Deschutes The Abyss

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

1-27-08 bottle (2006 and 2007 tasted side by side) at a mini tasting.
Both the 06 and 07 were very similar in ratings for me. The 06 had more vanilla in the aroma and flavor slightly, but the 07 stood out a little more overall - although nothing too distinguishable.
Motor oil black pour with spotted tan lacing from a nice tan head. Aroma is that of a sweet chocolate vanilla with caramel in there too. Strong chocolate and vanilla flavor. Palate is dreamy - so creamy and perfect. The texture and finish are incredible. One of the best beers of the style I’ve had - without a doubt!

Bottle, courtesy Gillard. Finally got to drink some of this. Pours a dark black, impenetrable by light, with plenty of lacing and a decent-sized head. Roasted goodness in the nose, some licorice, caramel, obvious chocolate, with vanilla and peanut butter mango. Wowzers. Roasted notes strike the tongue first. Warming alcohol, hazelnut. Coffee and chocolate are there and good. Balanced extremely well, very tasty, and so drinkable it’s unfair.

2007 bottle. Enjoyed at Noog4. Had this outside at night, so as near as I can tell this stuff is black as pitch. Lots of coffee in the aroma, sharp roasted/toasted grain and wood notes. Lots of coffee in the flavor too. Also some chocolate, plenty of roasted/toasted grain with wood. Semi-dry mouth feel and med-full body. This was good but not worth the hype.

Pours a deep black color with a nice, thick, tan head. Molasses springs from the aroma, with a hint of toffee and roasted malt. Kind of chewy, in a stout kind of way. Nice balance between roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and the hint of bourbon. Very rich. A great, winter stout.

Abyss is truly the best name they could have come up with for this thing. Black Hole is the only other thing that even comes close, because absolutely no light shines through this mother. Beautiful tan head as well. Smells like coffee and nuts and some whiskey notes with a little hop scent buried in the back. Huge licorice flavor with notes of chocolate, molasses and bourbon, very roasty as well. Beer doesn’t get much more perfect than this one, I just wish they’d produce more every year!

Bottled. Pours a thick, pitch black with a tan head. Roasted and chocolate malt aromas with some molasses and oak notes. Roasted chocolate and bitter with some dark fruit, tobacco and oak flavors. Rather thin and bitter after taste.

Huge thanks to After4Ever- That "so close" to pitch black color, very dark brown head. Nose is charred oak, caramel and some spice to it. Not sure what. Drinking this I think its molasses or black jelly beans. Big, thick syrupy almost. Finish is just slightly astringent.

Tap @ Pizza Port Carlsbad. I was so excited when I saw this, and I can happily say that it lived up to all of my expectations. Midnight black pour with a thick, 1 cm tall brown head. Heavy aroma of burnt coffee, tobacco, chocolate, molasses, leather, wood, and just a little bourbon. Amazing taste. Lots of roasty malt, bitter coffee, baker’s chocolate up front and throughout. A deep, rich oak taste accompanies the sweeter molasses and licorice flavors. A bittersweet finish with just a little caramel malt and hop bite. I could drown in this beer its so good.