Review - Bear Republic Brewing Company's Big Bear Black Stout
"Big Bear, as the name implies, is a hefty, black, Russian Imperial-style stout. This strong stout boasts a rich, caramel sweetness lavished by a robust, deep-roasted heartiness you can sink your teeth into... Big Bear's bold flavors are produced using a blend of Belgian and English roasted barley and crystal malts. Some unique flavors come forth in the malt character...Louisiana sweet molasses and dark brown sugar. This dark brew is well hopped with Chinook and Cascade hops, which are somewhat, masked by the malt. This is a balanced strong brew boasting an ABV of 8.1% that can creep up on you, "so don't get mauled". It has a dry roasted quality that masks its high alchohol content, so drink responsibly." -- Southern Tier
Pours a deep dark black with a large tan colored frothy head with great retention, that as it settles becomes more and more chunky. Thin fizzy lacing stays on the glass and slips down slowly. Aroma is milky and creamy with sweet cereal malt notes and soft coffee undertones with a bit of caramel on the back end. Initial taste is milky sweet which is backed up by a creamy mouthfeel that carries it across the mouth. Slightly bitter on the back end with the faintest hint of alcohol. Mouthfeel is creamy and milky with some burnt malts and soft alcohol. It's very balanced and very good.
Reviewed on March 28st, 2008.