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DESTIHL Imperial Stout

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Dark chocolate and roasted malt dominate this imperial stout, with generous hop additions balancing the malt. It pours as dark as night under a thick tan head, with a rich, creamy, full and smooth mouthfeel. 11.4% ABV and 80 IBU, brewed by DESTIHL in Normal, Illinois.

ABV
11.4%
Bitterness
Very bitter80 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
roastedchocolatehoppy
roasted
chocolate
hoppy
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, layered with notes of espresso and subtle charred malt.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for DESTIHL Imperial Stout

◎ Appearance

Pours jet black with minimal light transmission, crowned by a dense tan head that clings to the glass with steady retention. The surface tension holds firm throughout the pour, leaving distinct lacing on the walls. Carbonation is restrained, appropriate to the style's full body.

jet blacktan headpersistent lacinglow carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, layered with notes of espresso and subtle charred malt. Beneath lies a measured hop presence—earthy and resinous—that prevents the malt from overwhelming. A faint alcohol warmth emerges on the second pass, signaling the beer's 11.4% ABV.

dark chocolateroasted maltespressoherbal hops

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and creamy, with roasted and chocolate notes forming the core palate. Mid-palate develops coffee depth and a gentle dark fruit undertone, while 80 IBU of bitterness arrives with restraint—balancing rather than dominating. The alcohol is present but well-integrated, adding warmth without harshness.

creamy mouthfeelchocolate-forwardcoffee backbonebalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with residual roast and chocolate lingering into the aftertaste. A dry, slightly astringent quality emerges as the beer fades, anchored by the hop bitterness.

warming finishdry faderoast persistence
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
86
Appearance
82
Finish
81
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 DESTIHL Imperial 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, chocolate, creamy character as DESTIHL Imperial 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 →