Renowned for being some of the strongest beers, stouts are complex brews, often appreciated by only the most daring beer enthusiasts.
However, there are many sides to this mysterious lord of beers. And surprisingly, it isn’t always as dark and alcohol-heavy as people make it out to be.
Stouts come in many varieties, ranging from the sweet, silky brews made with vanilla beans to the more rounded, roasted flavors. One of these types is the Imperial stout, and true to its name, it’s a beer fit for royalties.
But, how does it vary from a regular stout?
We detail everything you need to know in our Imperial stout vs. stout beers comparison. In a few moments, you’ll know their differences, the best ways to drink and serve them, and choice Imperial stout brands.
What is Stout beer?
In today’s world, we know stout as a dark beer, brewed using roasted barley, malt, water, hops, and yeast.
Traditionally, the word ‘stout’ was a generic term, used to describe the thickest and strongest beers, usually 8 percent abv—alcohol by volume—and above. They weren’t exclusively the darkest beers, either, as we know them today.
Eventually, however, it became exclusively associated with a porter—a very dark beer—particularly the hardier varieties. That’s probably also why it’s now more of a synonym of dark brews.
Types of Stout
There are many kinds of stouts worth mentioning that have nothing to do with dark beer porter, including:
- Dry or Irish stout: This style is what most people associate stout with today. It’s a non-sweetened—standard—stout, boasting a drier flavor than English or US versions.
- Milk or sweet stout: Such style contains lactose—a sweetener obtained from milk. Because beer yeast can’t ferment lactose, it instead adds volume and sweetness to the drink. It was a popular type pre-World War II, where doctors would prescribe it to nursing mothers.
- Oyster stout: Due to the popularity of oysters in taverns and public houses during the 18th century, a man named Ernest Barnes thought to combine them with stout. By incorporating oyster concentrate with stout, he created a formula still used today.
What is Imperial Stout?
Also dubbed as ‘Russian Imperial stout,’ Imperial stout is another sub-category to this potent brew.
It came to be during the 18th century, London, England, following inspiration from the Baltic Porter beer. The type has a high alcohol content of at least nine percent abv and is among the darkest beers available.
A recipe from 1856 discloses that Imperial stout had an original gravity of 1.101 and exceeded 10 pounds of hops per barrel. That suggests it contained over 10 percent abv.
The name ‘Imperial’ came to be since breweries were exporting the stout to the Baltics, most famously, the court of Catherine II of Russia. Probably the earliest example was the Thrale’s Entire, a now extinct beer.
Over the centuries, several countries have recreated the Imperial stout, like the Danish Wiibroe Brewery, who launched a milder, 8.2 percent version in the 30s. Then in Canada, we had Fritz Sick and Molson in the 50s.
The strong beer also gained popularity in the US, where the first brewery to take on the Imperial stout was Bert Grant’s Yakima Brewing.
What is the Difference Between Imperial Stout and Regular Stout?
What makes an Imperial stout stand apart from the standard stout is mainly the alcohol percentage. This style has above nine percent abv, whereas the regular typically contains seven to eight percent abv.
The taste also differs between the two. Imperial stouts have a similar flavor to dry stouts, but with a more prominent kick of alcohol.
It isn’t as sweet as other stouts, although some US variations have incorporated vanilla beans, maple syrup, and even chili.
Another difference is in how long do Imperial stouts last. Since brewers produced them for export; they had to be long-lasting. To increase their shelf life, brewers amped up the alcohol percentage, ensuring that the brews would remain consumable after a long journey.
Imperial stouts can easily last more than 180 days. These beers age pretty well as time helps mellow the boozy flavor.Â
Related: Pale Ale vs IPA: What’s the Difference?
The Best Way to Enjoy Stout and Imperial Stout
When it comes to Imperial stout vs stout beers, there are some differences in how best to enjoy them.
For starters, the temperature should be right. With standard stout, you want to find a sweet spot between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, how do you drink Imperial stout? Well, because it’s a heavier, maltier beer, most recommend that you consume it warm.
Next, at what temperature to drink Imperial stout? We’d say keep it around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, then serve with a steak or lamb chops.
Top Imperial Stout Brands
Imperials stout brands have made a comeback in recent years, and there are a few notable names:
- The Bruery: The brand started back in 2008. It’s famous for its dark, tart fruit flavors with an alcoholic kick.
- Yeti Imperial Stout: This name always boasts big, unusual flavors, like herbs and onion. It sits nicely in the nose and isn’t too sweet.
- 3 Floyd Brewery: A brand to try if you like a sweet beer. Some of its varieties taste more like gingerbread than a brewski.
- Central Waters Brewery: Another one to try if you prefer sweetness is Central Waters Brewery.
- Port Brewing: This brand plays more on the bourbon flavor and is usually very nose heavy. Perfect if you like bold flavors and unsupported sweetness.
Final Takeaway
As you can see, where it concerns Imperial stout vs stout beers, there are some significant differences. Standard stout is typically a dark, strong beer, best served at medium temperature.
Imperial stout, however, is a sub-category, famous for being exported to the Baltics. It’s very alcohol-heavy, with some variants containing more than 14 percent abv.
Compared to standard stout, Imperial stouts are very dark, almost black, and they boast rich, deep flavors ranging from sweet to tart.
The best way to serve Imperial stout is at a warm temperature—pair it with a steak, and you’re good to go.