Deschutes Black Butte XXI

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

Side by side of 08 and 09. Pours pitch black with tan head. Aroma was pretty much the same for both with a touch of oxidation showing through with the 08. Cocoa, chocolate, coffee, and some vanilla. Viscous mouthfeel. Flavor follows the nose exactly. Both brews were excellent. The 08 had some darker chocolate and slight oxidation showing through. While the 09 had a little more alcohol (albeit oh so slight coming through) with a touch more bourbon. Both brews were fantastic.

Sample at O’Brien’s in San Diego. This beer pours a dark brownish-black color with a medium and foamy light brown head that diminishes slowly. Patches of lacing on the glass. Lots of coffee in the nose, as well as dark chocolate and malt. Full-bodied with roasted malt, coffee and chocolate flavors, along with spikes of hops here and there. The finish is roasty with a lingering coffee aftertaste. Very good all around.

Bottle. Dark mahogony beer with a brown head. Vanilla, chocolate, light roast aroma. Big caramel, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and bourbon flavors. Bourbon complements in background without taking over. Alcohol noticeable, but not overpowering. Medium-plus bodied. Chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, and big malts linger.

Poured a clear deep brown color with a red tint and small beige head. Sweet and fruity aroma with roasted malt and mild coffee. Notes of vanilla and some alcohol. The flavor was fairly roasty with notes of coffee that actually taste great in a stout. Mild fruitiness and dark chocolate. Alcohol warmth in nice.

Medium sized light brown head, retention is good, lacing as well. Lovely black appearence. Mellow nose of smooth chocolate, roast, faint whisky and coffee. Body is medium, soft carbonation, creamy and smooth on yer tongue. Bittersweet chocolate flavors, strong cocoay notes, light licorice notes and laid back whisky flavors melded well together. Hints of caramel and wood finishing it off with a surprising bite in the end. A real treat. Sorry you did,nt get any Robert but i,ll take care of that too! Bomber from agentsteve, thanks bro! One more bomber left to share thanks to footbalm, sweet Eric!

Bottle, 11% at LCRBM08. Vinous aroma, sweet yeast. Black colour, very small brown head. Good flavour, bready, roasted, vanilla, vinous. Very good combination. The alcohol is a bit rough, but all in all very nice.

Bottle shared with and courtesy of Jerc and Mabel. Dry roasty aroma, very nice. Black, creamy white head. Creamy mouthfeel. Great taste - coffee roast, , sweet, bitter, chocolate. Excellent. Bourbon nicely in the background. World class stuff.

Pint - Eastside Tavern - Olympia, WA
Aroma – Huge Dark malt aroma with lots of molasses and light spices lingering. Almost peppery.
Appearance – Dark Black in color, thick brown head and clear if you can see through black. .
Flavor – This beer had flavor and then some. I get the tobacco flavor butt he spices are peppery and once this beer is warm this beer explodes with flavor. Huge dark malts and the alcohol comes through also. I also got the chocolate, coffee and dark roasty malts. What’s left the kitchen sink.
Palate – Nice Mouthfeel, great texture with a very nice dry finish.
Overall – This beer should age very nicely. I will hold a few bottles for some time. This beer had some many flavors as it warmed up this beer got a life of it’s own. More and different flavors each time. Should not be a cold served beer just luke warm for all the great flavors. This was a great 20th Anniversary beer. Way to go Deschutes.