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Mornin' Delight

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A barrel-aged imperial stout brewed with coffee, maple syrup and vanilla — one of the most sought-after beers in the world. Named #7 on RateBeer's Top Beers in the US and repeatedly cited among the best barrel-aged stouts ever made. Rich, warming and complex with layers of breakfast-inspired flavour that unfold slowly.

ABV
12%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark50
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
vanillacoffeeoak
vanilla
coffee
oak
roasted
chocolate
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with roasted grain and spent coffee grounds, followed by warm notes of maple syrup and vanilla that emerge as the beer warms.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Mornin' Delight

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown in color with barely any translucency when held to light. A dense, creamy head forms at the pour and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving thick rings of lacing as the beer is consumed. The body is full and viscous, with minimal carbonation evident.

opaque black-browndense, persistent headthick lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with roasted grain and spent coffee grounds, followed by warm notes of maple syrup and vanilla that emerge as the beer warms. Oak and charred wood undertones are present throughout, mingling with subtle dark fruit esters. The overall impression is one of layered complexity, evoking breakfast pastries and aged spirits.

roasted malt, coffeemaple, vanillaoak and char

◐ Taste

Entry brings dark roasted malt and bitter coffee at the forefront, with the vanilla and maple sweetness developing on the mid-palate to create a gentle balance. Oak and subtle dark fruit notes persist across the palate, while the 45 IBUs provide measured bitterness without harshness. The 12% ABV is felt as a warming sensation rather than sharp alcohol burn, lending richness and depth.

roasted, coffee-forwardmaple and vanilla sweetnessoak warmth

◑ Finish

The finish is long and evolving, with roasted and coffee notes fading slowly into a lingering caramel and oak dryness. A subtle chocolate character emerges in the final moments, leaving a smooth, warming aftertaste.

long, warming finishcaramel and oak dryness
90
hopIQ score
Aroma
89
Taste
91
Appearance
88
Finish
88
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 Mornin' Delight

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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 vanilla, coffee, rich character as Mornin' Delight 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 →