Black Bear Ale
Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant

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From:
Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant
 
Tennessee, United States
Style:
English Brown Ale
Ranked #131
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
75
Ranked #27,526
Avg:
3.21 | pDev: 15.89%
Reviews:
49
Ratings:
124
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 23, 2023
Added:
Oct 14, 2002
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  10
A delicious brown ale with a deep chestnut color. Low hop rate and light carbonation make this brew a smooth and creamy number with a rich, malty-sweet finish. Look closely for the touch of roastiness in the background.

20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by GreatLaura:
Photo of GreatLaura
Reviewed by GreatLaura from Ohio

2.25/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
I have had the beer on tap in Gatlinburg location several times and keep coming up with the same verdict. Very flat, and almost a soured taste. Hints of roasted carmel taste but leaves the mouth almost immediatley. No head present, even when just poured.
Sep 12, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of tone77
Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a bronze color with no head whatsoever. Smell is of malts, toffee, nuts. Taste is bready malts, light nuts and sweetness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a decent beer.
Feb 23, 2023
 
Rated: 1.98 by RBorsato from Virginia

Nov 09, 2022
 
Rated: 3.59 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio

Dec 21, 2021
 
Rated: 3.27 by jeschaefer from Texas

Sep 22, 2020
 
Rated: 3.75 by jimpyle48 from Virginia

Oct 23, 2019
 
Rated: 2.71 by deg from New Hampshire

Aug 12, 2019
 
Rated: 3.52 by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

Mar 28, 2019
 
Rated: 3.76 by markallmon from Tennessee

Jan 27, 2019
Photo of JayQue
Reviewed by JayQue from Virginia

3.56/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Not a bad Brown Ale. Pours a light brown/amber color with a small beige head that fades quickly. Nice aroma: sweet malt, toffee, and a bit nutty. Taste is fairly subdued. Sweet and malty, but not a strong flavor. Mouthfeel is a bit light but nice and smooth. Not a beer I would seek out, but not bad either.
Jan 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.08 by Mxsluis from Michigan

Oct 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.29 by robebo44 from Virginia

May 30, 2017
Photo of WoodBrew
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

2.71/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
My parents brought a mixed 6pck home from their trip down south. The beer poured a clear rich amber. The scent was nondescript. The taste was sweeter and not overly easy to drink. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with poor carbonation. Overall it's not a good brown...sorry.
Mar 18, 2017
Photo of dcscientist
Reviewed by dcscientist from Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I'm not a huge fan of browns in general, but this one was a little better than what I anticipated. It has some stronger chocolaty notes, which gives it a more definite flavor than the generic browns that you usually find. I'd try other beers from this brewery too if I'm ever back in the area.
Jan 03, 2017
 
Rated: 3.19 by LJWalker from Indiana

Sep 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.39 by rdooley from Texas

Aug 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by puftdank from Illinois

Jun 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.28 by Squire from Mississippi

May 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by StoutAtTheDevil from Alabama

May 10, 2016
Photo of Bonkinishwa
Reviewed by Bonkinishwa from Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Smoky Mountain Brewery - Black Bear Ale. 5.4% ABV. 12oz bottle poured into a stout glass.

Look: Settles a deep ruby color, with lots of carbonation bubbling. Retains a thin white head surprisingly long, due to the carbonation.

Smell: Mostly tart fruit, almost like raspberry, along with some malts and biscuit hints.

Feel: As expected, lots of lively carbonation, but relatively smooth and refreshing.

Taste: Tart fruit is the first thing noted, but along with caramel, malt, and toasted biscuit. Finishes bready, with slight lingering tart.

Overall: This is a strange Brown Ale, just like this brewery's Pale Ale. Tart fruit is very profound, but seems to add some unique flavors to this, while also retaining some traditional aspects of Brown Ales.
Apr 19, 2016
Black Bear Ale from Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant
Beer rating: 75 out of 100 with 124 ratings