Deschutes The Abyss

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

bottle. midnight black with great tan frothy head. dark fruits, chocolate and mild coffee with nice hoppiness in aroma. smooth mouth. delicious coffee, rich dark chocolate, roasted malts, mild sugars. nice hops and great balance. dark chocolate is amazing.

Bottle. Black with beige head. Aroma and taste of oak, alcohol, liquirice, dark sugars and roasted coffee. So many different flavors but still very balanced. OMG this is very very good.

Vintage 2006 Pours opaque black, with a brown, rocky head that reluctantly swells up to the surface. A good inch-plus of dense foam at the peak before decention. Thick webbing of lacework clings to the glass like brown cobwebs. Aromatics are loaded with rich chocolate, kona roast, and brownie batter. Slightly warming in the nose with a faint oaky dryness. The mouthfeel is thick and chewy, but not overly so. Incredibly smooth and silky. Intense chocolate and espresso on the pallet. Probably the most chocolate I’ve ever tasted in an RIS. Fudgy and decadent. Hopping is subdued and there’s no bitterness to speak of or citrusy resins. What follows through on each sip though, is such a well integrated beer. Everything seems so balanced for having such large flavor components. Melded. A faint bourbon note as well as some slight oak come through on the exhale. Finishes warming, chocolaty, and with a hint of viniosity. A terrific beer, but it could use some heavier blending with more of the barrels. A bit subdued in that aspect.

On tap into a English Pint at Duck Island in Seattle, WA, and out of a 22 oz bottle. I will compare the differences later. This black beauty pours that ever so wonderous dark-as-night black with almost no head whatsoever, but with traces of dark tanned lacing. Ruby colored edges can be seen when held up to the light. The aroma wafting of this one brings a huge hint of vanillad coffee, roasted dark malts, an intense woody note, and a tiny touch of bourbon. The onslaught to the palate begins with that ever so delicate vanilla flavor intertwined with sweet malts before being overtaken by the dark molassesy and roasty malt body. As this happens the depth of this brew comes out. The bourbon soaked wood flavor touches the tongue very lightly (lighter than expected). A deep chocolate and coffee note moves into the flavor and begins to finish the taste. Bourbon, wood, and light vanilla resins linger on the palate as you feel a slight alcohol singe up the nostrils and on the edge of the back of your tongue. Definitely can feel the warmth on its way down. Thick and silky smooth feel on the palate. Very full bodied. On tap this felt much smoother and not as intense in most of the areas. Enjoyable in both ways, but if you want the fullest experience, let a bottle warm to 55 degrees and drink it out of a Snifter. Overall an amazing brew (the best from Deschutes in a while), but definitely is second still to the Full Sail Black Gold (which is not a bad place to be at all!!). Delightfully intense!!

Sampled with brewblackhole. Dark color. Smell of coffee, hops, toasted malt, coco, copper, little oak, dark fruit and a touch of vanilla and spice. Taste of coffee, chocolate, hops, malt, bread, rasberries, cake batter, alcohol, and caramel. Very nice but a little weaker to the Dark Lord "07". Still a nice Imperial Stout.

22oz, 2007. This came in the mail today from a pre-sell, which I was told I was too late for, so what a nice surprise. Opaque brown pour with a dark tan head. Bitter coffee, chocolate, cocoa, dark fruit, hops, and faint bourbon and lots of oak. Alcohol comes through in this one for sure. Sour cherries and piney hops - more coffee and chocolate. Big bitter finish. Nice beer, the licorice and molasses are there, but subtle. Definitely worth seeking out.

Bomber. Pours opaque black with a lacy brown head. Tons of chocolate on the nose, along with some coffee and oaky vanilla. Full, creamy viscous body with minimal carbonation. Sweet taste with huge coffee, molasses and oak. Hops, espresso and oak all seem to contribute to the lasting bitter finish. As good as it is now, this is going to be better in a couple of years. Thankfully, I have more. Thanks Geoff and Tom!

pours completely opaque with small brown head. aroma is cocoa, milk chocolate, black licorice, some wood ester, and some boozy toffee sweetness. taste is lots of bittersweet chocolate, some black licorice, wood, expresso, and very burnt caramel sweetness. finish is dry and roasty astringent and bitter. very good stuff.