Deschutes Black Butte XXI

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

Pours dark brown with a tall khaki head. Roasty nose, chocolate and light earthy hops. The palate was smooth, letting the thick body stick to the palate and saturate it with big roasted chocolate flavors. Finish has a light iced coffee note to it. Very solid brew, they should release this as part of the Bond Street series.

XXI on tap @ Vincente’s, pours an nice coal black with a tiny little brown head that fades quickly, lacing is minimal. The aroma is caramel and coffee. Flavor is coffee, chocolate, caramel, roasted malts, oak bite. A nice bitter balance from the roasted malt and some hops, the oak bite helps balance the sweetness too. A big beer that could age very well. I’m glad I have two bottles laying down in the basement.

2009 XXI 22 oz bottle at home in a .3L St. Bernardus wine style glass. Poured this bad boy at 60 deg and started drinking at 65 deg F, using and infrared thermometer. Beer pours a dark black with a head that almost doesnt match what I expected, much lighter in color but right for a porter. A one finger head rose when pour got more aggressive but would have remained stuble if I had not. Nose has coffee up front with some chocolate on the back end. Suprised there was some bourbon shining through on the nose but could have also been the alcohol. Very astringent with a bite of alcohol after 10 sec. Mouth feel is nice due to a balanced carbonation level and the chocolate/oats coating my teeth. Excited to see how this one settles out in a year, probably pick up a few more and crack it after the bottle says to 10/17/10 and re-rate.

Bottle@LCRBM08. Chocolate aroma with a hint of toffee. Black colour, light brown head, good lace. Sweet, chocolate, loads of licorice, fruity, sticky. Strong flavors, highly drinkable although 11% ABV.

Bottle. Black with a thin brown head. Dark milk chocolate aroma, and I’m picking up ash again. Extreme coffee chocolate beer. Very tasty. Bourbon is noticeable in the finish and aftertaste.

Bottled at SBWF08. Pours out in a opaque black colour with arich and firm pale brown head. Rich aroma of dark chocolate, burnt malts, nuts, wood, ash, vanilla nd figs. Full-bodied with notes of cocoa, black chocolate, wood, nuts, brown sugar and all-spice. Rather creamy palate but the alcohol shines through here and there. Long warming finish of dark chocolate, wood, vanilla and anise.

2008-09-12. Pitch black body with a nice brown head that fades. Moderate aroma of coffee grounds, light malt and alcohol is milder than anticipated for a big brew. (7+) Flavour has lovely sweet malt base with a kiss of chocolate and roast. Bitter coffee blends well with the bourbon character in the finish. Light bourbon in the aftertaste with anise kissed roast. Nice overall but ultimately leaves a lasting coffee impression that is not to my taste. (7+) Smooth medium to full bodied palate. A pretty solid beer but not one that I personally love. Bottle from Brown Jug, Anchorage.

22 oz bomber shared with Todd in Wisconsin. Pours a cola black with a medium tan head. Aroma of strong roasted chocolate malts and bitterness. Taste of roasted chocolate malts, bitterness and unsweetened dark chips. A bit on the strong side.