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Spear

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Spear is the fixed point of the brewery's annual barrel-aged series: an imperial oatmeal stout matured in Irish whiskey barrels and brought back every year. It pours opaque black with a tan head. The aroma combines charred oak, vanilla, dark chocolate and roasted coffee, and the taste brings the same elements together. The body is smooth and full, and the finish warms with whiskey.

ABV
13%
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
oakvanillachocolate
oak
vanilla
chocolate
coffee
roasted
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced charred oak and vanilla derived from Irish whiskey barrel aging.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Spear

◎ Appearance

Spear pours opaque black, revealing its density and roasted character. A tan head forms and persists with moderate retention, laying a fine lace along the glass as the beer is consumed. The body is visibly full, with minimal light transmission even when held to bright light.

opaque blacktan headfull-bodiedmoderate lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced charred oak and vanilla derived from Irish whiskey barrel aging. Beneath these wood-forward notes lie dark chocolate and roasted coffee, giving the aroma depth and complexity. The alcohol warmth is present but well-integrated, supporting rather than dominating the aromatic profile.

charred oakvanilladark chocolateroasted coffee

◐ Taste

Entry brings the same harmonious blend of oak, chocolate, and coffee seen on the nose, with whiskey vanilla carrying through the mid-palate. The 65 IBUs provide measured bitterness that frames rather than overwhelms the malt sweetness. The oatmeal component adds a silky texture that softens the overall structure.

whiskey vanillachocolate-forwardbalanced bitternesssmooth body

◑ Finish

The finish extends with a warming whiskey heat that lingers pleasantly on the palate. Notes of oak and roasted grain persist into the aftertaste, leaving a dry, slightly astringent sensation that invites the next sip.

warming alcoholpersistent oakdry finish
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
86
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 Spear

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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 oak, vanilla, chocolate character as Spear will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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