Deschutes Black Butte XXI

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Bend, Oregon USA

Bottle courtesy of golubj at our thanksgiving exchange. Dark brown or black in color with only a thin whisp of head. Aroma of cold pressed coffee, wood, bourbon, oats and earth. Aroma reminded me of BORIS from Alpone. Palate was a little thin, but it lingered softly in the after taste. Flavor was pretty solid. Ever present coffee, but it was not too overpowering. Also, alcohol, wood, dark fruit, oat. Nothing to set it apart within the style. With some more warmth there was a nice vanilla emergence.

From a 22oz Bottle. Dark brown, blackish colored body with a thin head of fizzy brown. Aromas of dark chocolate and bourbon, complete with a healthy dose of oaky vanilla. A subtle vegetal note lingers in the background, detracting a bit. After the nostrils become adjusted to the richness of the nose, the chocolate aromas start to morph into some roasted coffee, although I find it to have a somewhat flat, boiled coffee ground character. Noticeable alcohol. Medium full bodied, softly carbonated mouthfeel with a rich, chewy texture. Rich in terms of dextrin maltiness, not in sweetness. Flavors of cocoa and coffee come out right away, along with some light caramel. The roast qualities seem to fight with the bourbon for awhile, trying to decide whether to be astringent roast or supple vanilla. After a somewhat harsh coffee flavor, the bourbon wins out, finishing with a lingering caramel and vanilla booziness. The coffee flavor is hard for me to get past. After several sips, I think the coffee nose was the culprit behind the strange vegetal note I was picking up. Additionally, the boiled coffee flavor and astringency was not pleasant. Aside from that, the beer was pretty good. The chocolate flavors came out nicely and the bourbon was at a level that added complexity without totally dominating the flavors.

Decent sized brown head of dense and creamy bubbles. Strong chocolate and coffee aroma with some peanuts and saw dust. Color is essentially black. Wow, very zippy and light on the palate. Very strange. It is like a huge amount of effervescense is released upon drinking and just wisps it over the tongue. Very interesting. Bitter coffee and coarbon dominate the flavor. Some bitter chocolate and toffee round out the sweet portion of the flavor. Lingering burnt toast and bitter chocolate finish. Noticable alcohol presence which is very nasally in nature. Clears the sinuses. Ah, just read that this is classified as an imperial poter and I totally agree with that. Initially though that it may be an imperial stout at first and was going to have some issues with that. A very good brew and a fitting beer for my last brew until Christmas!

Bomber, Pours blackish brown with a thick and lacy tan head. Aroma of chocolate, brown sugar, bourbon, smoke. Full, oily body and minimal carbonation.Sweet brown sugar and milk chocolate taste. Licorice and tar finish with a bit of alcohol heat. I think this beer may need a bit of time to settle down.

Bottle shared by alexsdad06. Pours black color with a huge frothy brown head that was lasting with excellent lacing. Heavy toasted dark chocolate, wood and spicy malt aroma. Medium to full body with a thick smooth texture. Heavy roasted bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet spice finish of long duration. This is a standout porter.

22oz bomber served in a snifter. Poured a deep brown/black with a slight tan head. Complex aroma with chocolate, coffee, some vanilla and a hint of alcohol. Full bodied with a rich mouthfeel. Black patent and chocolate malt. Rich chocolate flavor. Coffee flavor is a little bitter. Long, dry finish of coffee. Warming alcohol. Pretty good, but I like the Abyss more.

Bottle. Black with a thick brown fluffy head. Chocolate, caramel, roastiness, and light cherry aromas with a light alcohol presence. Deep flavor, opens thick and sweet with lots of coffee rolling into the middle and finish. Balanced sweetness with an engulfing roastiness and a good cocoa powder bitter component. Some bourbon notes show up as it warms. Thick, chewy mouthfeel. Warming alcohol shows up only in the belly.

Poured into a snifter. Total blackness with a nice creamy dark tan head. Pretty nice aroma with lots of vanilla, cocoa, and molasses emanating from underneath the black coffee and chocolate. Flavor is rich roasted gourmet coffee, a touch of red berries, raisins, boozy dark chocolate, and a long bitter finish with some tannic character along with the roast. Not astringent or charred. Perfect carbonation, hefty body. Very good beer.