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Imperial Stout 2019

Burning Sky Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Imperial Stout · One of 76 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Burning Sky Brewery, nestled in the Sussex village of Firle, United Kingdom, presents Imperial Stout 2019 — a brooding, barrel-aged triumph. Eighteen months resting in oak vats has transformed this East Sussex imperial stout into something extraordinary. It pours a deep, near-opaque black with a fine tan collar. The aroma is richly layered: bittersweet chocolate, dried dark berries, and a vinous, almost port-like character intertwine with warm vanilla oak. On the palate, it is luxuriously smooth and full-bodied, delivering waves of dark chocolate, ripe plum, and subtle tannins. The finish is long and warming, with lingering mocha and gentle oakiness — a meditative, contemplative beer at its very finest.

ABV
9%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark50
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial Stout.
Malt character
chocolate
roasted
coffee
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
vanilla
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FEATURED IN

#3 of 50The Best British StoutsFeatured inThe Best British Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Imperial Stout 2019

Appearance

Imperial Stout 2019 presents itself as a deep, near-opaque black, suggesting the intensity of eighteen months' barrel aging. The pour reveals a fine tan collar with restrained but persistent head retention. Carbonation is subtle and integrated, allowing the visual weight of the beer to dominate.

deep blackfine tan headopaqueminimal carbonation

Aroma

The nose unfolds in rich, layered waves: bittersweet chocolate and dried dark berries emerge first, followed by a vinous, port-like character that speaks to the oak maturation. Warm vanilla and subtle wood spice complete the composition, creating an aromatic profile both complex and inviting.

bittersweet chocolatedark berryport-likevanilla oak

Taste

The palate enters with waves of dark chocolate and ripe plum, the mouthfeel luxuriously smooth and full-bodied despite the 9% ABV. Subtle tannins from the barrel aging provide structure without harshness, while coffee notes underscore the roasted foundation. Bitterness remains measured, supporting rather than dominating the composition.

dark chocolateripe plumsmoothsubtle tanninscoffee

Finish

The finish is notably long and warming, with lingering mocha and gentle oakiness that extends the experience. The alcohol presence manifests as a gentle warmth rather than heat, leaving a meditative aftertaste.

long mocha finishgentle warmthlingering oak
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
89
Appearance
86
Finish
87
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Imperial Stout 2019

Serve at 13–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Imperial Stout 2019

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 chocolate, dark fruit, rich character as Imperial Stout 2019 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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