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Mirror Mirror
Deschutes Brewery
- From:
- Deschutes Brewery
- Oregon, United States
- Style:
- English Barleywine
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 94
- Avg:
- 4.25 | pDev: 9.41%
- Reviews:
- 573
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 20, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 29, 2009
- Wants:
- 489
- Gots:
- 708
Bottled/kegged vintages:
2005 - Released February 2006
2009 - Released April 2009
2014 - Released April 2014
The Reserve Series romance all began with our first release of this limited-edition brew. Mirror Mirror, born of a double batch of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, is an inspired barley wine ale layered with intriguing nuances. Explore this latest incarnation and enjoy its delicious complexity in every sip.
30 IBU
2005 - Released February 2006
2009 - Released April 2009
2014 - Released April 2014
The Reserve Series romance all began with our first release of this limited-edition brew. Mirror Mirror, born of a double batch of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, is an inspired barley wine ale layered with intriguing nuances. Explore this latest incarnation and enjoy its delicious complexity in every sip.
30 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Tilley4:
Reviewed by Tilley4 from Tennessee
4.49/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It's a cold rainy Sunday afternoon here in TN and a perfect day to pull this beast out of the fridge for an afternoon/evening warmup... I found this one while on a trek to KY a few weeks back and my intentions were to cellar this for a while but I can't resist...
Pours into my CBS snifter dark and murky... thin wispy carbonation... looking the part for an English for sure....
Sweet pineapple aromas come rolling off of this one... hints of the wine barrel here and there as well... lots of dark fruit which I attribute, in part, to the barrel... A touch of booze as well... Quite a bit more hops in the aroma dept than I would expect from this but it isn't unpleasant... Unexpected but not unpleasant... As it warms, the beer begins to open up and really shine... The raisin and fruit aspects that were rather muted at first begin to expound and bring an almost Christmas pudding feel to them...
A bit too cold at first, the beer didn't really have a chance to show what it was made of... The booze was prevalent and the sweetness was rather disconcerting... I left it sitting while I made my daughter a mid afternoon snack and when I came back to it, it had warmed up a touch and the aromas and flavors had really started to shine... The booze is still evident but in a warming to the belly role as opposed to just being too hot... the sweetness of the malts had transformed this into the Christmas pudding that I referred to earlier... hints of the wine barrel came and went, giving the beer a vinous feel in spots. Sweet, fruity, warming, delicious.... a definite sipper as drinking this too fast really brings the booze home... I was reminded in spots of a Belgian Strong Dark due to the prevalence of the raisins and figs and sweetness... a perfect compliment to a cold and blustery day here... Hell yes! This thing got super delicious on the second snifter pour and had me pleasantly warm and toasty next to the Christmas tree...
I liked this beer quite a bit... In error, I did not let this one fully open up before I started in on it but as it sat and warmed, it really got to be excellent... An excellent effort from Deschutes here... Glad that they are in KY so I can make a short jaunt up to sample their products without having to trade for them... I can't remember what I paid for this but, at this point, it was well worth every penny... simply amazing and very enjoyable...
Nov 16, 2014Pours into my CBS snifter dark and murky... thin wispy carbonation... looking the part for an English for sure....
Sweet pineapple aromas come rolling off of this one... hints of the wine barrel here and there as well... lots of dark fruit which I attribute, in part, to the barrel... A touch of booze as well... Quite a bit more hops in the aroma dept than I would expect from this but it isn't unpleasant... Unexpected but not unpleasant... As it warms, the beer begins to open up and really shine... The raisin and fruit aspects that were rather muted at first begin to expound and bring an almost Christmas pudding feel to them...
A bit too cold at first, the beer didn't really have a chance to show what it was made of... The booze was prevalent and the sweetness was rather disconcerting... I left it sitting while I made my daughter a mid afternoon snack and when I came back to it, it had warmed up a touch and the aromas and flavors had really started to shine... The booze is still evident but in a warming to the belly role as opposed to just being too hot... the sweetness of the malts had transformed this into the Christmas pudding that I referred to earlier... hints of the wine barrel came and went, giving the beer a vinous feel in spots. Sweet, fruity, warming, delicious.... a definite sipper as drinking this too fast really brings the booze home... I was reminded in spots of a Belgian Strong Dark due to the prevalence of the raisins and figs and sweetness... a perfect compliment to a cold and blustery day here... Hell yes! This thing got super delicious on the second snifter pour and had me pleasantly warm and toasty next to the Christmas tree...
I liked this beer quite a bit... In error, I did not let this one fully open up before I started in on it but as it sat and warmed, it really got to be excellent... An excellent effort from Deschutes here... Glad that they are in KY so I can make a short jaunt up to sample their products without having to trade for them... I can't remember what I paid for this but, at this point, it was well worth every penny... simply amazing and very enjoyable...
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.84/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Surprised to see I've never reviewed this despite having them numerous times. I've had a 2009 and 2014 this year (2022), so let's just throw those together for a review shall we?
Pours a deep amber color leaning into light brown. What is Mahogany? Cream light tan head still amassed despite the age, shows almost no loss of carbonation. Aroma of toffee, caramel, dustiness, still a light C hop bitter end.
Taste follows the nose as the nerds say. Its a sweet spot of unsweetened caramel toffee waves without the heft. Definitely makes a high abv beer pretty easy to drink. Its relatively smooth, seems to straddle between American and English barleywine. Kind of weird to think of a double batch of American pale ale = English barleywine. But hey, its BA, nuff said.
These aged wonderfully and were quite affordable. Nice to still crack a non barreled barleywine every once in awhile.
Oct 20, 2022Pours a deep amber color leaning into light brown. What is Mahogany? Cream light tan head still amassed despite the age, shows almost no loss of carbonation. Aroma of toffee, caramel, dustiness, still a light C hop bitter end.
Taste follows the nose as the nerds say. Its a sweet spot of unsweetened caramel toffee waves without the heft. Definitely makes a high abv beer pretty easy to drink. Its relatively smooth, seems to straddle between American and English barleywine. Kind of weird to think of a double batch of American pale ale = English barleywine. But hey, its BA, nuff said.
These aged wonderfully and were quite affordable. Nice to still crack a non barreled barleywine every once in awhile.
Reviewed by micada from New York
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2014 bomber poured cellar temp to a tulip glass. Color is still clear dark caramel, with lively carbonation. Nose gives you a fair amount of wine and wood. First sips are prominent sweet malt base, heavily influenced by the wine barrel aging, with a sneak of caramel sweetness poking at the end. Mouthfeel is thin to medium, but it works for the profile. Alcohol has no bite, but brings some warming, and a very quick cognitive effect. After a glass, it drinks bigger than the 11% ABV. Temperature warming brings out more raisin and stone fruit flavors. Fresh would have been interesting to try, but it’s still a nice beverage with time on it.
May 01, 2021Reviewed by Fordcoyote15 from Pennsylvania
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2014 seven year old vintage. Long time want. Overall stellar other than obsurdely thin. Still, im going back to buy the rest the bombers for they have.
Mar 19, 2021Reviewed by ghostfacekilla69 from Virginia
3.88/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.75
3.88/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.75
2014 bottle -- good beer, but the overly aggressive tiny bubbles in the carb detract from what is an overall mellow buttery and malty beer experience.
Aug 04, 2020Reviewed by BKotch from Texas
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2014 vintage. Along with Not the Stoic, an amazingly well-ageing beer. Balanced, smooth, great mouthfeel. Barleywines aren't among my favorite styles, but this is outstanding.
May 15, 2020Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
4.23/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2014 vintage, 22 oz bottle, waxed cap
Pours a muddy brown color, but thick layer of tan colored head. Aroma is rich caramel malt, a touch fruity. Taste is similar, but I don't really pick up any red wine flavor. Either way, good de pool th of flavor, not just a one-note sweetness. Medium bodied,very smooth feel.
May 03, 2020Pours a muddy brown color, but thick layer of tan colored head. Aroma is rich caramel malt, a touch fruity. Taste is similar, but I don't really pick up any red wine flavor. Either way, good de pool th of flavor, not just a one-note sweetness. Medium bodied,very smooth feel.
Reviewed by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois
4.27/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2014 Reserve tasted in a Rastal Teku from a 1 pint 6 fluid ounces bottle on March 23, 2019. Best after 2/24/15. ABV 11.2%. Barley wine ale with 50% aged in wine barrels. Very good.
Mar 23, 2020Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
3.03/5 rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.03/5 rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Burnt reddish-brown with a short, fuzzy khaki blanket settling to a speed bump collar.
I can't believe I've never had this before, but as per their own written description, it's basically just a "big" (and stale) IPA.
First, it definitely shows its American bent with hoppy, dank, and sticky characteristics, but it just comes across like an over-powered IPA ala Dogfish Head.
The medium body is syrupy, with sharply woody and resinous pine that's unable to suppress notes of toffee and a cat pissy heat.
Feb 18, 2020I can't believe I've never had this before, but as per their own written description, it's basically just a "big" (and stale) IPA.
First, it definitely shows its American bent with hoppy, dank, and sticky characteristics, but it just comes across like an over-powered IPA ala Dogfish Head.
The medium body is syrupy, with sharply woody and resinous pine that's unable to suppress notes of toffee and a cat pissy heat.
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington
4.25/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. A long overdue two year comparison of vintages. I should have done a fresh 2014 vs. 2009, but forgot the bottles in the cellar and then decided to wait until the newest presumed version (2019). But it looks like that is not going to happen, with Black Mirror showing up instead (it was quite nice). So here is a side-by-side of a slightly overdue 2014 bottle and a long overdue 2009 bottle.
2009: Pours a slightly hazy, medium to dark reddish orange with a fine, three finger light khaki head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, fresh and dried plume, dates and a little white wine. Flavor is caramel malt, apple cider, plums, raisins, oak and oaky vanilla; finishes a bit boozy with fortified white wine notes and residual oak with a slight astringency. This not longer has much of an English barleywine character any more, but is interesting.
2014: Pours a medium to dark reddish orange, light head dissipating to a thin filme and light lacing. Aroma of dry caramel malt, plums, dates, raisins and oaky vanilla. Flavor is dray caramel malt, dates, raisins, dried plums, a little citrus, oak and mild wine tannin. Finishes a bit brighter with oak, light plum and apple juice, lingering wood and tannin; a suggestion of oxidation. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Very nice. This tastes great and has aged well. I'm guessing this is approaching its age limit, but it tastes fine right now. I'm grateful that the wine barrel character is mild; it does add some interest, but I'm not a fan of strong red wine tannins in beer and this flies under the radar.
Well, the 2009 is over its aging time. It has lost its deep dark fruit character and oddly has assumed vinous notes even though this version was apparently not in wine barrels. It actually has the brighter light fruit notes of an American barleywine, but I don't know if that was the case while fresh.
The 2014 is excellent and aged gracefully. It has some oxidation, but retains the dark fruit character of the style enhanced by a very mild vinous character that was well handled. I look forward to slowly opening the last bottles of this over the next few years. I've always been a fan of Deschutes and this is a worthy barleywine from a fine brewery. I regret I did not try this fresh. If they brew it again, I will not miss that opportunity. But when it comes to waiting too long, this turned out quite nicely.
My review score is for the 2014 bottle; it's not fair to make any assumptions about the 10 year old one.
Sep 27, 20192009: Pours a slightly hazy, medium to dark reddish orange with a fine, three finger light khaki head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, fresh and dried plume, dates and a little white wine. Flavor is caramel malt, apple cider, plums, raisins, oak and oaky vanilla; finishes a bit boozy with fortified white wine notes and residual oak with a slight astringency. This not longer has much of an English barleywine character any more, but is interesting.
2014: Pours a medium to dark reddish orange, light head dissipating to a thin filme and light lacing. Aroma of dry caramel malt, plums, dates, raisins and oaky vanilla. Flavor is dray caramel malt, dates, raisins, dried plums, a little citrus, oak and mild wine tannin. Finishes a bit brighter with oak, light plum and apple juice, lingering wood and tannin; a suggestion of oxidation. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Very nice. This tastes great and has aged well. I'm guessing this is approaching its age limit, but it tastes fine right now. I'm grateful that the wine barrel character is mild; it does add some interest, but I'm not a fan of strong red wine tannins in beer and this flies under the radar.
Well, the 2009 is over its aging time. It has lost its deep dark fruit character and oddly has assumed vinous notes even though this version was apparently not in wine barrels. It actually has the brighter light fruit notes of an American barleywine, but I don't know if that was the case while fresh.
The 2014 is excellent and aged gracefully. It has some oxidation, but retains the dark fruit character of the style enhanced by a very mild vinous character that was well handled. I look forward to slowly opening the last bottles of this over the next few years. I've always been a fan of Deschutes and this is a worthy barleywine from a fine brewery. I regret I did not try this fresh. If they brew it again, I will not miss that opportunity. But when it comes to waiting too long, this turned out quite nicely.
My review score is for the 2014 bottle; it's not fair to make any assumptions about the 10 year old one.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.34/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
"Best after 2/24/15"; drank 3/30/15 @ the Yarchives. (2014 vintage.)
Muddy plum appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice tan head; decent lace.
Raisin, brandy & a sweet booziness in the nose.
Smooth, medium thick mouthfeel.
Smooth caramel & rich raisin flavors up front; a warming booze heat & slight carbonation on the finish. Oak notes emerged as this warmed.
A complex beast of a barleywine; substantial & very enjoyable.
May 17, 2019Muddy plum appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice tan head; decent lace.
Raisin, brandy & a sweet booziness in the nose.
Smooth, medium thick mouthfeel.
Smooth caramel & rich raisin flavors up front; a warming booze heat & slight carbonation on the finish. Oak notes emerged as this warmed.
A complex beast of a barleywine; substantial & very enjoyable.
Mirror Mirror from Deschutes Brewery
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1852 ratings
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