Half Acre — Uakari

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with waves of dark molasses and bourbon-soaked oak, followed by espresso and bittersweet chocolate. On the palate, this imperial stout reveals remarkable complexity: rich caramel malts intertwine with roasted coffee beans, dark cocoa, and a warming bourbon character that suggests barrel influence. The texture is viscous and coating, with moderate carbonation balancing the substantial 13.2% alcohol. The finish lingers impressively, offering persistent notes of vanilla, charred oak, and a pleasant bittersweet chocolate fade with subtle warming alcohol that never overpowers.

Food Pairing

Pair with a rich chocolate lava cake or dark chocolate tart where the beer’s roasted malt complexity mirrors the dessert’s bittersweet intensity. Alternatively, serve alongside a robust blue cheese like Stilton or aged Gorgonzola—the beer’s sweetness and alcohol cut through the cheese’s pungency while the roasted notes complement its earthy character.

About Half Acre Beer Company

Half Acre Beer Company was founded by Gabriel Magliaro in 2006 in Chicago, Illinois, establishing itself as a pioneering force in the city’s craft beer movement. After initially brewing their recipes at an out-of-state facility, the company opened its own brewery on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood in March 2009, marking a significant milestone in its evolution. The brewery’s commitment to both quality and community quickly garnered recognition, with its tap room being named Chicago’s eighth best bar by Chicago magazine in 2013. Half Acre’s approach extends beyond brewing, demonstrating environmental responsibility by partnering with Northwestern University engineering students to minimize waste and find innovative ways to reduce or reuse brewing byproducts. The company’s growth trajectory led to opening a second, larger brewhouse and pub on Balmoral Avenue in the Bowmanville neighborhood in 2015, eventually consolidating all operations there in 2021. Today, Half Acre produces six year-round beers, three seasonal offerings, and regular special releases, while maintaining strong ties to the local community through sponsorship of Half Acre Cycling since 2007.