HOPIQ FACEOFF
69%
Overall similarity
hopIQ take
Beamish Irish Stout if you want restraint and elegance, Boston Irish Stout if you want assertiveness and grip.
Both sit at that deceptive 4.2–4.3% ABV sweet spot where Irish stouts live—approachable but serious. The real difference isn't strength; it's texture and how the bitterness lands on your palate. Beamish leans toward silky tradition; Boston pushes toward American confidence.
At a glance
The differences that matter
Generated from the four anchored axes — never hand-written.
Beer DNA
Where they separate
Body
Δ 12
Sweetness
Δ 4
Situations
When to choose which
In words
Tasting notes
Beamish Irish Stout
Beamish pours with that tight, persistent head that clings to the glass like it's got somewhere to be. The first sip is almost gentle—roasted barley and cocoa, but never aggressive. There's a dryness that builds slowly, almost polite, finishing with a whisper of bitterness that feels earned rather than forced. It's the kind of stout that makes you sit still.
Boston Irish Stout
Boston comes in harder and wider. You get more roast upfront, a mineral-edged dryness, and those extra 5 IBUs actually register—there's a grip to it. The body feels slightly fuller, less ethereal than Beamish. This one wants your attention and isn't shy about asking for it. Finishes clean but memorable.
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