hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Cauld Reekie

Stewart Brewing
Tap to rate
🌍 United Kingdom · Stout - Other · One of 4 Stout - Others in hopIQ

Named after Edinburgh's famous nickname — Cauld Reekie meaning smoky city. Stewart's flagship dark beer — a rich, roasted stout with coffee and chocolate notes. Available on cask and keg across Edinburgh.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
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 body.

A frame with real heft — the palate has plenty to hold onto through the finish.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Stout - Other.
Malt character
coffee
roasted
chocolate
malty
Distinctive notes
smoky
dark fruit
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best British Stouts

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cauld Reekie

Appearance

Deep brown to black in color, presenting the dense opacity characteristic of a traditional stout. The head is compact and persistent, clinging to the glass with visible lacing as you drink. Carbonation is moderate, giving the beer a settled, substantial presence.

deep brown to blackdense opacitypersistent headmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced roasted grain and coffee grounds, anchored by a deep Malz character typical of well-kilned dark malts. Subtle chocolate and cocoa undertones emerge beneath, with a whisper of smoke that reflects the beer's Edinburgh heritage. The overall impression is dry and earthy rather than sweet.

roasted graincoffeedark Malzsubtle smoke

Taste

The palate enters with assertive roasted and coffee flavors that build through the mid-palate, complemented by chocolate notes that add roundness without cloying. Bitterness is restrained at 40 IBU, allowing the roasted character to dominate rather than the Edelhopfen. The body is substantial but drinks smoothly, with a malty backbone that supports the darker flavors.

roasted, coffee-forwardbalanced chocolaterestrained bitternesssmooth mouthfeel

Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with roasted and coffee notes persisting gently into the aftertaste. No harsh bitterness lingers; instead, a subtle earthiness and smoke fade gradually.

dry finishroasted persistenceclean fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
77
Finish
76
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Cauld Reekie

Serve at 10–14°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.

Drink within a year. Standard stouts are best fresh but hold reasonably well for 6–12 months.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Cauld Reekie

About Stout - Other

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Stout - Other?

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 Stout - Other

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

Other Stout - Others in hopIQ