Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break

My intensive research revealed that Evil Twin Brewing initially marketed this as a porter with an 8.4% ABV, but this version is being labelled an Imperial Stout at 11.5% ABV. Beer pedants (of which I am one) will tell you that there is a difference between a stout and a porter, but there aren't many rules governing what you can call a beer style, and the definitions overlap quite a bit. Even the modifier "imperial", which once referred to a specific type of stout, Russian Imperial, now generally refers to an style where the alcohol content is increased - double or tripled sometimes.

I've also discussed the relative merits of flavorings in beer. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. In my opinion fruit flavors don't work in stouts or porters, but work well in IPAs, while coffee, chocolate or vanilla rarely add to the enjoyment of a pale ale or lager, but enhance the experience of drinking a stout.

Imperial Biscotti Break pours a deep, dark brown, with a two-finger milk chocolate head. The consistency is silky smooth, with a decadent heaviness. Coffee, almond and vanilla are added, but all of the flavors are subtle and blend together well. There's a medium-level sweetness that isn't cloying, but would go well with a chocolate brownie.  Underneath the additions, there's itty-bitty hints of dark fruits, especially black cherry that sneaks in as the beer attains room temperature. The high ABV should be imparting some alcohol heat, but it doesn't - and you don't want that in a standard stout, or even an imperial unless it's bourbon barrel aged.

Overall this gets a 8.5 on the IGB scale.