Cat & Cloud's After Party takes Ethiopian coffee closer to second crack than its lighter sibling, Night Shift, delivering a darker roast profile that coffee lovers chase for its deep, indulgent character. Roasted in Santa Cruz with intention and craft, this offering pushes into territory where chocolate deepens, sweetness caramelizes, and smoke becomes an accent rather than an intrusion. It's the coffee equivalent of staying up past midnight because the conversation—or the campfire—is just too good to leave.
The specific Ethiopian lots rotate with the seasons, but the flavor blueprint remains consistent: rich, comforting, and evocative of those perfect moments when marshmallow meets flame and chocolate melts into graham cracker. This is coffee for mornings that need a little more weight, or afternoons when you want something that holds its own against a pastry.
Tasting Notes
After Party opens with deep chocolate—not milk chocolate, but the darker, bittersweet kind that lingers. There's a smoky-sweet finish that recalls toasted marshmallow and caramelized sugar, with enough body to coat your palate without feeling heavy. Acidity is gentle and rounded, letting the roast speak without sharpness. The finish is long and warming, like embers glowing after the fire dies down.
Brew Methods
This coffee shines in methods that embrace its fuller body and roast character. French press brings out its richness and textural depth. Drip coffee makers deliver consistency and approachability. Pour over—especially with a slightly coarser grind and higher water temperature—can highlight the chocolate-forward sweetness while keeping clarity. While it's roasted darker than typical espresso profiles, adventurous home baristas can pull shots with chocolatey, syrupy results if dialed in carefully.
About Cat & Cloud
Cat & Cloud roasts seasonally driven coffee in Santa Cruz, California, with a focus on flavor accessibility and community connection. Their rotating Ethiopian offerings keep the menu fresh while maintaining signature profiles customers return to again and again.
Not sure which grind size or brewing ratio to start with? Clive's team is here to help you dial in After Party for your setup, whether you're pulling shots on a Rocket or brewing a pot on a Moccamaster.