More Henna Banana Split 2Pk is a 14% ABV imperial pastry stout from More Brewing Company, sold as a two-can package. Part of the acclaimed Henna stout series — which took top honors at Goose Island's annual Stout Fest — this variant layers banana, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate adjuncts into a dense, high-gravity base.Quick Facts: ABV: 14% | Origin: Illinois, USA | Style: Imperial / Double Pastry Stout | Brewery: More Brewing CompanyProduction & HeritageMore Brewing Company operates out of Villa Park, Huntley, and Bartlett, Illinois, under the direction of Head Brewer Shaun Berns, who previously brewed at RAM Brewery. The Henna line is More's flagship imperial stout series, built on a thick, high-gravity stout base that serves as a canvas for rotating adjunct combinations. Banana Split joins banana, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate into a single expression, placing it squarely in the pastry stout category — beers intentionally brewed with sweet-leaning adjuncts such as lactose, vanilla, and chocolate to achieve a dessert-like character.Tasting NotesAroma: Roasted malt and dark chocolate dominate the nose, followed by subtle hints of vanilla sweetness. The banana and strawberry adjuncts are more restrained on the aroma than the name might suggest, sitting underneath a heavy stout backbone.Taste: The entry is rich with dark chocolate and roasted coffee character, typical of a well-built imperial stout base. Mid-palate, faint berry tartness and vanilla emerge, while the banana element remains understated. Despite the dessert-inspired adjunct bill, the beer avoids becoming excessively sweet or cloying, maintaining a roast-forward identity.Finish: The finish is warming and moderately long, with residual cocoa bitterness and a gentle alcohol heat from the 14% ABV. Lingering roast and a faint vanilla sweetness trail off gradually.How to Drink Henna Banana SplitPour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to allow the full adjunct complexity to develop. At 14% ABV, this is a slow-sipper best enjoyed in small pours. A slight warm-up in the glass will coax out additional sweetness and soften the roast. Given its dessert profile, Henna Banana Split also pairs well as a beer float base — a scoop of vanilla ice cream amplifies the banana split concept. For a simple mixed serve, try it alongside a shot of espresso as a stout affogato pairing, or use a small pour to top a chocolate milkshake stout cocktail.Best For Sharing between two pastry stout enthusiasts on a cold evening Adding variety to a craft beer tasting flight focused on imperial stouts Pairing with a dessert course at a dinner party Collecting alongside other Henna series variants to compare adjunct profiles Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Henna Banana Split taste like? It drinks as a roast-forward imperial stout with prominent dark chocolate and coffee notes, while the banana, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate adjuncts provide subtle sweetness without overwhelming the palate.How does Henna Banana Split compare to other Henna variants? The broader Henna series rotates through different adjunct combinations on the same imperial stout base, so the core roasted malt and chocolate character remains consistent; Banana Split distinguishes itself through its fruit and vanilla additions, though the banana element is more restrained than some drinkers expect.Is Henna Banana Split good for sipping neat? Yes — at 14% ABV with a thick, full body, it is built for slow, contemplative sipping from a snifter or tulip glass rather than casual drinking.Where is Henna Banana Split made? It is brewed by More Brewing Company in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, with brewery locations in Villa Park, Huntley, and Bartlett.What foods pair well with Henna Banana Split? Chocolate lava cake mirrors the cocoa and vanilla notes; a fruit tart with strawberries and banana complements the adjunct bill; sharp blue cheese offers a savory counterpoint to the sweetness; smoked brisket stands up to the heavy body; and vanilla bean crème brûlée echoes the vanilla and caramel undertones.What sizes does Henna Banana Split come in? This release is packaged as a two-can pack, the standard format for More Brewing's Henna series limited releases.Is Henna Banana Split worth the price? It positions as a premium limited-release pastry stout, and the 14% ABV, specialty adjunct bill, and Henna series reputation place it at the higher end of the craft stout market — a reasonable investment for imperial stout collectors and pastry stout fans.Why Henna Banana Split?The Henna series has established itself as one of the Chicago-area's most sought-after imperial stout lineups, and the series' recognition at Goose Island's Stout Fest underscores its standing among competitive Midwest stouts. Banana Split stands out within the range for its ambitious four-adjunct build — banana, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate — while avoiding the excessive sweetness that plagues many pastry stouts. At 14% ABV, the base stout has enough weight and roast complexity to carry those adjuncts without tipping into candy territory. For drinkers who value balance in their pastry stouts, this release demonstrates that More Brewing prioritizes drinkability even in their most indulgent expressions.
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