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Zeglis Zwart

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Zwart is Dutch for black. This imperial stout runs at 9.5 % and has a smoky character. It is brewed by Brouwerij Zeglis in Alkmaar, where the team experiments a lot with special malts, new hops and special yeasts, so most of the beers are available for a limited time only. The whole range is poured at the brewery's tasting room, Alkmaars Koffiehuis, on Gedempte Nieuwesloot.

ABV
9.5%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
smokyroastedmalty
smoky
roasted
malty
chocolate
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced smoky character, complemented by roasted malt notes and dark chocolate undertones.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Zeglis Zwart

◎ Appearance

Zeglis Zwart presents a deep black color with minimal light penetration, characteristic of the Imperial Stout style. The head is dense and tan-brown, settling into a persistent collar with fine Schaumhaftung that clings to the glass. Carbonation is moderate, releasing the beer's full body without excessive aggression.

deep blackdense tan headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced smoky character, complemented by roasted malt notes and dark chocolate undertones. Coffee and charred grain aromas emerge beneath, while the 9.5% ABV adds subtle alcohol warmth without harshness. These aromas speak to the brewery's experimental use of special malts and careful yeast selection.

smoky, prominentroasted malt, dark chocolatecoffee, charred grain

◐ Taste

The palate is full-bodied and rich, with smooth roasted flavors balanced by moderate bitterness from the 65 IBUs. Dark fruit and chocolate notes develop across the mid-palate, while the smoky character persists without overpowering. The malty backbone supports the complexity, and the alcohol warmth is well-integrated, lending a slight boozy character on the finish.

full-bodied, smoothroasted, chocolate, dark fruitmoderate bitterness, smoky

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering roasted and smoky notes that fade gradually. A subtle chocolate-coffee aftertaste remains, complemented by gentle alcohol warmth.

long finishroasted aftertastewarming alcohol
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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 Zeglis Zwart

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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 smoky, full-bodied, roasted character as Zeglis Zwart 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 Netherlands beers →