Last Updated: 11 April 2025

BEER FOCUS: Dugges Banana Toffee & Chocolate Imperial Stout

Whats up all! Hope you’ve all been keeping well. It’s been a while, especially since I have reviewed my last beer with you guys. Apologies about this, with where I work the last thing I think about doing is blogging with working on computers all day, everyday! – I’ve recently took some time out to really build up my motivation with getting back blogging. I know that sounds ludicrous to say but I really did feel as though my passion for blogging faded but it hasn’t, I love reviewing these beers and sharing my thoughts with you all.

So don’t worry, I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon that’s for sure.

Kicking off my come back review with a banger of a beer from Dugges. By now, if you’ve been drinking the Crafts for a long time then you’ve most likely come across Dugges and may have even dabbled in some of their mighty fine ales. For those of you who haven’t and I know there will be a few of you out there, then here is what you need to know.

Dugges are a banging Swedish brewer and have been on the scene since 2009 and were brewing beers left, right and centre and was spreading the name of their beers to anyone who would listen. Their first beer to come onto our pallets was a 5.0% ABV American Pale Ale named Avelyn Ale which they are still brewing today and falls part of their core-range. Fast forwarding to today, they have moved into a state of the art 7,000HL brewery in Landvetter and are looking to further double their capacity. Pretty awesome progression when you consider they started in just a 300hl space.

So that is Dugges, they’ve released some pretty insane beers over the years and have also done some great collaborations with UK breweries such as Cloudwater, and Buxton Brewery which have both received impressive reviews and pretty much any beer released from Dugges will always be on a instant go out and buy it list.

I was fortunate enough to have my girlfriend (Georgina Grogan) treat me with this Banana, Toffee & Chocolate Imperial Stout during Christmas 2018 which comes in at 11.5%. I have been drinking a lot of stouts recently this year, and I have come to realise that my love for an India Pale Ale has worn off and now prefer a hard, strong stout. This beer from Dugges wasn’t going to let me down, that’s for sure.

Just taking a look at reviews on RateBeer.com you see this is a firm favourite amongst drinkers across Europe and the U.S.

Popping the cap on this I was instantly greeted with big banana, toffee and sweet vanilla notes which still, typing this up bring me to smile with satisfaction. Pouring there was no signs of head, although from the picture there is a thin tan head which quickly disappeared. My first sip was filled with dark chocolate from the cocoa nibs, coconut, vanilla and sweet banana. The mouthfeel on this was velvety and insanely quaffable.

If you’re looking to pair this, I would highly recommend this being a dessert pairing ale and particularly with sticky toffee pudding for that extra depth of flavour and smokiness.

Wanting to pick up some bottles? – I’m afraid you’re late to the party, it’s out of stock everywhere. I would highly recommend checking out their recent stouts though, I will be getting some myself and sharing them on here.

Been trying any beers lately, let me know in the comments.