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Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

Central Waters Brewing Company
United States·Imperial Stout
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Central Waters' most acclaimed release — an Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels for over a year. Massive vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, espresso and bourbon warmth in a rich, velvety body. One of Wisconsin's finest barrel-aged beers and a Midwest cellar staple.

ABV
11%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedoakchocolate
roasted
oak
chocolate
vanilla
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, underscored by vanilla extract and weathered oak from prolonged barrel contact.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany-brown to near-black under light, with opacity that permits no transmission. A dense, tan head builds readily and clings to the glass in persistent strands, showing excellent retention and adhesion. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined visual presence.

deep mahogany-brownopaquedense tan head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, underscored by vanilla extract and weathered oak from prolonged barrel contact. Espresso and a subtle bourbon warmth emerge on deeper inspection, neither sharp nor alcohol-forward despite the 11% ABV. These layers integrate smoothly without competing.

roasted maltbourbon vanilladark chocolateoak influence

◐ Taste

Entry is full and velvety, with roasted grain and dark chocolate establishing the core flavor. Mid-palate develops layered notes of vanilla cream, espresso, and toasted oak that sustain without harshness. Bitterness is restrained at 35 IBU, serving to frame rather than dominate, while the alcohol warmth provides depth without burn.

velvety bodydark chocolateespressovanilla oak

◑ Finish

The finish is lengthy and warming, with roasted and chocolate notes persisting alongside a subtle bourbon char. A slight drying oak texture lingers without becoming astringent, allowing the sweetness of caramel and vanilla to resolve gracefully.

warm aftertasteroasted dryness
89
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
91
Appearance
85
Finish
87
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 Central Waters Bourbon Barrel 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 roasted, oak, rich character as Central Waters Bourbon Barrel 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 →Browse United States beers →