hopIQ
ENDE
Sign up freeSign in

Jackie O's Dark Apparition

Jackie O's Pub & Brewery
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · Imperial Stout · One of 76 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Jackie O's masterpiece and one of America's most acclaimed Imperial Stouts. Dark chocolate, espresso, dark fruit and bourbon warmth in a massive, velvety body. Dark Apparition regularly tops national stout rankings and is Ohio's most sought-after dark beer.

ABV
12%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter40 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
See all Imperial Stout alternatives →
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-bodied and gently sweet.

Weight and sugar move together, the pour rolling slow while richness compounds on the palate.

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
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Jackie O's Dark Apparition

Appearance

Deep black color with an opaque, impenetrable body that reveals no light when held to a source. A rich, creamy tan head forms with excellent retention, creating lacing as you sip. Minimal carbonation produces a slow, deliberate cascade characteristic of imperial-weight stouts.

jet blackcreamy headopaqueexcellent retention

Aroma

Intensely aromatic with roasted malt dominating—dark chocolate, espresso, and burnt coffee grounds lead the charge. Beneath lies dark fruit character with hints of molasses sweetness and subtle bourbon oak warmth. The nose is complex and sophisticated, revealing subtle nutty undertones with each nosing.

roasted maltdark chocolateespressobourbon warmth

Taste

The palate delivers a velvety, full-bodied experience with rich dark chocolate and roasted coffee flavors coating the mouth from entry through mid-palate. Dark fruit notes—plum and raisin—dance alongside molasses sweetness, while the 40 IBUs provide restrained bitterness that never overwhelms. Alcohol warmth (12% ABV) integrates seamlessly, adding depth without harsh heat.

dark chocolatesmooth mouthfeelcomplex roastbalanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is long and warming, with roasted and chocolate notes persisting gracefully on the palate. A subtle drying effect emerges as alcohol warmth builds, leaving no cloying residue—just sophisticated, lingering complexity.

lingeringwarmingroasted aftertaste
91
hopIQ score
Aroma
92
Taste
93
Appearance
89
Finish
88
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Jackie O's Dark Apparition

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 Jackie O's Dark Apparition

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 Jackie O's Dark Apparition 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 States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find Jackie O's Dark Apparition? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →