hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Lots of Trouble Usually Serious

Tap to rate

A collaboration with EMP Brewery: an English-style barley wine brewed with biscuit cookies by two enthusiasts and drivers. Strong at 11.6 % and at 27 IBU, it carries a caramel note, a beer from the nano brewery Stout 'n Beer in Nootdorp, South Holland.

ABV
11.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter27 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
caramelmaltybready
caramel
malty
bready
dark fruit
Aroma
Prominent caramel and toffee notes dominate the nose, complemented by warm, biscuity undertones from the biscuit cookie adjunct.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lots of Trouble Usually Serious

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to light brown in color, with a clarity that shows good transparency despite the beer's strength and age-worthiness. The head forms moderately and maintains a thin, persistent ring of lacing around the glass. Carbonation is moderate, appropriate for the style's contemplative drinking pace.

deep amberclearmoderate head retentionfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Prominent caramel and toffee notes dominate the nose, complemented by warm, biscuity undertones from the biscuit cookie adjunct. The alcohol presence is evident but not sharp, adding a subtle warming character without masking the malt-forward bouquet. Light dark fruit notes emerge on closer inspection, suggesting dried stone fruit beneath the caramel sweetness.

caramel, toffeebiscuity, breadinesswarming alcoholdark fruit undertones

◐ Taste

The palate enters with pronounced caramel sweetness and a rich, malty body that coats the mouth fully. Mid-palate reveals the biscuit character and breadiness, adding textural complexity to the dominant caramel profile. Bitterness remains restrained at 27 IBU, playing a supporting role rather than providing sharp definition; the finish leans toward sweet, alcohol-warmed malt rather than hoppy dryness.

caramel-forwardrich bodylow bitternessalcoholic warmth

◑ Finish

The finish is long and lingering, with caramel and biscuit notes persisting on the palate. A gentle alcohol burn carries through, leaving a sweetness that suggests this beer rewards slow, meditative sipping.

long finishsweet aftertastewarming alcohol
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
81
Appearance
78
Finish
79
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

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

Excellent cellar candidate — can age 3–10 years, developing dried fruit, toffee and sherry notes.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Lots of Trouble Usually Serious

More from Stout 'n Beer

Brute Dark IPA
Brute Dark IPA
Black IPA
6.3%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
De Cowboy
De Cowboy
Imperial Stout
12.0%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Great Guzzling Gobbler
Great Guzzling Gobbler
Foreign Extra Stout
7.0%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Heavy Ale of Destiny
Heavy Ale of Destiny
Pale Ale
6.0%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Het Spektakel
Het Spektakel
Porter
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Oaty McOatface
Oaty McOatface
Ale
9.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Red Alestorm
Red Alestorm
Amber Ale
5.0%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Stout 'n Beer Double IPA
Stout 'n Beer Double IPA
Double IPA
7.5%·Very bitter
Find matches →

About Barleywine

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Barleywine?

Barleywine 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 Barleywine

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, boozy, full-bodied character as Lots of Trouble Usually Serious will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Barleywine beers in hopIQ →Browse Netherlands beers →