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Heaven

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Chocolate and maple fill this imperial stout at 8.4%, and it drinks very sweet. The can calls it a piece of Heaven, a stout sent from above, and it returns every year as an annual edition; the 2026 edition is the current one.

ABV
8.4%
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
chocolateroastedcoffee
chocolate
roasted
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
Chocolate and maple dominate the nose, creating a sweet and warming aromatic profile.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Heaven

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown color with excellent opacity, typical of the Imperial Stout style at 40 SRM. The head forms dense and persistent, clinging to the glass walls with strong lacing as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a rich and composed visual presence.

Deep black-brownDense head retentionStrong lacingOpaque

◌ Aroma

Chocolate and maple dominate the nose, creating a sweet and warming aromatic profile. Dark roasted malt provides a foundation of cocoa and slight burnt character, while the maple syrup note adds caramel-like complexity. At 8.4% ABV, subtle alcohol warmth supports the overall sweetness without overwhelming the adjunct character.

Chocolate, mapleRoasted maltCocoa, caramelWarming alcohol

◐ Taste

The palate enters with pronounced sweetness, driven by maple and chocolate notes that coat the mouth generously. Mid-palate develops layers of dark chocolate, molasses, and subtle roasted grain complexity. The 65 IBU bitterness arrives in the background, providing restrained balance and preventing cloying excess, though the overall impression remains decidedly sweet and indulgent.

Sweet, full-bodiedChocolate, maple, molassesRestrained bitternessRoasted grain

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with maple and chocolate notes persisting on the palate. Lingering sweetness and slight roasted grain dryness create a satisfying, contemplative aftertaste.

Long, warmingSweet persistence
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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 Heaven

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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, sweet, rich character as Heaven 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 Kingdom beers →