Mirror Mirror - Deschutes Brewery

jbakajust1

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Lucky to score a 12oz pour of the 2005/06 into a tear drop @ Bier Stein... 6 year old Mirror Mirror, umm, yes please.

A - Pours a hazy burnt orange w/ 1 finger beige head that fades quick to a ring and slick, no lace, has legs though, and the carbonation is rolling up the glass.

S - Smells of big sweet malts, toffee, caramel, sweet alcohol, dark dried fruits, light spiciness, light chocolate, light vanilla and oak. Oxidized.

T - Big toffee and caramel tastes, chocolate, fruits/dates & raisins, spicy alcohol, oxidized/sherry notes as well.

M - Medium/full body, firm, but not intense, bitterness, sweet, spicy, coats the entire mouth, alcohol is there and warms, but isn't harsh or hot at all.

O - Awesome. I love a good English BW, and this one takes the cake for sure. Little oxidized, but what do you expect from a 6 year old beer? Big malts, smooth, alcohol is nice, bitterness isn't tongue scraping. Oakiness is present but not dominant. Another score for Deschutes.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2011 19:44:53 | More by jbakajust1

eclipse54

Idaho

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this one on tap at Bittercreek Alehouse in downtown Boise. It was the 2009 version, suggesting the keg had been cellared away for about two years. Served to me in an oversized wine glass, this review is from notes taken on 06/30/2011...

Sitting at the bar, I was able to watch the pour. It was a dark brown color that was nearly opaque save for the edges. A champagne-like, overly bubbly, khaki head developed and lingered for quite some time. Smell was of sweet caramel, sugar, dark fruits, and some unexpected sour apple. This apple flavor was quite prevalent in the taste, but not bad by any means. It was complimented well by strong caramel, dark fruit, and faint hazelnut. Mouthfeel was almost over-carbonated, but only almost; very sweet with a dry finish. Overall, a great barleywine that has aged fairly well; I’m glad I made the effort to try it.

It seems, with the sour apple notes, this one may have had an inkling of the infection, but it hadn't taken over and dominated yet. It was still very well received and, had I known no better, I would have assumed the apple was intentional.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2011 00:41:48 | More by eclipse54

HuskyinPDX

Washington

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

This batch was "lost" in the warehouse. On tap at the PDX pub on 7.28.11.

A - Pours a dark brown with a hint of ruby red. No head at all, just a few tan bubbles around the edges.

S - Dark fruit, raisins, oaky.

T - Sweet raisins, oak, citrusy tangerine.

D - Low carbonation and oily, winelike in the mouth.

O - I really enjoyed it, but the sweetness was a bit much for a 85 degree day in Portland.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2011 19:58:59 | More by HuskyinPDX

ehammond1

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

A dark auburn with a thin white cap. Sheets of lacing run down the glass.

A hugely aromatic and very interesting beer. I smell a lot of fruits, namely cherries and sweet berries, along with quite a bit of caramel sweetness, some earthy notes, and a slight twang of whiskey and oak. Pretty incredible!

A sticky and sweet barleywine with a heavy presence of sweet fruits, namely cherry. There's an earthy and woody presence here, a touch of warm alcohol, a syrupy floral flavor--this is delicious!

A relatively thick mouthfeel, though the sweetness helps cut that a touch.

A sweet, delicious, complex, interesting sipper. A real treat! I wish i had bottles and bottles of this--this beer seems like it needs exploring!

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 03:56:26 | More by ehammond1

dvsbizzyb

California

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

Had this on tap at Beer Revolution in Oakland.

Appearance - Nice amber copper with average lacing.

Smell - Very pleasing sweet dark fruit aroma.

Taste - Slight hoppyness with notes of tropical fruits. Caramel sweetness runs in the background.

Mouthfeel - Medium carbonation with a smooth finish.

Overall - Solid overall, but doesn't knock my socks off.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 03:31:20 | More by dvsbizzyb

nataku00

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap into a tulip glass. Half finger of head over a slightly hazy dark orange beer. Light lacing but visible carbonation in the glass.

Caramel toffee and citrus dominate the nose. Light hoppiness but the other aromas make it smell delicious.

Follows the nose in initial sweetness but the hops make for a nice bitterness at the back of the tongue. Well balanced and very enjoyable.

Smooth light bubble carbonation combined with medium body for a good mouthfeel.

Decently drinkable and delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 00:57:03 | More by nataku00

oregone

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I have a hard time not giving a glowing review to a beer from Deschutes reserve lineup. They all beg to be tried. This one just didn't do it for me.
Attractive.
Sweet smelling.
Sweet tasting.
Sticky.
Not much else.
Could I drink a couple of these? Sure. I have. But the point is that I'd rather order something else next time as it becomes a bit monotonous and overbearing. With this potency of flavor I'd expect more than just punchy caramel and malt, but it lacks complexity and distinctive character. Some time would surely help. For now: Not great. Not my favorite. Not better in bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2010 08:29:11 | More by oregone

BigV

California

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This was an excellent beer!

(A) pours reddish orange with a nice, soft head.

(S) sweet pineapple and sweet apricot with a little bit of citrus

(T) oak and wood with apricot and some currant.

(M) malty body, sat nice in the mouth

(D) Was very satisfied with this beer. It was exceptional and I can't wait to try it again. The alcohol is very hidden and it's just an overall GREAT beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2010 18:29:39 | More by BigV

blackc5

Washington

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap, tulip glass, at probably around 55F or so - I let this warm a bit before tasting.

A - A gorgeous mahagony amber, with offwhite head. Just a smidgeon of light lacing is left behind as I sip.

S - Somewhat pedestrian for a barleywine, I was expecting a bit more in the nose. Some dark fruit and sweet caramel. Very little in the way of hops in the nose.

T - Quite a bit better and more diverse than the aromas. Lots of dark fruit flavors here - rum raisins, plum, prunes. Good caramel maltiness as well. Some other fruit like banana as it warms. Again, not overly much in hops, just a bit of floral bitterness in the aftertaste. Quite enjoyable overall.

M - A minor quibble, but I found this to be a bit on the thin side. Would love to see a bit more chewiness on this.

D - Alchohol is very well hidden. Although 'thin', the complex flavor profile really help this one stand out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2010 22:12:57 | More by blackc5

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

GOOOD!
Poured a nice deep amber color, good carbonation with a small white head. Nose is malty, caramel and bown sugar. Taste is sweet-brown sugar, well hopped, ABV is disguised, has a very smooth, sherry like feel, so smooth and balanced. Mouthfeel is exceptional and medium bodied but very good overall. Mouthfeel is well balanaced and tasty. EXCEPTIONAL barleylywine!

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2010 04:00:53 | More by barleywinefiend

itsromy

California

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A barleywine that doesn't really taste as heavy nor as strong as barleywines usually taste... Don't worry though, that's a good thing!! A nice aroma coming from the inch of head from my small tulip glass. Feels awesome going down and tastes wonderful. I couldn't drink too many of these as they do pack a punch...

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2010 11:47:17 | More by itsromy

jdense

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted at 2009 HAF, promoted as "Lost Barrel" found in Bend location, no vintage given.

Dark amber body minimal head. Sweetish nose with noticeable alcohol. Very well balanced, the prolonged barrel aging has really mellowed the hop presence. Vanilla up front, a bit of chocolate, and a pretty malty profile. Smooth mouthfeel, A truly great example of the style, and what prolonged barrel aging can contribute to beers. While a bit potent for everyday consumption, quite drinkable for style. Very highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2009 18:01:39 | More by jdense

womencantsail

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this awhile back on tap at Stone but I forgot to put my review up.

A: A lovely dark golden brown color with some nice hints of red and a white foam.

S: Nice sweet, brown sugar smell, honey, and some caramel/toffee. A bit of hoppiness, but it's minimal. A bit of vanilla and oak mixed in there somewhere.

T: Great mix of flavors here. Like the nose indicates, tons of sweetness here, but not overwhelmingly malty. Lots of caramel, molasses, and brown sugar. Some dark fruit flavors are present, mainly plums, along with some orange. The oak is again present, and a nice sweet finish. A bit boozy because it is so "fresh".

M: Huge body, nice and smooth, without much carbonation.

D: You wouldn't normally think of a barleywine as drinkable, but this beer is just so complex and delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2009 23:24:40 | More by womencantsail

joebrewer

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

C: clear brown with a little yellow.

S: little smell. too bad.

T: sweet caramel, less hops than I expected. Some yeast esters coming through, but they seem to bring out the heat of the alcohol, which detracts from the beer.

Despite being paired with the best pretzel I ever had and my first visit to Stone's bistro, I can't give this any higher marks. Perhaps it was the more restrained approach to the style. I will have to revisit eventually.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2009 21:42:12 | More by joebrewer

sensorglitch

Ontario (Canada)

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

I had this beer at the Beer fest in Seattle. The beer was excellent, I had four ounces of it, the taste was good, I liked the way it looked, I could actually picture myself drinking it, which was good. Also the mouth feel was good, it was a little odd in the mouth taste, but I think that might have been from the way it was served.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2009 01:21:30 | More by sensorglitch

kdoc8

Oregon

5/5  rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this on tap at the Bier Stein as well as from a bottle poured into a glass goblet. Wow. You can smell this thing from a foot away. It pours out with a deep reddish-brown color and a nice foamy white head. The smell is earthy and oaky, but at the same time fruity, as of cherries or cranberries. The taste is amazing...so many different types of malts, but it's ultimately very fruity and mainly I taste cherry...though there is a sweeter and deeper undertone there as well. You can barely taste the alcohol, making this one of the most drinkable barelywines I've ever encountered. None of that gagging, pure ethanol, or overwhelming ripe fruit taste going on here that one can often get with a barelywine. I'd even drink this in a season that's not winter, that's how good it is. Great great stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2009 07:05:28 | More by kdoc8

Alphadog

California

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

On tap at The Trappist, Oakland CA, served in house goblet.

Bright copper color, big bubbley froth disappating to persistent ring.

Aromas of pear & apple, oak, and big booze, very little in the way of hops.

Flavors are pleasantly light for a bw, slight dryness in the finish w lingering tartness - many bws require effort to chew through, this slips down all too easily.

Overall, very nice though a bit young - looking forward to this in a year or five.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2009 01:47:23 | More by Alphadog

snaotheus

Washington

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Malt & Vine in Redmond, WA.

Pours amber ruby, thin head and light but persistent lacing. Low carbonation. Smell is mild nuts and must.

Taste is malt, light nuttiness, slight astringence, and very mild charcoal smoke. A tiny bit of molasses taste and a hint of hops in the primarily alcohol bitterness.

Mouthfeel is dense and slightly sticky. Surprising mellowness but full body make it very drinkable brew. Very enjoyable!

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2009 00:55:25 | More by snaotheus

washburnkid

New York

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

On tap at the Davis Grad. Served in a chalice.

A: Dark mahogany with copper edges. Small head dissipates quickly, leaving a thin ring for the drawn out session.
S: Bready malts, dark fruit, and berries all grace my nose with their presence. Each of these aromas is pronounced.
T: Similar to the nose. There's a big ethanol/alcohol warmth that's present, but it doesn't rear its head until the end of the sip. The tastes are big and malty, slightly toasted bread comes to mind. There are also yummy esters of dark berries, dates, and maybe black currant. A candied sugar and caramel sweetness becomes stronger and stronger with warmth. Not a ton of hop notes here that I can discern, but I'm sure they're there somewhere...
M: Medium body, somewhat creamy mouthfeel. Lower to medium carbonation.
D: This beer is so complex, and dangerously good. I look forward to cracking open my bottles in a year or so.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2009 05:27:44 | More by washburnkid

Mauerhan

California

4.72/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at beachwood. thank you gabe for having this on tap.

pours a beautiful dark amber with a big fluffy two finger off white/khaki head.as it falls it leaves a massive amount of lacing. and a nice lair of film up top. beautiful.

smell is full of caramel and red apples. oak and earthy tones. this beer is fantastic.

taste is remarkably complex. I get a wide variety of flavors. while cold mostly caramel but as it warms wood tones plus a combo of red apples reduced in brown suggar come through. I have had to push this away a few times to prevent myself from gulping this down.

overall this is a beautiful beer. I am very happy to have a few to cellar. worth every penny.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2009 00:05:18 | More by Mauerhan

DiabolikDUB

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 On-Tap at the Portland Brew Pub into a Snifter glass.

Pours a brilliant burgandy that glows in the snifter with a fine white head that laces the glass beautifully. Aroma has dried fruit (figs, apricots, raisins), some earthy hops and a touch of booze and oak. The flavor has tart dried fruit, brown sugar and hints of oak with a earthy bitterness that lasts. Its medium-bodied and very sticky. Coats your mouth with every sip and extremely enjoyable. Very balanced for being such a young Barleywine.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2009 05:27:34 | More by DiabolikDUB

RedDiamond

Oregon

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2005 Vintage: Somehow four years passed between the premier of Mirror Mirror barleywine and my first opportunity to try it. I like to think MM was just biding its time waiting for the right opportunity to present itself to my palate. After a leisurely snifter of the 2005 vintage, I'm sure that must be the case.

Actually, my first snifter was of the 2009 version though I had the presence of mind to get a sample of the 2005 for comparison. In truth, there's no comparison. The 2009 is clear mahogany red, while the 2005 is clouded tawny. Appearances suggest the two beers are not merely of different vintages, but of different recipes. The 2009 was still hot and bitterly untamed while the 2005 had aged gracefully into an exotic meld of dried fruit and honey emitting a perfect aroma of raisin and fruitcake. The 2005 was treated to eight months of aging in four different barrels - American oak, pinot, port, and bourbon. The most prominent of these contributing elements is a graceful wash of vanilla.

Most of the hops have broken down in the 2005, leaving a barleywine of heightened sweetness whose concealment of its 11.5% ABV makes it dangerously drinkable. I'd urge anyone to get as much of the 2005 as they can. The 2009 however, still needs time.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2009 01:11:23 | More by RedDiamond

Magpie14

Michigan

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

A glass of the Vintage 2005 during the one-year anniversary at the Deschutes Ale House downtown

A: clouded crimson and deep cider intertwining with caramel, amber and light tan hues....things are shaping up nicely in the snifter. A soft ring of foam permeates the inner walls of the class and leaves a perfect foamed circle. This desperate foaminess leaves trickles of sporadic lace. The snifter walls remain mostly clean otherwise

S: big caramel toffee notes with toasted malts. The only other smell I can conjure up is a low-key profile of yeast and bread. Hops, if any, seem masked in the back of sweet chunky caramel

T: warm and soothing toasted malt caramel profile with the addition of ABV. The alcohol is hardly noticeable but has a nice subtle warming effect. Most of the flavors are concentrated with toasted caramel. As far as I can tell, in comparison to the bottle, this is a bit sweeter. I find the malts still somewhat subdued and faintly hidden in the back amongst buttery brown sugar and caramel flavors. However, things seem a bit smoother and more balanced...maybe. Kind of a toss up? I can pull up some fruit notes such as sugary cherries and raspberries. The after taste is nicely cloyingly sweet with malted notes, a pinot oaked character, and a few just shy of tropical fruit characters...very faint

M: essentially a dream on the tongue and smoothed creamy. Body is not heavy and yet maintains a sticky sweetness that pushes at mild to medium with drinkability in first order

D: hard to compare to the bottle I had week ago (I know I shouldn't). I really think the bottle of '09 exuded many fresher flavors, mostly in the hop category. The '09 is not as cloying sweet and rich, it has a better hop-cutter flavor in the mix. Don't get me wrong; both are great, I just found myself wishing for a bigger hop presence in the '05. In any event this is just absolute top notch stuff

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2009 02:48:12 | More by Magpie14

HopHead84

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2005 Vintage. On tap at Deschutes in Portland. Poured by the bartender into a large snifter. The beer appears rusty orange with a small white head.

The aroma is rich and mellow. It's of sweet toffee and rich caramel. Dark fruits and alcohol mingle with a small earthy hop character. Alcohol is prominent in the nose.

The flavor is of sweet toffee and dark fruits. There's a low level of hop bitterness, and just a touch of citrus. Other notes are of caramel, leather, and dates. The alcohol character is strong, but compliments the rich caramel and toffee sweetness. The finish is long with a warming alcohol effect.

The beer is medium bodied with a low level of carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, and viscous.

2009 Vintage. On tap at Deschutes in Portland. Poured into a large snifter by the bartender. I can't believe this is only $4. The beer appears deep copper, much darker than the 2005 vintage. The off white head has decent retention.

The aroma is of sweet toffee and caramel, with a strong hop presence. Grapefruit and pine compete with the rich malt profile. A hint of raisins is noticeable, as well as some alcohol.

The bitterness is more pronounced here than in the aged 2005 vintage. The hops impart a low level of citrus and a bit of pine. The malt is of toffee and caramel and struggles to best the hops...I think it fails. The alcohol is decently hidden by the big flavors of this beer.

The beer is medium bodied with good carbonation (on tap of course). I have a few bottles of this and I can't wait to watch the hops fade and the malt become more complex as this big beer ages.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2009 06:03:40 | More by HopHead84

OlieIPA

California

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

Enjoyed on tap at Stone Brewery with my good friends PatronWizard and Aimstatus.

A: The first thing I noticed was the very appealing dark amber and red hues this brew exhibited...beautiful. On the other, the head and lacing were unappealing and basically non-existent; nothing to write home about.

S: The malts and spices are very well balanced, which enhance the potent molasses, caramel and candied-apple aromas.

T: After guzzling down a few gulps, I began to notice the lack of alcohol presence this brew had. When I went to look at the "Stone Tap List", Mirror Mirror was listed as have a 9.86% ABV brew. I later found this was false...it turned out to be 11% ABV, which is even more amazing. Anyways, the flavor profile was just like the aroma indicated: caramel, molasses, apple and an added citrus quality. Underlying spice profile was an added bonus too.

M: Full-body, slight carbonation, and velvety/creamy mouthfeel. Great!

D: After much anticipation, I would have to say I was a little let down. I really dig the Deschutes Reserve Series and this was one I thought would blow my mind. With that said, this is still an excellent Barleywine; everything about this brew is wonderful and possesses all the things you would look for in a Barleywine.

Overall: A great beer...not crazy good. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2009 00:21:09 | More by OlieIPA