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Tweak

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Aromas of cherry and stone fruit lead into toffee, vanilla and coffee on the palate of this robust, boozy and bitter stout, which starts out roasty. Tweak has been a cult favorite since 2013: the beer rests for more than three months in whiskey barrels before a heavy dose of espresso beans goes in. It lands at 14.4% ABV, with a caffeine kick to match.

ABV
14.4%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
vanillacoffeeroasted
vanilla
coffee
roasted
dark fruit
oak
chocolate
Aroma
The nose opens with distinct cherry and stone fruit esters, layered beneath roasted malt and espresso bean aromatics.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tweak

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown color with minimal translucency, characteristic of a high-gravity Imperial Stout. A dense, persistent tan head forms and clings to the glass walls with notable lacing. The body is visibly full and syrupy, with a tight carbonation that remains stable throughout the drinking experience.

opaque black-browndense persistent headthick body

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with distinct cherry and stone fruit esters, layered beneath roasted malt and espresso bean aromatics. Vanilla and oak notes emerge from extended whiskey barrel aging, mingling with cocoa powder and a subtle alcoholic warmth. The overall impression is complex and sophisticated, balancing fruit-forward esters with deep roasted and oak-derived character.

cherry, stone fruitespresso, roasted maltvanilla, oakwhiskey barrel

◐ Taste

The palate begins with roasted malt and cocoa, transitioning into pronounced vanilla and coffee notes with a robust 65 IBU bitterness that is well-integrated rather than harsh. The 14.4% ABV is present as warming alcohol and adds to the full, viscous mouthfeel, while oak and subtle dark fruit flavors provide depth. The finish carries a dry, lingering bitterness with espresso and toffee notes that persist without becoming astringent.

coffee, espressovanilla, toffeeroasted, cocoabitter, dryfull-bodied, boozy

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is long and warming, with espresso bitterness and oak tannins fading gradually into a smooth, slightly sweet recall of vanilla and caramel. The alcohol heat lingers gently without harshness, leaving a dry impression on the palate.

long, warming finishespresso, oak tanninssmooth aftertaste
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
84
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 Tweak

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About Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same vanilla, coffee, bitter character as Tweak will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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