The Abyss - Deschutes Brewery

bjohnson

Massachusetts

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

Received as part of my ba anniv. package. Black wax locks in the abyss.

Pours a midnight crude oil blackness with a soapy and thick foamy milk chocolate colored head. Nice retention with sticky thick lacing already forming. Dark chocolate notes lend a sweetness to the nose. Roasted malt and black patent malt play a nice supporting role. Waves of coffee, molasses, and thick caramel round out the malt profile. Hops are spicy and slightly noticeable underneath the heavy handed malt.

Thick and syrupy body runs across the palate like sludge. Sweet nestle chocolate flavors that also have a sharp bitterness to them. Caramel sweetness also impressive. Roasted malt notes with coffee, rum soaked dark fruit, molasses, and licorice. Many flavors dance on the taste buds and shout to be noticed. Bitterness is actually quite abundant in the finish accompanied by blackstrap molasses notes. Dry finish from that blackstrap. Smooth and easy drinking, though this ones a sipper with it's high abv, which is completely masked.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2007 01:30:42 | More by bjohnson

MABZ

Nebraska

4.6/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is a pretty damn good stout. Thanks to Crosling for sending it as part of a trade. Very rich and absolutely full of flavor.

The beer pours to an inky black color with a smallish brown head. Retention is fairly poor, as to be expected for such a high ABV brew. Lacing is very spotty, but manages to stick a little.

The smell is great. Chocolate and coffee with an underlying sweet caramel and toffee. A gentle alcohol aroma burns the nostrils, lending a nice spice to the equation. Smells fairly hoppy as well, like a New World blend of an Old World hop, maybe Magnum for instance, but the malts really steal the show with this one, as they should.

The taste is very faithful to the nose, though greatly intensified. The increased sensory perception leads to a nice oak tannin flavor in the early finish that lingers on with a great chocolate and coffee roast. The alcohol is there, but at just the right level where it improves the flavor rather than detracts from it. Very sweet and roasty with a chalky, vanilla barrel char and chocolatey coffee roast finish that lingers forever. The molasses and brewer's licorice mentioned on the bottle are easy to discern. The hops are just intense enough to add a very subtle herbal spice that accents the stout very well, and to be able to taste them in such a rich beer means that there were tons used in the kettle.

The body is quite thick and sticky. Fairly sweet. The alcohol can be tasted, but it's not intense and burning, though rather smooth instead. Very easy to drink for a big beer. I can see why it is so highly rated.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2007 03:54:44 | More by MABZ

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Many thanks to MaltMaster420 and MSUBulldog for samples of this fine brew.

22 Ounce Bottle sealed in black wax.

Pours into a snifter just about as black as beers get. Totally opaque and all that. A very large, dark brown head rises from body. It remains bubbly for some time. Lace flecks dot the edges of the glass. The body looks increasingly oily.

A unique aroma of Honey Nut Cheerios ascends from the glass. Aside from that are the expected chocolate and coffee aromas, this time off course by the truck load. I’m quite pleased that I’m not finding any bourbon and just some nice hints of oak, mostly in the form of cherry and vanilla.

Flavor is a marvelous rush of chocolate and coffee. No hint of booze until it fully reaches room temperature and even then, the ABV is still well disguised. Mild notes oaken notes of Vanilla and a general fruit sweetness balance the bitter chocolate. Light amounts of maple and smoke.

Oily and full body. Leathery at times. Balanced but not without some hefty bitterness.

Drinkable in an extreme way, especially for such a big beer. I wish I had more of this. It’s delicious.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2007 21:31:19 | More by DaPeculierDane

mynie

Indiana

5/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a completley opaque, oil-thick black blackness that's like nothing at all, it's so goddamn black, and top of it there's this wonderful brown head.

Smells of perfectly balanced and mellowed RIS flavors. They all combine in these fuckers like a goddamn monkey house full of apes and chimps who spend all day swinging on vines and interbreeding and throwing their feces atop of anyone foolish enough to peer inside. Only this ain't feces, my man. This is tasty goodness.

Tastes like burnt chocolate, hot chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet barley malt, bitter barley malt, rich wholegrain bread, sour malt, lightly alcoholic yeast, that fizzy chocolate candy they used to sell at the dime store back when there were dime stores, vanilla beans, generic fruit, and an end of bitterdry west coast hops. In short, it tastes like everything a beer should taste like, all at once, all perfectly balanced.

Wow. Better than Dark Lord.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2007 06:05:02 | More by mynie

Pooba001

Arizona

4.35/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Friend of mine went to the brewery last September and wanted to get a growler of something that we couldn't get in Tucson. Was told they had a Russian Imperial Stout that was currently only on tap and thus a growler of this was delivered to my desert doorstep. Review was written and put away for a day when the beer was released and on BA.

Appearance is akin to the sky under a new moon, just midnight black. Tint of dark ruby when held towards light. Notes here also describe "damn good solid brown head". Smell is a subtle blend; malt, molasses, espresso and vinous notes are all apparent.

Tastes are also well balanced, including the sweet malt and molasses playing against a light espresso roast bite and noticeable hops. Alcohol is perceptible, but barely so.

Drinkability is quite good for the style, I could go for 4 or 5 pints of this. Mouthfeel is a little thinner than ideal, could use a little more leg. Nice dry finish though.

BTW, the growler is beautiful, its probably the nicest I've seen, be sure to pick one up if you're in the Bend area.

Serving type: growler

05-17-2007 03:53:50 | More by Pooba001

aforbes10

Iowa

4.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Recieved as part of an eleborate 3-way trade with kdoc8 and msubulldog25. thanks! Pours big and black with a thin brown film of bubbles. looks pretty badass. I can smell it in my glass from 3 feet away. coffee and chocolate, brandy and bourbon, and scotch and some dark fruits. Taste up front is a sweet dark fruitiness. extreme bitter coffee grounds then move in, along with some sour coffee bean-iness. obvious oaky flavor with familiar hints of vanilla. Dry coffee woodiness and bitterness on the finish. Flavor lingers and lingers. Just fantastic. Mouthfeel huge and velvetlike. The only problem is that the coffee ground bitterness becaomes maybe one degree too harsh towards the end. But, anyway, a fantastic, humungous beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2007 13:18:50 | More by aforbes10

Crosling

Colorado

3.3/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Around $ 9.00 per bottle in Colorado. I can’t appreciate subtlety in this style. Either smack me with hops (Yeti), blast me with oak (Bourbon County) or spank me with tons of malt (Expedition.) It’s a good, drinkable beer, but I didn’t find much complexity in my bottle.

Another bottle: I drank this one warm and still cant get why you people like it.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2007 06:20:41 | More by Crosling

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

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

I got this one from ArrogantB in a trade.

Looks bright and lively for the style with a dark blackish brown and a rim of prune where the light could get through. The head was a beautiful dark tan but fell to a collar in no time.

Smells big and stick with gooey barley and honey. There seems to be a grassy raspberry in the middle somewhere that adds a lot of balance. There’s also a barbecue chicken smokiness in the background.

Tastes similar with the sticky barley, honey and raspberry but it then takes on a lot of smoke and roasted coffee. In the finish there’s a warming, oaky, boozy alcohol that meshes well with a dry chocolate.

Feels light for the style but a bit sticky with a surprising dryness that accents the coffee character.

Very nice. I’d like to see more RISs that rely more on smoke instead of sweet. Its light body and clean finish make this an excellent sipper.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2007 01:51:46 | More by DarkerTheBetter

Slats

Idaho

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

Black Gold

Pours very dark. One of those beers you have to pour in front of people so you can see that "You aren't going to drink that are you" face.

Nice thick head but not over flowing with suds. Ring of lace lingered throughout my tasting.

Nose full of this tells you your in for a treat and your mouse begs for its turn.

Upfront caramelized maple flavor comes first followed by a sweet raisin flavor. Dig a bit deeper and the oak shows it's cards.

I could drink this stuff all day and die happy in my sleep.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2007 00:47:01 | More by Slats

bennetj17

Arizona

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

Many thanks to RoBotGod for trading me this beer... This stout pours looking black as night, although you can tell it's not that thick. The head is a thin, dark reddish-tan topping things off nicely.

Excellent aroma of roasty coffee, much like Founder's Breakfast Stout. The alcohol is not percieved and there is also a touch of vanilla oak sweetness.

The first sip is pure heavenly joy, amazingly smooth with intense bitter roast flavors. Lots of fresh ground coffee bean, smoke, and a hint of chocolate. The finish is puckering and bitter. The mouthfeel is only slightly thick, very smooth again, with fine but strong carbonation. The oak aging has smoothed this out nicely making it easy to swallow.

I'm amazed at how drinkable this sucker was. It seemed nothing like 11% at all. I really enjoy a stout that isn't overly sweet or thick, and this one fits the bill. I would seek this out if you can...

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2007 19:24:43 | More by bennetj17

tjthresh

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup dark brown color to used Quacker State black with a very slight brown head. If this thing is barrel aged, you sure can’t tell unless you are looking for it. There is lots of chocolate, cocoa, hops. Quite a bit of hops actually. The barrel character comes through more in the flavor. Very chocolatey. Sort of reminds me of Whoppers in the flavor and gritty mouthfeel. Certainly a damn fine beer, but nothing outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2007 21:37:12 | More by tjthresh

WeisGuy

New York

4.9/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Big thanks to msubulldog for this fine beer. 2006 vintage.

a - pours like well-used motor oil, thick and black, one-to-two finger tan head with great retention and lacing, absolutely beautiful looking stout

s - bittersweet chocolate is dominant aroma, some burnt malts in the body, hints of oak and bourbon, slight alcohol notes

t - very smooth flavor, nice mix of dark chocolate and deeply roasted malt, slightly sweet, finish has quite a bit of oak and notes of bourbon, not much alcohol detectable outside the bourbon notes, but just enough to know it's there, so delicious

m - full-bodied and very creamy, coats the mouth well, mild carbonation, warming effect

d - so smooth for a big stout, alcohol is not harsh at all, easy on the palate but complex at the same time

Very complex and smooth RIS. One of my favorites and very nearly flawless. Had a Dark Lord the night before this and The Abyss is every bit as good in my opinion. While DL is more in your face and aggressive, this beer is more reserved and smooth but just as complex. Well worth seeking this one out. Here's to hoping Deschutes makes this an annual release.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2007 21:41:27 | More by WeisGuy

Metalmonk

North Carolina

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

Classy looking bottle. The black wax covering the top and neck...the bold, minimal label...my snifter is eager to receive.

Nice big mocha head doesn't stay big long, but it stays in some capacity for a good while before crowning. Head color is a gorgeous mocha, on top of an impossibly black, yep, abyss. Great dark brown lace too!

Aroma is less heavy and more "bright" than I would expect...toffee wafts through first, and something that resembles those soft maple candies from Brach's...and a good round alcoholic edge in the background, which becomes more pronounced (and less attractive) as the very slight chill dissipates.

A most interesting flavor, true to style but also unlike any other in its class. Slight alcohol burn hits first, acting as a bed for the richer, finer flavors to come: toffee, dark chocolate, espresso, fresh cream, smoke, roasted nuts, and a finish that lays on the bitterness of unsweetened baking chocolate. [and whaddaya know, a nice healthy burp reveals those big ol' hops!]

Mouthfeel isn't overly thick, but it is ridiculously creamy...feels like pure liquid velvet in the mouth. No stickiness, no post-sip pasty-mouth. Awesome.

Considering the combined flavor and mouthfeel, this has a breakfast-stout feel to it. And with such intense flavors and high ABV, it goes down incredibly clean and smooth. Thanks a ton to msubulldog25 for this fine specimen. You da man, Brian.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2007 21:59:23 | More by Metalmonk

nflmvp

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An aggressive pour into my snifter, emptied this bomber completely, leaving a 2 finger head of mocha colored cream, topped by a rocky layer of bubbles. The body is nearly pitch black. Light barely penetrates the cap, reflecting back the mocha cap that is the creamy head.

Smell is mostly chocolate to my nose but there's some roastiness to it along with vanilla and just a hint of bourbon.

Taste is mostly chocolate again but the bourbon shines through in a light and pleasing manner. Hints of vanilla and roasted malts round out this beautiful sipper.

Mouth feel is full and smooth with well rounded edges.

Drinkability is good. I could sip this all night long....and I just may since I poured the whole bomber into one glass.

As it warms, this becomes even more tasty, although the alcohol also shows itself more so drinkability doesn't improve...not that I'm complaining ;-)

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2007 22:29:38 | More by nflmvp

lackenhauser

Maryland

5/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First things first-I hate wax sealed bottles! What a pain in the butt.

Gorgeous, silky smooth black color. Nice cocoa colored head on top. Really a nice looking beer. Deep, deep aroma-roasted malt and licorice. Somewhat fruity and caramel like. Thick roasted flavor. Black currants and licorice. Oakey with some great vanilla notes. Faint coffeeness to it. Very mellow sweetness. Perfect mouthfeel-doesnt finish too dry. No trace of any alcohol @ 11%. Really a fine beer and very drinkable. Perfect in all regards. Wish I had a case.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2007 00:51:08 | More by lackenhauser

hoppymeal

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours oily black in color with an orangish tan head that slowly fades and leaves some light lacing. Nice roasty aroma, some light soft sugariness and some bourbony alcohol as well, but aroma is mainly a charred, burnt roastedness, coffee like. Very smooth and creamy as it hits the tongue. Again the sweet sugariness from the malts is quite soft and subtle but lingers slightly longer than in the aroma. Sweet sugariness has some light chocolate flavor and is followed by some acidity from the roastiness creeping in and growing stronger towards the finish. This acidic roastiness blends with some decent hop bitterness. An almost nutty roastiness in the finish as well as a decent amount of alcohol. Finishes dry with some alcohol burn at the back of the throat and an anise aftertaste. Very nice and roasty, extremely well balanced beer. Mouthfeel is great start to finish. Taste is solid and fairly complex.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2007 03:55:51 | More by hoppymeal

Domingo

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev -16%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a DARK black color. Darkest beer I've ever seen! Forms a thin dark brown froth on the top.
Smells of smoky malt and like roasted coffee. Pacific northwestern Hops are in there, too.
Flavor starts off sweet, but then works it's way toward espresso and baker's chocolate. There's a little bit of spice in the finish. I think it's mainly due to the hops and maybe the licorice. As it warms, molasses starts to appear as well.
This brew is super thick, but that's good as it's a flavor bomb and needs that to keep it from seeming watery.
It starts off drinking very easy, but as you work your way down, you begin to realize what you're in for. Still, for an 11% brew, it's still amazingly easy. Definitely drinks easier than the vast majority of RIS's.
Probably the most potent Imperial Stout I've ever had, too. It doesn't quite have the flavor variety and dept of some others, but it's still excellent. I think I'm just more of a fan of the sweeter malts and dried fruit character, while this beer is all about roasted coffee character. I respect this brew a ton, but my own personal tastes lean in a slightly different direction.

(Edit, 2/14/08) I just tried the 2007 vintage and I have to say that it's MUCH more in-line with my tastes. More molasses, caramel, milk chocolate, and vanilla. It's still a little pricey and rare, but worth looking for.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2007 01:50:13 | More by Domingo

badbeer

Iowa

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

Pours out black with a large, dark tan head. The head has amazing retention and leaves plenty of lacing. Smell has a hint of hops but this one seems more about the malt. I get plenty of roasty, chocolate-y, licorice and a bit of currants in the nose. Maybe even a little bit of oak and the slightest hint of vanilla. Taste seems to begin with some bittered chocolate and some licorice before dark fruit starts to come in, it ends up with a strong, roasty finish. I seem to get a bit of oak as well, some alcohol is noticeable too. Full bodied with carbonation on the lighter side; dry, roasty finish. This one is a sipper, but a damn good one. Definitely worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2007 08:11:24 | More by badbeer

Erdinger2003

Iowa

4.2/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very thick brown head that looks great! There is a very nice lacing left behind on this black as night beer. The smell is chocolately with some coffee, the smell reminds me of a chocolate wafer. The taste is smooth and full flavor of coffee hits you right away and the chocolate is left to the aftertaste. There's a lot of burnt wood in the flavor as well, kinda like when you put charcoal from the fire in your mouth (by accident). The mouthfeel is very silky and full bodied, very nice. Overall I would have this again after aging it a year or so.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2007 07:48:54 | More by Erdinger2003

orfeu

New Mexico

5/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served at a slightly warm cellar temperature, sampled in celebration of getting my taxes done early this year. This looks absolutely incredible, with an epic burnt-sugar brown head, all creamy and dense and going nowhere fast. Cool reverse-cascade effect during the pour. The liquid itself blocks out any light source put to it -- black-hole type darkness here. Smells meaty and vinous at first. Then a bit of roasty char emerges, along with black plums, coconut, vanilla, caramel, Bing cherries, extremely mild citrusy hop notes, and just a promise of black liquorice. An amazing aroma, but the taste is mind-bogglingly complex: Big roasted black malt flavors, with dark cherries, prunes, fresh plums, raisins, all awash in just a hint of bourbon. Some char flavor sneaks in during the middle, along with vanilla notes and whispers of German chocolate cake. Black roasted finish lasts forever, it seems, with sharp vinous blackberry flavors interspersed among the panoply of burnt deliciousness and puckery oaky tannins. Alcohol flavor is noticeable, but melds expertly with bourbon accents. Slick, luxuriously silky mouthfeel. Not too heavy, but substantial all the same. The folks at Deschutes knew exactly how long to age this one before letting it out of the gate. This is something I could easily drink all night, every night if I could. Really, I couldn't ask for anything more in a Russian Imperial Stout. As close to perfection as I can imagine. I was lucky enough to get my order in to Liquid Solutions in time before these all sold out, but I wish I would have ordered more than three. At least it will be available again some time in 2008. You'd better believe I'm stocking up on this one at that time. Excellent, excellent beer. Seek out at all costs.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2007 01:29:48 | More by orfeu

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to johnmichaelsen for bringing this wonderful RIS for us to share. I had a small taste of The Abyss a few weeks ago at another BA gathering, but it was too small a sample to base a review on. Not this time. Poured from a wax sealed 22oz. bomber bottle the color of coal with a lovely two fingers of dark tan colored head. Smells of rich roasted malts and coffee, as well as dark chocolate, dried fruits, caramel, and molasses. Tastes of roasted coffee, cocoa, licorice, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla. Intense and delicious. Very smooth and full bodied. Wonderful. Do yourself a huge favor and seek this fantastic brew out. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2007 04:58:26 | More by ClockworkOrange

Phatz

Pennsylvania

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

It was a real pleasure to meet BA johnmichaelsen this weekend. Much thanks to John for bringing a real special treat. Thanks for sharing the Abyss. This is an exceptional RIS.

Appearance: Pours a perfect absolute black color with a light brown chocolaty brown head. Even in a small glass it had nice sticky lacing.

Smell: Oh my goodness this is an enticing aroma. A bouquet of delightful chocolate, roasted malts, dark fruits, licorice, molasses, hints of spiced rum and suggestion of smokiness. Let the salivating begin. This is divine.

Taste: The nose is glorious and the taste is even more rich. It is loaded with sweet dark malts, fruits and chocolate flavors. The sweet soft milky chocolaty flavors and the licorice, molasses and toffee, are balance by just the right infusion of coffee espresso hop flavors and a light alcohol feel showing through like fudgy port. MAGNIFICENT!!!

Mouthfeel: This is a rich chewy full-bodied beer. The carbonation is low giving it a silky smoothness that is ideal with its big feel and bigger flavor.

Drinkability: This is definitely a big beer in all respects but I could really enjoy sipping this slowly all night long. This is truly a work of art. A masterpiece from Deschutes Brewery.

Thanks John for bringing this all the way from Oregon so we could have a chance to try it.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2007 21:44:01 | More by Phatz

Luchman

Nevada

4.4/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black as black with a dark cocoa colored, big bubbled head. Dissipates rather quickly leaving some nice subtle lacing and clumps on the surface.

S: Smooth coffee and chocolate hit the nose first. A nice subtle oakiness is in the mix as well. Slight toffee and grassy hops.

T: Yum! The flavors here just love to "smooth" together.Coffee/roasted malts and chocolate are the leaders here surprisingly, with oak hints added. Yum. Some slight licorice, slight toffee, and a tad bit of bourbon notes round out this awesome flavor. Yum. One thing I'm wondering is... Where the hell is that 11%? Trace amounts of alcohol is around there, but nowhere does it even hint at 11%. Hops are there as well, leaving there presence on the tongue. Ends on the dry side. Again, yum!

M: Mouth feel is almost perfect. Smooth and creamy. Medium/full body with perfect carbonation.

D: My expectations for this was really high and it delivered. Definitely on my top 5 stouts, if not number one. Seek this one out for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2007 21:26:51 | More by Luchman

Wasatch

Utah

4.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2010 Vintage
22oz. Bomber/Waxed

Poured into a chalice a black color, nice carbonation, very nice one-finger plus creamy tan head which leaves some small islands and some sticky lacing behind. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. Full/Medium body, seems to me this years is very creamy, the ABV is hidden very well. Very Drinkable, another awesome batch from Deschutes.

2009 Vintage
22oz. Bomber/Black Waxed

Thanks deepsouth for this brew.

Pours a thick black color, nice carbonation, nice small creamy tan head which lasted a couple of minutes, which then left some nice thick/creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. The ABV is hidden very well. Full/Medium body, a very nice well balanced brew. Very drinkable, definitely the best brew for me from Deschutes.

2008 Vintage
22oz. Bomber/Black Waxed

Thanks JohnGalt1 for this brew.

Pours a thick black color, nice carbonation, nice small creamy tan head which lasted a couple of minutes, some oil slicks, and some nice lacing afterwards. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. The alcohol is hidden very well. Medium body, a very nice well balanced brew. Very drinkable, definitely the best brew for me from Deschutes.

2007 Vintage
22oz. Bomber/Black Waxed

Thanks JohnGalt1 and Bitterbill for this brew.

AGAIN, DAMN WHAT A FINE BREW!

Pours a thick black color, nice carbonation, nice small creamy tan head which lasted a couple of minutes, some oil slicks, and some nice lacing afterwards. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. The alcohol is hidden very well. Medium body, a very nice well balanced brew. Very drinkable, definitely the best brew for me from Deschutes.

2006 Vintage
22oz. Bomber/Waxed

Thanks msubulldog25

DAMN WHAT A FINE BREW!

Poured into a chalice a black color, nice carbonation, nice small creamy tan head which lasted a couple of minutes, some oil slicks, and some nice lacing afterwards. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. Medium body. Very drinkable, definitely the best brew for me from Deschutes.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2007 03:12:51 | More by Wasatch

isaac

Oregon

4.55/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at the horse-brass.

A - Dark, dark, dark body with a small coffee head (came to the table 1-fingered) that sinks to a film very similar to the crema on a good espresso. left chunks of lace down the glass.

S - strong, pungent chocolate and roasted malts mix with a sort of cherry-like booziness.

T - velvety bitter chocolate (like baker's cocoa), dark fruits, a sort of oaky-whiskey flavor, and ever-so-slight PNW hoppiness in the finish.

M - so damn smooth! big body with low carbonation and a pervasive creaminess.

D - such a good beer! a bit heavy to pair with a plate of fish n' chips, but both were excelent!

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2007 23:04:43 | More by isaac