Mirror Mirror - Deschutes Brewery

Reino

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is my third go-round with the 2009 batch. I drank the 2005 a few times this year, and it was amazing. Excited for what my bottles will become with time, but thought I'd review it fresh and then re-review it every year.

Appearance- Poured into my Smokestack chalice, a fat finger of faint tan head rises atop a glowing amber body. The head dissipates somewhat quickly, and leaves little lacing (which I don't hold against the beer as this glass is yet to lace well for me).

Smell- Boozy dark fruits, caramel, piney hops, and green wood. There might be a lot going on in the nose, but the aroma isn't strong enough to pick up the more subtle notes.

Taste- The beer greets my tongue with a woody, earthy caramel followed by booze, and picks up citrus and earthy hops along the way. There are dark fruits in the middle to end (raisin, dates etc) and over ripened green apples that come off as tannic and astringent. There's also that brown sugar sweetness in there that is quite pleasant for awhile(like a more subtle Brown Shugga) but is wiped out by the way the beer finishes. There's not a ton going on in this beer right now, and what is going on is quite average and uninspired compared to other BW's (American and English). I hope this beer ages as well as it's bro from 2005.

MF- Low-medium carbonation, with a smooth, medium-full body. The hops, booze, and whatever is giving off that astringency dry out the mouth and cling to the edges of my tongue and roof of my mouth; otherwise, a fabulous feel for a BW. Again, I feel like this will be refined with time.

Drinkability- I'll finish this bomber myself, but it'd be better shared at this point. There's nothing really wrong with MM, but it's just boring and unrefined right now. I shouldn't have any trouble leaving my bottles in the cellar alone for a few years.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2009 04:44:49 | More by Reino

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3/5  rDev -28.6%

05-18-2013 22:04:20 | More by Photekut

Kopfschuss

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

05-17-2013 07:13:29 | More by Kopfschuss

Skunkdrool

California

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

05-10-2013 19:12:24 | More by Skunkdrool

gratefulbeerhead

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

04-30-2013 02:03:53 | More by gratefulbeerhead

BigJK

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

04-29-2013 06:18:00 | More by BigJK

fox227

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

04-23-2013 03:48:14 | More by fox227

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

04-21-2013 01:19:17 | More by mikeincharleston

Kelp

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

04-15-2013 06:06:07 | More by Kelp

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.8%

04-11-2013 03:17:44 | More by orangesol

riored4v

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2009 release enjoyed on 4/9/13

Poured in to a tulip with a crystal clear, ruby colored body. 1/4 finger, khaki colored head.

Aroma was of dark fruits, cherries, caramel, molasses and subtle amounts of chocolate. Some light raisin and mild earthyness. Light vanilla/barrel notes.

Taste was excellent. Still some light alcohol warmth and heat with a mellow bitterness. Good amounts of dark fruits, prunes and raisin. Malty and biscuity with good amounts of caramel. Some light vanilla and oak notes. Slightly floral in the finish. Mildly sweet.

Medium/heavy mouthfeel, medium carb and a sticky finish that turned dry.

Overall this was great. Bottle says to enjoy after 4/20/10, so I'm almost 2 years past that point and the flavors really melded together.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 00:37:20 | More by riored4v

artoolemomo

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

04-01-2013 03:16:07 | More by artoolemomo

andrew84

Vermont

4/5  rDev -4.8%

03-26-2013 02:27:02 | More by andrew84

Sparky44

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.8%

03-23-2013 20:29:12 | More by Sparky44

JRod1969

New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

03-11-2013 02:38:28 | More by JRod1969

CoryR

Oregon

4/5  rDev -4.8%

03-07-2013 03:35:44 | More by CoryR

Pattelbert

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.8%

03-05-2013 18:06:11 | More by Pattelbert

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.8%

02-26-2013 23:43:27 | More by williamjbauer

LambicKing

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.8%

02-24-2013 01:02:55 | More by LambicKing

Hanzo

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.8%

02-23-2013 21:28:03 | More by Hanzo

chugamugofsud

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

02-20-2013 19:24:15 | More by chugamugofsud

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

2009 vintage. Poured from 22 oz bottle into a glass.

A- pours dark copper with a half finger off-white head. Minimal lacing on the glass.

S- caramel, light dark fruits

T- sweet caramel, toffee, oak, faint bourbon

M- medium body and carbonation. Smooth and slightly syrupy.

O- milder BA Barleywine. Has nice sweet malts and dark fruit notes.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 04:42:56 | More by kawilliams81

jvillefan

California

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

01-30-2013 18:49:13 | More by jvillefan

DmanGTR

New York

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

01-29-2013 03:09:06 | More by DmanGTR

oline73

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

01-28-2013 14:17:45 | More by oline73