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DDC (Double Dark Chocolate)

Fabbrica della Birra Perugia
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🌍 Italy · Imperial Stout · One of 96 Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Perugia's masterpiece Imperial Stout — 'La DDC' uses two varieties of roasted and ground cacao beans (Arriba Nacional), doubling the chocolate intensity. Pitch black with a fine tan head; the nose is dense with dark chocolate, espresso, and a hint of molasses. Dense, voluptuous on the palate with a warm alcoholic embrace, interminable chocolate persistence, and a complexity that rewards slow, contemplative drinking. One of Italy's most celebrated Imperial Stouts.

ABV
10.5%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark45
See all Imperial Stout alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial Stout.
Malt character
chocolate
roasted
coffee
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Stouts in the World

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for DDC (Double Dark Chocolate)

Appearance

Deep pitch-black color with minimal light penetration, characteristic of the style's high roast intensity. A fine tan head forms with good initial retention, gradually subsiding to a thin, persistent collar. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting the dense visual presentation.

pitch-blackfine tan headdense and opaque

Aroma

The nose is dominated by dark chocolate and espresso notes from the dual-variety Arriba Nacional cacao, creating a layered aromatic profile. Molasses sweetness and roasted grain undertones provide depth, while a subtle warmth hints at the substantial alcohol content. The cacao character persists throughout, neither sharp nor thin, but voluptuous and inviting.

dark chocolate, espressomolasses sweetnessroasted grain foundation

Taste

The palate opens with immediate chocolate intensity and roasted character that coats the mouth with considerable weight and texture. Mid-palate reveals complexity—dark fruit notes emerge alongside coffee bitterness, while 10.5% ABV provides a warm, encompassing alcohol presence without harshness. The 65 IBU bitterness is integrated rather than assertive, balancing the sweetness of the cacao adjunct.

rich chocolate coatingcoffee and dark fruitfull-bodied warmth

Finish

The finish is extended and contemplative, with chocolate persistence that lingers well into the aftertaste. A gentle drying bitterness and roasted grain character emerge, inviting another sip rather than demanding closure.

long chocolate fadewarming alcohol tail
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
89
Appearance
86
Finish
87
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of DDC (Double Dark Chocolate)

Serve at 13–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with DDC (Double Dark Chocolate)

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 roasted, chocolate, rich character as DDC (Double Dark Chocolate) will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Imperial Stouts in hopIQ

Explore all Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →Browse Italy beers →