Deschutes The Abyss

Had an O7 that StFun sent me. My expectations were too high. It seemed that Deschutes threw everything, and the kitchen sink at this beer. Smelled of sour chocolate milk, too chocolaty and sugary, didn’t taste any wood. Warmed me up, but didn’t jazz me at all.

Bottle (22oz). Shared with biegaman, via trade with Irishboy. Thick-looking, near-opague ruby-black pour, smallish tan frothy head. Deep roast coffee/cocoa, bitter, herbal, slight treacle. Taste - same, bitter, thick, treace-ly, some syrup, hint of cola - no oak or borbon or anything at all - strong, but subdued - blended and impy-ish. Slick, roasty, mild carbonation, bitter-burnt finish. Lovely, well-done, not over the top, woody and silky - well done.

Sampled at GABF for the first time. Probably the most orgasmic first encounter with a beer I’ve ever had! A - Dark brown/almost fudge-like, with a rich 3-fingered head of tan. S - A walnut brownie dunked in a cup of espresso. T - Dark flavors of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and dusty cocoa. M - Full bodied, goes down like melted pudding, but with nice acidity. D - Seriously, like someone melted your favorite decadent dessert and married it with a mellow stout. I cannot remember being blown away by a first impression like this in quite awhile.

Bottled at SBWF08. Pours out in a black colour with a creamy pale brown foam. Big and bold, yet deep and quite refined aroma of milky dark chocolate, oak, blackberries, vanilla, roasted malts, mild sweet licorice, fudge and mild alcohol. Full and creamy mouthfeel with notes of dark chocolate, molasses, dark berries, vanilla, anise and oak. Long warming finish of oak, licorice dark chocolate roasted malts and roasted almonds. Tasty!

Thanks to jjpm79 for the bottle!
Black, large decadent tan head, long lasting. Nose is quite sugary, lots of malt, milky chocolate, sweet fruit, oat, alcohol. Not very cohesive. Flavor is less so, lots of bitter coffee and strong alcohol smack. Huge body, but too syrup like. Some minor hop in the background. Overall decent, but not much nuance after the initial punch it delivers.

22oz. Bomber/Black Waxed 2007 Vintage AGAIN, DAMN WHAT A FINE BREW! Pours a thick black color, nice carbonation, nice small creamy tan head which lasted a couple of minutes, some oil slicks, and some nice lacing afterwards. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. The alcohol is hidden very well. Medium body, a very nice well balanced brew. Very drinkable, definitely the best brew for me from Deschutes. Thanks msubulldog25 22oz. Bomber/Waxed 2006 Vintage DAMN WHAT A FINE BREW! Poured into a chalice a black color, nice carbonation, nice small creamy tan head which lasted a couple of minutes, some oil slicks, and some nice lacing afterwards. The nose is sweet roasted malts, licorice, slight vanilla, deep chocolate/toffee and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is absolutely delicious of sweet roasted malts, chocolate/toffee, licorice. This puppy goes down very smooth, with a slight dry finish. Medium body. Very drinkable, definitely the best brew for me from Deschutes.

Thanks to ajm for popping my trade cherry. Pours jet black from the bottle with a firm reddish brown head. Light in the nose, but overwhelming in flavor. Full of dark cocoa, molasses, licorice, caramel, coffee, chalk, and mild hops. Full-bodied and syruppy. Worth hunting.

Had some of this on tap at Hamltons Tavern in San Diego. Ahh man, this is some seriously dark and good stuff with great tanins and burnt espresso flavor. This imp stout is definitly in the big boys league.