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Mayan Continuous Improvement

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Imagine all your favourite chocolate desserts in one glass: a rich foundation of cacao and vanilla, chocolatey and spiced, warmed by chillies and cinnamon, with subtle fruit additions. Mayan Continuous Improvement is an 11% Mayan hot-chocolate twist on Cloudwater's Imperial Stout My Continuous Improvement, from the Remastered Series that brews old favourites anew.

ABV
11%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatevanillaspicy
chocolate
vanilla
spicy
fruity
roasted
coffee
Aroma
Welcoming nose of roasted cacao and vanilla cream dominates the initial bouquet, followed by warm spice notes of cinnamon and subtle chilli heat.
also:dark fruit
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Mayan Continuous Improvement

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown body with dense, persistent crema that clings to the glass with excellent Schaumhaftung. The beer presents opaque clarity and a tight, structured head that diminishes gradually, leaving rich lacework down the sides. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated.

deep black-brownopaquepersistent headrich lacing

◌ Aroma

Welcoming nose of roasted cacao and vanilla cream dominates the initial bouquet, followed by warm spice notes of cinnamon and subtle chilli heat. Underneath lies a deep roasted malt character with whispers of dark chocolate and coffee, while faint fruity undertones add complexity without obscuring the primary confectionery impression.

cacao, vanillawarm spicesroasted maltdark chocolate

◐ Taste

Entry is rich and velvety, with immediate chocolate and vanilla sweetness balanced by 65 IBU of structured bitterness. The mid-palate develops warming spice and gentle chilli burn that peaks before settling into roasted grain, coffee, and subtle stone fruit notes that add depth to the sweet core. The alcohol (11% ABV) is present but smoothly integrated, contributing warmth without harshness.

chocolate-forwardspiced warmthsmooth alcoholcomplex sweetness

◑ Finish

Long, lingering finish with sustained chocolate and vanilla notes fading gradually into dry roasted grain and a residual chilli warmth that persists on the palate. The bitterness remains restrained and refined throughout, allowing the dessert-like character to dominate the aftertaste.

long finishlingering chocolatewarming spice
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
89
Taste
90
Appearance
85
Finish
85
Serve at 13–16°C

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Can be cellared 2–5 years. Develops dark fruit, leather and port-like complexity with age.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Mayan Continuous Improvement

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About Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same chocolate, vanilla, rich character as Mayan Continuous Improvement will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →New to Imperial Stout? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →