it'd be. I love the flavor of this one. Greasy spoon exhaust smoke when the griddle catches fire. The smoke begins to yield some to chocolate, but persists, albeit to a lesser degree, throughout the finish. Quite of hop bitterness gets expressed toward the finish, which tends to wake the smoke back up. Just a bit of off plastic flavor that tends to taint so many Imperial Stouts. I hope the smoke flavor in this one was created by the grain and the char of the barrel, not an additive. I really enjoy this beer. It reminds me of Bacon and Eggs from Pizza Port.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 02:10:59 | More by DocJitsu

brewdude1982

North Carolina

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

This was a bomber and poured into a snifter for this review however I have had it on draft as well.

A: 4.0 nice and dark with slight head
S:  4.5 rich and malty with a slight whiskey hint
T: 4.5 lovely rich dark malts that lead into one of the best combinations of stout and bourbon
MF: 5.0 very very very full body that gives and gives. Such a nice great finish that ends in this amazing bourbon flourish
O: 4.5 this beer is one of my favorite bourbon Stouts that I have ever tasted

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 20:41:04 | More by brewdude1982

Gobzilla

California

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

A: poured a dark as night black in color with a nice finger worth of brown head that left good frothy lacing sticking to the glass.

S: huge coffee aroma upfront on the nose, plenty of chocolate goodness, molasses, brown sugar, great roasty character, a little bourbon booze, hints of vanilla and very nice oakiness coming through as well.

T: the coffee character was just as potent like the aroma suggested it would be alongside rich dark chocolate flavor, caramel brown sugar sweetness, great raosted malts, vanilla accents with good oaky notes and a little underlying booze.

M; the brew was medium in body with a good amount of carbonation which had a sweet, roasty, chocolatey, oaky, roasty, mildly boozy and creamy finish.

O; I honestly didn't think it was going to be that good and they proved me wrong. Definitely going to look out for more of their offerings.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 18:54:25 | More by Gobzilla

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

#9: This poured out as a rich deep black color with a light brown head on top. There isn't much retention or lacing on this beer but it still looks nice. The smell of the beer has big amounts of coffee on the nose. It's got some whiskey notes as well to sweeten the beer. The taste is big and bold. The coffee is huge here, the chocolate and whiskey note fall into place in the aftertaste. There is a subtle sweetness in there too. The mouthfeel is slick and smooth. The beer is heavy and gently carbonated. Overall this beer is really good. Found this to be a great dessert after a big thanksgiving dinner.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 23:56:08 | More by Knapp85

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a tumbler.

Thanks to my man Ryan for sharing this bottle!

Batch #9. Just jumpin' right on in: This stuff pours a deep black-brown topped by a finger of dark khaki foam. The nose comprises coffee, roasted malts, light dark chocolate powder, and the faintest hint of whiskey. The taste brings in more of the same, with the coffee taking control once everything else runs its respective course. I've heard other batches have been more whiskey-forward or whatnot, but this batch is decidedly coffee-heavy. This doesn't really detract all that much, as everything is delightfully balanced and expressive; I'm just sayin'. The body is a stolid medium, with a light moderate carbonation, a generally smooth feel, and a slightly dry finish. Overall, a very nice impy stout, one that shows what moderation can do for a barrel-aged beer. Good times, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:48:59 | More by TMoney2591

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

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

matttttYCE

Arizona

3.78/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes. This was a batch 4 bottle.

Poured into a brandy snifter, the head is about 2 fingers, foamy tan. Fades with a moderate rate. Little lacing. The color is a seriously dark black. Pours with a bit of a viscosity to it as well

I would say that the aroma is dominated by coffee. Don't get me wrong, it's a pleasant aroma, but the coffee might be a little too much in this case. Anyways, the aromas at play here are tons of coffee, like I just ground up some nice dark roast beans (reminds me of Sumatra), then behind that are some big notes of fudge and dark chocolate, some rich roasted malts, smokiness or along with possible hints of vanilla. I wish I were detecting some more bourbon (and all the nuances that come with it), but sadly, I am not.

The taste is, again, dominated by coffee. I get a moderately strong dark roast black coffee taste along with notes of fudge, syrupy dark chocolate, roasted malts, smoke, char, and ash (though not necessarily bad). Again, I wish I could say I'm getting notes of bourbon or any of the flavors that come along with it, but I simply don't taste it.

The consistency is rich and velvety, the carbonation is medium, the body is full and almost syrupy, and the finish is a bit lingering and more wet than dry.

Overall this beer was nice but I wouldn't say I was too impressed with it. In fact I was more let down than anything at the fact that I couldn't really detect hints of barrel aging. The fact that this beer advertises bourbon barrel aging and doesn't evidence it sucks. What this is is a decent coffee stout. In fact, when I think of coffee stouts, it's up there with some of the nicer ones I've had the pleasure of having. But when I consider this as a barrel aged stout (with added qualities like being brewed with cocoa nibs or with coffee beans) it's somewhat lacking.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 02:05:54 | More by matttttYCE

wedge

North Carolina

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

@ Ridgewood

Black with a super creamy beige head on top. Black coffee aroma straight away followed by wood, black malt, dark cocoa, mild creamy vanilla, and perhaps a bit of bread. Mocha, bourbon, dark chocolate, and sweetened espresso flavors. Super smooth, creamy, and heavy. Not overly aggressive with the barrel-aged-ness, which is a good thing in my eyes. Also, not boozy...another plus. I imagine, though, that this could become awesomely, ridiculously smooth(er) after a little time in the cellar. Very nice...

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2012 03:07:35 | More by wedge

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big Bad Baptist, on-tap @ Bier:Thirty in Bound Crossing. This is Batch #7; not sure how much batch variation has been encountered with this beer. Poured into a snifter, review from notes:

A: Opaque body with a huge tan head (impressive for a BA beer with adjuncts added) that recedes to a constant ring.

S: Tons of coffee with hints of smoke...a bit of boozy sweetness. There is an underlying whiskey note, but no real oak or vanilla, its just spirit.

T: Semi-acrid coffee on the front of the palate, with a moderate roasted malt component...hints of smoke and char again...mocha...the spirit burn on the back of the throat meshes pretty well with the notes of coffee and buried chocolate.

MF: Thinner and closer to medium than full...lighter to medium carbonation, light alcohol presence on the finish.

O: Decent but not great. I don't go gaga for this like a lot of guys buts a solid BA coffee stout.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2012 16:49:23 | More by Scotchboy

Hex92

Virginia

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

Well here is another beer with 'imperial' in the name that doesn't dissapoint. Its a big ol beer and it is worth a try. The taste of coffee is over the top. Throw in some chocolate, alcohol burn, and roasted malts and you have this beer.

Definitely not a session beer. Its very sweet, high alcohol, and huge on flavor. Split one with a friend.

I will pick this one up again.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 02:34:16 | More by Hex92

buffs9

Colorado

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

A - very dark, with tan head, tiny bubbles.

S - coffee dark chocolate, morecoffee, bit of whiskey

T - I'm not a coffee drinker, but I like what coffee and bourbon do together in beer. like a mix of FBS/KBS, but with stronger coffee flavor. Incredibly smooth, sweet and bitter.

M - very creamy, love the way this beer drinks.

O - excellent and highly recommended. Totally underrated, perhaps b/c it's not rare?

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 22:22:43 | More by buffs9

AnotherImperial

Arizona

4.93/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Release #9, 22 oz bottle, consumed out of snifter at room temperature

A - Very dark brown, nearly opaque. Quickly dissipating, deep, tan head. Minimal cling. Looks lovely.

S - Mostly espresso and a hint of dark fruits, combined with a wonderful, non-bourbon whiskey aroma.

T - Absolutely fantastic. Chocolate and non-bourbon whiskey , followed by espresso and slight dark fruits, ending with a perfect amount of heat. Allowing a sip to sit in my mouth for a few seconds really allowed the chocolate to show itself.

M - Ever so slightly lighter than anticipated based upon the appearance. Slight carbonation present.

O - This beer was shockingly good. I tried it for the first time a few days ago and went back the next day to purchase a few more, including the one I am now reviewing. Though different (mainly in the type of whiskey flavor), this beer is nearly as good as KBS, and I didn't have to stand in line or pay $100 to get a 4-pack via eBay. If this is your style, do what you can to get one of these. I can only hope every release will be this memorable.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 03:15:00 | More by AnotherImperial

snpub540

California

4.2/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Cabo Taco Baja Grill in La Mirada.

Poured a deep dark brown which was almost black with a thin tan head that left delicate lacing on the glass. Small bubbles slowly rising from the bottom.

Smell is mostly roasted coffee with some vanilla and bitter chocolate notes. Alcohol soaked raisins. Smells like a good time.

Taste is a super smooth blend of bitter coffee and barrel flavors of booze and oak.

Mouthfeel is slightly thin. That was my only let down. Overall this was a great beer and I'll probably pick up a bottle soon down the line.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 19:17:54 | More by snpub540

FosterJM

California

2.68/5  rDev -37.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

1593rd Review on BA
Bottle to Woodshop snifter
22oz

Release #9
Purchased at Total Wine Brea for $10.99

App- A really great looking stout in the glass. It was a very deep brown. Bordered on black and very dense in the center and even the edges stay black. A good 1" tan head that faded to a small ring. Couple dots of cling.

Smell- Well it completely loses me here. Pure pressed coffee thats already been brewed with a big malt backbone. Large bitter. 

Taste- Pure over brewed and roasted coffee. I get nothing but coffee and bit roast.

Mouth- A thin medium body with a thin carbonation. Way too much coffee. Just not a great flavor.

Drink- Just a bad beer. Wont come back.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 02:20:50 | More by FosterJM

wvsabbath

West Virginia

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

Serving Type - 22oz bottle

Appearance - Dark black with a tan tint. Slim 1/8 inch head only cause i poured aggressive, some sticky lacing. Looks like a big time stout.

Smell - Very malty, smokey roasty, charcoal, nutty, coffee, molasses, oak. Some whiskey notes also. A little chocolate and cocoa round this monster out.

Taste - Much like the smell, huge malts, roasted with tons of coffee notes. Strong and bold, a sipper for sure. Nice underline of sweet choclate and cocoa, with a little dark fruit presence. Brown sugar and molasses add some counter-acting sweetness to the monster malt profile. Theres a nice smokey, oaked flavor also.

Mouthfeel - Big beer, smacks tounge with roasted malts, where palate gets more chocolate and cocoa, and the sugars. The aftertaste is malty, coffee and sugary.

Overall - Its a really nice beer, the best beer ive had from epic so far. Huge malty flavor, loads of coffee and some sugars. Wouldnt mind having this in a 12oz bottle, its alot for one person. Its near world class, kinda one sided with the coffee flavor, and unlike other stouts were i could handle 22oz, id be fine with 12oz of this. Stll, excellent beer, one of the better out there, for sure grab a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 22:16:09 | More by wvsabbath

Giraffe

4.4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours like one would hope: pitch black with a hearty, persistent head.

S: Definite whiskey, with lots of espresso and some wood smoke.

T: A style that's easy to overdo on the whiskey end in my humble. But this gets it just right in a great balance between the coffee and the whiskey. Chocolate is somewhat present, but definitely takes a backseat to the other two flavors. No matter. What's there works wonders. Smokiness and espresso lingers on the roof and tongue long after. Zero to slight booziness, which is amazing.

M: Not the best judge of this, admittedly. Smooth, inoffensive overall, but with a bit of astringency in the end.

O: I was told this is an excellent supplement to Founder's KBS. I've not had that, but this is a tremendous beer I hadn't even heard about until I bought it. I highly recommend it for fans of barrel aged anything.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 20:54:00 | More by Giraffe

tobelerone

New Jersey

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

This is a top-notch barrel-aged stout without the hype of higher profile beers but it can definitely hang with them in terms of overall quality, complexity and drinkability, at least in my book. It's also my clear favorite from this brewery, whose beers don't always fall to far up my alley.

BBB pours a rich black color with a sizable tan head that has excellent retention and strong lacing. Appearance for the style is top notch. Big aromas of chocolate, bitter and sweet, roasted malt notes, vanilla, lots of whiskey.

The flavor blends all the expected notes extremely well; bitter and milk chocolate, roasty, slightly charred malts, espresso, vanilla, anise, whiskey and oak are perfectly integrated and nothing overwhelms anything else. Has a nice barrel presence but it's not overly assertive. Nice sweetness but isn't cloying either.

Full-bodied, medium carbonation, smooth, sticky, and creamy feel. Right on once again.

I have no complaints with this beer. It's big but not over-the-top, looks the part, has great balance, and has the requisite heft to carry all of its complex elements. Highly recommended for fans of this style.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 17:29:29 | More by tobelerone

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Release #3
12.5%Alc./Vol

A= Pours a deep black color with the smallest amount of nice brown head that falls to a skin on top of the glass. Solid lacing and little retention are left in the glass.

S= Smells like a big ass imperial stout. Tons of liqorice and soy sauce. A deep chocolate and coffee flavors are buried under it.

T= The flavor isn't nearly as harsh as the nose is. It's got a great chocolate flavor. Tons of almost a milk chocolate to it. There is a decent amount of roasty malt to it as well but mostly a delicious milky chocolate. The soy sauce from the nose is almost totally gone and there is no harsh alcohol present.

M= Well carbonated to a silky smooth texture.

O= The smell left me wanting something different but this beer is bad ass. A great beer actually. I had written off Epic after being dissapointed by a few of their beers but this one is no joke. I almost can't believe it's the sae brewery. This beer is excellent. Get this and drink them no need to age.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 21:25:31 | More by jjanega08

beesy

Ohio

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

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Duval glass. Batch #9.

A - pours an almost pitch black. Not as inky nor as thick as expecting. A nice medium brown colored head 2.5 finger tall builds from a firm pour. Head collapses fairly quickly leaving tracing of foam tat provides. Fair amount of lacing.

S - lots if coffee and cappuccino aromas to get you going right off the bat. Alcohol detected. Dark bakers chocolate.

T - lots of the same you would expect from the nose. A rush of coffee paired with dark chocolates. Lots of coffee. I would like this to rest a little and let the coffee reside a tad. It's like FBS's way bigger brother. Slightly bitter, mostly from coffee on the back end.

M - medium bodied with a fairly creamy feel. A nice warming affect from the booze.

D - fairly easy to drink for the alcohol and style.

Overall, a very nice stout that downtown get enough props. Coffee and chocolate pair well to make a nice drinking beer for this abv. Most of the barrel flavors evaded me but they may have been masked by the intense coffee flavors. Not much opened up as if warmed which was slightly surprising too. If you get a chance pick this up and give it a whirl.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 18:48:55 | More by beesy

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 22 oz. bottle into a Surly Darkness chalice glass. Release #7.

Appearance: Pours a dark and oily black with no other color coming through. About two fingers of deep tan head that fade into a thin patchy layer. Leaves a good amount of lacing on the glass.

Smell: A big dark aroma of coffee and chocolate. Dark roasted malts with big hints of coffee beans, dark chocolate and cocoa nibs, burnt toast, caramel, toffee, and nuts. The barrel aging is pretty subtle. Light hints of vanilla, whiskey, oak, and wood. Some molasses and brown sugar. Light hints of dark fruit and earthy hops in the background. The smell is very coffee and chocolate forward. Very rich aroma.

Taste: As big and rich as it smells. Dark roasted malts with a huge taste of fresh coffee beans. Rich chocolate and cocoa nibs. Notes of burnt caramel, toast, toffee, and nuts. The whiskey barrel is a little stronger in the taste. Notes of vanilla, oak, and wood. A little brown sugar and molasses add some sweetness. Subtle notes of hops and dark fruit. Again, the coffee and chocolate dominate, although it is not overly sweet. It is more of a bitter, drying dark.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Very rich and creamy. Has a drying bitter feel from the heavy coffee. Alcohol is hidden fairly well.

Overall: A very good coffee forward imperial stout. Great dark taste. Could of used a little more barrel aging. This might not be ideal for aging as the coffee is a huge element here.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 06:19:38 | More by MattyG85

BeerNutz324

Minnesota

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

bomber into an oversized wine glass

Ap- dark dark brown in color and thick looking. Looks like a typical big stout. Dark tan had sticks around for just a bit then clings to the glass.

Ar- coffee bomb, cocoa, dark chocolate, roasted malts, some dark fruit...this one is one of the best smelling beers I have ever stuffed my nose into. As a HUGE fan of coffee stouts this one earns a rare "5".

T- weird...coffee, cocoa, roasty malts and a bit of barrel but just barely. Not being a huge fan of "whiskey" tasting beers this one fits just perfect. The barrel presense is barely there but in just the right amount. Bottle is labeled 12.5% alcohol and this beer hides it very well.

M- a bit bubbly for a stout but nothing outragous or anything. thick bodied and the alcohol warms your mouth on the hold.

O- an awesome stout, very well done, this is the best beer by EPIC that I have ever had. Ive had FBS, KBS, CBS and other big stouts I can honestly say this one is just as good!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 12:53:50 | More by BeerNutz324