Surly Reveals 2026 Darkness Imperial Stout Packaging

This morning, I’m bringing you your very first look at the 2026 packaging for one of the most iconic American imperial stouts: Surly Darkness from Surly Brewing Company in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Every year, Surly Darkness stands as one of the most anticipated, collectible, and cellar‑worthy imperial stouts in the craft beer world, and the 2026 edition is already shaping up to be another major release for stout fans, barrel‑aged beer collectors, and Surly loyalists.

For 2026, Surly Darkness will continue as a massive, brooding imperial stout clocking in at 12% ABV, delivering the bold, rich, high‑gravity profile that has defined this beer for well over a decade. Darkness remains a cornerstone of Surly’s lineup and a flagship release for fans of intense roasted malt character, deep chocolate and coffee notes, and the signature Darkness complexity that has made it a cult favorite.

The packaging preview you’re seeing today showcases the 2026 750ml bottle, once again featuring original artwork by celebrated Minnesota artist Adam Turman. Turman’s annual Darkness artwork has become a collectible series of its own, with each year’s design adding to the mythology and visual identity of this legendary imperial stout. The 2026 artwork continues that tradition, giving fans another striking, display‑worthy bottle to add to their Darkness collection.

As always, Surly Brewing will reveal more details as we get closer to the official release, including 2026 Darkness Day information, additional packaging formats, distribution notes, and any special variants or barrel‑aged editions that may accompany the core release. For now, consider this your exclusive early peek at one of the most important and most anticipated 2026 imperial stout releases in the craft beer world.

Stay tuned for full release details, tasting notes, and additional packaging updates as Surly Brewing continues to roll out the 2026 Darkness program.

Label Text Surly Brewing 2026 Darkness:

“In the beginning, there was nothing. He was the First. The Grim Reaper Himself. Giving no quarter and riding his jet black mare at dawn, He took this void and gave it shape and meaning. It even gained a name: Darkness. He drank deep, and in a voice cold as death itself, He spoke, ‘Someday, I will return. None shall know the hour.’

At long last, the hour comes ‘round.

The Grim Reaper is back, scythe at the ready, judging without fear or favor. Do those notes of chocolate, coffee, and cherry still sing? Do those bold aromatics still set it apart from run‑of‑the‑mill imperial stouts? Do its mysterious black depths still command the attention of a world gone mad? He spoke once again.

‘Yes. This rocks.’

The bottle you hold has been deemed worthy. Enjoy.”

About Surly Brewing:

If this town needs a world-class IPA, we make it. If an antiquated law keeps us from selling the beer, we change it. If there’s no place big enough for us to gather together, we build it.

Creating change on that scale within our industry and our community takes an instigator. A touch of mischief, a lack of complacency, and the willingness to say, “Why not?” That’s Surly.

2006
Omar Ansari founded Surly Brewing Co. in a corner of his parents’ small abrasives factory in Brooklyn Center, MN. He decided to open a brewery for a couple good reasons:

1. To create the kind of beer he and other craft beer lovers wanted to drink, and
2. The hope that other adventurous souls would come along for the ride.His instincts were correct.

2014
Surly outgrew Brooklyn Center and we successfully changed the law, allowing us to open our (much larger, much newer) Minneapolis brewery on December 19, 2014. It was immediately apparent that there was unmet demand for a place like this.

As the kegs kicked and we pulled beers right off the canning line to serve the longest, happiest line we’ve ever seen, a new gathering space for our community and a new destination for visitors was established before last call.

Almost a decade later, an entire neighborhood has sprung up around our brewery and beer hall. Welcome to Prospect Park. We can’t wait to see you.
Surly Today.

Minnesota Craft Brewing Excellence
Surly is dedicated to production excellence, ensuring that our beer and beyond beer beverages offer a consistent, satisfying drinking experience.

Community Engagement
A meaningful connection with the community through events and sponsorships. We’ll get our brows sweaty and our hands dirty to deliver for those who need it.

Beer Hall
Look around. Our beer hall is an iconic destination for beer geeks, families, travelers, college kids, scary bikers, kindly grandmas, kindly bikers, and scary grandmas. They’re here to have a good time and a great beer.

Epic Events
It’s in our nature to chase the next big idea. To fuel connections by creating the best live music venue is just the latest move in our history of creating amazing experiences.

Our People
All the cool shit above? They make it so. And we’re pretty proud of how awesome they all are.
Find Our Beer
Find Surly at a location near you. We are currently distributed in 13 states (MN, WI, IA, ND, SD, IL, MI, MO, NE, CO, KS, TX, and AZ). Availability isn’t guaranteed so we recommend calling the retailer to confirm they have what you are seeking.

If you are looking for our distributors, please email: [email protected]

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