Surly Darkness 2023 Imperial Stout 16OZ

Surly Darkness 2023 Imperial Stout 16oz is a 12% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed by Surly Brewing Company in Minnesota, sold in a 16oz format. This annual release has earned a near-perfect 99 score on BeerAdvocate across over 4,200 ratings, placing it among the most celebrated imperial stouts in the American craft beer landscape.
Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, Minnesota  |  Style: Russian Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Surly Brewing Company
Production & Heritage
Surly Brewing Company, founded in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, has made Darkness one of craft beer’s most anticipated annual releases. The grain bill is layered and complex: 2-Row and Golden Promise form the base, supported by Aromatic, Chocolate, Black, and Special B malts alongside Roasted Barley, Oats, Brewers Crystals, and DME. What distinguishes Darkness from many peers in the Russian Imperial Stout category is a non-traditional dose of aromatic hops — Warrior for bittering, with Amarillo and Simcoe contributing bright aromatic character rarely found at this level of malt density.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Dark cocoa and deep coffee roast hit first, followed by layers of sweet molasses and a subtle bourbon-like warmth. There is an underlying cherry-like fruitiness that emerges as the beer opens up.
Taste: Rich dark chocolate and cocoa dominate the entry, giving way to roasted coffee and caramel at mid-palate. A wave of sweet cherry and fudge develops toward the peak, with hints of boozy warmth that remain well-integrated despite the 12% ABV. The mouthfeel is full and nearly dense, with a thick, velvety texture.
Finish: Long and sweet, with lingering chocolate, fudge, and cherry intertwined with gentle alcohol warmth. Carbonation stays soft throughout, letting the residual malt richness coast to a smooth close.
How to Drink Surly Darkness
Darkness is best served in a snifter or tulip glass at 50–55°F, allowing the aromatic complexity to fully present itself; pouring too cold mutes the chocolate and cherry nuances. This is a sipping beer designed to be savored slowly on its own, though it also works as a float over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent beer float, as a base for a Black Velvet variation blended with sparkling wine for textural contrast, or as the stout component in a Black and Tan layered over a lighter amber ale.
Best For
Sharing among craft beer enthusiasts during a bottle-share evening
Cellaring alongside past Darkness vintages for a vertical tasting
Gifting to a collector of limited-release American imperial stouts
Pairing with a dessert course at a holiday dinner
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Surly Darkness taste like? Surly Darkness delivers intense dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and caramel upfront, transitioning into sweet cherry and fudge with light boozy warmth. The body is full and dense with a velvety, almost felt-like texture.
How does Surly Darkness compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are benchmark American imperial stouts, but Darkness relies on its complex malt bill and non-traditional aromatic hop additions rather than barrel aging for its depth. Bourbon County Brand Stout leans heavily into bourbon-barrel character with prominent vanilla and oak, while Darkness emphasizes cocoa, coffee roast, and cherry fruit.
Is Surly Darkness good for sipping neat? Darkness is built for slow sipping — its dense body, layered malt complexity, and well-hidden 12% ABV reward patience and a proper glass at cellar temperature. It does not need any additions or mixing to be enjoyed at its best.
Where is Surly Darkness made? Surly Darkness is brewed by Surly Brewing Company, which operates facilities in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. It is released annually and has become one of the flagship limited releases from the Minnesota craft beer scene.
What foods pair well with Surly Darkness? Flourless chocolate cake mirrors and amplifies the cocoa intensity. Blue cheese provides sharp, salty contrast to the beer’s sweetness. Smoked brisket stands up to the roasted malt backbone. Crème brûlée echoes the caramel and vanilla undertones. Espresso brownies reinforce the coffee roast character without competing.
What sizes does Surly Darkness come in? The 2023 release is available in a 16oz format, which is the standard packaging for this annual release.
Is Surly Darkness worth the price? Darkness positions as a premium limited-release imperial stout, and its 99-point BeerAdvocate score and annual cult following reflect genuine quality rather than hype alone — it consistently ranks among the top examples of the style in the United States.
Why Surly Darkness?
A 99-point BeerAdvocate score across more than 4,200 ratings is not a fluke — it reflects years of consistent quality from a brewery that treats this release as its flagship event. The grain bill reads like an encyclopedia of specialty malts, yet the finished beer never tastes cluttered; each layer — chocolate, coffee, cherry, caramel — arrives in sequence rather than competing. The addition of Amarillo and Simcoe hops is a deliberate departure from imperial stout convention, adding aromatic lift that keeps the beer from collapsing under its own weight. Darkness 2023 is a study in how a stout at 12% ABV can drink with remarkable smoothness while still delivering the intensity the style demands.