Black Butte XXIV - Deschutes Brewery

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deschutes Black Butte 24

Poured into a 4oz tasting glass at iTap Soulard.

Pours black and bold with a nice cream colored quarter inch head. (4.0)

Aroma of coca nibs and some nice bitter dark coca notes are very intense. Slight licorice notes and some dark sweet fruits. Slightly roasted. (4.5)

Flavor is nice and roasty with some nice rich and deep dark chocolate notes. Very chocolaty and yummy. The roasted notes and dark malt notes blend very well with the cocoa. There is some nice vanilla and cinnamon notes mixed in with great coffee roast and the awesomeness of the cocoa. Full bodied with some nice creamy notes and a good roast finish. (5.0)(4.0)

Overall. Well crafted and delicious porter. Great chocolate notes with some mild but yummy roast. (4.0)

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 23:34:15 | More by JoEBoBpr

zeff80

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tap at Sycamore in Columbia, MO.

A - Poured an opaque, jet-black color with a one-finger, light brown head of bubbly foam. It left sticky sheets of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled roasty with dark chocolate notes. I think I could detect the figs and dates.

T - Good roasted malt flavor with toffee and dark chocolate. There was a touch of dried fruit flavor. Again, couldn't distinguish the dates from the figs.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A dry-finishing, medium bodied porter.

O - This is fantastic. I love having the opportunity to drink this on tap at Sycamore.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 21:08:08 | More by zeff80

PrinceDarren

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is an exceptional barrel aged porter. This definitely ranks very high amongst the best porters I've ever had.

Aroma reflects strong barrel character, but not excessive. Just the way I like it.

Sweet and full flavored without being sticky. Well balanced.

Deschutes hit the ball out of the park with this one. It is to Porters what GI BCBS is to Stouts and it does it well.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-15-2012 05:52:32 | More by PrinceDarren

t420o

California

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deschutes Black Butte XXIV

A- pour produces a nice 2 finger mocha colored head resting on a very dark brown/near black body. Good retention and lacing 4.5

S- cocoa, dates and figs, vanilla, bourbon, and almost like a coconut smell. 4.5 

T- chocolate, dates and figs, vanilla, black licorice, bourbon. It masks the abv quite well but I think the time will do this well. Looking forward to revisiting this. As it is, it's still excellent. 4  

T- very smooth with a nice medium body. 4

O- an excellent beer. Good drinkability given the abv and richness. 4

A-

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 22:18:50 | More by t420o

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a 0.5L Duvel tulip. Date on bottle says "Best After 07/23/13". Come on guys, I'm not that patient.

A: Black body, medium brown head. Head is nice and dense with very good retention and excellent lacing.

S: Difficult to put my finger on this smell. Probably the aroma of the dark chocolate, but with a slight acidity from the beer, and an herbal quality from the hops.

T: Big chocolate flavor, round a full right up front, as well as some of the herbal quality from the nose. Nice gentle roast with an aggressive hop balance on the finish. Slight warming, but no harshness from the alcohol.

M: Somewhat low carbonation, but a full mouthfeel nonetheless.

O: This one surprised me with the complexity. A powerful, intense experience.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 04:34:28 | More by 51mmz0rz

SHODriver

California

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured into a snifter to a deep black with a small tan head that fades quickly.
S: Smells of chocolate, a bit of caramel sweetness, fruity date and fig aroma plus some alcohol
T: chocolate, caramel and some vanilla on the palate with a bit of figgy and date flavor toward the middle. slight roasty malt flavor at times as well. aftertaste is more chocolate and fruit addition goodness with a bit more caramel. the label doesn't mention it but the flavor hints at spending some time in a barrel.
M: full in the mouth but still feels kinda light. carbonation is adequate and just under prickly.
O: A very tasty beer from Deschutes. Good flavors and complexity and for the level of alcohol it isn't hot or really apparent in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 02:43:00 | More by SHODriver

JamesShoemaker

New York

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

650 ml poured into two snifters. Thanks to Kenye for this one, great trade!

A - pours black, ombre from the edges into the darkness in the middle. Clearly a little thin, but not unimpressive. Mid-range foam from a harsh pour, recedes very quickly, giving away the carbonation level.

S - mmm. Dark fruits, plums, grapes, dates. And booze, lots of booze. It's been a while since I've had a high-ish ABV brew that didn't hide its booze subtly. This should be interesting.

T - big, bitter, dark fruits at the beginning, giving away into alcohol. It's got a boozy finish, which unfortunately masks what I think are the subtler complexities at the back end of the taste. Certainly interesting though. I like beers that give me a clear beginning, middle, and end.

M - the thinness drops this score a little bit. Overly carbonated, too boozy in the mouth, and not even the syrupy flavor that usually accompanies high ABV offerings. The dark fruit flavor clings to the back of the mouth.

O - I like it because it's interesting, readable, and one of the few beers I've had that delivers non-citrus fruits successfully. Some errors brought the score down though.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 00:29:55 | More by JamesShoemaker

sirtomtom

California

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into two pint glass. Inky black, let in very little light. A nice thick head, that dissipated slowly

Served with a bowl of homemade tri-tip and vegetable chili, and cornbread.

Huge body to this beer, as expected of their anniversary beers. The figs and dates pop out almost immediately and are held on as the sweetness of the beer combined with body stay awhile in your mouth.

The finish was very good, but could have been better. It was smooth, but the alcohol popped out a bit strong at the end. I figure this will smooth out a bit with age.

Overall an excellent new release for Deschutes' Anniversary series and one of the best they've concocted.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 00:10:06 | More by sirtomtom

bum732

Maryland

4.48/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S: Loads of dark fruits, fresh figs, dates, sweet chocolate, sweet caramel, touch of vanilla, slight roast as it warms.

L: Very dark brown, close to black. Light tan creamy head that dissipates slightly. Good lacing.

T: Dark fruits with a deep chocolate flavor, quite sweet up front. Low bitterness with a big, rich dry chocolate with a sweet date and fig taste. Finishes slightly ashy with additional cocoa.

M: Medium full body, medium carbonation. Rich, but not too heavy on the palate.

Great beer, big bold flavors without being overbearing. Nose followed the taste nicely. Another classic from Deschutes.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:46:58 | More by bum732

flagmantho

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bomber into a tulip.

Appearance: completely black with nothing allowed around the edges. Head is two fingers of frothy dark-tan foam with good retention. A nice lace is left on the glass as the head slowly dissipates. Great.

Smell: rich, sweet malt with a deep and complex character. Black but not bitter roasted and chocolatey aromas combine with dates, plums and wood to create a wonderful bouquet. This type of thing strongly appeals to my palate.

Taste: same rich, complex malt as the aroma with a big wallop of alcohol right up front. This fades into an ashy roastiness with a strong bitterness at the finish. The wood character contributes to dryness, although this is still a very sweet beer. I would say that despite its strength and sweetness, it is remarkably balanced. What a good beer.

Mouthfeel: big body with a good carbonation and creaminess. I was expecting more silky smoothness here; it is good, but not as great as I feel it could be.

Overall: this is a very good beer, although it is not necessarily the best in its (admittedly outstanding) class. A sipping beer, not a quaffing one, but good nonetheless. Can't wait to try XXV.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 02:29:22 | More by flagmantho

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Presario

Nearly jet black in colour, ring of tan head, light lace as well. Smell is full on cocoa with lots of dark fruit, some vanilla and oak, roasty, dates, some molasses like characters as well as a faint sweetness. Taste is full on roasted malt followed by dark fruits and chocolate, vanilla and whisky notes, oak, with ma medium bitterness in the finish as well. Lightly carbonated, fairly big full body, good overall feel. Just awesome stuff here, certainly a top shelf porter even way before the "Drink After" date, something worth seeking out in multiples.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 14:21:45 | More by peensteen

MsNitch

France

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Black as a stale cup of American decaf, held to the light you get a big eye full of abyss. Huge dark tan head with mild lacing.

S: Caramel malts, chocolate heaps, choco milk, licorice and spice under of course, the smell of alcohol.

T: Bitter cocoa, light sweet finish with touches of dried red fruits like figs or raisins

M: Light fading carbnoatin, not too creamy but med/heavy body

O: Lovely, delightful. I like a good dark start, middle or finish to my night. No coffee but high alchol heating the cheeks, warming the heart and coating the mouth in chocolate goodness. I could sip this all evenig into a cold winter, but would much rather store one and see what happens over the years.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 14:36:55 | More by MsNitch

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle from Beermongers. Split 4 ways.

A: Pure black with some broken light on the edges. Thin off-creme lacing. Nice legs.

N: Sweet alcoholic chocolate. Lots of raisins and figs. Prune and malted milk. Very dense. Pronounced ethanol in the mixture. Dates are also prominent.

T: The nose knows. Chocolate, fudge, malted milk. Lots of fig, prune, raisin, and date. This is a much better mixture than last year. Cinnamon and allspice. Graham cracker. This is nicely complex.

M: Medium heavy. Not as thick as I’d like, and enough alcohol to detract.

O: This is one of the best vintages, if you like dark fruits and chocolate. Highly recommended, especially if you’ve never had XX.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 19:50:49 | More by writerLJBerg

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A thick black pour. Black bodied with lots of lace. Chocolate, smooth with the figs, dates, complex,stouty, some coconut. Not as boozy as expected, bourbon taste being well integrated and not obtrusive. Nicely drinkable. Presario's bottle from recent trip.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 23:36:18 | More by northyorksammy

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice. Best after 23 July 2013. ABV 11%.

A: Frothy, tannish head. Opaque except for in direct backlighting where ruby glints appear.

S: Sweet and strong, almost cloyingly sweet. Boozy fruit is probably the figs and dates mentioned on the label.

T: Interesting... Blackberry syrup. Candycane? (and concomitant peppermint). Dates. Alcohol. Tart fruit; overripe peaches. Fermented grapes. The finish has some spicy yeast and

M: Thin and astringent.

O: A phenomenal porter, if it deserves to be categorized as such, that is eminently worthwhile, if undrinkably strong and complex. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 07:37:45 | More by AgentMunky

TheCondor

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I picked up this bottle a few months ago, but havent had a chance to break into it. I didn't realize it said "best after" 7/23/13 until after I already broke into it. I though it said "best before." Dummy. I had a pretty good week, I work in sales and had a strong week so I wanted to celebrate a little. So I got into the Black Butte. Side poured with light vigor into a snifter from the bottle.

Appearance - Pours a jet black color with a nice, one finger mocha head to it, just as I would expect. Very simple packaging, nothing extraneous. I love the yearly anniversary roll-out of Black Butte though, probably one of my favorite beers. Leaves no lacing, good head retention.

Smell - Whoa, aggressive dark fruits and booze. Once I smelled it, I checked the label, which is when I found out this porter is imperial and packs a 11% ABV wallop. Yikes. Pepper and spices give the nose some zing, but you cannot escape the strong booze.

Taste - Dark fruits, tangy, spicy, peppery, strong on the booze.A little bit of cocoa and chocolate at the end, but mostly a strong, in-your-face spicy potency.

Mouthfeel - Finishes smooth, medium to thick bodied, strong booze especially as it warms. When it is room temperature, that alcohol is almost inescapable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Stout.

Overall - Very good, but pretty heavy on the booze and dark fruits. A very aggressive taste. I would recommend trying it, for nothing else but to say you did, but I almost like the standard Black Butte better. Of course, it is a Deschutes product, so it is awesome. Not fr the faint of palate.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 04:08:38 | More by TheCondor

ogasnor

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the wax sealed bomber into a pint glass.

A - Dark brown, almost black. Pours visibly thick and viscous. Thin dark tan head that collapses fairly quickly leaving a ring of lacing all around.

S - Soy sauce up front, with the booze following close behind. Dark chocolate and sweet molasses round things out, with a definite roast character throughout.

T - Boozy bourbon right out the gate, but not so much it overwhelms the sweet chocolate and burnt sugar and molasses. Trails off into a fruity backend, figs and dates predominantly. Leaves a slightly bitter burnt aftertaste, but not in an unpleasant way.

M - Thick, falling very close to the stout end of the porter spectrum. Syrupy without being cloying, stays with you for a bit after you swallow. As it warms, the 11% ABV gets a little more noticeable, but never really hot.

O - Almost more a stout than a porter, but still very good. Bottle says "Best after 07/2013," and I am inclined to agree. Individually, the flavors are well executed, but overall nothing blends well.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 21:02:04 | More by ogasnor

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Thorpe, served in a tulip. Beer is black with a tan head, low retention but moderate carbonation.

Aroma is roast and oranges, sweet.

Beer is medium in body and bitter on the finish with some nice orange notes, ultimately the fruitiness sort of gets in the way of everything else in this beer. Just make a chocolate stout, maybe some coffee in there please. Still a decent fun beer to try.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 20:49:24 | More by drabmuh

Obliquity

Washington

1.8/5  rDev -57.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

I get it. This is brewed to be aged. I have a few other labels doing just that. Unfortunately, for me, this one is way over the top. I have been up for a couple of hours now with a seriously sour stomach. If it is best after 7/2013, I am not sure it should have been released for consumption before then. Marketing and hype be damned -- I'll not be putting any of this away for the future.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 10:02:23 | More by Obliquity

cosmicevan

New York

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to both waltonc and yamar68 for sending this my way. enjoyed from my deschutes snifter.

a - brew poured a watery black with a generous finger plus of creamy tan offwhite head that resembled a frappawappachin-dessert coffee. as it fizzled away there was milkshake like sheens of lace on the glass. really nice.

s - licorice and cocoa nibs with some boozy heat. some dark fruit and grapes and zingy peppers. very complex for a porter and really nice. the dark fruit notes add a really nice element.

t - wow, at first jumps out as quite quad like with big dark fruit burst. the finish is crisp with cocoa nibs and some black malt and char.

m - fairly heavy for a porter, but still holds some of that porter char. the 11% is fairly noticeable, but not in a bad way.

o - overall, another winner from deschutes. i like this one fresh better than last year's fresh, but doesn't seem to hold a candle to XXI.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 22:44:55 | More by cosmicevan

Goosey

Missouri

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into snifter

A- Pitch black, but not black hole black. Small, quickly dissipating dark caramel head.

S- Mmmmm, cocoa nibs, dark chocolate, figs, dates, all the good stuff; for some reason to me it smells bourbony, though I dont think its bourbon barrel aged.

T- Dark fruit, midnight chocolate, cocoa nibs, a little coffee, all of the best stuff from the original Black Butte amplified, plus some alcohol.

M- Nice carbonation, and good viscosity.

O- Love it! Really crossing the line between porter and stout, but doesn't bother me. This is a treat for all of us stout lovers. A little sweet, but hides the alcohol extremely well, even fresh. Glad I grabbed 4, will be cellaring the rest. Once again Deschutes has knocked this special release out of the park.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 21:05:28 | More by Goosey

match1112

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to BdublEdubleRUN for sending this my way!

a: pitch black body with a gorgeous two inch tall thick creamy mocha colored head. head retention and thick lacing are splendid. just an all around great lookin beer.

s: chocolate, plums, raisins, figs.

t: first and foremost is the sweet dark fruits. chocolate malts round out the taste. can't detect any hops with my palate.

m: thick rich and creamy. sweet and sticky, carbonation is great. some alochol warmth and dryness on the finish.

o: wowza this is a great beer! my only complaint is that the fruits dominate the taste. i would of liked more chocolate and/or roasted coffee on the tongue. regardless this is awesome!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 00:43:07 | More by match1112

JEdmund

Kansas

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Midnight black body with a small, tan head.

Boozy aroma with that bourbon barrel-aging adding a lot. Rich chocolate aroma as well, like truffles. And of course the dates are there, too.

Exception mouthfeel—full, thick, and nicely textured. Big notes of chocolate, espresso, and bourbon. As well as dates and figs contributing their unique sweetness. Not especially charred flavor, which is good considering its porter designation. Lots to dissect and enjoy in this. Not being a fan of bourbon flavor, this aspect took away some enjoyment for me.

Overall this is a tremendously big and enjoyable beer. Glad I had two friends to help split the bomber though because one glass was plenty.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 23:33:27 | More by JEdmund

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Totally opaque blackish brown pour. Two finger creamy tan head. Slowly drops to thin ring leaving decent lacing for the abv.

Slight alcohol, figs, dates, cinnamon, dark chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, burnt coffee and some dark toast.

Dark stone fruits, black coffee, bittersweet chocolate, burnt toast, vanilla and a sweet finish.

Medium body, high carbonation helps clean the palate.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 02:05:32 | More by korguy123

brother_kenneth

Virginia

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

22ox bottle, wax-over cap - poured into snifter glass.

A - Poured brownish black, with small amount of tan head. Nice lacing.

S - Very complex. I noticed holiday spices, dark fruit, chocolate, and really big sweetness. The figs and dates are very noticeable. This smells incredible!

T - Again, super complex! It is very sugary sweet. Lots of dark fruit. There is a presence of chocolate, molasses, and oak with notes of spice and banana. High on alcohol, but not really boozy. This is much sweeter than I expected, but the finish is relatively bitter. Barrel aging had to be involved (oak perhaps?).

M - Body is smooth and silky. Light on carbonation. Kind of syrupy, which works well.

O - From now on, this beer is what I will think of when I hear the words “imperial porter.” It is really intense! It was one of the most complex beers I have ever tasted. Would love to get another bottle to put away. This would do very well with age. In fact, Deschutes recommends drinking after July, 2013. Great now, probably even better later!

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 15:26:04 | More by brother_kenneth