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Lignite

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Lignite is the imperial stout from Laughing Sun in Bismarck. Highly kilned malts bring chocolate and roasty notes, rich flavors are complemented by light hop additions, and the finish is smooth with malty richness. The brewery announced it back on tap at the brewery in November. It is brewed at the brewery on East Front Avenue in Bismarck.

ABV
9.0%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
roastedchocolatemalty
roasted
chocolate
malty
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
Dominant roasted malt and chocolate notes emerge on the nose, layered with subtle coffee undertones and hints of dark fruit.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lignite

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown color with minimal translucence, characteristic of the style's high kilning levels. A dense, tan head forms and maintains reasonable retention, with subtle lacing clinging to the glass walls. Carbonation is moderate and restrained, appropriate for the full-bodied character.

deep black-browndense tan headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

Dominant roasted malt and chocolate notes emerge on the nose, layered with subtle coffee undertones and hints of dark fruit. Light hop presence sits in the background, providing minimal aromatic contribution and allowing the kilned character to command attention. No sharp or aggressive notes; the overall impression is warm and inviting.

roasted maltchocolatecoffee undertonesdark fruit

◐ Taste

The palate opens with rich chocolate and roasted grain flavors that evolve smoothly across the mid-palate, building subtle coffee and dark fruit notes. Bitterness is measured at 65 IBU, providing structure without aggression or harshness. The malt backbone remains full and satisfying, with warming alcohol perceptible but well-integrated at 9% ABV.

chocolate richnessroasted grainmeasured bitternesswarming alcohol

◑ Finish

The finish extends with lingering malty sweetness and roasted character, tapering gradually rather than abruptly. Warmth and slight drying sensation persist, leaving chocolate and malt impressions in the aftertaste.

malty aftertastegradual taperwarming finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
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 Lignite

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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 Lignite 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 United States beers →