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Black Chocolate Stout

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Black Chocolate Stout has been brewed since 1994 and began as brewmaster Garrett Oliver's calling-card beer. The Russian imperial stout returns every winter and draws its character from a blend of six malts and three separate mashes. Dark chocolate leads the flavour, backed by espresso, roasted grain and an earthy, cocoa-like edge. The body is dense and full, the alcohol shows as gentle warmth, and a firm roasted bitterness keeps the finish dry. With time in the bottle the beer softens and can pick up notes of vanilla, leather and soy.

ABV
10.0%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter51 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
chocolateroastedcoffee
chocolate
roasted
coffee
earthy
vanilla
Aroma
The nose is dominated by rich dark chocolate and roasted cocoa powder, with underlying notes of dark roasted malt and espresso.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Chocolate Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep ebony black with an impenetrable opacity that reveals the beer's substantial malt bill. A thick, creamy tan head forms and persists admirably, indicative of the rich body and carbonation level. The viscous coating on the glass suggests excellent mouthfeel to come.

jet blackcreamy headopaqueviscous

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by rich dark chocolate and roasted cocoa powder, with underlying notes of dark roasted malt and espresso. Subtle warming alcohol vapors emerge beneath the dominant chocolate character, creating an inviting and dessert-like bouquet. There's a gentle cocoa butter sweetness that balances the roasted grain complexity.

dark chocolateroasted maltcocoa powdercoffee

◐ Taste

The palate opens with deep roasted malt flavors that transition seamlessly into smooth dark chocolate and cocoa notes on the mid-palate. The full body provides excellent texture, while the 75 IBUs deliver a measured bitterness that complements rather than overwhelms the chocolate character. Warming alcohol notes emerge gracefully without harshness, enhancing the dessert-like experience.

rich chocolateroastedfull-bodiedbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and lingering, with dark chocolate and cocoa powder notes persisting on the palate well after swallowing. The warming alcohol provides a satisfying conclusion without excessive heat, leaving a sophisticated, bittersweet aftertaste.

lingeringwarmingbittersweet
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
90
Appearance
85
Finish
88
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 Black Chocolate Stout

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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 chocolate, roasted, coffee character as Black Chocolate Stout will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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