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Black Roses

Bellwoods Brewery
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🌍 Canada · Imperial Stout · One of 85 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Black Roses arrives as a study in contradiction: rich and bitter foundations meet smooth caramelized tones, floral notes threading through a subtle nuttiness that keeps the palate from settling. The Imperial Stout's warmth is immediate—at eleven percent, it drinks less like a beer and more like a contemplative spirit, the kind you pour for the late evening when conversation turns slower. Bold and delicate in the same glass, a strange but harmonious melange that refuses easy categorization. This is a beer for those who expect their stouts to complicate, not comfort.

ABV
11%
Bitterness
Very 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
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full-bodied and gently sweet.

A slow, coating pour that settles on the tongue and rewards the sip that follows.

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

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Roses

Appearance

Black Roses presents a deep, opaque black body with a burgundy-brown hue at the rim when held to light. The dense, tan head settles slowly, leaving a fine network of lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation is restrained, appropriate to the Imperial Stout's contemplative character.

opaque blacktan headfine lacinglow carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with dark roasted grain and cocoa, then unfolds toward floral and rose-like notes that distinguish this beer from conventional stouts. Underneath sit caramel sweetness and hints of hazelnut, while a subtle spirit-forward warmth at 11% ABV adds depth without overwhelming. The balance between bitter Edelpilsener character and delicate florals creates an unusual aromatic profile.

dark roastfloral, rose-likecaramelcocoa, hazelnut

Taste

Entry is full and assertive, with bitter malt and roasted grain anchoring the palate immediately. The mid-palate reveals smooth caramelized tones and a nuttiness that prevents the beer from settling into pure bitterness; floral notes thread through, adding complexity and a slight herbal quality. Bitterness persists throughout without harshness, balanced by the beer's warming alcohol presence.

bold bitter maltsmooth caramelpersistent floralwarming alcohol

Finish

The finish is long and contemplative, with dry roasted notes lingering alongside a subtle sweetness that fades gradually. A spirit-like warmth remains on the palate, encouraging slow, meditative sipping.

long, dry finishwarming aftertaste
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
88
Appearance
82
Finish
84
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Black Roses

Serve at 13–16°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 Black Roses

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 bitter, rich, caramel character as Black Roses will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →Browse Canada beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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