Big Bear Black Stout
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
- From:
- Bear Republic Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
Ranked #1,225 - ABV:
- 8.1%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #5,987 - Avg:
- 4.13 | pDev: 9.69%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1,160
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sep 04, 2025
- Added:
- Oct 05, 2001
- Wants:
- 185
- Gots:
- 259
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
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.
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
4.1/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
RB transfer
Sep 04, 2025
Reviewed by TooManyGlasses from Canada (AB)
4.09/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Slightly aged 12 ounce bottle - pre 2020 for sure.
Pours inky black with decent half finger of tan to mocha coloured head.
Aroma of dark chocolate, dark fruits, caramel, piney hops, leather and molasses.
Roasty on the palate with dark chocolate, caramel, hint of cherry, molasses, tobacco and an earthy, piney bitterness.
Smooth medium full mouthfeel with decent carbonation (especially considering the age) lingering dark chocolate bittersweetness. Really decent adjunct free stout.
Apr 04, 2023Pours inky black with decent half finger of tan to mocha coloured head.
Aroma of dark chocolate, dark fruits, caramel, piney hops, leather and molasses.
Roasty on the palate with dark chocolate, caramel, hint of cherry, molasses, tobacco and an earthy, piney bitterness.
Smooth medium full mouthfeel with decent carbonation (especially considering the age) lingering dark chocolate bittersweetness. Really decent adjunct free stout.
Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts
4.04/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can dated PKG3/15/22. into the test glass
A - Cobalt black color, lovely, thick mocha cap, leaves ring after ring with each draw.
S - Burnt coffee, dark chocolate, a bit of orangey hop, mingles with piney hops.
T - Bakers chocolate, roast malts, molasses, pine, black pepper.
M - Leans toward the bitter through the experience, a bit of heft to the body, outstading dry finish
A - A very good American Stout, lots of body, excellent dry finish, hops are plentiful and balance well with the grain bill.
Aug 28, 2022A - Cobalt black color, lovely, thick mocha cap, leaves ring after ring with each draw.
S - Burnt coffee, dark chocolate, a bit of orangey hop, mingles with piney hops.
T - Bakers chocolate, roast malts, molasses, pine, black pepper.
M - Leans toward the bitter through the experience, a bit of heft to the body, outstading dry finish
A - A very good American Stout, lots of body, excellent dry finish, hops are plentiful and balance well with the grain bill.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.13/5 rDev -24.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.13/5 rDev -24.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
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
Reviewed by SportyCalvin
4.65/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
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
Reviewed by AllOfTheCats from Wisconsin
3/5 rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
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
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