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Fayston Maple Imperial Stout

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Roasted and black malts give this 10.1% imperial stout a roasty, rich and complex character, with a generous dose of Vermont maple syrup. The name nods to Fayston, Vermont, home of the sugar-maker neighbor who inspired Sean Lawson's homebrew recipe. The brewery suggests sipping it by the fire or with a chocolatey dessert.

ABV
10.1%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted 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
roastedchocolatemalty
roasted
chocolate
malty
smoky
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
Roasted malt dominates the nose with pronounced notes of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and charred grain.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fayston Maple Imperial Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep black with a ruby-garnet rim when held to light, revealing the beer's opacity and density. A thick, tan foam head builds quickly and clings persistently to the glass walls, forming a lace pattern with each sip. Carbonation is moderate, delivering a creamy rather than aggressive mouthfeel.

opaque blackpersistent tan headruby highlights

◌ Aroma

Roasted malt dominates the nose with pronounced notes of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and charred grain. Beneath lies a sweet maple character—not cloying, but distinctly present—layered with hints of coffee and dried dark fruit. A subtle warmth from the 10.1% ABV adds depth without sharpness.

roasted maltdark chocolatemaple syrupcoffee notes

◐ Taste

The palate enters rich and full-bodied, with roasted grain and chocolate providing structure. Maple sweetness integrates smoothly rather than standing apart, creating a cohesive maltiness throughout the mid-palate. Bitterness from 65 IBU is restrained and balances the sweetness; it reads as refined rather than harsh, with subtle coffee and cocoa tannins lingering at the edges.

smooth malt sweetnessbalanced bitternessfull-bodiedchocolate and coffee

◑ Finish

Warm, lingering finish with roasted grain and maple notes fading gradually. The aftertaste holds chocolate and a gentle boozy warmth without harshness, inviting another sip.

warm aftertasteroasted character
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Fayston Maple 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 roasted, rich, sweet character as Fayston Maple Imperial Stout will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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