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Warrior

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Warrior is the peated member of the brewery's annual barrel-aged series: an imperial stout matured for twelve months in peated Islay Scotch whisky casks. The wood brings heavy smoke, oak and a maritime, sea-air note. It is the strongest stout of the 2025 line-up.

ABV
15%
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
smokyoakroasted
smoky
oak
roasted
salty
chocolate
coffee
Aroma
Heavily peated smoke dominates, evoking burnt wood and coastal brine—a direct reflection of the Islay whisky cask aging.
also:dark fruit
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Warrior

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown, opaque and impenetrable to light. The dense, tan head forms quickly and clings to the glass with pronounced lacing. Minimal carbonation is evident, appropriate for the style and barrel maturation.

deep black-brownopaquedense tan headpronounced lacing

◌ Aroma

Heavily peated smoke dominates, evoking burnt wood and coastal brine—a direct reflection of the Islay whisky cask aging. Beneath lies dark roasted malt, licorice, and a faint treacly sweetness. Oak tannins add structure, with hints of leather and sea air completing the maritime character.

peated smokeburnt woodsea airdark roastoak tannins

◐ Taste

The palate is full and viscous, entry marked by peppery smoke and bitter char. Mid-palate brings layered roast—espresso, dark chocolate, and charred grain—balanced against gentle sweetness from the residual malt. The 65 IBU bitterness asserts itself persistently without overwhelming, while the 15% ABV warms the throat with subtle alcohol heat.

peppery smokebitter charespressodark chocolatewarming alcohol

◑ Finish

Long and drying, with smoke and oak lingering well into the aftertaste. A mineral, almost briny note persists, evoking the whisky cask's influence and leaving the palate pleasantly parched.

long, dry finishlingering smokemineral, briny
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
87
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 Warrior

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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 smoky, oak, full-bodied character as Warrior 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 →Browse Ireland beers →