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Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

Bear Republic Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Stout · One of 33 Stouts in hopIQ

Bear Republic's powerful black stout — dark roasted malt, dark chocolate, espresso and a warming alcohol character in a full, velvety body. Big Bear Black Stout is Healdsburg's boldest dark beer: complex, warming and satisfying for California winter nights.

ABV
8.1%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Stout.
Malt character
chocolate
roasted
coffee
malty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

Appearance

Big Bear Black Stout pours deep black with minimal light penetration, displaying the hallmark opacity of a robust stout. A dense, creamy tan head forms and persists, indicating excellent head retention and proper carbonation levels. The beer presents a visually striking, opaque appearance befitting its bold character.

deep blackopaquecreamy headexcellent retention

Aroma

The nose is dominated by rich roasted malt and dark chocolate notes with prominent espresso and coffee character. Subtle molasses and earthy undertones emerge beneath the roasted grain foundation, while hints of licorice add complexity. The alcohol warmth is present but well-integrated into the overall aromatic profile.

dark chocolateespressoroasted maltmolasses

Taste

The palate opens with bold roasted malt flavors and dark chocolate, transitioning into smooth coffee and subtle licorice notes mid-palate. The full, velvety body carries dark fruit undertones and earthy complexity, with balanced bitterness (60 IBU) providing structure without overwhelming. The warming 8.1% ABV enhances the overall satisfaction without introducing harshness.

smoothfull-bodieddark chocolatebalanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with roasted grain and dark chocolate notes persisting on the palate. The bitter character settles pleasantly without becoming astringent, leaving a satisfying and warming aftertaste.

dry finishlingeringwarming
83
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
82
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

Serve at 10–14°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Can be cellared 2–5 years. Develops dark fruit, leather and port-like complexity with age.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

About Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, chocolate, rich character as Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Stouts in hopIQ

Explore all Stout beers in hopIQ →New to Stout? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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