Deschutes The Abyss

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Bend, Oregon USA

jet black, looks like 10 year old motor oil. thick This is easily the biggest roasted malt aroma i have ever smelled. Not much hops, just malt. some slight coffee, and lots of chocolate. Flavour is very roasty, with big notes of chocolate, and coffee. the finish is soooooooo bitter. not mcuh going on with the oak aging, i cant really find much oak in here. but the finish is so bitter, and roasty, incredible stout.

Source:2008 bottle supped while watching ESPN.
Glass:Krombacher Snifter.
Appearance:Dark brown/black pour with a two finger, dark brown head.
Aroma:Roasted malt and a hint of bitter chocolate. As it warms, a hint of licorice comes out, along with some oak, molasses and maple.
Flavor:Very ashy beginning, harsh bitter finish. Can’t discern whether this is messed up, or if this was the intent. Either way, not very good.
Palate:Medium/full body with mild carbonation.
Overall:Hope to rerate at a later time, but the flavor wasn’t appealing. Not infected, but bad.

22 oz bomber. Pours a thick black with a medium brownish beige head. Aroma is of dark almost burnt roasted malt hops and coffee beans. Taste is of bitter dark chocolate,slightly burnt coffee and malt hops,black licorice and a hint of molasses. Oak flavors are detected towards the end of each sip. Alcohol felt immediately. Not bad. Aging may better this.

Courtesy Degarth. Black. Small brown head. Big time roasted coffee and chocolate, moderate oak, subtle vanilla, subtle dark fruit, and a light dose of anise. Medium/full body, smooth, too easy to drink. Very well done.

Bottle. 2007 version. Black with a fine head. Aroma of smokey bourbon, licorice, and molasses. Flavors include chocolate, coffee, molasses, subtle vanilla, and bourbon. Quite smoky. Burnt, sharply bitter finish. Wonderfully done.

Bottle and tap ratings averaged.

Bottle. Aroma starts off with a strong coffee character before developing into a blend of coffee, chocolate, molasses, and complex notes from the subtle bourbon aging that seem to come and go, sometimes with more bourbon, sometimes with more wood, sometimes with more alcohol sweetness. Flavor is big with the same notes, and I continued to be impressed with the subtle yet tantalizing bourbon component. Bitterness arrives cumulatively in the form of hops, bitter coffee, and intensely roasted malt as the glass goes down, building on the tongue and in the back of the mouth, balancing out all the sweetness in a businesslike but necessary manner. Huge creamy mouthfeel. Great beer. 8-5-8-4-16/4.1

On tap at the third release 11/08. I didn’t take notes, but looking over my first rating, it sounds pretty accurate. However, the incredible balance of bitter coffee (especially at the finish) with the rich, chocolaty malt and sweet subtleties contributed by the bourbon really stood out to me in this super fresh form. This balance also translated perfectly to the mouthfeel which became unbelievably silky, milky smooth, less viscous than than my impressions from the bottle, but losing nothing in richness. 8-4-10-5-20/4.7

2007. This beer needs to be served near room temperature. Even slightly chilled, the nose, flavor and palate are muted, but warmer is outstanding. Aroma of roasted (and slightly charred) malt, plenty of liquorice, a hint of creamy oatmeal, alcohol, leather, bitter chocolate and the smallest note of ashy smoke. Pours thick, oily black - I mean black like midnight. A small quarter inch dark khaki head. Flavor of charred malt, toasted vanilla, bitter chocolate, liquorice, anise, leather, espresso, wet, charred oak. Damn.... nice stuff. Thick, creamy and slightly sticky on the tongue. Not smooth like velvet, but nice nonetheless. A lingering liquorice, spicy and dry hoppy finish. The finish lasts forever This one, with a year or so on it is going to be absolutely stellar! Thanks to Jake, Bruce and Jonathan!

Pours very black and velvety; thick fudge milkshake on the surface leaving a sticky film of espresso foam up the sides. Aromas of black cherry, red licorice, pineapple, and alcohol, bolstered underneath by lots of roast venison, chocolate, and vanilla; very earthy, spicy, and savory. Balanced amicably between chunky malts, vibrant hops and barrel accents. Bitten slightly with soapy espresso grounds. Flavor is soft and pensive at first, giving only milk chocolate, lactose, pine, and citrus dishsoap. In the mid palate lots of roasty, rich tobacco and acrid coffee bitterness alternate pleasant and painful punches of meatiness, though the tropical hops evident in the aroma never really concede the sugary acidity they provide. Blackberry, cocoa nib and port wine with bourbony licks of vanilla, oak, and nougat rush in after that hint of synthetic bitterness. Very creamy in the mouth, with soft carbonation; full and rich, but never imposing. Hints of pear, burnt meats, and lots of vinousness with full roasted mocha java in the end. Finishes fruity, juicy and bloody. Moments of this experience are less than extraordinary, but these are quickly passing, and it is altogether a very well made example, one which integrates the barrel seamlessly into an already carefully balanced presentation. Impressive.