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Assassin

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Assassin is a barrel-aged stout that spends over a year in barrels, sometimes closer to two. Bourbon notes and warmth in each sip wash over a fudge chocolate base. The 2026 release comes in at 14.7% ABV, against 12% for the 2018 to 2020 releases. It has won Gold at the U.S. Open Beer Championship in 2021, 2022 and 2025.

ABV
14.7%
Bitterness
Very bitter
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper

AWARDS

Gold · 2025
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme
Gold · 2022
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme
Gold · 2021
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme (over 12.5% ABV)
★Gold — U.S. Open Beer Championship (Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme)
★Gold — U.S. Open Beer Championship (Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme)
★Gold — U.S. Open Beer Championship (Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme (over 12.5% ABV))
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
No character signal.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Assassin

◎ Appearance

Deep black with a thin tan collar that forms delicate lacing on the glass. The body is opaque and densely concentrated, with minimal light transmission. Carbonation appears restrained, appropriate for a heavily aged Imperial Stout of this magnitude.

black, opaquethin tan headminimal carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with rich bourbon oak and vanilla warmth, layered beneath cocoa powder and roasted grain. Dark chocolate and subtle coffee grounds emerge as the glass warms, with faint notes of molasses and dried fruit suggesting extended barrel aging.

bourbon oak, vanilladark chocolateroasted graincoffee ground

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full, coating the palate with fudgy chocolate and warming alcohol heat. Mid-palate reveals layered oak tannins, dark fruit compote, and caramel maltiness that build gradually into a restrained bitterness. The 14.7% ABV is present but well-integrated, providing structure rather than harsh alcohol burn.

fudgy chocolatebourbon warmthoak tanninfull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is long and smooth, with lingering cocoa, oak spice, and a subtle dry note from barrel tannins. Warmth persists gently on the throat without becoming harsh.

long, smoothcocoa, oak spicewarming aftertaste
92
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
93
Appearance
88
Finish
91
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 Assassin

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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 flavor character as Assassin will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →New to Imperial Stout? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →