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Dark Star

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A big, velvety oatmeal stout layered with roasted malt and chocolate. At 8% it has real weight — warming, smooth, and dangerously easy to keep drinking despite the strength.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark45
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedchocolatewheat
roasted
chocolate
wheat
malty
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted malt and cocoa powder, grounded and assertive without harshness.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dark Star

◎ Appearance

Deep opaque black with a ruby gleam at the rim when held to light. A dense tan head forms and clings persistently to the glass, leaving thick bands of lacing with each sip. Carbonation is moderate, releasing in slow, deliberate bubbles.

opaque blackpersistent headthick lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted malt and cocoa powder, grounded and assertive without harshness. Beneath lies a subtle sweetness from the oatmeal base, along with whispers of dark fruit—dried plum and raisin—mingling with a faint warmth of alcohol. The overall impression is layered and inviting rather than aggressive.

roasted maltcocoadark fruitwarming alcohol

◐ Taste

Velvety on entry, with roasted grain and bitter chocolate unfolding across the mid-palate. The oatmeal contributes a creamy mouthfeel that softens the 35 IBU bitterness into something refined and integrated. At 8% ABV, the alcohol is present as warmth and weight but never harsh, making each sip dangerously approachable.

roasted chocolatecreamy bodyintegrated bitternesswarming strength

◑ Finish

The finish lingers with dry cocoa and roasted grain, gradually fading over several minutes. A gentle warmth persists, encouraging another sip.

dry cocoalong finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
80
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 Dark Star

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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, chocolate, full-bodied character as Dark Star 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 →