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Dark Sabbath

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A Belgian-style dark abbey ale, robust through and through: dark and pale malts, noble and New World hops and Hawaiian honey, with a special yeast that adds pepper, raisins and figs. Built for a slow Sunday and a night-cap, it holds its own beside a roasted feast. 9.5 % and 35 IBU, in a goblet. The crew brews it one batch at a time in Waimea.

ABV
9.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceSipper
★undefined — U.S. Open Beer Championship (Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
honeymaltydark fruit
honey
malty
dark fruit
spicy
noble hop
yeasty
Aroma
Honey and dark fruit lead immediately—raisins and figs meld with subtle roasted undertones.
also:roasted,fruity,bready
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dark Sabbath

◎ Appearance

Deep garnet to brown in the glass, with modest transparency revealing layers of dark malt complexity. A dense, tan head builds quickly and clings to the sides with fine, persistent lacing. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, lending a soft visual presence.

deep garnet-browndense foampersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Honey and dark fruit lead immediately—raisins and figs meld with subtle roasted undertones. Noble hop character emerges as a supporting note, adding herbal and slightly peppery complexity. The yeast signature is present but restrained, enhancing rather than dominating the overall bouquet.

honey, dark fruitnoble hop, herbalpeppery yeast character

◐ Taste

Vollmundig and warming on entry, with malt sweetness and honeyed notes establishing the foundation. Mid-palate brings raisin and fig fruit forward alongside gentle spice from the Belgian yeast; roasted edges emerge without harshness. Bitterness remains subdued at 35 IBU, allowing malt and fruit to dominate while adding structure.

honey, malty sweetnessdark fruit, spicerestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

Warming alcohol (9.5%) becomes apparent on the finish, extending the experience into a lingering aftertaste of dried fruit and subtle pepper. The wine-like quality invites reflection rather than quick refreshment.

warming alcoholdried fruit aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 12–16°C

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Dark Sabbath

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About Belgian Strong Dark

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Dark?

Belgian Strong Dark is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Strong Dark

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same honey, full-bodied, malty character as Dark Sabbath will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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