This style is an extra strong version of porter and is similar in style to top-fermented Baltic porters. Roasted malt should provide the flavoring character, with no apparent roasted barley or black malt character in the flavor profile. Imperial porters are dark brown to black in color and strong in alcohol (7-11%). Fruity esters should be evident, but not overwhelming, and should be in balance with caramel and cocoa malt sweetness and a low-to-medium hop bitterness. Some American examples evidence a more hop-forward character that differs greatly from the style’s origins, but are in line with the current “imperialization” trend.