Bigger Badder Baptista Imperial Stout Aged in Whiskey and Mezcal Barrels with Coffee, Cacao, Cinnamon and Vanilla Added
Epic Brewing
It was an epic Father's Day! In more ways than one, too. As my special indulgence, I popped a bomber bottle of Epic Bigger Badder Baptista Imperial Stout Aged in Whiskey and Mezcal Barrels with Coffee, Cacao, Cinnamon, and Vanilla Added. This was the last of four bomber bottles I received from my daughter as a Christmas present in 2020, so obviously I aged it. A beer from my daughter just seemed apropos as a Father's Day treat.
I've been going through my stash and trying to drink some of my older beers. Some of them have been drain pours, but some, like this one spectacular successes. If you can't age a high strength imperial stout aged in whiskey and tequila barrels, what can you age? The failures are redeemed by successes.
Epic lists the following ingredients on their website:
Malt Bill: Marris Otter, 2-Row, Light Munich, Chocolate Malt, Black Malt & Roasted Barley
Hops: Nugget, Chinook & Cascade
Adjuncts: Imperial Stout aged in Whiskey and Mezcal barrels with Coffee, Cacao, Cinnamon and Vanilla added.
This is a "rare release" beer, and my bottle had a 2020 mark on the neck label.
Alcohol content is variable, and Epic lists a range of 10.5% to 13.5% by volume. My bottle was marked 11.3% ABV. It was stamped DEN-7465 so brewed at the Denver, Colorado facility.
About Epic Brewing
Back in 2009, Epic Brewing Company became Utah's first brewery since prohibition to exclusively brew high-alcohol content beer. We handcraft and carefully package our unique beers in cans and classic 22-ounce bottles. Whether you're throwing cans in your pack for a long hike or breaking out bombers for big celebrations, we have the right beer for you. Discover natural variations of taste, from sweet or smoky malt to hazy and piney IPAs, or barrel-aged stouts with decadent adjuncts.
Epic is perfect for Utah's casual beer drinkers and adventurous connoisseurs alike!
Coffee, Cacao, Cinnamon, and Vanilla in an Epic Brewing Glass
Tasting Notes
Epic Bigger Badder Baptista Imperial Stout Aged in Whiskey and Mezcal Barrels with Coffee, Cacao, Cinnamon, and Vanilla Added pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a nose of rich powdered cocoa and licorice. As I poured, the thick viscous liquid flowed sluggishly into my glass. Taking a sip, the beer is as full in body as it looked. The full mouthfeel immediately suggests fudge brownies, hot ball cinnamon, smooth vanilla, light coffee notes, and in the finish, a hint of roasted malt and the vegetal Mezcal.
Initially, there's a bit of boozy whisky though surprisingly only a bit, and warming alcohol at the last. As the beer warms, though, the whisky notes emerge and permeate the beer, and a little more coffee pops too.
Value & Verdict
The four-pack of bombers my daughter purchased was $89.95 from Craftshack, so my bottle cost about $22.49.
Make no mistake, though I would like more peanut flavor, I am really enjoying this beer, and I get nuts are hard to pull off in a beer. The more I sip the more I love this beer, so I will say that yes, I would buy it again, even at the high price.
Delightful with about 6 years age, I would absolutely buy this beer again, should I see it available.
