The Abyss - Deschutes Brewery

NickHerrmann

North Carolina

4.94/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 Deschutes Brewery The Abyss

Bomber to a snifter

A - Motor oil black; dark brown head; some lacing.

S - DEEP dark chocolate, molasses, , coffee, malt, roasty.

T - Sweet molasses, dark/bitter chocolate, bitter hops, with sweet chocolately finish.

M - Thick!

O - Top-notch stout that lives up to it's reputation over the years!

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 18:38:04 | More by NickHerrmann

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.93/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

600ml bottle served in a snifter glass.

2009 Reserve edition. Best after: 11/1/2010 printed in the left side of the label.

A: Pours a deep brown to black color forming a absolutely beautiful creamy and thin bubbled beige to brow head. Multi tonalities of brown lacings are formed on the top. Excellent retention and only small spotty lacings left in the glass. A thin layer remains forever on the top

S: Very sweet and malty upfront. Strong notes of wood, dark chocolate and coffee. Strong notes of dark fruits, mix of grapes, raisins and figs, mainly. Licorice and caramel. Roasted malts and a some notes of alcohol in the end

T: Perfect taste. Sweet upfront with strong notes of coffee, dark chocolate, licorice, roasted malts, caramel, caramel malts, oak, grapes, raisins, figs, smoked malts... End is bitter but not extremely. Bitterness is mainly made of roasted malts than hops

M: Heavy body. Creamy and molasses. Medium to low carbonation. Roasted malts bitter aftertaste

O: Excellent drinkability. A perfect beer is hard to judge

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 17:06:55 | More by eduardolinhalis

whoneeds8

Texas

4.11/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2010 Vintage

Poured into a tulip glass black with a one finger tan head. Low retention and minimal lacing. The scent is strong of chocolate with a hint of oak. Where's the bourbon? Despite it being a 2010 vintage, alcohol is still strong in the scent. The taste is is chocolate goodness, very sweet. The licorice is faint, which is fine by me (I hate licorice). But again, where's the bourbon? There is alot of alcohol warmth with this, which might be the bourbon, but I'm missing the flavor for some reason. The body is good and thick.

I've got more vintages in my "texas cellar" (back of the fridge), so I'll have to add those over the next couple years.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 03:05:16 | More by whoneeds8

Resuin

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2012 Bomber poured into a Westvleteren Goblet. Printing on bottle reads: 11.1% ABV and Best after 11/01/13 - it's about 9 months prior to that right now.

Appearance: Pours a deep brown and leaves very little head. The name seems to be accurately picked based on the pour.

Smell: Chocolate, figs, some coffee, plums, fire/smoke. Very interesting aroma - I can tell that this one will change a lot as it ages.

Taste: Dark chocolate, molasses, some vanilla, as well as some figs and plums. Very interesting, and different from other barrel aged brews I've had. A hint of cherry in there as well which is great.

Mouth-feel: Quite thick, but the carbonation is evident. Quite nice to chew around a bit to feel out all the flavors. Quite complex.

Overall: This is a very interesting brew. As I said earlier, I can tell this one will definitely change with age. It is very enjoyable right now though - so many flavors in this one. It has a nice smokiness to it that really makes it stand out from other barrel aged stouts. This is a classic and I recommend it to all.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 06:50:57 | More by Resuin

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.56/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to Libbey for this one... 2012 Vintage.

A: Pours pitch back with one full finger of fluffy mocha latte colored head. The foam takes awhile to settles, and there is a serious amount of lacing left on the class as it drinks. This beer also has some nice legs.

S: The nose is milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cream, licorice, and burnt toast. It smells excellent.

T: It starts out creamy and sweet with the chocolate notes coming on strong first. Some of the burnt toast aspects filter into the middle as the beer gets a bit more bitter. The sweetness returns a bit in the finish, where is mixes very well with the bitters.

M: Full bodied beer. Sweet and coating to start, coating and bitter in the middle, and it has a mix mix of each in the finish. It's smooth, creamy, and dangerously easy to drink.

O: This is a phenomenal beer. One of my favorites for the style. I look forward to having a few of these each year.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 20:58:02 | More by trxxpaxxs

BierJager89

California

4.84/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bomber into a St. Bernardus Goblet. 2012 Reserve, Feb '13.

A: 5/5 Pours black. Blacker than black. A terminus of all light, as not one single photon passes through with a glorious crown the hue of mud. Utterly beautiful and inviting.

S: 4.75/5 Nose is complex and decadent. Roasted malt, vanilla, licorice, cherry, chocolate , oak. Layered and balanced in perfect equilibrium. Inviting. Not quite as much vanilla or barrel character as I would have liked, but the nose is glorious nonetheless.

T: 4.75/5. Chocolate. Cherry. Molasses. Tart red wine. Flavor after flavor mixes and melds it's way into the palate. Complex and delicious. Oak, vanilla, licorice, a touch of alcohol and bitter dark roast coffee give way to a finish and aftertaste of chocolate, red wine, alcohol and dark coffee. Again, lacking in bourbon character, which is not surprising since only 6% is bourbon barrel aged, but necessary for a perfect score in my book.  Delicious. Nearly perfect.

M: 5/5 Full bodied and silky/creamy smooth. Some alcohol astringency marres what is otherwise the perfect imperial stout mouthfeel, until it's warmer. When it warmer it has no taste or feel of alcohol.

O: 5/5 Not perfect, not the nectar of the gods, but closer to perfection than 4.5. Vanilla and chocolate become more prominent as it warms and stretches for perfection. A true beast of an imperial stout, that could be perfect if it were aged for a year or two in 100% bourbon barrels or a mix of bourbon and rye, but the wine barrel lend an unwelcome tartness to the abyss. I will absolutely try this beer again. It's utterly delicious and among the best beers I've ever had to date (it was number 666 for me). 99/100

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:09:19 | More by BierJager89

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.64/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Bomber to a snifter, tried this fresh on several occasions

A - pitch, motor oil black. Small amount of dark brown foam, a rIng retains, some lacing.

S - hardcore dark chocolate, molasses, more chocolate, coffee, malt, roast, awesome

T - heavy sweet molasses, then dark/bitter chocolate, then bitter hops, then sweet chocolate finish. Pretty damn good.

M - thick, chewy, minimal carb. Top notch.

O - A fantastic stout that doesn't rely on barrel aging to brIng it through. Excellent beer, can't wait to try some vintages.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 06:23:38 | More by Beerandboards

Cvescalante

Texas

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

A- Black and beautiful with a fluffy tan head

S- Woody and roasted as soon as you crack it open. Hints of dark fruit and semi sweet chocolate chips. So lovely!

T- Same as the smell. Some nice warm booze as well. It changes as you drink it. Very nice and complex.

M- THICK and velvety smooth

O- Heaven in a glass! If you're lucky enough to enjoy this brew, then savor the heck out of it! Best beer purchase I've ever made by far!

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 02:55:38 | More by Cvescalante

deereless

Colorado

4.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

2012 Reserve Batch A: Nice thick head with solid lacing and good retention, obsidian black that blocks all light, a swirl of the glass indicates noticeable viscosity – 5.00, S: The smell is quite boozy and with loads of licorice, there is also a good deal of char/ash and a thick sweetness that resonates on the nose, reminds me of dark fruitcake, oak is detectable but not aggressive, in the depths of the beer I detect a slight melon - 4.50, T: For a monster of a beer this has a wonderfully smooth flow, very slight astringency, licorice and pureed raisin, a little burn from the alcohol but nothing offensive, lots of roasted malts and sharp bitter bakers chocolate – 4.5, M: Mild grittiness and delicate syrupiness – 4.5, D: Extremely drinkable for an 11.1% beer, I ignored the ‘Best After’ date of Nov 1, 2013 by several months which may have compromised the experience a bit, but overall this is an exceptional beer – 5.0

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 13:47:16 | More by deereless

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.56/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 batch. Poured from a waxed bomber into a Victory tulip

A- pours jet black with a one finger dark brown head that fades quickly. Dear god, a luxurious, beautiful pour...love it

S- lots of chocolate and some mild bourbon heat. Awesome

T- bourbon, chocolate, and wow. Holy crap is this flavorful and delicious

M- huge body. Super thick. Wow

O- yeah, this is pretty awesome. Perfectly balanced and delicious

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 02:15:21 | More by bigfnjoe

standardcherry

Massachusetts

3.56/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle (2011 vintage) poured into a snifter.

A: Beautiful pitch black beer with a nice mocha head that leaves amazing lacing.
S: Smell is very faint. Small amounts of dark chocolate, some dark fruits and not much else. Tiny amount of oak.
T: Disappointing. Very bitter chocolate and licorice. Kinda bland to be honest.
M: Thin/medium bodied. Thinner than I expected for sure. Dry finish. Leaves a weird film in the mouth and bitterness stays lingering for so long. Feeling reminds me of my mouth as I leave the dentist. Not pleasant.
O: This was a disappointing beer. Smells good, tastes alright but the mouthfeel just makes it a mess. Surprising because this has been properly cellared at 55 degrees since purchased. Given the high praise though I'll give the benefit of the doubt. I'd definitely be willing to try it again to see if it was just a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 04:58:55 | More by standardcherry

JamesShoemaker

New York

3.68/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

22 oz bottle poured into my snifter. One of two bottles I got in a great trade with Kenye. Thanks again for parting with those gems man!

A - wow, big black pour from the bottle to the glass. Very little translucency even on the periphery. HUGE head on the semi-forced pour, almost half the glass, incredibly viscous. The foam is dark brown and recedes quickly. Very nice.

S - from the glass, honestly, all I get is sweet malts. Surprisingly empty. However, I give a 4 because, as I was pouring it, even though my face was more than a foot away, I picked up some of the wine and oak notes that the front of the bottle boasts.

T - incredibly disappointing. I get very little of the malts and almost a full on blast of the fruity bitters. This is unlike any other stout I've ever had, but not in a good way. Super bitter and stale. I should've waited to open this as instructed on the bottle!!!

M - blech. The bitterness clings to the cheeks relentlessly. The alcohol content is too substantial, even at 11%. There is a little redemption in the creamy texture.

O - a huge disappointment, but it's my own damn fault. I really should have waited at least a year...at least I have another one to age.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 01:59:28 | More by JamesShoemaker

Braz

Washington

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

Got a bottle at Tacoma Boys. This is the 2012 offering.
Pours a rich molasses color, with a creamy tan head that recedes down to some light bubbles.
Aromas of wine and cocoa. Some coffee and dark chocolate as well.
Big bold heavy flavor. Chocolate and wine. Interesting and enhanced by the silky creamy texture. Dry heavy alcohol, metallic aftertaste. Texture is very good. One to savor for sure. Great beer. The aftertaste is slightly offputting to me but not so much that it ruins it. This kind of reminds of a valentines day type beer, with the chocolate and wine.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 15:25:54 | More by Braz

cradke

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

2010 VIntage poured into CBS tulip.

Appearance: Pours jet black. Thin to be expected for a beer with some age on it.

Smell: Bourbon!!! Molasses, dark fig. Lots of Bourbon.

Taste: Bourbon again, sweet, almost to cloying, Licorice and some dark candy.

Mouth feel: Viscous a little thin and a little hot. The thinness is to be expected with some age so it's not too much of a turn off.

Overall: Good but not integrated enough. A bit too sweet and bourbon heavy. I should add a foot note that I prefer non BA beers to BA versions, but this one is sooo Bourbon Heavy it's a little off putting. Just wasn't integrated enough.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 02:12:36 | More by cradke

nkeckhar

New York

3.64/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

2012 Vintage

Served in Deschutes Tulip.

Aroma: Coffee, Carmel, Booze
Appearance: Pours a jet black color with pretty much no head
Flavor: The flavor felt a little roasted to me with a notch of sweetness. It just felt bland and unmemorable.
Palate: Thick and oily
Overall Impression: I was shocked that I didn’t like this more. I’ve been wanting to try this beer for a while. I have some 2010 and 2011 Vintages that I am still excited to try and feel like this might've just needed more time to condition. I drank the bottle 10 days after the '12 release. That said, I still think this is an above average beer, but I think my expectations exceeded what I got.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 18:05:50 | More by nkeckhar

LinusBohman

Sweden

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

2009 edition, served into a snifter, shared with Asgeirr on a sunny evening in the arctic spring 2012.

A: Abyssmal darkness that descends into the utter void of reality. The light is banished from this infernal brew. Beautiful fluffy crown worthy an emperor. Perfect look!

S: The essential smell is cherryinfused dark chocolate. Alongside we pick up scents like butter, dark molasses, vanilla perfectly integrated with subtle earthiness.

T: Dark fruit, plums at first and then dark chocolate, soysauce, vanilla. There's also a burnt touchdrop of coffee and at the very end a hint of some tart chewy apples. Oh, the complexity!

M: Full, medium carbonation. Creamy. Lays gently on your tounge and whispers smoothly to your palate while creating gastronomic extasy!

O: Could this beer be better? I don't think so. It's got everything you could aske for in an imperial stout and all the tastes and smells are delicately integrated and balanced. This is the first beer I am willing to give straight A's! I went into the abyss and came back a changed man, an enlightened man.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 10:35:24 | More by LinusBohman

vonnegut21

New York

4.3/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a thick, hearty black with a huge, billowing toffee colored head.

S: Big roasted malt and coffee notes. Bitter baker's chocolate and a hint of vanilla follow.

T: Lots of toasted malt and bitter chocolate. Coffee, caramel and vanilla notes are present. Mild oak characterand a lingering sweetness follow.

M: Big, thick, hearty and creamy. An excellentbody for an imperial stout.

O: A really nice, roasty, thick imperial stout. I would love more barrel character, but still an excellent beer. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 01:46:29 | More by vonnegut21

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

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

4.94/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2011 batch poured into a Hardywood GBS snifter. I have to admit this review is a bit bias, I am somewhat new to the game of aging beers (abt 2 years) I have tried some hyped beers and I am cellaring others, other than a 2009 Stone IRS which I just opened this past christmas, this is the first hyped beer that I've had that has been aged properly, about 15 months. Pours a dense black, i've seen worse reading some of the ratings i've read, with a very thin lacing. On the nose you pick up different notes each sniff, caramel, coffee, oak, toffee, chocolate, licorice. I take my first sip and i'm done. This is one of the most smooth, complex imperial stouts i have ever tasted. I am not worthy, one of the best beers I've ever had, going to drink the rest of this in peace. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 04:31:45 | More by HopHeadCnK

MNBEERFAN

Minnesota

4.19/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

First review. Appearance is dark with 1 finger of off white/brownish 1 finger head.

Smell- Dark fruit with background dark chocolate.

Taste: I'm picking up dark chocolate but also cinnamon and dark fruit.

mouthfeel: Full and rich. really nice

Overall: Very nice and happy to have some extra bottles for aging. I think oakey notes will be well developed.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 01:24:12 | More by MNBEERFAN

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

4.19/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Presentation: 2011 vintage, 'Best After 8-4-12'. This is brewed with blackstrap molasses, licorice, with cherry bark and vanilla added. 6% was aged in bourbon barrels, 11% in oak barrels, and 11% in wine barrels. Poured into two Chimay chalices to split with my wife to celebrate my 30th birthday...stepping into the abyss as it were...

Appearance: Viscous dark brown on the pour, to utter black in the goblet. Large mocha cap (surprising for the age and abv) with nice stick.

Smell: Nose is rich dark chocolate, maybe a bit of brownie batter, dry roasted grain, a bit of generic dark red fruit, and ghost of booziness. Rich and inviting.

Taste: Wow. As much as Dark Lord disappointed me, Abyss lives up to what I expected. It starts a dark red fruitiness and semi-sweet dark chocolate before moving onto dry, dusty burnt grains. Sweet, viscous beer, but it ends relatively dry, with a somewhat bitter bite with what might be a touch of oak tannin as well. Alcohol is present, readily perceived, but not at all hot; it's well integrated and actually adds to the enjoyment of the beer. Good stuff.

Mouthfeel: Rich, but with enough carbonation to keep it from being heavy.

Overall: Finally, a 'big boy' beer that lives up to the hype! I was infinitely disappointed in Dark Lord after pining after it for several years, but I can honestly say I'm not at all disappointed with this. The bitterness actually gets stronger throughout the glass to the point it's almost a bit much, and it's clear that this beer could EASILY and gracefully handle another two years in the bottle. Nonetheless, I'm really bummed out that I missed the 2012 vintage. Good stuff!

93-94/100 A

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 02:10:23 | More by BedetheVenerable

Spectre

California

3.76/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A. black with a light brown head.

S. Coco aroma.

T. Reminds me of dark chocolate mixed with water. Must age if you want more sweetness.

M. Thinner than I would expect. Goes well with chocolate candy, preferably milk chocolate.

Overall can be placed with heavy hitter stouts but will fall last in line.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 22:13:46 | More by Spectre

beerdrifter

Germany

4.18/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Picked this up in a great trade with Mar02x! Pitch black pour with a beautiful two finger caramel colored head with decent retention and nice lacing. The nose is dark and roasty mocha initially and opens up nicely with big vinous notes and hints of licorice, black cherries, booze, vanilla and coffee. The taste is just as bold and complex with lots of wood and roasty dark chocolate along with hints of burnt coffee, molasses, licorice, oak, leather, black cherries, and vanilla. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with a ton of vinous character and a great bitter warming booze burn on the finish. Overall, I really like how the wine barrel aging emerged and really gave it a unique character that makes it stand out from many of the other big barrel aged stouts. Thanks Mark!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 20:12:34 | More by beerdrifter

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.34/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Good after 11/1/13 bomber poured in to a snifter

A - nice dark midnight look with hints of brown; mocha looking 1/8th of an inch head; some bubbles and retention in there

S - chocolate covered cherries; oak char; burnt sugar; some dark grapes or grape juice; that molasses flavor

T - coffee; dark chocolate; subtle cherry; burnt oak; bitter hops; roasted caramel and chocolate malts; that grape/vinous flavor; nuanced vanilla

M - surprisingly really smooth; a little bitter with the coffee notes; heavy bodied but still smooth; pleasantly light carbonation

O - I realize I've opened this beer prematurely, but I'm sitting on half a case of 2012s and need to know what this beer drinks like; it's damn good, complex, sweet, bitter, roasty, all of the above wo being overly so in any vein; somehow it's really even-keeled given all the complexity. The oak-wine elements are perfectly sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 02:31:08 | More by SkeeterBoganski

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