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Narwhal

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Imperial Stout · One of 127 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

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
See all Imperial Stout alternatives →
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
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A frame with real heft — the palate has plenty to hold onto through the finish.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial Stout.
Malt character
roasted
chocolate
coffee
honey
Distinctive notes
smoky

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
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Narwhal

Serve at 13–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Narwhal

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.

Other Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →