Holy Mountain Brewing Grimoire | Imperial Stout Seattle

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Holy Mountain Brewing’s Grimoire is a brooding, ink-dark imperial stout that embodies everything the Seattle-based brewery does best: deep oak character, meticulous fermentation craft, and an unwavering commitment to complexity. In the glass it pours a near-opaque obsidian black beneath a dense, cocoa-brown head that lingers with impressive retention, leaving fine lacing across the glass. On the nose, Grimoire is immediately captivating — dark bittersweet chocolate, roasted espresso, molasses, and dried dark fruit converge with a subtle undercurrent of vanilla that hints at extended oak contact.

The palate is full and expansive, with a velvety mouthfeel that coats without cloying. Waves of burnt caramel and bittersweet cocoa are balanced by a firmly roasted bitterness that prevents any one note from dominating. Dark cherry and prune-like esters add dimension mid-palate, while the finish is long, dry, and satisfyingly warming. Aged potential here is substantial — cellaring for 12 to 24 months will further mellow the roast and allow the oak and dark fruit elements to fully integrate. A landmark release from one of the Pacific Northwest’s most celebrated craft breweries. Explore more at https://untappd.com/HolyMountainBrewing.

Food Pairing

The Holy Mountain Grimoire imperial stout pairs exceptionally well with a dark chocolate fondant laced with sea salt and espresso, where the beer’s roasted bitterness amplifies the cacao intensity. For a more savoury match, aged Comté or a hard mountain cheese like Gruyère Réserve bridges the oak and caramel notes beautifully — a pairing that exemplifies why the Holy Mountain Grimoire belongs on any serious craft beer table.