Deschutes Black Butte XXI

On June 27, 2009 the Deschutes Brewery of Bend, OR turned 21 years old and to commemorated this achievement they released a limited batch of Black Butte XXI. This is a doubled up, barrel aged version of the popular Black Butte Porter. This imperial porter is loaded with hops and malts, a healthy amount of coffee, cocoa nibs and is barrel aged in used bourbon barrels. It pours black as night with roasty aromas with hints of almonds, dried berries and chocolate. The palate is loaded with hops, strong notes of bitter dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans and red berries. The flavors are all very complex, however they meld together to create a wonderful drinking experience. Unlike many cocoa porters this beer doesn’t come across sweet, in fact it is just the opposite providing a nicely well balance bitterness that incorporates the cocoa instead of it being the defining feature.

Fantastic. Chocolate. Stout texture. I get bourbon as well after it sits a bit. Amazing. Loved it.

Bottle from Lone Hill Liquor in Glendora ($15)..Pours black with a tan head.. Aroma was very light with some spice (pepper) and maybe some vanilla when it warmed a little. Don’t get any barrel in the aroma.. Flavor was way better with a sweetness that reminded me of red grapes, also some dark chocolate bitterness in there as well.. Low carbonation and very smooth.

Tasted last years XX release. Pours a dark brown with a dark brown head. Aroma is chocolate, licorice, lactose, alcohol, dark fruit, and vanilla. Flavor is very sweet and a little tart with dark fruity flavors, a lot of plum and raisin. It also has chocolate, coffee, brown sugar, and some mild hop bitterness at the end. The tartness and sweetness compliment each other well. I think the year of aging has done this beer some good.

Vintage XX bottle. Pours out black with light head. Taste is rich and roasty. Flavors of chocolate, bourbon, caramel, coffee, wood and some hops. Smooth and balanced. Drinks like a stout. Good stuff.

Pours a dark almost opaque brown color with a brown head. Aroma is caramel, oak, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, coffee, roast, and some alcohol. Flavor is caramel, bourbon, oak, vanilla, chocolate, roast, some coffee, and a warming alcohol finish.

Shared at DDG release party. Dark dark dark in glass. Stains glass brown. Nose is roast malt, caramel, coffee. Taste is same. More cocoa in mouth too. Definitely taste the alcohol sweetness.

Coffee, chocolate aroma and taste. Medium mouthfeel. Very smooth with some alcahol warmth at the end.