About This Beer
Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout 35.5cl 10.2% is an intensely rich American imperial stout from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., one of the pioneering breweries of the American craft beer movement.
Named after the elusive Arctic narwhal, this powerful dark beer explores the depths of roasted malt flavour, combining espresso, dark chocolate, toasted grain and subtle smoke in a full-bodied, warming stout.
Explore our craft beer collection or discover more rich, malt-forward beers in our stout and porter collection.
Narwhal is brewed using a complex selection of speciality malts, including roasted barley, chocolate malt, caramelised malt and smoked malt.
These ingredients create its distinctive layers of coffee, cocoa, roasted grain and gentle smoky complexity.
At 10.2% ABV, Narwhal is a substantial beer with a rich, velvety texture and considerable depth.
Its 60 IBU of bitterness helps balance the sweetness and intensity of the malt, creating a powerful but carefully structured drinking experience.
Cascade and Chinook hops contribute bitterness and balance without overshadowing the roasted flavours.
Unlike barrel-aged imperial stouts, the original Narwhal focuses on the complexity developed through its malt selection and brewing process.
The result is a classic American imperial stout with pronounced roasted character and a decadent finish.
Tasting Notes
Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout offers a complex combination of espresso, dark chocolate, roasted grain and subtle smoke.
Appearance: Deep black with a dark tan head.
Aroma: Espresso, baker's cocoa, roasted grain and delicate smoky notes.
Flavour: Rich dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malt and gentle sweetness.
Body: Full-bodied and substantial.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, velvety and rich.
Bitterness: 60 IBU.
Finish: Warming, roasted and lingering.
ABV: 10.2%.
The beer opens with intense aromas of freshly brewed espresso and dark cocoa.
Roasted grain contributes depth, while a subtle smoky note adds another layer of complexity.
On the palate, dark chocolate and coffee dominate, supported by a substantial malt body.
The beer's roasted bitterness provides contrast to its underlying sweetness, preventing the rich flavours from becoming overwhelming.
Despite its considerable strength, Narwhal offers a smooth, rounded mouthfeel that makes it particularly enjoyable when sipped slowly.
As the beer warms slightly in the glass, additional roasted malt and cocoa aromas may become more noticeable.
The finish is long and decadent, with lingering coffee, chocolate and warming malt character.
About Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 by Ken Grossman in Chico, California.
The brewery helped shape the modern American craft beer movement, introducing drinkers to distinctive beer styles and the expressive character of American hops.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale became one of the most influential beers of the American craft brewing revolution.
Over the following decades, the brewery expanded its range to include IPAs, lagers, seasonal beers and stronger speciality releases.
Narwhal Imperial Stout demonstrates the brewery's expertise beyond its famous hop-forward beers.
Rather than placing hop aroma at the centre of the experience, Narwhal focuses on the depth and complexity of roasted malt.
The brewery uses several speciality malts to build layers of espresso, cocoa, caramelised sweetness and subtle smoke.
This careful balance of ingredients creates a beer that is intensely flavourful while retaining the structure expected from a traditional American imperial stout.
Sierra Nevada also operates a brewing facility in Mills River, North Carolina, alongside its original California brewery.
Today, the brewery remains one of the most recognised names in American craft beer.
The Imperial Stout Style
Imperial stout is a strong, full-bodied variation of traditional stout.
The style is typically characterised by substantial roasted malt flavours, higher alcohol content and a rich, complex palate.
Coffee, dark chocolate, caramel and roasted grain are common characteristics, although individual examples vary considerably.
American imperial stouts frequently combine these flavours with pronounced hop bitterness.
Narwhal is a classic example of this approach.
At 10.2% ABV and 60 IBU, it delivers considerable intensity while maintaining balance between malt sweetness and bitterness.
Its complex malt bill includes Carafa, caramelised malt, chocolate malt, estate pale malt, honey malt, roasted barley, smoked malt and two-row pale malt.
These ingredients create the beer's deep colour, rich body and distinctive roasted flavours.
Cascade and Chinook hops provide balancing bitterness.
The result is a beer that showcases the depth achievable through traditional brewing ingredients without relying on added coffee, chocolate or dessert flavourings.
Food Pairings
Sierra Nevada Narwhal's intense roasted flavours and rich body make it particularly suitable for pairing with bold savoury dishes and decadent desserts.
Dark Chocolate Brownies
Rich chocolate brownies are a natural pairing for Narwhal.
The beer's cocoa and espresso notes complement the chocolate, while its roasted bitterness provides contrast to the sweetness.
Chocolate Torte
A dense chocolate torte or flourless chocolate cake highlights the beer's baker's cocoa character.
The combination creates a particularly rich dessert experience.
Slow-Cooked Beef
Braised beef, beef short ribs and hearty beef stews pair well with Narwhal's roasted malt complexity.
The beer's full body stands up to the richness of the meat.
Smoked Brisket
Smoked brisket offers an interesting pairing because of Narwhal's subtle smoky character.
The beer's roasted flavours complement the caramelised exterior of the meat.
Blue Cheese
Strong blue cheeses such as Stilton provide a savoury contrast to the beer's rich malt sweetness.
Tiramisu
Coffee-based desserts such as tiramisu complement Narwhal's espresso and cocoa flavours.
Serving Suggestions
Narwhal is best enjoyed slowly in a snifter, tulip glass or other glass designed for strong beers.
A suggested serving temperature of approximately 10–13°C allows its roasted malt aromas to develop.
Pour gently into the glass and allow the beer to warm slightly as you drink.
Serving too cold can suppress some of its more complex coffee and chocolate aromas.
Because of its 10.2% ABV, Narwhal is particularly suited to slow enjoyment.
It can also be considered for cellaring.
Sierra Nevada identifies Narwhal as a beer capable of developing additional complexity with age.
Carefully stored bottles may develop softer roasted flavours and notes reminiscent of sherry or port.
However, ageing changes a beer's character rather than guaranteeing an improvement.
For storage, keep bottles upright in a cool, dark location away from sunlight and temperature fluctuations.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout, there are several other strong, dark beer styles worth exploring.
Traditional imperial stouts offer similarly intense coffee, chocolate and roasted malt character.
Foreign extra stouts provide another option for customers who enjoy strong roasted flavours but prefer a somewhat lighter body.
Baltic porters can offer rich malt complexity with a smoother, often less heavily roasted character.
Barrel-aged imperial stouts introduce additional flavours developed through maturation in wooden casks.
Sierra Nevada also produces a separate Barrel-Aged Narwhal expression, which develops additional character through bourbon barrel ageing.
The standard Narwhal Imperial Stout is not bourbon barrel-aged, making it an excellent introduction to the original beer before exploring alternative versions.
Browse our stout and porter collection for more dark beers from Ireland and around the world.
You can also explore our wider craft beer collection for American craft beers, Belgian ales, IPAs and speciality releases.
Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout 35.5cl 10.2% is a powerful expression of American craft brewing, combining rich roasted malt, espresso, dark chocolate and subtle smoke with a smooth, decadent finish.
Whether enjoyed alongside a rich dessert, shared during a beer tasting or carefully stored for future enjoyment, Narwhal offers a rewarding experience for enthusiasts of strong, dark beer.
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