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Narwhal

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An imperial stout sold each year from September to December and suited to cellaring. The grist is broad: two-row and estate pale malt, caramelized, chocolate and debittered black malts, roasted barley, honey malt and a share of smoked malt. It brings espresso, baking cocoa and dark roast to the front, with a light smokiness and a touch of honeyed sweetness behind. The body is dense and velvety, and Cascade and Chinook add a restrained bitterness that keeps the long, roasty finish from turning sweet.

ABV
10.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter60 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
roastedchocolatecoffee
roasted
chocolate
coffee
smoky
honey
Aroma
Espresso and baking cocoa dominate the nose, supported by notes of dark roast and subtle charred grain.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Narwhal

◎ Appearance

Deep black in the glass with a red-brown rim when held to light, revealing the beer's substantial density. A thick, creamy tan head forms on the pour and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving well-defined lacing as you drink. The body is opaque and still, with minimal carbonation visible.

deep blackcreamy headdense body

◌ Aroma

Espresso and baking cocoa dominate the nose, supported by notes of dark roast and subtle charred grain. A whisper of smoke threads through the profile, with honeyed undertones that add depth without sweetness. The aromatic intensity is restrained and composed, inviting rather than aggressive.

espresso, cocoaroasted grainlight smokehoney undertone

◐ Taste

The palate opens with rich espresso and chocolate that coat the mouth with velvety texture. Mid-palate brings forward the roasted character and a gentle smokiness, while Cascade and Chinook hops provide a measured bitterness that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying. The malt structure is full and warming, befitting the 10.2% ABV.

velvety textureroasted espressorestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and roasty, with dark malt and smoke lingering on the palate. A dry, slightly bitter aftertaste persists, preventing any treacly residue and inviting another sip.

long roasty finishdry aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
80
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 Narwhal

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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 roasted, chocolate, coffee character as Narwhal 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 →