An Imperial Stout is the most extreme expression of the stout family — darker than dark, thicker than thick, and with an ABV that commands respect. The Dark Abyss Imperial Stout delivers exactly that: a near-black, intensely flavoured ale built on dark malts and roasted barley, with robust layers of stewed fruit, dark chocolate, and espresso coffee bound together by a clean, firm bitterness and a smooth, warming finish. At approximately 6.4% ABV with a roasted grain bill that pushes the EBC to 100, this is a serious beer for serious drinkers — and one that home brewers genuinely love because the richness and complexity of an imperial stout is something that’s actually very achievable with a quality kit.

Why brewers love this kit

Imperial stouts are beers that take time and reward patience — and the Dark Abyss absolutely delivers for brewers who are willing to give it both. The roasted barley and dark malt combination produces a deeply layered character that develops and rounds out beautifully over weeks of conditioning. The hop bitterness at 45 IBUs is firm but necessary — at this level of malt richness, you need real bitterness to keep things balanced. This is also a beer that ages exceptionally well in the bottle, improving noticeably over months if you can resist the temptation. All ingredients are pre-measured and full step-by-step instructions are included in the box.

What’s in the box

Each kit contains a pre-measured blend of dark malt extract, roasted barley and dark grain additions, hop additions for bitterness, yeast, etc Full ingredient details, weights, and complete brew day instructions are included in the box.

• OG 1.063
• FG1.015 - 1.020 approx
• ABV is approximately 6.4%
• IBU 45
• EBC 100  (this one is really dark)

Tasting notes

Appearance: Near-opaque black with a dark tan head — as close to the void as a beer can get.

Aroma: Intensely roasty — dark chocolate, espresso coffee, and stewed dark fruit, with a warm, rich depth that fills the room when you pour it.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and smooth with a warming alcohol presence and a long, complex finish. The bitterness is structured and assertive, doing exactly what it needs to do against all that malt richness.

FAQ's

What is an Imperial Stout?

An Imperial Stout (also called a Russian Imperial Stout) is a high-strength, intensely flavoured dark ale characterised by its near-black colour, very high ABV, assertive bitterness, and rich roasted malt character with notes of chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit. The ‘Imperial’ designation indicates significantly higher strength and intensity than a standard stout — at 6.4% ABV, the Dark Abyss sits at the accessible end of the style but still delivers everything that makes imperial stouts so compelling.

Is 6.4% ABV high for a home brew kit?

It’s on the higher end of what most malt extract kits produce — most session-strength ales and lagers in the range sit between 4 and 5%. At 6.4%, you’ll notice the warmth in the finish, which is part of the appeal of the style. It’s perfectly manageable to brew but worth being mindful of when drinking — this is a sipping beer rather than a session one.

Why does an imperial stout need so much bitterness (45 IBUs)?

At the malt density of an imperial stout, bitterness isn’t just a flavour element — it’s structural. Without significant hop bitterness to balance the intense malt sweetness and roast character, the beer would taste cloying and one-dimensional. The 45 IBUs in the Dark Abyss keeps everything in balance, giving you that clean, long finish rather than a sugary, heavy one.

How much beer does this kit make?

This kit produces 21 litres — approximately 28 × 750ml longnecks or 55 × 330ml stubbies.

How long does it take?

Fermentation typically takes 2 weeks at 18–23°C, followed by at least 3–4 weeks of bottle conditioning. Imperial stouts are one of the beer styles that genuinely improves with extended bottle ageing , if you can put some bottles aside for 6 to 12 months, the roasty edges soften and the fruit and chocolate character becomes more integrated and nuanced. Mark a few bottles for later.

Is this kit suitable for beginners?

This is better approached as a second or third brew rather than a first. The kit itself is a malt extract format with clear instructions, but the higher gravity and intensity of the beer means fermentation needs a little more attention. If you’ve brewed a simpler kit first and understand the basics, the Dark Abyss is very achievable , and enormously rewarding.