Obsidian Stout - Deschutes Brewery

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

I finally got a hold of the elusive Holy Grail of stouts from the west coast. It's hard to find this stout east of the Rockies. This stout is UBER BLACK with a tan persistent head with plenty of lacing. Obsidian is so black I cannot see any brown. No light seems to be able to pierce this stout. That is pretty cool so I rated the appearance high. The aroma is good nothing wrong but nothing outstanding. Smooth clean sweet stout fragrance.

Now taste: When Obsidean hits my tongue it comes on bitter and strong yet with a creamy hint of sweetness. The taste is more like a dark chocolate or maybe lightly sweetened or even unsweetened chocolate you buy for baking. I have had similar strong stouts, but they lingered with a bitterness that was gritty. However, Obsidian is strong filled with flavors but with a creamy smoothness that is really nice. BALANCED.

Lightly carbonated smoooth texture. I prefer other stouts that are sweeter so I downed the score just a bit for that personal finding.

In head to head comparison with Deschutes Black Butte Porter, the beers, I found the beers were very similar except the Obsidian has like a teaspoon of rich molasses & an extra shot of espresso added. Butte may be a little more refreshing for a summer, but the Obsidian finish is like a cold dry refreshing clean espresso expression to me that really lingers in a nice way. I also compared Obsidian to Well's Double Chocolate Stout. Wells is smoother, creamier, less carbonated & the double chocolate shows. Obsidians firey little bubbles & espresso finish separate widely. Sweet beer lovers will go with Wells.

Regardless of what I say this is a world class brew, just not my personal favorite. This is a black brew of deep strong black flavor that is well balanced. So what goes with this stout. Something strong black bold. James Brown - Live at the Apollo. Please Please Please! This is something that is inherent to black. Something white guys can't do.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 06:21:52 | More by frankiepop

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-20-2013 04:49:09 | More by Kmat10

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into tulip.

A - Black as night with a small dark tan head.

S - A light, but pleasing aroma of milk chocolate, black coffee, and roasted malt.

T - Roasted burnt malt, coffee, and sweet chocolate throughout. A light hop bitterness comes through and brings balance. Finishes bitter-sweet with roasted grain and caramel. There is a strong coffee/roast aftertaste.

M - Exceptionally smooth and creamy. Wow, this is definitely the best part of the beer for me. Medium-full body, mild carbonation, slightly dry finish.

O - A very impressive, memorable stout. The flavor profile is balanced and is a text book example of what a stout should be. But the mouthfeel - it's incredible.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 02:59:31 | More by mooseo

Turbo

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

05-19-2013 22:48:10 | More by Turbo

Glibber

Idaho

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-19-2013 22:24:21 | More by Glibber

ClayO

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

05-19-2013 22:04:32 | More by ClayO

JohnG190

New York

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into snifter, served at 52 degrees.

Appearance - dark, dark brown. Thick mocha head has great retention.

Aroma - dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted barley

Taste - a dry bitterness gives way to a slight dark chocolate sweetness and finishes dry and bitter.

Mouthfeel - medium body with good carbonation.

Overall - a world class stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:40:15 | More by JohnG190

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-19-2013 16:31:23 | More by Photekut

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-19-2013 14:15:13 | More by drgonzo2k2

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle. best before 09-30-13.

A: pours really really dark brown. head is a coffee hued brown. frothy. very frothy. head has great retention

S: a lot of bitter dark chocolate. a decent amount of espresso. this thing really does walk a fine line between bitterness and sweetness, with bitterness taking the edge. not getting much hop aroma, but I could care less. this thing is all about fantastic dark aromas.

T: similar to the nose, a dry bitterness starts off the flavor. very similar to dark chocolate. more bitterness in the middle. a little bit of dark coffee, but this body is very close to dark chocolate. finish is, you guessed it, bitter.

M: subtle and creamy. this think on nitro would be tits. medium bodied.

D: a very well-made American stout. lots of dark aroma, however a bit one-note on the flavor end. not that it is a bad flavor so you are not gonna catch a lot flack from me. if you like stouts, definitely check this brew out.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:24:52 | More by Jimmys

jakeox

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-19-2013 00:08:20 | More by jakeox

DIPAFAN

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-19-2013 00:05:00 | More by DIPAFAN

alanv

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-18-2013 21:37:23 | More by alanv

JandJMD

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

05-18-2013 02:01:51 | More by JandJMD

prender1482

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-18-2013 00:39:52 | More by prender1482

jbaker67

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-17-2013 22:05:32 | More by jbaker67

tedho21

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

05-17-2013 16:29:23 | More by tedho21

verge

California

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

05-16-2013 21:56:12 | More by verge

Demarais20

North Dakota

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-16-2013 07:42:05 | More by Demarais20

Pelican5

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-16-2013 07:27:40 | More by Pelican5

SMITHAND

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-15-2013 18:14:54 | More by SMITHAND

2dogbrew

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-15-2013 03:07:17 | More by 2dogbrew

ambalam

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-14-2013 05:40:00 | More by ambalam

hoppytobehere

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, best by 10/14/2013

A: Creamy tan head, body that's blacker than night. Nice retention.

S: A little booze, dark chocolate, roasted malt.

T: A great example of the style. Similar notes as the nose, maybe with more chocolate and a little bit of espresso. Toffee sweetness lingers.

M: Chewy, a little sticky. Nice carbonation.

O: Fantastic stout for the price. Need to get this one more often.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 02:54:11 | More by hoppytobehere

Lagerquestrian

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

05-14-2013 01:39:23 | More by Lagerquestrian