Black Butte XXIII - Deschutes Brewery

eclipse54

Idaho

4.45/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Front Door during Boise Base Camp week, which nicely coincided with Deschutes' 23rd anniversary. As such, multiple venues were offering this well in advance of Boise's bottle shipment (which as of writing this, still hasn't arrived...*disappointed sigh*).

Pours a very dark brown that appears black in the Deschutes Tulip is was served in. A great 1.5 inch khaki head rests on top with significant retention; ample sticky retention is left in its wake. Smells greatly of chocolate, some piney hops, a unique orange/chili blend, caramel, and some other faint herbs. Tastes of rich chocolate, smoky/roasted malts, some grassy hops, faint caramel, and a more prominent chili/orange mixture. The mouthfeel is very smooth with near perfect carbonation levels; slightly dry finish. Overall, an excellent porter.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 02:23:04 | More by eclipse54

michaeljstraub

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-16-2013 20:06:02 | More by michaeljstraub

Demarais20

North Dakota

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-16-2013 07:36:14 | More by Demarais20

dapatte2

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 01:11:37 | More by dapatte2

IPeteA91

Texas

5/5  rDev +16%

05-12-2013 23:06:30 | More by IPeteA91

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-12-2013 21:39:29 | More by PlinyBeMiney

Humulus85

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-10-2013 03:15:40 | More by Humulus85

bryang002

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-10-2013 03:09:52 | More by bryang002

chrisp450

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-08-2013 02:27:32 | More by chrisp450

majaqua

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-07-2013 22:27:35 | More by majaqua

powdersoldier

Washington

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

04-29-2013 22:44:29 | More by powdersoldier

hopswap1

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

04-29-2013 18:07:10 | More by hopswap1

dominic4beer

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

04-29-2013 16:30:26 | More by dominic4beer

Rosquin

Iowa

5/5  rDev +16%

04-26-2013 11:43:43 | More by Rosquin

brandoman63

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

04-18-2013 14:34:05 | More by brandoman63

boogercrack

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

04-15-2013 17:43:38 | More by boogercrack

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

04-08-2013 01:43:50 | More by stereosforgeeks

meatyard

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

04-01-2013 13:00:59 | More by meatyard

andrew84

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

03-26-2013 02:30:05 | More by andrew84

MasterSki

Illinois

3.99/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by spycow. Thanks Chris! Served in a snifter.

A - Quick-dissolving tan foam settles to a thin collar and tiny specks of lace. Very dark brown body with some ruby-brown glints at the edges of the glass.

S - Interesting note of orange peel that differentiates this from other beers of the series. Plenty of dark chocolate, biscuit, coffee cake, light vanilla , and perhaps a bit of age showing. Not much in the way of alcohol, and fairly understated barrel-aging.

T - Taste has more dark fruit sweetness mingling with the dark chocolate, coffee, and biscuit flavors. The age has probably dialed up some of the fruitiness, but this has a bit of Baltic Porter vibe to it even though I'm certain it uses ale yeast. Barrel notes are faint, with the chocolate and biscuit combo dominating the palate. Not much orange peel in the taste either.

M - Medium body, with surprisingly active moderate carbonation. Chewy texture, and a lightly dry and oaky finish. Again, not much heat or booze to it.

D - A solid beer, but nothing mind-blowing. I have another bottle and I'm going to get to it pretty soon as I don't think further age is beneficial. I still think the XX is the best of the bunch though.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 01:41:01 | More by MasterSki

CasanovaCummins

Nevada

5/5  rDev +16%

03-23-2013 04:17:24 | More by CasanovaCummins

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

650 mL bottle poured into a snifter. Best after 6/15/12. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Black with a little transparency at the edge. Not much head.

Smell - Dark chocolate, a touch of orange. Hops? No bourbon.

Taste - Chocolatey. Fudgy. Interesting citrus flavor that seems like it's from some lingering hop presence as much as orange. Caramel and toffee finish.

Mouthfeel - Nice, not overly heavy. Nicely fudgy. No bourbon, unfortunately. Not a lot of orange either.

Overall - I don't love it, although it's clearly a well-made beer. Not a lot of orange at this point.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 01:09:05 | More by Alieniloquium

jamiecoppin

North Dakota

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

03-10-2013 17:27:42 | More by jamiecoppin

Ish1

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

03-09-2013 05:28:35 | More by Ish1

ggourde

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

03-05-2013 20:30:39 | More by ggourde