93 Octane 20W-50 4Pk

93 Octane 20W-50 4Pk is an American Imperial Stout brewed by 93 Octane Brewery in Saint Charles, Illinois, at 10.1% ABV, sold in a 4-pack format. Named after heavy-weight motor oil viscosity grades, this stout lives up to its industrial namesake with a dense, layered body built around roasted malt, dark chocolate, and coffee.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.1%  |  Origin: Saint Charles, Illinois  |  Style: American Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: 93 Octane Brewery

Production & Heritage

93 Octane Brewery operates out of Saint Charles, Illinois, producing a lineup of craft beers that lean into automotive-inspired branding. The 20W-50 sits at the top of their stout range — a heavier, higher-octane counterpart to their 10W-30, which the brewery describes as a "lower octane version of its big brother." A Bourbon Barrel Aged variant of the 20W-50 also exists, aged in barrels sourced from Whiskey Acres, a grain-to-glass distillery in DeKalb, Illinois, adding another dimension to an already robust base beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark roasted grain and coffee lead the nose, followed by waves of burnt sugar and molasses. Subtle vanilla rounds out the aromatics, lending a slight sweetness beneath the roast.

Taste: The entry is thick and immediate — dark chocolate and toffee dominate the front palate. As it develops, raisin and caramel emerge at the mid-palate alongside a nutty grain character. The 10.1% ABV provides noticeable warmth without becoming hot, and the overall impression is rich and full-bodied throughout.

Finish: The finish is long and roasty, with lingering coffee bitterness and traces of dark chocolate. A final whisper of vanilla and molasses sweetness keeps it from turning acrid, leaving a satisfying, slightly sticky close.

How to Drink 20W-50

This imperial stout is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a snifter or tulip glass to concentrate its complex aromatics. Pouring too cold mutes the chocolate and caramel nuances — let it warm slightly for the full experience. For a beer float, pair it with vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent dessert. In a Black Velvet variation, layer it with dry sparkling cider for an unexpected textural contrast. It also works well as the stout component in a Black and Tan, where its weight naturally settles beneath a lighter pale ale.

Best For

• Cold-weather evening sipping alongside a firepit or after dinner
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward big, dark stouts
• Pairing with a dessert course at a dinner party
• Building a vertical tasting alongside the 10W-30 and Bourbon Barrel Aged variant

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 20W-50 taste like? 93 Octane's 20W-50 is a rich, full-bodied imperial stout dominated by dark chocolate, coffee, toffee, and roasted barley. Secondary notes of vanilla, molasses, raisin, and caramel add complexity beneath the heavy roast character.

How does 20W-50 compare to 93 Octane's 10W-30? The 10W-30 is the brewery's own lighter-bodied stout, described as a "lower octane version" of the 20W-50 with a lower ABV. The 20W-50 delivers a significantly more intense roast profile and fuller body at 10.1% ABV.

Is 20W-50 good for sipping neat? Yes — at 10.1% ABV with deep layers of chocolate, coffee, and toffee, the 20W-50 is built for slow, contemplative sipping rather than session drinking. Serving it slightly below room temperature in a snifter or tulip glass brings out its full complexity.

Where is 20W-50 made? 93 Octane 20W-50 is brewed at 93 Octane Brewery in Saint Charles, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the Fox River Valley.

What foods pair well with 20W-50? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs stand up to the stout's roast intensity. Chocolate lava cake or brownies mirror its dominant cocoa notes. Blue cheese creates a sharp contrast against the malt sweetness. Coffee-rubbed steak echoes the beer's coffee character. Bread pudding with caramel sauce plays well with the toffee and molasses elements.

What sizes does 20W-50 come in? The standard retail format is a 4-pack. A Bourbon Barrel Aged variant also exists, though availability and packaging may vary by release.

Is 20W-50 worth the price? The 20W-50 positions as a premium craft imperial stout at 10.1% ABV, placing it in line with other high-gravity stouts from independent regional breweries. For drinkers who value bold roast character and a thick, layered body, it represents solid value within the imperial stout category.

Why 20W-50?

What sets the 20W-50 apart within 93 Octane's lineup is its role as the brewery's flagship heavyweight — a stout designed to push intensity without losing drinkability at 10.1% ABV. The interplay of dark chocolate, toffee, and coffee with supporting notes of raisin and nutty grain gives it more dimension than many imperial stouts that lean on roast alone. The existence of a Bourbon Barrel Aged variant, matured in Whiskey Acres barrels, signals the brewery's confidence in the base recipe as a canvas for further complexity. For anyone drawn to the darker end of the craft beer spectrum, the 20W-50 is a straightforward expression of what a well-constructed imperial stout should deliver.