Last Updated: 26 February 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Concept: A craft beer subscription box dedicated entirely to the higher, imperial side of the beer spectrum (usually 8% ABV and above).
- The Variety: Expect everything from thick, dessert-like Baltic Porters and Imperial Stouts to aggressively hopped Double IPAs.
- The Highlights: Tempest Brewing’s Mexicake and Siren’s Pompelmocello absolutely stole the show in my box.
- The Verdict: Perfect for seasoned craft beer drinkers who want to explore big, bold flavours without hunting down rare bottle releases.
With craft beer subscription boxes becoming such a popular option in 2026, it is no surprise to see services dedicated to stand-alone styles like the one I have tried out from Imperial Beer Club. Subscription boxes are perfect if you keep missing out on that all-important limited release or an imperial beer that you have been eager to get your hands on.
The Imperial Beer Club subscription box is dedicated solely to the higher, imperial side of the craft beer spectrum. The first box I tried did have a few standard IPAs in there from Tempest Brewing, Siren, and Mad Hatter Brewing, but I really liked these additions, to be honest.
The launch of an imperial-focused box is something that really excites me. It makes you wonder what sort of highly specific services might pop up next. We could see a dedicated sour subscription box or a service solely focused on exclusive brewery collaborations. The possibilities are endless.
What is an Imperial Beer?
Imperial Beer Club fits into a specific fragment of the craft beer world, as not everyone understands or likes imperial-strength beers (unless you have been drinking high ABV beers for a long time).
If you have not heard of this term before, “Imperial” is used to describe a beer that is brewed to a significantly higher original gravity, resulting in a much higher alcohol percentage and a thicker, more robust flavour profile. If you enjoyed the heavy hitters in my guide to the best beer styles for autumn, this is exactly your kind of box.
The Beers: My Top Picks (And One Miss)
The first box from Imperial Beer Club really did wow me, and I was incredibly pleased at the variety of styles showcased. Inside the box is everything you need to get started, obviously including the booze and a handy booklet that tells you about each of the beers before you get stuck in.
Here are my top picks from the box, as well as one beer that completely missed the mark for me.
1. Tempest Brewing: Brave New World IPA
I kicked things off with Tempest Brewing’s Brave New World IPA. This is a gorgeous beer that has a very crisp mouthfeel and a highly succulent citrus and grapefruit body. I have tried this in the past on draught at BrewDog Shoreditch, and it was just as gorgeous from the bottle as it was the first time I had it.
2. Mad Hatter Brewing: Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte Porter
Mad Hatter was a Liverpool-based brewery that produced some wildly inventive beers. Their Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte Porter (or Black Forest Cake Porter) is a scrumptious Baltic Porter oozing with cherries and forest fruits. You really get a sense of the cake in this ale, with milk and dark chocolate notes that stand proud on the palate. I would definitely go out and grab another bottle of this to age, as it comes in nicely at 10% ABV. It has that lovely warm sensation that high ABV beers tend to have when they go down the hatch.
3. The Miss: Mad Hatter Return to Madness Imperial IPA
The second beer from Mad Hatter was sadly not my favourite. It was the Return to Madness Imperial IPA, boasting a massive 11% ABV. Prior to receiving the box, I had read reviews online that really intrigued me. I will be completely honest: I found it disgusting.
Mad Hatter brewed some outstanding beers in their time, but this was not one of them. Opening the bottle was like a reenactment of an American movie where kids do the volcano experiment in their science club. It just exploded everywhere.
4. Tempest Brewing: Mexicake Imperial Stout
To drown my sorrows after the volcano incident, I gave the second Tempest beer a try. It rolls in as my top stout pick. Mexicake is an 11% imperial stout inspired by Mexican flavours, involving chillies, vanilla, cocoa, and cinnamon, all perfectly balanced.
Mexicake is a gorgeous example of a fluffy, smooth imperial stout. With a really creamy mouthfeel, it is a perfect combination to pair with chocolate cake or vanilla ice cream. If you ever have dinner at The Chequers Bath, a stout like this is the ultimate dessert pairing.
5. Pressure Drop x BrewDog Camden: Syd Strong
My next favourite was a collaboration beer called “Syd Strong”, originally brewed for CollabFest. It is a Cascadian Dark Ale (or Black Rye IPA) that comes in at 7.1% ABV.
The description states that it uses a fair whack of rye malt to give a spicy and unique edge to the hoppy base. Boy, is it noticeable! The spice is not overpowering but comes in towards the back end and adds a depth of dryness to the palate. It has a citrussy, sweet grapefruit body, but what impressed me the most was that it smelt exactly like an IPA should but drank like a stout.
6. Siren Craft Brew: Pompelmocello
My final favourite was from the ever-impressive Siren Craft Brew. Their Pompelmocello is a Sour Grapefruit IPA coming in at 6% ABV. I was ultimately taken aback by this sour, mainly because of how delicious it was.
The sourness was perfect and highly quaffable. On the nose, it was really fruity with whiffs of blood orange and intense grapefruit. It poured a light golden hazy colour and delivered immense citrus notes with a sharp, puckering dry finish.
The Verdict
The remaining beers in the box were of fantastic quality, but instead of listing them all out, I wanted to highlight the key standouts that really got my taste buds dancing.
Historically, joining the Imperial Beer Club started at around £42.00 per month (including shipping) for 10 beers with an average ABV of 8% to 9%. Subscription boxes like this can also be purchased as a brilliant gift for someone who loves high ABV beer, making it a great addition to your luxury gift ideas list.
Let me know if you have enjoyed any Imperial-style beers recently by dropping a comment below!
FAQ: Imperial Beer Club & High ABV Beers
What is an Imperial Stout or Imperial IPA? The word “Imperial” in craft beer simply means the beer has been brewed with extra grains and hops to create a higher alcohol content (usually 8% ABV or more) and a much bolder, thicker flavour profile.
Is the Imperial Beer Club worth the money? Yes. Because high ABV beers require more raw ingredients and longer fermentation times, they are naturally much more expensive to buy individually in bottle shops. A subscription box often saves you a significant amount of money per can.
How should I store and drink Imperial beers? Unlike light lagers, massive stouts and porters (like the 11% Mexicake) actually taste better when they are slightly warmer than fridge temperature. Take them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before opening to let the complex flavours open up.
