The Abyss - Deschutes Brewery

deebo

Minnesota

4.34/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had the pleasure to sample a couple of previous years versions but never a large enough pour to review. Found 2009 to be fantastic and 2010 to be ok. Review of 2011 keg tapped today at a local watering hole.

Served in a 10 oz snifter, this beer has the typical Abyss look, we know why they call it Abyss, with a half inch of brown head without much stickiness, decent lacing. 2011 smells a lot like Obsidian but much richer and deeper in its dark heavy roasted barley malt. Slightly burnt. Not hoppy, yeasty or hot.

Taste is like the aroma with its dark rich malt that is heavily roasted with just a hint of acrid bite in the finish. All malt. Notes of dark chocolate and anise prominent.

Viscosity is lower than many of its peers yet this beer is completely devoid of alcohol bite which makes this beast way too drinkable. A couple bottles of this goes down easy...although it will set you back a few bucks. Smooth, carbonation seems right for this beer.

Overall, I've enjoyed this beer over the years with some seeming to be better than others although it's probably me and when I've tasted vs. variability from year to year as I assume it's the same recipe. A big stout that is quite tasty and could pass for a 8% ABV beer. Would like it if it was a little more affordable and easier to get but one of those special beers you wait all year for.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 03:51:51 | More by deebo

AHood

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I had this at a Deschutes tasting at a local bar from the tap in a snifter (which I got to keep, score.)

Appearance: Opaque black, one finger head of tan head which, to my surprise, dissipated rather quickly

Nose: Dark roasted coffee, anise, somewhat oaky, dark cocoa. Very intense dark and almost smoky aromas. Slight vanilla note peaks out at you once you swirl.

Taste: COFFEE! Black bitter coffee. Just huge coffee on the front which was almost all I could taste in the first mouth full of it, then it finished with lingering dark chocolate. One the second mouth full (after the palate annihilator) I tasted more of the roasty, toasty malt and sweetness of molasses. A little bit of the vanilla and anise I got in the nose came out, but very subtle.

Mouthfeel: Feels like it looks. Smooth, rich, and velvety. Almost chewy.

Overall a beautifully brewed Imperial Stout. I would definitely drink again given the opportunity. I would love to see what this would do after a year or two in the bottle. Well done Deschutes :)

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 06:37:35 | More by AHood

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.48/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into tulip at the foundry in Kansas city. 2012 i think....Wow..so pumped!!
Pours a deep blackout color with a finger off tan brown head. Crazy sticky lacing on the glass. Aromas of roasted malts and anise, chocolate, and sweet caramel malts.
Such an amazing taste...bitter roasted malt undertones but big chocolatey anise sweetness. Wow...this is a fantastic stout. Truly an amazing beer worthy of the hype.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 23:22:09 | More by DrinkSlurm

Downey_george

4.71/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Enjoyed on tap at the Uncle Henry's Deli, Downey CA on 2/14/13

A: Dark Black with a tiny rim of dark brown head. .

S: Baker's chocolate, wood, and very dark roasted malts stick out right away. Some dark fruit as it warms. Very Nice.

T: Dark chocolate and deep, dark malts from the beginning. Somewhat nutty and cherry flavors mix well with the wood/oak character. Blends very well together.

M: Velvet smoothness, thick, and carbonation is very soft.

O: One of the best I've had for this style. Really glad I got to try it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 06:22:11 | More by Downey_george

mfavoino

Washington

4.45/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap at the Red Hot in Tacoma, WA on 12/21/12.

A: Black oil with a tiny rim of dark brown head. Just as I would expect this beer to pour.

S: Baker's chocolate, wood, and very dark roasted malts stick out right away. Some dark fruit as it warms.

T: Dark chocolate and deep, dark malts from the beginning. Somewhat nutty and cherry flavors mix well with the wood/oak character. Blends very well together.

M: Velvet smoothness, thick, and carbonation is soft.

O: One of the best I've had for this style. Really glad I got to try it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2013 04:36:14 | More by mfavoino

RaulMondesi

California

3.05/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Sippin' on this thang at Haven Gastro Pub in Old Town Orange, CA

Saw that this bad boy has a 100 and it had me intrigued. Even at $12 a pop, I couldn't resist. But now Raul wishes that he did.

Look? Like a good stout. Not much to say.

Aroma? A little coffee, toffee even. But nothin' blowin up at me like a gangsta would want.

Taste? HUGE letdown. Boozy, a bit harsh (a bit), and just not that great. I mean, it's palatable, but wow...

Mouthfeel? Is there any? Oh yeah, not much. I've had richer, silkier, and more supple Stouts than this thang.

Not only does Raul not approve. He says run. Run to the nearest Old Rasputin that you can find!

Edit: It was served overly cold out of the tap and it is getting better as it warms.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 00:29:28 | More by RaulMondesi

Auracom

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage on-tap at Deschutes' Portland brewpub. 6 (or 8?) oz. served in a Rastal on November 28th, 2012.

A - It's awful dark in the brewpub, but this still looks pretty black. Medium khaki head that sticks around surprisingly well. Great soapy lacing and plentiful legs.

S - The most striking quality is a blend of caramel corn and a rich, almost buttered, almond aroma. underlying dark chocolate, very slight overripe cherry, and char.

T - Front-end is espresso bean. Mid palate brings in a balancing sweetness of milk chocolate which quickly morphs into a deeper roasted nutty character. I might sense a bit of that more vineous note but it's really subtle.

M - Medium body, good medium carbonation, appropriately smooth into a semi dry finish. Quite nice.

D - I always have grouped this together with Dark Lord and Darkness (and perhaps Kate the Great as well). Of those main three, this is right in the middle for overall impressions. It's enjoyable, but I'm unsure how memorable this will be.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 22:40:14 | More by Auracom

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I finally get to try this beauty on tap. 2012 vintage, at the brewepub in Portland, served in a Deschutes Teku for $6

Black as always, with a dense, dark brown head with good retention and nice lacing, this looks nice (not as nice as some of the bottle pours I've had, but still very good). The nose just makes me sad. All these years, I've been imagining each experience with this beer was as good as my first, but this time, I'm really taken back. Fresh, this beer is a beauty. Yes, it ages fine, but so fresh, it's just so good, I feel bad about having ruined so many bottles in my attempt to improve this beer. A near-perfect blend of chocolate, snappy licorice, mild roasted malt acidity, caramel malt sweetness and some coffee, this beer carries its light bourbon barrel character delicately, with vanilla and mild bourbon notes exquisitely well. The palate is a mirror image of the nose, with the delicacy and balance that I've come to expect from this beer. Opening with waves of chocolate and mild caramel, followed by a great blend of coffee, roast, licorice and mellow bourbon. Some vanilla, a little bit of dark fruit and a beautiful fullness are present. No ashy flavors (that some aged bottles develop) are present. Medium full in body and with a smooth, creamy carbonation, this is really great on the palate. An excellent beverage, best consumed fresh.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 04:53:27 | More by DefenCorps

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This carries some good chocolate tones with this and what seems like clear barrel aging. The detractor is the boozy tones; and they're quite evident here. I was wondering what year's release this was, but it's gotta be the 2011 since it's so hot. Clearly shows how age can mellow beers into being excellent brews.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2012 05:40:04 | More by RblWthACoz

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap @ Taste of Tops in Tempe, AZ.

2011.

A: Dark as a beer can be. No head, no lace, nuthin'. Just liquid.

S: Ground espresso beans. That stands out the most. Bittersweet, dark chocolate at the end.

T: Perfectly balanced between espresso, wood, and dark chocolate. They all come together to create a delicate yet robust flavor that fills the mouth with amazing flavors. The best roasted malt flavors I've ever experienced. Nothing overpowers. "Balance" is a rare word used to describe a Stout.

M: What can I say? One of the easiest drinking Stouts I've ever had. And it's an Imperial Stout. And it's around 11% ABV. Could have had several more glasses.

O: Deschutes, you've done it again. The Abyss is my Top 5 of all time.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 22:23:49 | More by Gatch

Tad

4.53/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured at Stiengarten LA on 4-10 during a Deschutes event & tasting...

2011 vintage tap pourned in snifter, the sun could not penetrate its deep brown blackness! Nice dark brown head which subsided leaving bits of lacing. Amazing mouthfeel, molasses & chocolate hit you immediately, hints of smokey vanilla, cherry oak, and pinot barrell goodness come in. A delicate flavor indeed, no sign of its 11%ABV 1.10 OG, a very well rounded stout. Quite a process to create this beauty after speaking with Joey and Robin from Deschutes. A must try!!

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2012 16:10:36 | More by Tad

BoatsSinkBro

4.78/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had a fresh 2011 22oz bottle AND on tap at Amsterdam Cafe during SF Beer Week 2012 (so probably had the 2011 abyss).
-Pitch Black.
-Chocolate milk thick head (I've come to see this as a good sign)
-Aroma of subdued-but-still forefront candy molasses, dark chocolate, with some bitter coffee bringing up the rear. Almost like sniffing a dark chocolate candy bar.
-Tastes of dark molasses beginnings, followed by the dark bitter chocolate (not too sweet, but not too bitter) and brought back to earth by the drier coffee.
-Mouth feel was heavy, creamy, and smooth. Carbonation was there, but it takes a back seat to everything else.

I just wish I was smart enough to have bought another 2011 Abyss bottle to age, but damn was I there at the Deschutes event when I heard the Abyss was back during the SF beerweek.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2012 10:48:04 | More by BoatsSinkBro

staggerlee024

Oregon

4.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Pours a deep jet black with a mocha lacing.

S - Great stuff here. Roasted barley, chocolates, burnt sugar vanilla and a hint of bourbon.

T - Bitter roasted chocolate malts, vanilla oak and bourbon all play prominent roles here. The beer is intensely complex with all of the flavors playing nice with each other.

M - This is dangerously drinkable for 11% abv. It is thick and creamy but goes down oh so smooth.

O - An outstanding beer. One of the best that I have every had. Hands down.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2012 19:28:58 | More by staggerlee024

TheSixthRing

California

4.58/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Streets of London on J in Sacramento, as part of their Deschutes night.

Appearance - Black as midnight, the head is a caramel brown and settles to a thick, unrelenting, sticky as all hell lace. One swirl of the glass causes the beer to stick to the side, and it clings impressively.

Smell - The same classic Deschutes bitter chocolate and coffee aroma you'll find in their Black Butte and Obsidian, but also a bit of dark fruit, vanilla, molasses and a hint of alcohol that one should expect with an Imperial. Moderate anise notes.

Taste - Again, the classic Deschutes bitter chocolate/coffee roasted malt makes it's presence known, then notes of vanilla and oak come into play. Complex, deep. Certainly a beer that could that use more than just one glass to dissect completely. Molasses, vanilla and anise creep in at various stages. Burnt malt and a bit of alcohol comes through toward the finish and into the aftertaste; not uncommon for the beer style.

Mouthfeel - Perfection. Thick and creamy, but goes down with impeccable smoothness. The smoothest imperial stout I've ever had. It disappeared from my glass far too quickly.

Overall - Wow! This is the best Imperial Stout I've ever had. It's near perfect. For a beer as big as it is, to have such smoothness going down is remarkable. My only gripe is that this beer isn't more widely available, because it is a champion amongst it's peers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2012 20:08:23 | More by TheSixthRing

ajramirez1

Washington

4.23/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 Edition. On tap poured into a pint glass. Great look to it, heavy looking stout. Smelt, average, smelt like any other stout, especially relates to an irish style stout. Taste, good taste but not blown away at all. Overhyped, didnt think it was an exceptional stout, ive had a few better stouts, but it was a nice beer. Good-great stout.
A-

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 00:47:40 | More by ajramirez1

brewmyster

Oregon

4.88/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Lucky to live in Portland, had at Deschutes Brewery on tap

A-thin brown ring (I think the waiteress brought it quite a while after it had been poured) I expected a good foam after all the reviews. Yes, black as the Abyss, couldn't see through the glass

S-coffee,licorice,chocolate,vanilla -smooth smells nothing over powering

T-OK this is where I really became impressed roasted malt,COFFEE,CHOCOLATE,molasses,vanilla,hint of licorice
(everyone at the table tried it EVERYONE -even my wife the wine snob liked it)

M-CREAMY, only word I use. OK, smoooth works too

O-Not a Deschutes Brewery diehard (a couple of the seasonals I like), but this is one of the best Imperial Stouts out there (it ranks close to my favorite beer of all time Mephistopheles beer by Avery at least IMO)

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 01:21:35 | More by brewmyster

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.72/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on tap in a pint glass.
Vintage Nov 2011 batch
Served Jan 21st 2012

A - Mean looking jet black in color with no light passing through the glass. Awesome 2 finger tan head with excellent head retention and good lacing. One of the best looking stouts out there.

S - Heavy molasses, raisin, roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, and a hint of licorice. Just a touch of alcohol could be smelled.

T - A backbone of roasted malt, chocolate, caramel. Extremely rich and full palate with a great balance of sweetness and bitterness, and just a bit more alcohol than I wanted as wasn't balanced by a minimal amount of hoppy flavor compared to the others. Just a minor critic given the awesomeness of this brew.

M - Very creamy and full body, moderate carbonation. Almost perfect.

O - Quite simple the best Imperial Stout and one of the best beers I have ever had. Enough said.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2012 16:46:24 | More by williamjbauer

Hawkfish

Washington

4.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this at the Deschutes Pub as well as the bottle.
One of my favorite RIS out there.
Dark black.
Viscous, syrupy, and full bodied.
Coffee, dark chocolate, creamy maltiness, roast, vanilla, oak.
Smooth and warming.
Faint carbonation.
One of the best!

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 03:26:01 | More by Hawkfish

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.83/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

From the tap at Uptown Brothers in Denver.

A - Perfect fit for an Imperial Stout. Nice creamy head and color.

S - Roasted barley, some chocolate and coffee noticeable. Not overpowering and very pleasing.

T - The server recommended letting the beer warm up a but before sampling to really bring out the full flavor but I couldn't resist. Slightly sweet but very favorable. Very easy to drink. The taste of chocolate malt lingers for and is quite tasty.

M - Rich and full. Very solid.

D - An excellent beer and if I didn't know better I would have thought it was lower in ABV due to how smooth it was and easy to drink. Very good.

Serving type: on-tap

Reviewed on: 12-30-2010 20:46:25

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 17:55:12 | More by hopfacebrew

Murrhey

Montana

4.47/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at The Shanghai Tunnel in Portland. Reviewed from notes.

A- Thin tan head. Sticky lacing, very little carbonation. Reddish dark, nearly pitch black color.

S- Roast malts with chocolate notes. Burnt smells. Some booziness to it.

T- Coffee and chocolate. The roast malts are obviously present. Sticky sweet and finishes bitter and bold.

M- Heavy bodied. Finishes sticky and with little carbonation.

O- Very nice sipper. World class? Maybe. I definitely wouldn't want to tackle a bottle of this alone.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 04:34:37 | More by Murrhey

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

4.93/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on-tap @ Deschutes Brewery & Public House in Portland and presented in a snifter. Pairs exquisitely with sweet potato fries and thai wings.

Pours a deep and dark mahogany color with ruby flarings. Impressive head with respectable lacing. Aromas of roasted coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and sweet molasses.

Opens big with roasted notes of coffee and sweet hints of caramel and molasses. Silky mouthfeel, yet chewy at times. Dark chocolate emerges with suggestions of black licorice. ABV is incredibly well concealed. Vanilla and mellowed oak surface. Finishes smooth and rich. Amazingly deep and complex, The Abyss is as good as it gets. Believe the hype, my friends. And seek it out.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 04:01:50 | More by CaptainIPA

unclejazz

New York

4.95/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

My recent trip out to Arizona provided some new beers in the cellar and my first chance to try Abyss, and even better on tap. Thanks to Manny for bringing me by a rather wonderful Whole Foods in Chandler. I had a 12oz. pour in a wonderful looking goblet and from first sight I was impressed. It was very brown almost black with a delcious looking and smelling short tan head that stuck around. It was malty, sweet, and just a bit hot; all in very good ways. Each sip was delicious and it wnet quite well with the sushi I had. Vanilla, chocolate and dark fruits were the predominant flavors along with a bit of Oak. Very nice mouthfeel, but it could have been a bit heavier and the bottled version might be just that. This is gonna be one I keep eyes out for in the future, because it is just that good.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 18:11:19 | More by unclejazz

rawla

California

4.45/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served into a snifter on-tap at Bluepalms Brewhouse in Hollywood,CA.

A: Velvet chocolate in liquid form. Very few, if any bubbles/carbonation. The lacing is thin, but sticks around for a good amount of time. Not a beer to half-ass yourself into.

S: Wood bark, tobacco, and bitter Belgian Chocolate. Not smokey at all. Just a pungent decadent aroma. Mmmm...

T: Devil's Pie Chocolate cake with a hint of an amazing Cuban Cigar ( in an AMAZING way). Very subtle alcohol presence, considering it's 10.00% ABV. Toffee lingers in the aftertaste, but no alcoholic bite. Truly amazing stuff.

M: Feels like a grown-ups malt chocolate milkshake in the mouth. A beer this alcoholic shouldn't feel/taste this good.

O: The name says it all. You are staring down the deepest ends of the universe. Don't expect a straightforward beer. Intense Belgian cocoa, tobacco, wood bark, and hints of burnt toffee seal this amazing beer out. A...

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 06:57:52 | More by rawla

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Deschutes pub in Portland, OR. I talked to the brewer; he mentioned that it was currently around 8 months old, and had been aged in bourbon barrels, pinot barrels, and Oregon oak.

Tan head, *black* body. Some lace.

Big malty nose, roasty, almost charred. More booze as it warms I'd still advise against letting it get too warm, but some bourbon emerges as it warms even more.

Malt, significant chocolate, and licorice hops towards the end. Balanced, but with a good bite. Age might tame this even more to my tastes, but that's a personal preference that will certainly vary. Think an old fashioned chocolate malt/shake with hops; it's darn good as is. A bit of maple as it warms more.

Bright feel for a stout, it accentuates flavor and kick, then descends into creaminess. Out of curiosity, I also tasted this on nitro, for comparison (since I didn't have a great first impression from the bottle). Nitro makes this way too creamy, like milk hit with a milk frother. Steals the taste. Don't do it on nitro.

Worth the hype. Chocolate, licorice, sweet, bitter, everything it ought to be.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 17:56:40 | More by zaphodchak

Glibber

Idaho

4.38/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had the aged 2010 and 2011 yesterday on tap at the Front Door in Boise. Had tasters of both and decided to go with the 2010. It seemed a bit sweeter. Black coffee pour with a finger of espresso foam that did not dissipate as quick as I was expecting. Was initially hard to pull much aroma, but as it warmed up the boquet of wisky and dark chocolate came out.
I could taste some dark fruit, but cherry really came out with light coffe and chocolate hints. I really milked the pour to allow other flavors to come out as it warmed up- and was not dissapointed. I was expecting quite a bit going in and was very satisfied.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2011 03:55:23 | More by Glibber