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Berserker

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Whiskey, red wine, dark fruit and tobacco rise from this opaque black imperial stout, viscous in the glass. At 12.7% ABV and 30 IBU it rests in red wine and whiskey barrels before the batch is blended back together for packaging. A creamy, maduro-coloured head crowns the pour.

ABV
12.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
dark fruitsmokyoak
dark fruit
smoky
oak
roasted
chocolate
coffee
Aroma
Whiskey and red wine barrel influence dominate the nose, supported by dark cherry and plum notes.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Berserker

◎ Appearance

Opaque black in the glass, showing no light transmission through the dense body. A creamy, maduro-coloured head forms at the pour and clings persistently to the sides, leaving distinct lacing with each sip. The viscosity is immediately apparent, coating the glass walls as the beer moves.

opaque blackcreamy headviscous bodypersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Whiskey and red wine barrel influence dominate the nose, supported by dark cherry and plum notes. Tobacco leaf, cocoa, and roasted grain emerge beneath, with subtle oak from extended aging. The alcohol presence is warm but not sharp, integrating smoothly with the fruit and wood character.

whiskey barreldark fruittobaccoroasted grain

◐ Taste

The palate opens with concentrated dark fruit—blackberry and dried plum—followed by a rich, creamy midpalate that carries cocoa, dark chocolate, and coffee notes. Oak and barrel vanillins provide structure without dominating. Bitterness is restrained at 30 IBU, allowing the warming alcohol and smoky roasted character to carry through without harshness.

dark fruit forwardchocolate, coffeecreamy texturesubtle bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering tobacco smoke and oak gradually giving way to a smooth, slightly sweet bourbon-like fade. Alcohol warmth persists gently without burning.

long finishwarming alcoholsmooth fade
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
89
Appearance
90
Finish
85
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 Berserker

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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 dark fruit, creamy, boozy character as Berserker 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 →