Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout 2Pk

Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout 2Pk is a full-bodied American imperial stout brewed at 12% ABV, sold as a two-can pack from Niles, Illinois. Produced under the Hubbard's Cave label — a brand developed specifically for American-style ales as a counterpart to Une Année Brewery's Belgian offerings — this stout has earned a loyal following among craft beer enthusiasts for its rich, dessert-like complexity and deceptively smooth drinkability at high proof.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Niles, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Hubbard's Cave (Une Année Brewery)

Production & Heritage

Hubbard's Cave takes its name from the Chicago Hubbard Street traffic tunnel on Interstate 90/94, near where Une Année Brewery was originally founded. While Une Année built its reputation on Belgian-style ales, the Hubbard's Cave label was created to explore American-style brewing, with imperial stouts forming the core of the lineup. The brewery, now operating out of Niles, Illinois — just outside Chicago — has developed a deep roster of imperial stout variants, and this base expression showcases the house style: heavy on dark roasted malts, layered with chocolate and coffee character, and brewed to a substantial 12% ABV that the viscous body masks remarkably well.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark roasted coffee and cocoa lead the nose immediately, followed by waves of vanilla and a subtle smokiness. Underneath, there are hints of molasses, dark fig, and earthy cereal grains that add dimension.

Taste: The entry is sweet and rich — maple, chocolate, and caramel arrive in quick succession across the palate. At mid-palate, roasted malt char and espresso bitterness emerge to balance the sweetness. The mouthfeel is thick and syrupy, with a surprising smoothness that almost completely conceals the 12% alcohol.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering notes of dark roast coffee, leather, and bittersweet chocolate. A gentle smokiness and faint floral quality persist as the sweetness gradually fades.

How to Drink Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the full aromatic profile open up; this is first and foremost a sipping beer meant to be savored slowly. Allowing it to warm slightly in the glass reveals additional layers of vanilla and fig. For mixed drinks, an imperial stout this rich works well in a Beer Float paired with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert; in a Black Velvet variation, where its viscosity plays against sparkling wine's acidity; or as the base for a Stout Flip, shaken with a whole egg and simple syrup for a creamy, cocktail-style presentation.

Best For

• Cold-weather evening sessions beside a fireplace
• Sharing with a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates barrel-strength stouts
• Pairing alongside a rich dessert course at dinner
• Adding to a curated imperial stout tasting flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout taste like? It delivers a sweet, dessert-forward profile dominated by chocolate, maple, vanilla, and dark roasted coffee, balanced by roasted malt bitterness and a thick, syrupy body. Despite its 12% ABV, the alcohol is remarkably well hidden.

How does Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are Chicago-area imperial stouts with devoted followings, but Bourbon County is a bourbon barrel-aged stout with prominent oak and bourbon character, while Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout focuses on pure malt-driven richness without barrel aging. The two represent different approaches to the style — barrel influence versus clean roasted malt intensity.

Is Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its viscous, full body and complex layering of chocolate, coffee, and vanilla make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping at cellar temperature without any additions.

Where is Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout made? It is brewed by Hubbard's Cave, a label of Une Année Brewery, located in Niles, Illinois, just outside Chicago. The Hubbard's Cave name references the Hubbard Street traffic tunnel on Interstate 90/94 near the brewery's original Chicago location.

What foods pair well with Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout? Chocolate lava cake mirrors the stout's cocoa and sweetness. Smoked brisket complements its char and roasted malt notes. Blue cheese provides a sharp, salty counterpoint to the beer's richness. Bread pudding with caramel sauce echoes its maple and vanilla character. Espresso brownies reinforce the deep coffee backbone.

What sizes does Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout come in? This product is packaged as a two-can pack, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout worth the price? It positions in the premium craft tier, which is standard for high-ABV imperial stouts from respected independent breweries. The 12% ABV and dense flavor complexity deliver strong value relative to comparable craft imperial stouts in the market.

Why Hubbard's Cave Imperial Stout?

Imperial stouts are the backbone of the Hubbard's Cave brand — this isn't a seasonal experiment or a side project, but the style the entire label was built around. The base imperial stout demonstrates the brewery's command of dark, roasted malts and its ability to build substantial body and sweetness while keeping 12% alcohol nearly invisible on the palate. With community ratings on Untappd consistently hovering around 4.4 out of 5 across variants, Hubbard's Cave has established itself as one of Chicago's most reliable names in the imperial stout category. For anyone serious about the style, this two-pack is a straightforward entry point into a brewery that has made big, bold stouts its singular focus.