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Barrel-Aged Dark Charge (2025)

Braxton Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Imperial Stout · One of 86 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Barrel-Aged Dark Charge unfolds in layers: stone fruit aromas of plum set the opening, followed by bold coffee and roast notes that anchor the mid-palate. The barrel work introduces a delicate presence of bourbon and oak, while smooth waves of vanilla, toffee, and caramel round out the body. Beneath lies a robust, velvety mouthfeel that carries the roasted malt character through to a warming finish. This is an imperial stout built for slow contemplation—the kind of beer that rewards patience on a cold evening, revealing depth with each sip as it warms in the glass.

ABV
13.4%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
See all Imperial Stout alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
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.
Malt character
caramel
coffee
roasted
malty
chocolate
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
vanilla
oak
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Barrel-Aged Dark Charge (2025)

Appearance

Deep mahogany-brown to near-black color with a rich, dark SRM typical of the imperial stout category. The head forms a dense, tan foam that clings to the glass with excellent retention, creating fine lacing as the beer is consumed. The body is opaque and full, with minimal light penetration.

deep mahogany-browndense tan headexcellent lacingfull-bodied

Aroma

The nose opens with prominent stone fruit character—plum leads the way, supported by earthy depth. Coffee and roasted malt anchor the mid-ground, while the barrel aging introduces subtle bourbon warmth and oak spice. Underneath lie softer notes of vanilla and toffee that emerge as the beer warms, creating a layered and inviting aromatic profile.

plum and stone fruitcoffee and roastbourbon oakvanilla and toffee

Taste

The palate opens smooth and velvety, with caramel and vanilla providing immediate sweetness balanced by roasted malt bitterness. The mid-palate deepens with dark fruit and chocolate notes, while oak and bourbon character from the barrel work create subtle spice and warmth without harshness. The mouthfeel remains creamy and full throughout, with a gentle warming sensation building toward the finish.

vanilla, caramel, chocolateroasted malt backboneoak-derived warmthcreamy, full mouthfeel

Finish

The finish is long and warming, with roasted malt character persisting alongside residual toffee and vanilla notes. The alcohol warmth (13.4% ABV) is well-integrated, leaving a pleasant heat that invites contemplation rather than harsh burn.

long, warming finishmalt-forward aftertaste
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
89
Appearance
86
Finish
87
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Barrel-Aged Dark Charge (2025)

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 Barrel-Aged Dark Charge (2025)

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, caramel, dark fruit character as Barrel-Aged Dark Charge (2025) 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 United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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