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Candy Cane Nitro

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Rich chocolate and fresh peppermint lead, with a hint of coffee behind them, in a smooth, full-bodied black imperial milk stout. Brewed with lactose and peppermint on 2-Row, C-40, C-120, Munich, oats, flaked barley and chocolate malt, with CTZ hops, it reaches 9.5 % ABV and comes in nitro widget cans.

ABV
9.5%
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
chocolatespicyroasted
chocolate
spicy
roasted
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
Rich chocolate and fresh peppermint lead the nose, creating a complex and inviting opening.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Candy Cane Nitro

◎ Appearance

Deep black color with a thin, persistent tan head sustained by the nitro infusion. The body is opaque and viscous, with moderate carbonation contributing to fine bubble structure and visible Schaumkleiden that cling to the glass walls.

deep blackcreamy nitro headfull-bodiedviscous

◌ Aroma

Rich chocolate and fresh peppermint lead the nose, creating a complex and inviting opening. Behind these primary notes sits a subtle coffee undertone with hints of roasted grain and dark cocoa, while the 9.5% ABV remains integrated and warm without harshness.

chocolate-forwardbright peppermintroasted graincoffee undertone

◐ Taste

The palate opens with creamy sweetness from the lactose and chocolate malt, followed by spicy peppermint that builds through the mid-palate without overwhelming. The 65 IBU bitterness arrives gradually, balancing the sweetness with roasted coffee and dark fruit notes, while the full body and smooth mouthfeel remain prominent throughout.

chocolate-richspiced peppermintcoffee-roastedbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is warm and lingering, with peppermint spice and chocolate cocoa notes persisting on the palate. A gentle roasted warmth from the alcohol and grain adds depth to the aftertaste without becoming harsh.

warming finishspice-chocolate fade
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
85
Appearance
82
Finish
81
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 Candy Cane Nitro

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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, full-bodied, rich character as Candy Cane Nitro 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 →