Big Bear Black Stout
Bear Republic Brewing Co.


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- From:
- Bear Republic Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #1,291 - ABV:
- 8.1%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,869 - Avg:
- 4.13 | pDev: 9.69%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 16, 2021
- Added:
- Oct 05, 2001
- Wants:
- 186
- Gots:
- 260
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding


Notes:
Big Bear is a big, black, stout you can really sink your teeth into. The bold, roasty, caramel malt flavor is balanced by Centennial and Cascade hops.
2009 California State Fair – 2nd GOLD
2009 LA International Beer Competition – GOLD
2007 Great American Beer Festival® American-Style Stout – SILVER
2002 World Beer Cup - GOLD
2009 California State Fair – 2nd GOLD
2009 LA International Beer Competition – GOLD
2007 Great American Beer Festival® American-Style Stout – SILVER
2002 World Beer Cup - GOLD
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4 by chicagoish from Pennsylvania on Apr 16, 2021
4 by doctorgary from New York on Apr 12, 2021
3.13/5 rDev -24.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by Sigmund from Norway
Sample from bottle, RBESG 2005 Grand Tasting in Copenhagen. Very dark brown colour. Malty and roasty aroma. Very roasty flavour, a bit too sweet for my taste.
Mar 20, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by Sigmund from Norway
Sample from bottle, RBESG 2005 Grand Tasting in Copenhagen. Very dark brown colour. Malty and roasty aroma. Very roasty flavour, a bit too sweet for my taste.
Mar 20, 2021
3.97 by rsuarez1982 from Texas on Mar 17, 2020
3.96 by beaulabauve from Louisiana on Mar 06, 2020
3 by MrCPMJ from Texas on Dec 20, 2019
4.65/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by SportyCalvin
California aside, this beer is amazing. It's thick yet easily drinkable. I discovered it at Spec's in Austin when looking for stouts. It has a great taste, nice brown color, goes down well. Pretty decent, California considering.
Dec 01, 2019
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by SportyCalvin
California aside, this beer is amazing. It's thick yet easily drinkable. I discovered it at Spec's in Austin when looking for stouts. It has a great taste, nice brown color, goes down well. Pretty decent, California considering.
Dec 01, 2019
3 by stephenlee93 from England on Oct 09, 2019
3.6 by Futbolmanby from Michigan on Sep 09, 2019
4.41 by jroof1 from Massachusetts on Sep 02, 2019
3.94 by brandoneast from Texas on Aug 05, 2019
3.99 by desint from Belgium on Jun 19, 2019
4 by ian_graf from Minnesota on Jun 09, 2019
4.37 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania on Apr 12, 2019
3/5 rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by AllOfTheCats from Wisconsin
I'm not really sure why this is considered exceptional. Maybe as a stout, but not when comparing to thousands of other beers. Will not be buying again, but glad I was able to try a single bottle.
Mar 22, 2019
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by AllOfTheCats from Wisconsin
I'm not really sure why this is considered exceptional. Maybe as a stout, but not when comparing to thousands of other beers. Will not be buying again, but glad I was able to try a single bottle.
Mar 22, 2019
4.3 by TCMike from Minnesota on Nov 10, 2018
4.11 by Greener from Iowa on Sep 26, 2018
4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by ordybill from Georgia
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass. The appearance is a pitch black color with a long lasting brown head. The aroma is licorice. The taste is licorice and malt.
Sep 08, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by ordybill from Georgia
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass. The appearance is a pitch black color with a long lasting brown head. The aroma is licorice. The taste is licorice and malt.
Sep 08, 2018
4.4 by SaxmanRick from Minnesota on Aug 18, 2018
4.25 by steverx8 from England on Aug 16, 2018
4.54 by evanwoertz from California on Jun 12, 2018
3.5 by smartassboiler from Illinois on Jun 07, 2018
4.24 by stephenlee from England on Apr 27, 2018
4.23 by LarryMyers from Pennsylvania on Apr 04, 2018
4.24 by dctarga from California on Mar 06, 2018
4.11 by KShophead from Kansas on Feb 23, 2018
4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by RaulMondesi from California
Heyo! We got a pretty decent one here, my peeps. Not flat like a runway model, not Coca Cola esque like a runway model holding a Coke... just pretty solid down the line. A lil chocolate here, a lil robustness there... not the best by any means, but aite.
Feb 10, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by RaulMondesi from California
Heyo! We got a pretty decent one here, my peeps. Not flat like a runway model, not Coca Cola esque like a runway model holding a Coke... just pretty solid down the line. A lil chocolate here, a lil robustness there... not the best by any means, but aite.
Feb 10, 2018
4.23 by ak010101 from New York on Feb 03, 2018
4.05/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by BayAreaJoe from California
12oz. Bottle Best By 7/27/2018, consumed 2/3/2018.
Poured deep dark brown, tiny head, minimal lacing.
Aroma seems a bit light, roasted malt, molasses, a bit boozy.
Taste fills out much more robustly with caramel, molasses, chocolate, roasted malt and brown sugar.
Mouthfeel is full, rich, great balance and very pleasant.
Starts slow but finishes strong. A terrific quality stout that's really affordably priced. The best combo.
Feb 03, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by BayAreaJoe from California
12oz. Bottle Best By 7/27/2018, consumed 2/3/2018.
Poured deep dark brown, tiny head, minimal lacing.
Aroma seems a bit light, roasted malt, molasses, a bit boozy.
Taste fills out much more robustly with caramel, molasses, chocolate, roasted malt and brown sugar.
Mouthfeel is full, rich, great balance and very pleasant.
Starts slow but finishes strong. A terrific quality stout that's really affordably priced. The best combo.
Feb 03, 2018
3.93/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by stevoj from Idaho
Small pour at Rohnert Park location. Dark, muddy brown, small ring of beige head. Seems kind of subdued, but picks up the pace fast. Rich roast grains aroma, some chocolate. Taste brings the bitterness, gently, but enough to wake up the palate. Nice mouth feel, smooth. Bitter bite lingers.
Jan 31, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by stevoj from Idaho
Small pour at Rohnert Park location. Dark, muddy brown, small ring of beige head. Seems kind of subdued, but picks up the pace fast. Rich roast grains aroma, some chocolate. Taste brings the bitterness, gently, but enough to wake up the palate. Nice mouth feel, smooth. Bitter bite lingers.
Jan 31, 2018
3 by 1971bernat from Virginia on Dec 28, 2017
4.25 by Marvicsin from California on Dec 26, 2017
4.15 by Gsquared12 from Pennsylvania on Dec 25, 2017
4.18 by juablu from California on Dec 10, 2017
4.1 by vidisad from California on Dec 10, 2017
4.42/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by -steve- from Canada (ON)
Dark, pillowy brown head. Bursting with chocolate and malt aroma. Chewy, roasted malt taste with plenty of chocolate. Boozy aftertaste that is quite nice. Love how the flavours coat the tongue and the dry, roasted notes linger. Exquisite!
Nov 18, 2017
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by -steve- from Canada (ON)
Dark, pillowy brown head. Bursting with chocolate and malt aroma. Chewy, roasted malt taste with plenty of chocolate. Boozy aftertaste that is quite nice. Love how the flavours coat the tongue and the dry, roasted notes linger. Exquisite!
Nov 18, 2017
4.04 by Fishwhisperer from Michigan on Nov 07, 2017
3.75 by coryhk from California on Nov 03, 2017
4.03/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by josanguapo from Spain
From 32 Great Power. In Teku glass. Playing Green Cat. 5 months after bbf (my fault) Herbal hoppy notes like in a Black IPA, some vanilla and chocolate. Abv well hidden
Sep 27, 2017
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by josanguapo from Spain
From 32 Great Power. In Teku glass. Playing Green Cat. 5 months after bbf (my fault) Herbal hoppy notes like in a Black IPA, some vanilla and chocolate. Abv well hidden
Sep 27, 2017
4.23 by DiggerDahl from North Dakota on Sep 20, 2017
Big Bear Black Stout from Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
2451 ratings