Fanø Bryghus Gorm The Old Imp Chocolate Stout 50 cl 10,1%

King Gorm the Old ruled Denmark long before anyone thought of brewing with cocoa. Now Denmark's first king has a beer of his own: jet black, thick and sweet, with vanilla and dark chocolate right up front.

Expert description of Fanø Bryghus Gorm The Old Imperial Stout Beer

Gorm The Old comes from Fanø Bryghus, a brewery on the island of Fanø by the Wadden Sea. It is the fifth beer in the brewery's Danish Imperials Series, where each imperial-strength beer honours a prominent figure from Danish history. This time it is the king himself.

The base is a hefty 10.1% Imperial Stout brewed with lactose, which adds sweetness and a thick, round body. The grain bill mixes Pilsner, Pale, Cara Aroma, Dark Crystal, Carafa Special III, Carafa II, chocolate malt and beechwood-smoked barley. After that, the beer rests on cocoa nibs and vanilla pods. That is why it tastes of chocolate without feeling like dessert from a packet.

Bitterness is low at just 10 IBU, so sweetness and roast lead the way. This is a beer for sitting with for an hour, not for a quick one.

Tasting notes

Aroma

Dark chocolate and vanilla come first. Behind them sit roasted coffee and a sweetness that recalls ripe and dried fruit.

Taste

Thick and sweet on the palate, almost like filled chocolates. Cocoa and vanilla dominate, while the roasted malt keeps everything from turning sticky.

Finish

Soft and chocolatey, with vanilla that lingers. The sweetness fades slowly, leaving a little roasted malt at the end.

Specifications

Name: Fanø Bryghus Gorm The Old Imperial Stout Beer
Brewery: Fanø Bryghus
Country/Region: Denmark, Fanø
Beer style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 10.1%
IBU: 10
Size: 50 CL
Hops: Bittering hops
Malt: Pilsner, Pale, Cara Aroma, Dark Crystal, Carafa Special III, Carafa II, beechwood-smoked barley, chocolate malt
Fermentation: Top fermentation
Ingredients: Water, barley malt, hops, yeast, vanilla pods, cocoa nibs, lactose
Allergens: Barley malt and lactose
EAN no.: 5704250002009
Serving suggestion: Serve lightly chilled in a small beer glass. Works with dark chocolate, vanilla ice cream and hearty meat dishes

Flavour profile

Sweet · Roasted · Full-bodied · Chocolate · Vanilla

Did you know?

The first four beers in the Danish Imperials Series were Canute the Great, Margaret of Denmark, Sweyn Forkbeard and Dagmar of Bohemia. Gorm is the one that goes furthest back, if you go by the line of kings.

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Frequently asked questions about Fanø Bryghus Gorm The Old Imperial Stout Beer

What does Gorm The Old beer taste like?

It tastes of dark chocolate and vanilla with a clear sweetness. The lactose makes it thick and soft on the palate, and roasted malt keeps the balance.

Is Fanø Bryghus Gorm The Old worth the money?

Yes, if you like a sweet, full-bodied stout. The brewery has a strong name among Danish imperial beers, and Gorm is the way into the whole series.

How strong is Gorm The Old?

It is 10.1% ABV. The brewery says a 50 cl bottle equals 3.4 Danish standard drinks, so it is best shared or taken slowly.

What glass should I use for an Imperial Stout?

A small beer glass with room for the aroma works best. Have a look at the Riedel Veritas Beer to get both foam and aroma.

What goes well with Gorm The Old?

Dark chocolate and vanilla ice cream are the obvious picks. It also holds up to hearty meat dishes and grilled meat, where the sweetness acts like a glaze.

Can I age Gorm The Old?

Store the bottle dark and cool, as the brewery recommends. Check the date on the bottle if you plan to keep it for a while.

Is there a rum cask version of Gorm The Old?

Yes, the 2025 edition is aged in Fanø Skibsrom casks and comes in at 12.5%. You can see Gorm The Old 2025 here, and if you just want more rum, we have a big selection.

Who makes Gorm The Old?

It is brewed by Fanø Bryghus, a brewery on the island of Fanø off Denmark's west coast. It is one of the more distinctive names on the Danish scene, and you can find more in our Danish beer collection.