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Seward's Folly

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In 1867 Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, and critics sneered at the price: Seward's Folly. The brewery pays tribute with a Russian imperial stout that is thick and viscous, overflowing with dark chocolate, coffee and dried figs. Rich, robust and warming at 11.2% ABV and 65 IBU.

ABV
11.2%
Bitterness
Very bitter65 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
★undefined — Alaska Beer Awards
★undefined — Alaska Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
chocolatecoffeedark fruit
chocolate
coffee
dark fruit
roasted
Aroma
The nose opens with roasted malt and dark chocolate, grounded by coffee grounds and a subtle cocoa powder note.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Seward's Folly

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown with an opaque, viscous body and minimal light transmission. A dense, tan head forms on the pour and clings to the glass sides with persistent lacing. Carbonation is restrained, befitting the style's heavy character.

black-brownopaquedense headthick body

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with roasted malt and dark chocolate, grounded by coffee grounds and a subtle cocoa powder note. Dried fig and raisin emerge in the mid-range, with a whisper of licorice and burnt grain. Alcohol warmth is present but not intrusive at this stage.

dark chocolateroasted coffeedried fruitcocoa

◐ Taste

Entry brings rich cocoa and black licorice across the palate, followed by a full-bodied mid-palate of coffee bean and dark chocolate. The 65 IBU provides a structured bitterness that balances the sweetness without harshness. Finish dries gradually into roasted grain and a lingering chocolate-coffee note, with the 11.2% ABV adding gentle warming alcohol.

chocolate-forwardcoffee-drivenfull-bodiedbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

Medium to long finish with a dry, slightly astringent character. Roasted malt and dark chocolate persist alongside a faint alcohol warmth.

dry finishwarming alcohol
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
84
Appearance
78
Finish
80
Serve at 13–16°C

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

Pint glass

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Seward's Folly

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About Russian Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Russian Imperial 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 Russian Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same chocolate, coffee, rich character as Seward's Folly will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Russian Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →New to Russian Imperial Stout? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →