Deschutes The Abyss

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

2008 bottle. Pours black with big head . Aroma is dark fruit, molasses, cocoa. Flavor is nicely complex. Carbonation is a little more than other big RIS. Super lacing. Mouthfeel is lush, smooth, and lingers forever like a fine stout should (but not many do) with bitter chocolate aftertaste. ABV is well hidden but definitely warms the tummy. Not hot at all. I think this will age very well. I’m not a big licorice fan and was concerned but I didn’t really notice much. Hint of bourbon but not a lot, which is fine - there’s something to said for moderation and complementary flavors. This is a truly delicious beverage.

to me the 2007 was a better year for this beer. the 2008 seems a little more tannic and a little thineer than last years version. I will rate the 2007 version. This pours black and like the name suggest "The Abyss" makes you contemplate if you were to jump in to the glass you may never return due to the black hole it forms in your pint ware! the head is a nice tan head that escapes the blackness to linger around for a while. The taste is that of roastyness, cholocate, coffee, dark fruits. This beer has it going on

One of the finest beers I’ve ever had and I’ve purchased 2 cases in the last year to prove it. You know it’s a winner the moment it hits the glass and all that aroma is released. Rich roasted malts, coffee, licorice, dark chocolate. ON the back end the oak leaves a smooth vanilla and sticky molasses. Hides the alcohol surprisingly well

Can only post a short note as the system wont allow it to be lengthy. short of it, ok now and potential to be better than 08 with time. 2007 bottle. Cool wax dip and label. Right from the start, BOOM this brew is stellar. Dark rich smoke, oak, lavish and layered. But extremely balanced. I’m guessing the acidity and alc just marry up perfectly with the complexity and strength this brew posesses. Intensity but elegant. Could also age this brew for several years. A bit of sweet but almost dry. Oily cigar white smoke, deep and rich coco and coffee but still subtle. $14+ is what this retails for I guess? Worth every penny.

Its not a bullish stout like Stone’s Imperial Russian, but its softer, sweeter, more delicate. The oak conditioning and maple create smooth aroma and woody flavor. Oh god is it good.

This beer pours black as night, with a beautiful dark brown head. Wonderful aroma that is not overpowering. One of the most delicious beers I’ve tried, with a great balance between ingredients. Just the right amount of hops to even everything out.

2008 Bottle. Pours black like motor oil with a deep brown head. Definitely one to share with a friend, the flavors are so complex that you really shouldn’t drink it alone! Molasses, coffee. The oak aging gives it a wonderful mouthfeel, very soft.

black, black, and more black. A NAP in a bottle. Time and time again Deschutes knocks me out with their superb seasonals.