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Dark Star

Quidi Vidi Brewing Company
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🌍 Canada · Extra Special Bitter · One of 18 Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

An extra special bitter at the stronger end of the style. Caramel and toasted bread carry the malt, with a nutty edge behind them and a faint dark-fruit note from the crystal malt. English hops supply an earthy, marmalade-like aroma rather than citrus, and the bitterness is firm and drying without turning harsh. The body is medium and the finish long, malt and bitterness holding roughly even.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden8
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Extra Special Bitter.
Hop character
earthy
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
nutty
toasty
malty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dark Star

Appearance

Deep amber to light brown, clear and bright with good light transmission. The head forms with moderate density and displays solid retention, leaving fine lines of lacing down the glass as it recedes. Carbonation is evident but restrained, appropriate to the style.

deep amberclear and brightpersistent head

Aroma

English hops lead with an earthy character and distinct marmalade-like notes rather than citrus brightness. Beneath them, toasted bread and caramel from the Malz provide a warm, biscuity foundation, with a subtle nutty edge and faint dark-fruit undertones from the crystal Malz adding complexity.

earthy, marmalade-liketoasted bread, caramelsubtle dark fruit

Taste

The palate opens with caramel and toasty Malz character, the body medium and well-structured. Bitterness builds steadily through the mid-palate with a firm, drying quality that never turns harsh, while nuttiness and a whisper of dark fruit provide balance. Hop character remains earthy and restrained, supporting rather than dominating.

firm bitterness, dryingbalanced Malz and hopsnutty, smooth

Finish

The finish is notably long, with Malz and bitterness holding in near equilibrium through the aftertaste. The drying character persists without becoming astringent, leaving a clean, satisfying conclusion.

long finishmalt-bitter balance
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Dark Star

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Dark Star

About Extra Special Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra Special Bitter?

Extra Special Bitter is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Extra Special Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, bitter, toasty character as Dark Star will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

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