Obsidian Stout - Deschutes Brewery

humuluslupulus8

Arizona

3.18/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: The beer was a dark brown color, almost black; light didn't pass through the glass. There was a tan head that disappeared quickly and left practically no lacing on the glass.

S: I noticed roasted malt like in a porter. There was also a faint, bitter bite- possibly from the alcohol or hops?

T: The taste was primarily bitter and dry. Unlike other bitter beers I've drank, I noticed the bitterness mostly on my palate and tongue rather than on my throat. I couldn't taste any level of sweetness; I think some sweetness would have balanced the flavor better.

M: The mouthfeel was a medium thickness, not good or bad. It seemed appropriate for the style.

D: The beer was okay overall, but I probably won't drink it too much in the future. I sort of felt about it the same way I feel about India Pale Ales: I prefer American Pale Ales or Double IPAs, but IPAs are somewhat annoying to me. APAs are mostly balanced with a slight hop bitterness, and DIPAs are very hoppy and alcoholic. But IPAs are only hoppy, which I don't really like. In a similar way, with dark beers I prefer a sweet/balanced Porter or a big, complex Russian Imperial Stout, but Stouts are often just bitter. I guess I don't like bitterness to be the foremost characteristic of a beer, I like bitterness to only have a supporting role to the flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2010 22:55:54 | More by humuluslupulus8

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

4.24/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | 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

aty11b

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-14-2013 01:35:09 | More by aty11b

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-14-2013 00:25:48 | More by rolltide8425

Kyroqz

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-13-2013 06:18:30 | More by Kyroqz

alucard6679

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

05-12-2013 07:56:00 | More by alucard6679

fsck

Washington

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-12-2013 07:25:24 | More by fsck

tswater

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-12-2013 03:07:12 | More by tswater

jplopez21

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -17.3%

05-12-2013 02:50:13 | More by jplopez21

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-12-2013 02:43:18 | More by HarmonMW

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

05-11-2013 21:10:49 | More by MinorThreat

pointone

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-11-2013 18:32:02 | More by pointone

kscaldef

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-11-2013 17:21:34 | More by kscaldef