Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 10

Wow! What a wonderfully thick head that takes a bit to start breaking down. Black as sin with no light coming through. Thick consisteny with hops and grain bitterness coming more pronounced in the aftertaste. This is one great beer!! Will buying again (and again and again!!) While I prefer Rasputin over this, this is a good second choice. Guess they really know imperial stouts in Sonoma/Mendocino County, eh?? For those within driving distance of a Bevmo they either just got this or its only available at certain ones. They didn’t have it in Albany or Pinole, but they did in Concord.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Courtesy of sebletitje. Pours dark dark brown with mocha head. The aroma is roasty malts, bold black licorice and mild nuttiness. The taste is much the same with tasty chocolate malts, mild hop flavor, some roastiness, molasses, mild malt astringency and burnt malt notes. A pleasant chocolate sensation rides to the finish and into the after taste. Wow, I like this.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

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.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Very enjoyable flavour but I don't get why it is so highly rated in style and overall rank. Flavour has all the qualities of a good impy stout. Must try this again, maybe I missed something.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Deep black colored beer with a big frothy textured, cocoa brown head rising above. There's excellent hang time on the head. It settles into a seep full film ringlet and persistent cap. A mocha nose of chocolate and coffee. The blending of the coffee and dark chocolate is beautiful. Full bodied, creamy richness.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Beer Ten of my Twelve Beers of Christmas, long time Wish List item. Near-black brown pour, big frothy beige head, tons of lacing. Deeply roasted malts, Blackstrap molasses, near-burnt toast, hint of licorice, huge dose of earthy hops in the aroma and taste, big and bold, then smoothing out a bit as it warms. Nice heavy stout linger with more than ample hops presence. Fantastic stout and a real bargain @ $5.99/bomber.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Another great gift from slowrunner77. Wow - big and bold in every respect. Deep, dark pour with a nice tan head. Chocolate, licorice and dried fruit aroma with a bit of roasted malt and vanilla added to flavor. Velvet of the pallette. Light, but not unpleasant, sweetness. Very nice.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Wow! Really disappointed with this beer. I got a lot of bitterness and not much flavor on the palate. Nothing smooth, sweet, coffee, chocolate, etc. I was hoping for more. The longer I let it sit the more flavor started coming to it, but it was still disappointing. I will try this again down the road to see if I just had a bad bottle.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Amazing beer, amazing value beer. Nothing new to report here, except maybe that there is little fault to find in this ridiculously delicious beverage. Chocolate and coffee aromas, coffee and burnt chocolate flavours, and then it gets really interesting. A mild hoppiness, some fruit notes, no alcohol whatsoever, all the while keeping a Smooth, creamy, and mildly refreshing flavour.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Here is a deep brown stout that doesn't pour like motor oil but sure looks like it should. Smells of chocolate, coffee and molasses, pretty typical from that standpoint. Mouthfeel is thick but not cloying, refreshing and smooth like a lager, very interesting. Taste is burnt chocolate and strong coffee along with lots of roasted malts. This is a great example of the style and far better than your average mass marketed stout. Great finish, really dry and crisp, very nice beer.