Big Bear Black Stout - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.66/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

22 oz bottle into a tulip. From notes.

A: Pours a dark ruby color that actually reveals some suspended sediment when held up to the light. Otherwise, it's nicely opaque. The head is a two finger khaki shade. It fades slowly but surely, however it leaves little lacing on the glass.

S: I note some licorice, dark fruits, touches of both smoke and citrusy hops, along with a hint of roast. A rather nondescript aroma for an imperial stout; it's more befitting of a good single stout.

T: This one seems to be dark fruit and licorice forward. I notice some caramel in the midtaste, and pleasantly balanced citrusy hops on the back end. The hops also provide some herbal and peach qualities. It seems to be mellow and balanced to a fault - however, this would make a great everyday stout due to its easygoing nature.

M: It's light, clean, and dry. If the bottle didn't say 8.1%, I'd wonder if it was really 5% or so; the alcohol is concealed superbly given its lightness. It doesn't offer much in the way of richness, however.

O: I was unsure how to grade this one. As an imperial stout, it's rather meh - but as a regular stout, it's damn good. For better or for worse, this drinks like a 5% single stout...except that it's really 8.1%. Since Bear Republic doesn't call it an imperial stout, I'm grading it as a single. Ergo, I'm willing to overlook some of its flaws and appreciate it as a decently priced (for a bomber) everyday drinker.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 18:54:27 | More by ThisWangsChung

Nugganooch

California

3.89/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber served in my Sierra Nevada balloon glass
*notes taken on 04/18/13

A: A dark mahogany brown on the pour that sits totally opaque and jet black once collected in the glass. There forms a light brown sugar colored head on top with only some moderate retention. Sifts down back into the body leaving some clumsy trellising and light dots of stick down the glass after each sip.

S: Smells of dark roasted grains, molasses, burnt caramel sugars, and dry roast coffee. There is an overall earthy quality to the aroma and a bit of ash coming through as well. Pretty nice nose, very appropriate for the style with some deep roasty notes.

T: Prominent roasted barley flavors bring forth a smoky char and notes of dry roast coffee that envelope a bed of sweet molasses, scorched caramels, and some dark chocolate. There is a bit of licorice and dark fruit detected that was not apparent within the nose as well as a little earthy pine and citrus dusting of hops. Overall bitterness is moderate to low however with just a dash of alcohol spice in there. Has a nice smooth balance. A touch heavy on the Roasted Barley for my tastes but still very solid. Similar to Rasputin for me.

M: Moderate sized body that does lean towards the thinner side as it tends to get little watery at times. Overall smooth and creamy feel with a little chalkiness midway there and a nice drying finish. Very slick and clean with some light alcohol warming.

D: A solid stout with some real deep rich roast barley flavors. Lots of dry roast coffee and ashy charcoal. I think the mouthfeel does fumble a bit and it is definitely not your thick Impy. More along the lines of a Double Stout which to me offers more quaffability. Factor in the very reasonable pricing and year round availability however and the Big Bear Black Stout is pretty hard to beat.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 19:59:24 | More by Nugganooch

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle (1 pint 6 oz) with no apparent freshness information provided. Picked this up from the local beer store for $4.99 just moments ago. My second beer from Bear Republic, with fairly high expectations, since I'm in the mood for a good stout, and I quite enjoyed the first beer I had from them, the Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye.

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours an opaque oily black body with a quarter inch of creamy chocolate head that dissolves quickly. Very thin wispy lacing. Second (far more aggressive) pour yields about three fingers of the same beautiful chocolate milk mocha colored head. Lots of lacing the second time around. Looks amazing.

S - Warm dark chocolate aroma. Dark candied fruits. Toasted malts. Little bit of pleasing alcohol smell. Bit of vanilla / oak wood, perhaps.

T - Light, sweet, and even hoppy in the beginning, and then gives way to a most robust dark chocolate / roasted coffee bean presence. Fresh hops and coffee bean bitterness. Warming alcohol. Sweetened tea leaf like taste in the finish. Fruity fermented grape / fig / date flavor. Very smooth, subtle, and complex. There is a lot going on here.

M - Resinous hoppy bitterness, yet smooth and creamy, paired with some dark candied fruit sweetness. A lovely feel and aftertaste.

Overall, extremely impressive. Very well bodied, and well balanced, and so highly drinkable, masking it's 8.10% abv deceptively well. A remarkably awesome beer, one I would happily revisit. Of the two Bear Republic brews I've tried, they were both very good, but this Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout takes the cake so far. Definitely one of the best stouts I've had yet.

Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout ---4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 19:56:50 | More by mfnmbvp

AmitC

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a snifter glass.

Color is dark black inside the glass and deep brown with moderate thickness while pouring. One finger thick light tan colored head with decent retention. Excellent lacing. Opaque. Slight shining brown hues in the head.

Aroma is full of big dark and roasted malts. Strong dark chocolate may be and some coffee. Slight sweetness and smoke. Burnt wood like notes. Slight warmth.

A good amount of hop bitterness. Very charred and burnt up roasted malt profile. Charring upfront. Some booze and warmth are felt. A very strong burnt up taste with good bittering flavors overall.

Mouth feel is full bodied with decent alcohol warmth. Decent thickness. No astringency as such except for some burnt up flavors.

This is one solid American Double stout. Very likable.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 15:11:22 | More by AmitC

Murrhey

Montana

3.89/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a standard pressure-cap bomber into a shaker pint glass in high elevation Libby, Mont. Reviewed live. No best-by date readily available.

A- Half-finger mocha colored head, quickly evaporates. Black body, no light permeates. Sassy looking beer.

S- Mocha, dark chocolate, alcohol and toffee. Warm and apealling.

T- Coffee, chocolate, some toasty notes and alcohol. Not bad.

M- Thick and grainy.

O- I wish I had more to say about this beer. Good. Simple.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:41:10 | More by Murrhey

srhoadsy

Florida

4.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured slightly chilled into a snifter.

Pours a deep black with about half an inch of light brown head that leaves a light surface layer and light lacing.

Aromas of chocolate, dark roasted coffee and dried fruits.

Tastes follows through the aromas. Nicely balanced.

Medium bodied with a sweet finish and moderate carbonation.

Overall a nicely balanced imp. stout. At 8.1% it is dangerously sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 22:49:52 | More by srhoadsy

ItsTheLimit

Florida

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 22oz bottle into imperial pint glass.

Beer pours a deep black that little to no light shows through. Produces a thin head that is off-white to almost a light tan. Though the head quickly dissipates, it does leave nice, soapy lacing.

Smells of dark fruit, plum, chocolate and roasted malt. Really absorbing.

Taste is relatively straight forward and follows the smell. Finishes with a slight alcohol heat and some hop bitterness, which balances the sweetness of the caramel malt.

The mouthfeel is deceptively light, considering the appearance. Nice carbonation and not overly heavy, despite the style. Definitely wouldn't recommend drinking this all night, but it's not as monstrous as some imperial stouts can be.

As usual, another fine beer from Bear Republic. Also, considering the fact that the price is relatively low, this is definitely something I can see myself purchasing more of. Bear Republic continues to release excellent beer that doesn't hurt my wallet.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 01:08:37 | More by ItsTheLimit

MattSweatshirt

Texas

3.76/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured out what seemed a little light coming from the bottle but I’m not getting any light coming through it in the snifter. An aggressive pour yields a thick brown head that retains and laces nicely.

Upon cracking this I got a whiff. There is an assertive aroma of dark fruit, chocolate, and roast.

Straightforward is the name of the game with this stout. It’s got everything you want with dark fruit, chocolate, and roasty notes. No wow factor though.

Feels a little thin but is smooth and creamy.

The value on this beer is hard to beat. 3.99 for a bomber that tastes great.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 05:54:05 | More by MattSweatshirt

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz Bottle from Bevmo La Quinta CA for 5.50$

Appearance - Dark black/brown colour with an average size fizzy/frothy beige head. I can't make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is some great lacing. The head lasted for 5-6 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, chocolate, smoke, coffee

Taste & Mouth - There is a below average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, dark chocolate, and lots of coffee. There are also some smokey/burnt notes and a bit of a nuttiness. It ends with a chocolatey aftertaste with a lingering coffee bitterness.

Overall - Despite the higher ABV it's still very drinkable and not too in your face. A great mix of flavours and well crafted. You can tell it's made from quality ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:45:12 | More by spinrsx

yamar68

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to alelover for this one!

Great looking stout... coffee black with a solid finger of sticky khaki carbonation. A bit of alcohol slick is left behind from the head.

Great nutty coffee aromas, caramel, hot vanilla, simple syrup, roasty malts, grainy bits... classic. Bittersweet.

Lots of bitter coffee and chocolate flavors... vanilla syrup, oily mouthfeel but pretty dry on the tail end. Tasty. Thanks Joel!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 21:26:32 | More by yamar68

Damian

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

Drank from a 1pt. 6fl oz. bottle purchased at Julio's Liquors, Westborough, MA
Served in a snifter

Poured a thin, translucent, chestnut brown. The liquid was topped by a near one-finger tall crown of tight, mocha colored foam that slowly faded to a thick, clingy, bubbly ring of froth. Sheets of lacing cascaded down the glass with each sip. Spotty drops stuck along the glass.

The aroma was pleasant but subtle for the style. Roasted malts were prominent. Dark chocolate and black coffee notes as well. Hint of caramel. Good amount of brown sugar-like sweetness. Touch of vanilla. Slightly smoky.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose but a bit more punchy. Good amount of roasted malts on the front end. Sweet brown sugar notes and toffee balanced out the roastiness. Black, cold coffee came through in the center. The finish contained notes of charred malts and earthy, piney, semi-bitter hops. Some ashiness lingered on my palate.

The mouthfeel was decent albeit exceptionally thin for the style. Smooth and frothy with a soft, medium effervescence.

Overall, this is a very "light" imperial stout. Though immensely drinkable and enjoyable for what it is, I think it should be labeled as simply an American stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 03:29:52 | More by Damian

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass mug.

A: Dark black with two-finger, tan, frothy head that lasted several minutes. Great lacing.

S: Smokey and roasted. Chocolate. Mild.

T: Moderate sweetness and moderate bitterness. Smokey and alcoholic. Some coffee.

M: Medium to full bodied with soft carbonation. Smooth and creamy and dry.

O: I'm surprised I can taste the alcohol at only 8.1% ABV. Not a bad stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 05:44:22 | More by SolipsismalCat

Dope

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I don't see a bottle date but I believe this to be around 2 years old.

A: Pours a nice really dark brown. Big, dense and foamy light brown head. Fades slowly with pretty nice lacework left behind. Good retention with a persistent island of foam.

S: Chocolate with a surprising amount of anise. A little smoke and char.

T: A little char up front with some mild chocolate. Fairly sweet. Both persist into the middle where the sweetness fades away a bit, leaving the flavors a little more bitter and acrid. Get hints of mild coffee, especially in the middle. Get the lightest bit of smoke and meat in the finish. Touch of anise in the lingering aftertaste. Some stale hops throughout, definitely has some age on this one. Probably better fresh when the hops can stand out more.

M: Medium bodied, a little dry and chalky in the finish.

O: Not a bad stout, a solid example of the style. Nice gamut of roasted malt characteristics and pretty mellow and balanced overall. Nothing in particular stands out in a positive or negative fashion. It's just plain good.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 05:22:34 | More by Dope

Michael_D

3.78/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Coles. Dark dark almost black pour. Looks like a black bear. Smells like dark chocolate, hops, coffee. Not like a bear. Not a super heavy body, but full flavored. Chocolate, coffee aftertaste, and hops. Great balance. Makes me feel like a bear.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2013 02:52:38 | More by Michael_D

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bear Rep. 'Big Bear Black Stout' @ 8.1% , served from a 650 ml bottle purchased for $6.50

A-pour is dark brown/black with a small tan head that is leaving some sticky lacing along the pint glass

S-nothing jumping out at me , a standard smelling RIS , weird

T-sweet caramel start , boozy middle , slight burnt bitter end

MF-full bodied , with good carbonation , smooth on the palate

Ov-no wow factor , good beer , decent price for a import ,

sampled alongside Parallel 49 'Russian Imperial Stout & Driftwood's 'Singularity'

prost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 21:34:45 | More by LampertLand

arfenhouse

California

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Black with a light brown head. Nice retention and some lacing on the glass.

S: Picking up some chocolate malt. Some hints of black coffee. There's a bit of some dark fruit that I can't really put my finger on. A touch of soy sauce. A small bit of alcohol. Overall smell is small and unimpressive.

T: Starts off with a small molasses and brown sugar sweetness. Some bitter grains and chocolate around the middle. Aftertaste is of bitter black coffee (in a good way).

M: Body feels medium-full. Thick and creamy with low carbonation.

O: Overall a decent stout. Flavor and smell are a bit small for my taste but it's to be expected considering the low price. Good value buy, might as well try it.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 07:48:33 | More by arfenhouse

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a balloon glass.

The beer is as black as dirty motor oil. A frothy mocha colored head recedes to an assortment of big bubbles. Light lacing sticks to the glass.

There's a nice sweetness in the aroma at first, and it has a great rich chocolate character. Soon after, black licorice and burnt malts, some charcoal smokiness.

The taste profile is started with a drier, roasted coffee bitterness. Some bitter dry chocolate and a heartier oatmeal component come through. Not as much sweetness in the taste as the aroma, but on the back end there's a good dark chocolate sweetness that comes through.

Mouthfeel is very dry.

Overall, a very, very rich stout to spend some time with. Has a lot of good components to sift through. Very rich. Alcohol is hidden pretty well.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:00:11 | More by JuicesFlowing

obrike

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Picked a bomber up today at Round Rock Specs for a low low price of 3.99

Very attractive looking beer in my Stone IPA pint glass. Poured jet black with a light brown, sudsy head. This one left ample lacing. Me likee.

Getting a whiff of coffee, chocolate, anise, and toasted malt. Not as pronounced as I had hoped, but scent seemed to get bolder as it warmed.

Initial taste was toasted malt, grassy and citrus hops with a good bitter coffee/chocolate aftertaste. Had a fairly thin feel and was quite dry... a medium/low amount of carbonation, but was so very very easy to drink.

Very happy to see another quality Bear Republic beer here in Central Texas. This is one I'm sure I'll be picking up quite a bit at that consumer friendly pricepoint.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:59:05 | More by obrike

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.95/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Large bottle opened at home on 8th Jan 2013: poured (a couple of times) into an Abbot Ale glass pint tankard.

Really is a big black stout: on top a full and deep tan coloured foaming head.

Roasted/toasted and slightly burnt malty aroma with chocolate and coffee notes.

The taste follows the smell with strong flavours of over boiled coffee and chocolate. The taste gets more bitter and drier towards the end of each gulp and the alcohol is well hidden by the body strength and heavy flavours of the aforementioned coffee and chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 20:45:31 | More by BlackHaddock

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into HF stemmed glass.

A- Pours a dark brown that appears a mostly opaque dark reddish brown with some translucency around the edges. Fairly thin (half finger at most) off-white brownish-yellowish yeasty head that recedes fairly fast and leaves some very light spotty lacing. Fairly low carbonation.

S- Raisins, chocolate, some light dark fruits. Nice smell, average aroma strength, but could be a little bit richer.

T- Very light dark fruits, raisins, some light malts. Nice flavors, but could definitely be more robust and flavorful.

M- Fairly thin for a stout, low carbonation, a bit watery, easy drinking.

O- I enjoyed drinking this beer, but it wasn't very impressive in terms of a stout. It was way too thin bodied and could have been a lot more robust. I liked the overall flavors but there was a lot that could have been improved. I would maybe drink this again, but there are a lot of other imperial stouts that I would prefer.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 23:31:13 | More by jaasen64

cvm4

Mississippi

3.85/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours pretty black but didn't seem like a thick beer upon pour. One finger khaki head and a little bit of lacing.

S - Roasted malts, coffee and light brown sugar.

T - Very bitter dark chocolate, straight coffee (no cream), roasted malts and a light helping of molasses.

M - A bit thin but it's pretty smooth.

O - A good stout that falls in line with the "no frills" of other stouts out there. Seems like this one would deliver time & time again no matter what.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 17:08:40 | More by cvm4

SportsandJorts

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bomber poured into a pint glass

appearance-black and nearly opaque. thick tan head that faded slowly to a nice lacing along the edges

smell- molasses and hints of roasted malt, nothing overpowering.

taste- molasses, slight roasted malts, and bitter chocolate, very well balanced.

mouthfeel- a tad thick and creamy. low carbonation. pretty easy to drink. as a big imperial stout i would prefer it to be a little heavier in terms of mouthfeel

overal- definitely a good beer. i really enjoy the sweet start to bitter finish and the low tones of the roasted malts. very pleasant drinking beer. i wish it was a little bit more of a sipper than it is. all in all easily worth the $5 i paid for a bomber

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 04:51:48 | More by SportsandJorts

vfgccp

New York

3.33/5  rDev -20%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Purchased 8 months ago, opened in December 2012.

A - Light khaki, creamy head. Sub par retention and ok lace. Light cola body with ruby brown highlights.

S - Sweet nose. Molasses, ginger bread, anise, salt, dark caramel, brown sugar, and root beer.

T - Butterscotch, molasses, dark roasted hazelnut, a hint of char, resiny plant bitters, thick ginger bread, and a light milk chocolate.

M - Low carbonation, even to style. Medium/light body.

O - Not a bad stout, but the balance feels a little off and it's a shade too sweet for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 08:56:34 | More by vfgccp

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-dark brown Black color with a nice tan hear and some lacing

S-coffee, dark chocolate, malt, hint of pine and earthiness

T-dark roasted malt, chocolate, espresso, nice bitter hop finish with hints of pine

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, creamy and smooth yet with a nice crispness, alcohol very well integrated

O-this is a tasty stout and a very good value, easy drinking

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 22:26:04 | More by MDDMD

heygeebee

Australia

3.78/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes. In all fairness the brew was poured too cold.

Pours black with a thin head. Little lace.

Aromas are muted and of roasts and licorice

Taste also is more roast driven,with choc coming thru as it warms, toward the end licorice is dominat note.

Mouthfeel not too heavy.

I actually had this as a Foreign Export rather than double. Flavours not massive.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 00:24:18 | More by heygeebee