Imperial Affogato

◎ Appearance

Deep garnet-brown to black, opaque and impenetrable to light. The dense, tan head forms quickly and clings to the glass with excellent retention, leaving thick rings of lacing with each sip. Carbonation appears restrained, appropriate for the beer's full-bodied, velvety character.

◌ Aroma

Freshly roasted espresso beans dominate the nose, backed by dark cocoa and burnt sugar from the deeply kilned malts. Sweet vanilla cream emerges alongside subtle notes of dark chocolate and caramel, creating an inviting, dessert-like aromatics. The alcohol warmth is present but integrated, not sharp.

◐ Taste

The palate opens with rich, full-bodied coffee flavour—bitter and roasted yet balanced by smooth sweetness and creamy mouthfeel. Mid-palate reveals layered complexity: cocoa, burnt sugar, and hints of dark fruit develop, while the 65 IBU bitterness provides structure without harshness. The high alcohol (10.7%) adds warmth and body rather than sharp alcoholic bite.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering vanilla and coffee notes fading slowly over several minutes. A pleasant boozy warmth persists, characteristic of the imperial strength, while residual sweetness balances the roasted edge.