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Grog Blossom

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A rich, complex imperial stout from Hop Hooligans' acclaimed dark beer range. Deep roasted character with dark chocolate, vanilla, and warming alcohol. Often barrel-aged in variants.

ABV
11%
Bitterness
Very bitter
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
roastedchocolatevanilla
roasted
chocolate
vanilla
dark fruit
oak
coffee
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced roasted malt and dark chocolate, underpinned by subtle vanilla and warming alcohol vapor.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Grog Blossom

◎ Appearance

Deep black with a brownish rim, opaque and impenetrable to light. A dense, tan head forms on the pour and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving thick lacing on each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a creamy visual character befitting the style.

opaque blackpersistent tan headthick lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced roasted malt and dark chocolate, underpinned by subtle vanilla and warming alcohol vapor. Secondary notes of coffee grounds and faint oak emerge as the beer settles, alongside hints of dark dried fruit. The overall impression is rich and complex without aggressive hop presence.

roasted maltdark chocolatevanillacoffee, oak

◐ Taste

Roasted grain dominates the palate, with a full, velvety chocolate backbone that evolves into subtle vanilla sweetness mid-sip. Moderate bitterness (65 IBU) arrives with restraint, balanced by the beer's inherent richness and body. Alcohol warmth builds gradually without harshness, and dark fruit notes integrate smoothly with lingering roast.

roasted, chocolate-forwardfull-bodied, smoothrestrained bitternesswarming alcohol

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and sustained, with roasted bitterness fading into a chocolate-cocoa aftertaste. Alcohol warmth persists pleasantly on the palate, extending the experience without becoming cloying.

dry finishchocolate cocoa fadelingering warmth
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
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 Grog Blossom

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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, rich character as Grog Blossom 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 Romania beers →