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Chocolate Orange Imperial Stout

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The imperial edition of Kirkstall's 6% Chocolate Orange Stout, raised to 8.0%. Chocolate malt and oats form a rich base, and the flavour of chocolate orange runs through the whole beer. Sold in cans since April 2026; the earlier 6% version has been replaced by it.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolateorangemalty
chocolate
orange
malty
roasted
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
Rich chocolate malt dominates the nose, offering cocoa powder and dark roasted grain notes.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Chocolate Orange Imperial Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown hue with an opaque, impenetrable body characteristic of the imperial stout class. A dense, tan head forms and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving distinct lacing as it recedes. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined texture rather than aggressive bubbling.

deep black-browndense headopaque bodypersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Rich chocolate malt dominates the nose, offering cocoa powder and dark roasted grain notes. Beneath lies a distinctive citrus character—orange zest and candied peel—that weaves throughout without overpowering the malt foundation. Subtle oat sweetness rounds out the profile, with no harsh alcohol bite despite the 8% ABV.

cocoa, dark roastorange zest, candied peeloat sweetnesschocolate-forward

◐ Taste

The palate opens with velvety chocolate and roasted malt, followed by a wave of orange citrus that persists across the mid-palate. The oat base provides a soft, full body that carries flavors smoothly. Bitterness reaches 65 IBU—evident but restrained, complementing rather than dominating the chocolate-orange interplay.

smooth chocolatecitrus clarityfull-bodiedbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with chocolate and orange notes lingering distinctly on the palate and in the aftertaste. A dry, slightly astringent edge emerges late, leaving the mouth clean without harshness.

chocolate-orange persistencewarming finishdry conclusion
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 Chocolate Orange 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 chocolate, orange, rich character as Chocolate Orange Imperial Stout will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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