Big Shot Espresso Stout (Timberline Series) - Twisted Pine Brewing Company

ThickNStout

Georgia

2.8/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

22oz bottle from Bruisin Ales (Asheville, NC). 6.00. No bottling information. Served in a Red Brick snifter.

Pours black with a tight half finger of lingering pale tan head.

Smells of coffee, burnt cocoa and faint caramel.

Taste is dark espresso, burnt caramel, cocoa and charred malts. Mostly just coffe.

Silky but thin feel with dull carbonation. Bitter roasty coffe finish.

I had fonder memories of this. I know it's subjective but this turns out to be closer to porter than stout in body and flavor. The coffee is pretty tasty and that's good because there isn't much else to speak of going on behind it. Not bad but falls flat in comparison to Terrapin Wake n Bake or Founders Breakfast Stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 07:00:34 | More by ThickNStout

Pegasus

Texas

3.86/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: Deep black in color, with a massive, dense tan head, which retains superbly. Thick glass-coating lace adorns the glass walls.

Aroma:Rich aroma of cold espresso, bitter cocoa, and hints of baker's chocolate.

Taste: Opens with dark roasted malt, soon followed by cold coffee. As the taste progresses, the coffee flavors rise to ascendency, with a little bitter cocoa as a backdrop. There is a hint of roasted nuts as well, and hints of wood. Finishes with a long, lingering cold coffee note and some bitter cocoa.

Mouth feel: Smooth, soft and full, a little dry.

Drinkability/notes: Perhaps a bit one-dimensional, I found myself wishing for something to balance the bitter cocoa and coffee, but still, its very good. Pairs well with chocolate cake.

Presentation: Packaged in a standard twenty-two ounce bomber with a pry-off crown, served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 02:19:11 | More by Pegasus

kvgomps

New Mexico

3.16/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Poured with a decent tan head that quickly dissipated.

Weak roasted malt and strong espresso on the nose. Not bad but would prefer those reversed.

The body is somewhere between thin and medium. A good roasted malt flavor with a monotone espresso flavor. A little over-carbonated for a stout.

Overall, this kind of tastes like the espresso version of Guinness Black. Don't particularly care for either.

May not finish this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 00:47:55 | More by kvgomps

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.24/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Poured out more of a brown color than black. Lots of carbonation, big head that disappears into the outer realms mad quick. Aroma was barely coffee, more of the espresso that I can't pick up as much olefactory wise and some mustiness to it, from where, I couldn't imagine.

Average amount of roastiness, but the malt bill feels like I could have handled a little more. Burnt acidic and ashy qualities to it that makes you wish there was a little more barley to it to absorb some of this. It really came across like a lot more burnt malt than it did coffee or espresso. Once you get a little desensitized to the acrid aspect of the beer, the mouthfeel does mellow out a little and you can enjoy the beer even more. But still lacking enough coffee and chocolate to fit my palate's desires. Had a little bit of expectations with this one, after digging Hoppy Boy in previous years. The bitterness is just a tad too high for what other flavors are there (or aren't there as much as I would have liked is a better way to put it). Needs more chocolate and coffee.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2013 04:33:32 | More by Beerandraiderfan

tdm168

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - black with a big brown head that has great retention

S - coffee, roasted malt

T - coffee, roasted malts, a bitter finish

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This was a bit disappointing. It was one note throughout - coffee. Yes, this is meant to be a coffee stout, but ultimately it was underwhelming. It was nice to have tried this once, but I won't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 00:28:52 | More by tdm168

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Super big and rich light brown head settles itself into a nice lacing above a clear really dark brown to black colored beer.

Big roasted malts taste with a light coffee/coffee bean mixing quite well with a bakers style chocolate.

More coffee comes through in the dark roasted malt taste than chocolate but it seems the chocolate in the taste stays around longer without being to sweet.

With a lasting chocolate dry aftertaste on a rich full bodied beer, this Big Shot Espresso Stout is well worth trying.

A pretty darn tasty espresso stout without overkill on the coffee taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:13:58 | More by LXIXME

DavidST

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tulip glass, no bottle date. This pours a pitch black with a mid sized mocha colored head which leaves a thin lacing. The smells are of coco, dark chocolate, dark roasted malts and espresso. The feel is medium. The taste is good, you get the coco and espresso which is nice, but it also has a chalky flavor / texture.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 06:13:16 | More by DavidST

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to mklever42 for this one.

Poured from a 22oz bottle (no freshness info) and split with my wife.

Appearance: A real dark brown body, lots of tan foam that has average retention and the lacing looks a bit better.

Smell: Aroma really nails what they're going for. Smooth espresso, bit of coffee beans, strong dark chocolate, a bit roasted and nutty. Aroma as a creamy, sweet vibe.

Taste: Espresso is there at first. Some chocolate and macadamia nuts. Good base of flavors but doesn't rise much above average.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation too high, actually hurts the stomach a bit. Affects good part of the feel, lacks cohesion.

Overall: A promising start but a disappointing ending. Was hoping for more.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 17:10:57 | More by papat444

Bung

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz. A solid black/brown pour with a tan layer of fine head.

Aroma, solid roast coffee some malt. Very light cocoa.

Taste, it is a coffee stout, but there is some nice roast malty notes. Caramel and mocha. Cocoa and coffee finish.

About medium bodied. The coating factor is a little low, but about par for the coffee stout style. Maybe a tic high on carbonation, but it drinks pretty easy.
If you are looking for a coffee stout this was very good, and not a bad price.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 03:10:13 | More by Bung

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed at the brewery in February, 2012.

Little head; no lacing; dark; probably a great paring with cheesecake; smells like a cup of coffee; slightly espresso bitter; tastes as if a porter and a cup of coffee were poured in to one glass; good beer!

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 02:12:29 | More by SkeeterBoganski

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

$7.00 bomber from Abe's.

Total blackness with a laser beam of ruby highlights along the bottom of he glass. Three fingers of darkish rocky tan head breaks down rapidly to a table top.

Big inviting coffee aroma, very pleasing.

Immediate coffee burst on the tongue. The coffee then backs off, leaving a milk stout. Coffee re-emerges in the afterglow.

Medium-to-full mouthfeel. Sufficiently chewy.

Good but not great. Now to have a donut with the remainder.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 03:11:06 | More by RonfromJersey

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

Dark brown-black pour, capped off with a solid beige head; nice retention and lacing. All indications of a coffee stout in the nose: roast, dark malts, coffee. The aroma followed through to the taste, dark malts, mildly lactic and mineral, coffee beans. A little bit thin, not quite as big-bodied as I like a stout to be. Decent and drinkable, but not tremendous.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 12:26:23 | More by Rifugium

mikeborglum

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

poured 22 oz bomber in a dimpled mug; not getting a strong aroma; very black color, thin brown head with no lacing; lightly sour and bitter;thin feel, light watery body, flat carbonation, long bitter finish; definitely lives up the commercial description with strong notes of coffee and it’s a nice bold complex taste. I wish the body was little fuller and creamy.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 00:44:18 | More by mikeborglum

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at Blue dog.

A- Big Shot Espresso Stout is black like a stout should be. The cap is dark tan with some sticking power.

S- Smell is sweet with some coffee gring and big vanilla. A big roasted malt base and some underlining grainy hops leveling the playing field. Not sniffing out any alcohol, only rich sweet scents.

T- I would group this as an american stout with an export stout/milk stout influence. There is a definite milky character to this as well as the tastes of espresso, coffee grind, roasted malts, milk duds, and no alcohol. Hops are minimal but there in what I am guessing is a fresh keg.

M, D- Feel is smooth and a step down from medium, sweet, and not hot and no traces of alcohol. Feel comes off as an american stout so I doubt the alcohol is insanely high. Drinkability is alright, I could do a pint of this in the winter time easy. I just don't see myself buying any bottles of this as it is in bomber format.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 17:33:08 | More by onix1agr

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a balloon glass from a bomber.

The beer is the color of an espresso coffee bean with a mocha colored head that rapidly turns into a breath of bubbles and a thicker ring around the edges. Little or no lacing occurs.

I smell faint roasted malts, some rich chocolate fudge notes, coffee.

The beer tastes dry and rich up front. Bitter dark malts, a tangy bittersweet following. Subdued coffee notes. The finish is a rich, fudge-like chalkiness.

The mouthfeel is dry, almost metallic and tangy. But very dry.

Overall, I wanted to like this beer so much more. It's nice that it doesn't go overboard with anything. But in the end, it's just an average dry stout. I don't regret buying it at all.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 13:05:33 | More by JuicesFlowing

kylehay2004

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: single finger of tan thick head on a jet black body.

S: a little light on the espresso and coffee than I hoped. Lots of chocolate.

T: again a little light on the espresso. I prefer the coffee to be bigger in these beers. Heavy on vanilla and chocolate.

M: Full bodied, moderate carbonation and very smooth but dry finish.

Overall: I tasty and sweet stout but to be called an espresso stout I would want/expect more.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 00:40:05 | More by kylehay2004

LittleDon

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Jet black, decent tan head that's quickly gone. minimal lace. Chocolate and dried fruit aroma. Lots of carbonation up front that gives it a seltzer water like characteristic. Flavors kick in very late with a coffee and burnt sugar finish. Medium mouthfeel, but the carbonation makes it feel thinner. A good deal of acidity. Coffee soda.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 21:22:34 | More by LittleDon

billshmeinke

California

4.22/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic.

Pitch black with about a finger of beige head. Retention and lacing are quite nice.

Smells of baker's chocolate, fresh ground/brewed espresso, some vanilla as well.

Tastes of coffee/espresso, undercurrents of vanilla, and chocolate pudding. Really fresh coffee notes, I dig it.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, hearty, well carbonated, fairly acidic.

If you are just a big coffee fiend, then this is for you. Well brewed and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:03:08 | More by billshmeinke

MADhombrewer

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Appearance- Dark brown. It gets lighter around the edges. No head to speak off. 2.5/5

Smell- Decent coffe aroma, but vanilla overpowers most everything else. Roasted malts round out the aroma. Bits of chocolate as it warms. 3.5/5

Taste- Cocolate and small espresso taste. Bits of vanilla. Small earthy bitterness. 4/5

Mouthfeel- This is a little too thin for my taste. Would like a little more chewyness. 2.5/5

Overall- I don't expect much coffee flavor with coffee/espresso stouts any more since I have such a big tolerance, and love, for such flavors This one is not half bad. The only real dissapointments were in the mouthfeel and appearance. Overall I would say this is good. 4/5

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 03:07:53 | More by MADhombrewer

zeff80

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a small, light brown head of foam. It left minimal lacing on the glass.

S - It smelled of roasty coffee and some burnt toast maltiness.

T - It tasted of coffee, chocolate and toffee. Nice bittersweet flavors.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied stout with a dry finish.

O - This is a nice coffee stout. Another solid brew from Twisted Pine.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:05:08 | More by zeff80

Marty30

Pennsylvania

2.63/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to sergfl for this brew! Poured into A Founders snifter at 58 degree's. No bottle date.

A. Deep black body,big dark 3 finger khaki colored head. No lacing to write about.

S. I get big espresso notes up front followed by chocolate.

T. Pretty straight forward brew, espresso up front with bitter chocolate to finish. A bit of underlying roasted malts.

M. Weakest part of the beer here. Very thin,almost waterd down feel. Also A little to carbonated.

Overall I was really excited to try tis as I love coffee/espresso infused beers. But it just didn't do it for me. Not much compexity and feel was very thin.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 02:23:51 | More by Marty30

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Rackhouse Pub, I don;t usually go for coffee beers but I do like espresso so I figured why not? Dark black color which was no surprise, short tan head. Smells like strong espresso and coffee grounds, not bad. The flavor was very bitter and strong espresso, it pretty much eclipsed and stout flavors. Overall this was not bad and one of the better coffee beers I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 02:50:04 | More by ArrogantB

readbaron

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a dark dark opaque brown, nearly black with limited tan head. A hint of lacing.

Smell is good - espresso and dark beer, exactly what you'd expect from the name. Aside from the coffee, there are bready malts, and some sweetness underneath. Smells a bit creamy.

Taste is pretty good - coffee is super strong. Not exactly well balanced. Coffee doesn't exactly blend with the rest of the flavors. It's a bit burnt. There are some bready malts hanging around as well.

Mouthfeel is good. It's a bit light and dry for a stout.

Overall - a bit above average. Not worth seeking out, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 04:19:56 | More by readbaron

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Great espresso breakfast stout! Let it warm a bit out of the fridge. Poured with a nice, large, foamy, frothy, thick, slow to settle, tan head and good lace. Color is an opaque brown black. Aroma is what I expected, fresh, rich coffee, dark roast malt, toffee, cocoa, caramel and a bit of yeast. Flavor is much like nose, plus has some good tang to add some zestiness to the richness. Body is perfect and ditto carbonation for the style. Finish is like flavor and nothing appears to tarnish the experience. Don't know if it'd be session.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 05:59:21 | More by drpimento

GallowsThief

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured out of a bomber into my Duvel tulip.

A – Black as my soul. Two fingers or milk chocolate creamy head.

S – Espresso of course, dark chocolate, mocha, molasses. Rich and roasty smelling.

T – Big roasty taste immediately. That nice espresso flavor follows, it is not as big on the palate as the nose suggests. Bitterness of the coffee is present. Slightly sweet mocha taste at the end.

M – Medium to big bodied. Medium carbonation and just slightly thin. No real ABV taste at all.

O – Well balanced. The smell makes you feel that it will be a big sweet stout. It really is not. The coffee bitterness mixes pretty well with the sweet. Solid job. Warms up nicely too.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 23:48:38 | More by GallowsThief