Big Bad Baptist - Epic Brewing Co.

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

brew3crew

Ohio

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

Jackie o's tasting baby!! 1st release

A-black body and a tan head that stick around for awhile.

S-wow smell coffee as it starts to pour. Fresh roasted coffee

T-not really any whisky, tons of fresh coffee

M- medium boey and smooth

O-nice suprise. Very good but very Hugh coffee

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 19:33:49 | More by brew3crew

Beerontwowheels

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Release #1
22Oz Bottle
Poured into a Dogfish Head Snifter.

A: A healthy pour turns up just over 1 finger of dark tan head (matches my couch!) that dissipates within a minute or two. This brew is dark with no light passing through - promising already!

S: Coffee dominates the nose. Chocolate is there, but mostly for moral support. It's reminds of that smell when you first open a tub of quality coffee ice cream. I'm not picking up any booziness in the nose.

T: Chocolate maltiness is very upfront screaming 'here I am'! Not as much coffee for me in the taste as there was in the nose. The alcohol comes up shortly after and definitely lingers on the tongue for a little while.

M: The beer scores highly here for me. A very nice thick, creamy mouthfeel. Low to moderate carbonation, basically what I'd expect from a well crafted stout.

O: A fine imperial stout. Definitely glad I tried this. Perhaps could benefit from 6 months to a year of cellaring as it's a tiny bit hot out of the gate. While I've already enjoyed a few of the 'Brainless on' series from from Epic, this beer has solidified Epic as a brewery to watch!

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 00:55:08 | More by Beerontwowheels

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked this one up tonight at Brewforia Bown... Paid about $15ish... Christ .. Epic is getting pretty damn proud of their bottles :-) Seriously though, this is a great beer... Poured into my HotD goblet.... 3/4" dark tan head with little lacing atop an obviously black brew.. spotty lacing.

The aroma is amazing.... it immediately reminds me of Johnnie's Diner in McConnellsburg PA... 1st day of deer season... 4:00 AM.. Very Strong coffee... and NOW what I know as whiskey. :-) I was young... come on.. give me a break.

The nose is pretty phenomenal... tons of coffee beans.. lite cocoa... and there is a decent whiskey note that really doesn't jive as what I think of as "bourbon" ... almost an Irish whiskey nose.

Flavor has much more cocoa and a significant boost in the whiskey department... still right now, the coffee is the big player.. cold brewed and loving it.. the gears mesh perfectly .. cocoa nibs come across as milk chocolate with the lite malty sweetness..

I love that the "stout" flavors are in the background compared to the coffee and the cocoa... and whiskey... For a brew this big, it works very very well right now... I do NOT think this is an ager... whiskey notes come proud and sorta intrusive with warmth, but it still works. Coffee in beer drops off quickly.

I loved this brew.. Brewforia Chris hooked it up... Nice A quality beer easily.

3.5/5/4.5/4/4.5

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 05:34:37 | More by JohnGalt1

Oxymoron

Colorado

2.26/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2

Pours a midnight black color with a soft tan head. No real retention to speak of even when trying to help it out. Some viscous lingering on the glass.

The nose is coffee forward. Really no other aromas come out. Some maybe minor malt and hint of chocolate but would have liked more balance.

The taste is bit more on par although coffee is dominant. Beyond the coffee is a light chocolate note. Some minor whiskey/fusel notes as it warms but really not much beyond coffee. Again looking for balance here.

The body is moderate with a more astringent finish. Some fusel/hot notes that is more of a distraction than anything. Carbonation is not present. Overall this is more of a call coffee with alcohol than a beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 20:23:47 | More by Oxymoron

audiobean

Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Hit the spot with that coffee flavor. It was strong enough to enjoy, but not too strong. It was rich in its stout manner and engulfed my taste buds in that way that only really good beer does. This brew is definitely going on my Christmas wish list. Hopefully Santa isn't Baptist.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2012 02:31:36 | More by audiobean

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

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

Poured from tap into chalice at 1702 in Tucson. I think this is the 2012 #9 based on the abv of 11.8 abv.
Pours a pitch black with a finger of deep tan head. Nice thin tan lacing remains throughout the drink.
Smells of fresh crisp coffee, some roasted malts, chocolate, and a hint of booze - bourbon.
Taste is bitter roasted coffee and bourbon....some chocolate flavors.
Its an easy drink abv wise but its full of flavor and heavy. Its a nice brew...a bit over boozey but nice.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2012 01:13:21 | More by DrinkSlurm

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

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

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

ArrogantB

Colorado

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

On tap at hops and pie. Standard imperial stout appearance: motor oil. Filmy head. Aroma was the most glorious coffee beans, so rich with a dab of chocolate. The flavor followed suit and was just as nice. Overall this was a fantastic beer and I need to score some bottles of this stuff or else head back for another glass.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 18:53:45 | More by ArrogantB

Halcyondays

California

4.13/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours black with a firm creamy dark tan head, good retention, nice lace.

S: Like sticking my nose in a coffee machine, big heavenly coffee bean aroma, some secondary dark chocolate.

T: Coffee and chocolate dominated the first half. The second half gets quite hoppy and grassy, it reminded me of ST Creme Brulee in this aspect, hops when you'd never expect it. Big, full flavour.

M: Full-bodied, though it does feel a bit thinner at the finish than I'd like. Creamy, with a soft carbonation.

O: An interesting tasty beer for sure, like Peche Mortel meets Yeti. The bomber price is a bit out there, but a pour on-tap was a good deal methinks.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 23:21:23 | More by Halcyondays

wethorseblanket

California

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

On tap at Hops and Pie.

A: Pours oily black with a thin mocha head which fades to the rim and leaves no lace.

N: Dark cocoa powder, roasted coffee with some dark cherries on warming.

T: Rich roasted coffee with cream, toasted nearly perfect expresso and marshmellow, The bourbon is present but not overpowering. Toffee with some burnt char on warming along with a nice floral note. Smokey with tobacco and leather. Complex.

M: Rich and creamy. Full body and moderate carbonation.

O: Lucious and heavenly with a big wow.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2012 18:24:16 | More by wethorseblanket

womencantsail

California

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

On-tap at Beachwood Brewing

The beer pours black in color with a finger of tan head. There is a huge coffee aroma to this. Quite a bit of oak with just a mild vanilla note. Some nice bourbon to go with roasted malt and brown sugar. The flavor has a touch of licorice and molasses to go with vanilla, bourbon, and chocolate. Really solid mouthfeel as well.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2012 15:49:05 | More by womencantsail

vkv822

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

on-tap at Belmont Station.
from notes.

Pours black with a foamy, creamy looking light brown head.

Big chocolate and faint roast.

More chocolate and roast coffee in the taste as well.

Medium-light body with bubbly, medium carbonation.

Enjoyable Imperial Stout, chocolate and coffee for the most part, with the body sitting slightly on the lighter side for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2012 05:29:25 | More by vkv822

UCLABrewN84

California

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

On tap at The Surly Goat in West Hollywood, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a dark khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Thin streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is absolutely fantastic with dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, and huge coffee bean and coffee ground aromas. Taste is of dark roasted malt and a flavor very similar to tiramisu that has been dusted with cocoa powder and coffee grounds. There is a nice roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a medium body. Overall, this is a good stout with an outstanding aroma but the taste just doesn't match up.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 06:19:13 | More by UCLABrewN84

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.93/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Draft poured into a snifter

A: Pours pitch black with a heavier than normal consistency and light brown bubbles that favor a coffee's creme.

S: Aroma is all coffee with hints of bitter roasted malt and some chocolate sweetness as well.

T/M: Flavor adds a dimension of smokiness to the coffee and bitter malt. Bubbles are tiny and lend a creamy mouthfeel. There's a little bite from the alcohol, which is tamed, but also thins the beer out.

This is a well balanced, strong stout with an enhanced coffee profile that adds character.

TheBeerAlmanac.com

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 02:12:57 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

quaybr

Colorado

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

Oh my oh my, this is a fine beer.

Served in a tulip glass, a bubbly mocha head sits atop this thick black ale. The head dissipates quickly, though, and can only be brought back (modestly) with some excessive swirling.

Smell is pretty remarkable: heavy coffee notes (almost like getting a slight whiff of french press) along with cocoa. Some alcohol present in the nose, too.

Taste is of bold roasted and chocolate malts. This is balanced well, not too sweet, not too bitter. A bit of alcohol resonates as it washes down.

This is a thick-bodied beer but still manages to go down without any sludge or oily residue. Relatively little carbonation suits this beer quite fine. Well done.

This is a beer worth seeking. And as is so often true, I believe it is even more delicious in the company of good friends. Great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2012 06:12:35 | More by quaybr

challenja

Virginia

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

Served On Tap at Fireworks in Courthouse/ Arlington VA

A: Dark Midnight Black Ink.
S: Dark milk chocolate, light smoke, malt and cherries
T: Dark milk chocolate, french press Colombian coffee, Dark cherries, bready malt, raspberry tart. Quite tasty, the creamy bourbon barrel comes on last i n the taste profile but the subtle hear comes in the third layer behind the chocolate, and coffee.
M: Light carbonation that tingles the back part of my throat. Milk and smooth. Like melted milk chocolate.
O: This is one amazing stout! I had some doubts but this one now is number 3 all time! Gonna go back for some more soon and get me a couple of overpriced bottles to stock up on!

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2012 03:57:43 | More by challenja

BearsOnAcid

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Heard good things. Batch #2, just released I believe.

Dark brown to black pour. Some clarity in the light. Small coffee colored head.

Picking up a lot of coffee in the nose. Roasted malts, dark chocolate, but mostly dominated by coffee.

Taste had even more coffee. It was very bold and robust. Chocolate underneath. Bitter with a medium sweetness for an imperial stout. I had a little trouble picking up the whiskey barrel. At times, I tasted some vanilla, oak, and maybe some honey but it wasn't very forward at all so I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it. Mouthfeel was thinner than I'd like.

This was a nice surprise from Epic and definitely worth a try. Excellent price too. I hope they get some more character from the barrel for the next batch. This coud be a good substitute for Bourbon County Coffee.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2012 15:42:43 | More by BearsOnAcid