Black Butte Porter - Deschutes Brewery

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Intensely smooth and rich taste. Anise and licorice and alcohol aroma. Black as molasses and some of its taste. Excellent with my meal. Toast, well balanced, without being very sweet nor coffee nor overly bitter. Well carbonated. Bit of sourness mid-sip.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2005 03:10:34 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black Butte Porter doesn't quite manage black, but it's definitely deep dark brown with a strong ruby influence. Bright sunlight is barely visible on the far side of the pint glass. The dark ecru head is large and has millions (okay hundreds) of boisterous bubbles piled onto its upper surface. Unfortunately, there's a less than hoped for amount of lace.

The primary elements of the nose are roasted malt and dark chocolate. Hops are a distant third; no surprise given the style. Delicious and easy drinking. Black Butte is evidence that good things happen when porters use a sufficient quantity of chocolate malt. The beer is bursting with dark malt, chocolate and (less so) coffee. Classic porter flavors all.

It's both sweet and hoppy, but subtly so. Both contribute without drawing undue attention to themselves. The more I drink it, the more I've come to realize that Deschutes brews good beer. The body is medium for the style and the carbonation is noticeable without being obtrusive.

Black Butte Porter is a fine effort. It isn't what I'd call a big porter, which I generally prefer, but it's a classic, delicious, well-crafted, drinkable one. I'd love to have access to the entire lineup from this excellent PacNW brewery.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2004 21:57:04 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured a very deep dark brown, small tan colored head, not a lot of lace, pretty clear

S - Caramel and chocolate predomintaly, with a touch of roasted coffe and an ever so slight hoppy back.

T - Very nice, lots of caramel and roasted malts, with a nice hoppy back. Dry finish. Lots of sugar, very good.

M - Uber smooth, a very good feeling porter. Not too thick, just about right to be totally sessionable. I thought the decent carbonation played a good roll here

D - Great, a very sessionable porter. Not heavy enough to distract you or bog you down, I could put down six of these with some ease.

Overall a very fine beer here. A good quality well rounded session porter. I would definatly buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2007 23:41:20 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The pour into my Russian River pint glass is dark brown with a thin and short lived tan colored head.

S: Plenty of roasted notes to the nose along with lots of coffee. There's also a sweetness to it which seems to be in the form of milk chocolate.

T: The coffee and sweet milk chocolate dominate the flavor along with some background notes of roasted malt. The finish has a mild bitterness to it along with some more coffee.

M: The body is medium with a moderate level of carbonation. There's a slight smoothness to it, as well.

D: One of my favorites from Deschutes. I'm not always the biggest fan of their year round beers, but this is always a great choice.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 01:12:44 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a color that is bordering on black, which I suppose is fitting. The nose is dark chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee--just what I expect from a good porter. Really nice bold scent. The taste scales it back just a bit, but has the same general tenor. Good, slightly-dry feel with a nice body. Another hit from Deschutes.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2010 22:39:51 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a deep, dark brown color with a light beige, rocky head; the lacing was OK, not great

Smell: Roasted coffee and sweet chocolate malt aromas

Taste: Starts out with a tingly chocolate flavor that is joined, mid-palate, by some floral hops; after the swallow there is a touch of sourness followed by some coffee notes; the residual chocolate and floral flavors also maintain their presence through the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Among the better porters I have tried; nice flavors that go down easy

Thanks, malthead, for the opportunity and, younger35, for the second chance

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2006 17:36:20 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at Father's Office in Culver City, CA.

A - Pours an opaque black color with a 1 inch head that fades to a small cap. Foamy lacing is present.

S - Smells of coffee and bittersweet chocolate.

T - Burnt grains/coffee and bittersweet chocolate or cocoa beans.

M - Great carbonation while still being very creamy.

D - A very, very good porter and one I keep going back to. One of the best I have ever tried.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2010 00:56:42 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a medium clear black color porter with large light brown foamy head with good retention and some good lacing. Aroma of black chocolate and light dry coffee notes are very pleasant. Taste is a nice mix between some bitter black chocolate notes with some light fry coffee and a subtle roasted malt bitter finish. Body is a bit too thin with some great carbonation. Very well done and something that IU would probably buy again if I had access to it.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2009 03:40:44 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very impressive Porter. The beer begins with a nice, medium viscocity with a lighlty tanned head that has terrific staying power. Aromas of roasted malts, toasty sweetness, and bittersweet chocolate, and a hint of citrus hops. Flavors closely mimic the aromas with emphasis on the roasted malts and a backup hint of orange rinds. Very clean textured with a crisp, fairly clean finish. This beer has enough character and power to substantiate the best of the Porter style, with basically no off flavors at all. Pure and simple.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2007 14:29:06 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown with ruby highlights thru out with a thin off white head that disapears into nothing quite fast,I noticed a few chunks swirling around in there as well.Aroma is nutty and unsweetened chocolate mainly not over the top sweet by any means,has a nice smooth mouthfeel this glides down very easily to say the least.Flavors start out somewhat sweet bitter chocolate and caramel with an underlying roasted coffee presence but finish very earthy and dry like an unroasted raw peanut flavor.A very solid beer this one is a classic in the northwest and I can see why,very solid.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2005 22:50:27 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dense, creamy tan head above a dark ruby brown/mahogany colored body. The head holds fairly well. The aroma shows some fruity notes as well as the anticipated espresso and bitter chocolate. Good mouthfeel... medium bodied, not quite chewy, not quite creamy... honey-like? The flavor is full, expressing slightly sweet dark chocolate with a roasty edge up front, followed by some dark fruit, molasses, and even smoke. Well balanced - not overdone with hop bitterness. Finishes with a light, almost smokey note from the roasted barley. An excellent example of robust porter - distinctive, complex and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2002 11:16:08 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

Pours a very deep, dark brown, bordering on black (only the addition of some light reveals the truth) with a minor amount of mocha-colored head that leaves some good lacing behind. The smell is loaded with roasted malts and dark coffees, with a very faint hint of licorice hiding in the brush. The taste follows, with that licorice absent and a nice, smoky woodiness pops up, bringing an extra leyer of complexity to the proceedings. The body is a bit on the heavy side, and the carbonation gives an odd bite at the end, and these, when combined, serve to lessen the overall drinkability here. Still, a very tasty bit o' porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2010 11:33:18 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep, dark brown color, showing crimson edges, with an active, fizzy tan head, though quick to settle.
Aroma: smooth, creamy, with a whiff of bitter hops.
Taste: nice, gritty texture, but smooth thereafter. Little hop presence on the palate, but full malt, full body, and rich in cocoa, coffee flavor. Very sweet and fruity in the end, with ultimately excellent balance, and thoroughly accomplished drinkability.
Overall, an excellent, everyday, workhorse porter, with no overboard flavors, just smooth, tasty, thirst-quenching and solid. One I've enjoyed before and would happily employ again as a session ale, if I could.
Thanks to Gusler for the re-acquaintance.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2003 09:44:13 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark brown/black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a nice roasted malt scent to it , boasting of crystal malts. It is sweet and creamy smelling. The taste is good. It has a smooth dark brown feel with hints of crystal and chocolate malts. It goes down easy and finishes dry, yet sweet. The mouthfeel is good. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a fine porter. It has good flavor and suprisingly good mouthfeel; a good drinker.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2004 17:11:16 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer is black and forms a thin broken head of tiny bubbles. Leaves some lacing on the glass. Looks fine.

Smells sweet. Slight smoke, slight roast. Smells ok.

Medium to light in body. Beer is smooth, not a lot of carbonation in the mouth. Beer tastes good, some roast comes up late and lingers. Second taste, not a lot of sweetness in the front but its well balanced overall. Drinkability high.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2010 02:37:48 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown to black with a tan head. The aroma is chocolate and roasted malt. The flavor is heavily roasted to burnt malt with a lot of dark, bitter chocolate. Medium, creamy mouthfeel and medium carbonation. One of the better robust porters I have tried and one that everyone should try.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2010 19:24:01 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a jet-black color with a one-finger, tan head of bubbly foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled roasty with some coffee notes. Also notes of chocolate and caramel.

T - It tasted very roasty with dark chocolate and coffee. There was some toffee and caramel flavors, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied porter with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a very good porter. Deschutes continues to impress with every brew they make.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 04:55:27 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to dschuster03 for bringing one of these to Darkness Day for me.
Bottle with best before day of 4/9/08 - Dave must have had this one cellared for a while.

A - Dark brown, with a rich 3-fingered head of light tan that takes forever to dissipate. Nice contrast!

S - Strong, rich smell of roasted malt and chocolate. A hint of coffee and vanilla. The smell really came alive as the brew warmed up a little.

T - Starts out sweet and malty, but leaves a coffee aftertaste on the back of your throat.

M - A little thinner than I was expecting. Creamy and refreshing.

D - I could drink a bunch of these at 5.2%, especially since it didn't have that milkshake consistency of some other porters.

All in all an above average brew that goes nice with dessert - can't wait to try the Black Butte XX.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2008 00:16:24 | More by MasterSki

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This pours with a nice thick brown head. Smells of roasted malt, coffee, and some dark toffee perhaps. Very smooth tasting with a roast, chocolate malty thickness to it. Tastes lightly sweet with maybe a hint of hoppiness in the flavor. A very clear dark brown color when it is held up to the light, otherwise it is a deep brown, almost black color. A slight bit of acidity from both the carbonation and the dark malts is evident. This beer is definitely predominantly a chocolaty smooth one though.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2003 18:09:37 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired via trade from Solomon420, so a big “Thank you” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of creamy and milky with chocolate, roasted coffee, dark malts and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is creamy and a little smoky with flavors of chocolate and coffee. The malt character is very hearty and there is a mild but complimentary hops presence. Both contribute to a good balance. The after-taste is sweet and smoky.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not very filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very good beer to sit back and relax with for a long time. It’s one that you can drink several of but is more of a sipper than a pounder, despite not having a very high ABV.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2008 05:41:47 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BBD of 05/19/06

Pours midnight black with a 2 fingers+ tan head that drops off pronto. No lacing or head retention

Smell: toasted malt, chocolate & frutiness

Taste: Roasty malt, chocolate, fruitiness, with some oaky notes. Very dry finish

MF: Undercarbonated, but other than that great balance

D: Very drinkable, but a little Co2 & malt heft was needed to push this up the charts

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2006 05:16:39 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At Capone's Black Friday, This poured out as a deep brown color with some red highlights, the head was very thin and didn't really have much retention or lacing. The smell of the beer was roasted and earthy on the nose. The taste of the beer had some nice roasted flavors with a touch of dark chocolate in the back end of the aftertaste. The mouthfeel was thin and dry. It was very drinkable. Overall this beer was pretty good for a standard porter.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 07:14:07 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

3.88/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the House of Brews on Algonquin St., in Huntington Beach, CA,

A: Pours a dark, opaque, black out of the tap, small tan head is there as well.

S: Lighter than I expected, some dark chocolate notes and toffee.

T: Heavily tasted of dark chocolate, some slight coffee notes, not a real roasted flavour, its American porter flair shows up, as it's got a bit of a bite from the piney hops.

M: Smooth and creamy, not over-bearing and heavy, light for a porter, but this is nice, making it easy to drink.

D: I really liked this beer, it is very well made and easy to drink, making it a great session porter, out of the tap or out of the bottle, I should buy this more often than I usually do, another good beer from Deschutes.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2007 03:52:16 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: black in color with a 3" thick tan head that lasts a long time. Very thick lacing coats the glass through the duration of the pint.

Smell: loads of roasted malts and chocolate tons are easily detected by the nose.

Taste: a superbly flavorful and very fresh porter I have here. Strong roasted malt, molasses, espresso, and dark chocolate are well balanced. Little bitterness.

Mouhtfeel: medium bodied like a porter should be. Light crispness at the start, while the finish is very smooth. The aftertaste is brief with the roasted and dark chocolate flavors.

Drinkability: exceptional is the only way to describe this. I wish I could get this on the east coast. A fresh pint on tap doesn't get much better than this.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2006 23:21:43 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to russpowell and bitterbill for this!

Best by 09/11/08:

Pours black with a rich, creamy tan head.

The smell is of roasted chocolate and coffee with an earthy/fruity hop backing.

The taste is ashy/smoky with chocolate, coffee and anise. Hoppy balance gives it a nice bitter touch.

Medium-to-full bodied, this is very creamy.

A very well-balanced porter. Almost reaches stout category, but stops in time to stay in the style. Very drinkable. Another great beer from a great brewery!

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2008 23:19:56 | More by jwc215