Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

Brewed by Bear Republic Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Healdsburg, California USA

Pours a thick black color with a thin tan head. Rich aroma of roasted malt, and some hops. Very good tasting beer, chocolate coffee. A bit thinner than some other imperial stouts i’ve had. A very enjoyable Imperial Stout, especially considering the price point (only 2.99 for the 22 oz bottle in the picture). Another great offering from the Bear Republic.

Rerate 1-6-08 bottle at tasting
Smells rich and malty. Black in color, with a decent head. Bitter bite with a smooth finish. No strong sticking aftertaste - surprising. It finishes so calmly - not what I expected. Texture is heavy. Taste gets better and less bitter and it goes through the mouth. I appreciate the progression of this beer - a bit light on the flavor though

Pours a dark black color with a nice brown creamy head. Smells hoppy, which surprised me, and of roasted malt and a litle sweet scent as well. A very good tasting Stout, which aren’t my favorite style of beer. Another really good beer from Bear Republic.

Bottle courtesy of alexanderj, shared with kleyland. Pours a thick, dark motor oil with a nice tan head. Aroma of dark chocolate with a roasted feel. Pretty smooth mouthfeel that finishes with a bit of a hop kick.

On tap at the Vintage Estates in Boardman, thanks Ron. Chocolate mousse head. Dark and attractive body, looks like used shovelhead motor oil. Sweet candy and slight roasty aroma, quite attractive. Initially I think to myself that this is not quite as bitter as most impy stouts. Comes across rather well behaved. This is friendly, almost like a sweet stout. After a few sips the typical offensive impy stout bitterness begins to evolve, but it still never gets as rough as a new impy stout such as Bells Exp. The offensiveness is present but it seems to be more controlled. Roasty bitterness build in the finish and lasts for many minutes after the session, yes I guess it is an imp stout, just took some session time for it to set in. I did not sense the hops in here that other reviewers did. Almost as enjoyable as Old Heathen and on par with Stoudt’s Fat Dog. IMHO certainly much more enjoyable and smoother than Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, Oskar Blues Ten FIDY, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout, North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout and Victory Storm King. However, keep the fact in mind that I am not an impy stout lover.

Rerate- Now that I like Imp. Stouts I enjoyed this much more than previously..
Black pour with lasting tan head and some lacing. Smell is of lots of hops actually, some alcohol for sure, and some roastiness. Taste at 1st is big hop bitterness that fades after a bit and finishes fairly cleanish. As it warms becomes less bitter and roastier.

22 oz bottle. Pours black in color with small brown head. Aroma is sweet, hoppy and lite coffee. Taste of coffee and chocolate with bitter finsih.

Pours thick black with large tan head. Aroma of dark chocolate, plum, slight raisin, bitter hops, coffee, brown sugar, and a hint of spicey clove. Definite presence of alcohol detracts from an overall delicious aroma. Great flavor- dark chocolate balance with a nice bit of roastiness. Smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel with a dry, hoppy finish. Not overpowering, it is quite rare to find an Imperial Stout with this kind of subtlety.