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Emelisse Imperial Stout

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A roasted aroma leads, with hints of licorice, licorice root and coffee. The palate is full-bodied, chocolate and coffee stepping to the front, and the finish closes on roasted chocolate with a bitter edge, only lightly alcoholic for 11.0%. Brewmaster Sven Wade Lehy has led the Slot Oostende brew house since May 2022.

ABV
11.0%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter24 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
roastedchocolatecoffee
roasted
chocolate
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
A pronounced roasted grain foundation opens the nose, layered with licorice and licorice root that add herbal depth.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Emelisse Imperial Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep black color with a dense, tan-brown head that clings to the glass in persistent lacing. The body is opaque and viscous, characteristic of the Imperial Stout style. Carbonation appears modest, supporting the beer's weighty character rather than cutting through it.

deep blackdense headfull viscosityminimal carbonation

◌ Aroma

A pronounced roasted grain foundation opens the nose, layered with licorice and licorice root that add herbal depth. Coffee and cocoa notes emerge in the mid-range, underpinned by dark roasted Malz. The alcohol at 11% remains restrained on the nose, integrating rather than dominating.

roasted grainlicorice, licorice rootcoffee, cocoaherbal complexity

◐ Taste

Entry is full-bodied and smooth, with chocolate and coffee taking the lead across the palate. Dark roasted Malz character builds toward the mid-palate, accompanied by subtle dark fruit notes and a creeping bitterness. The high ABV sits in the background, warming rather than burning, allowing the malt-driven profile to remain central.

full-bodied, smoothchocolate, coffeeroasted Malzdark fruit, bitter edge

◑ Finish

The finish closes on roasted chocolate with a persistent bitter edge that lingers without astringency. The warmth of alcohol registers gently, fading into a dry, cocoa-powder aftertaste that extends moderately long.

roasted chocolatedry finishlingering bitterness
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 Emelisse 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, full-bodied, chocolate character as Emelisse 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 Netherlands beers →