Black Butte XXI
Deschutes Brewery

Black Butte XXIBlack Butte XXI
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From:
Deschutes Brewery
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Imperial Porter
ABV:
11%
Score:
97
Avg:
4.38 | pDev: 7.76%
Reviews:
377
Ratings:
581
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 14, 2021
Added:
Jul 03, 2009
Wants:
  207
Gots:
  142
Released June 2009.

Similar recipe and strength to Black Butte XX (2008), "enhanced by adding some Theo's Chocolate cocoa nibs from Seattle, dry-hopping it with 100 pounds of Bellatazza's locally roasted coffee, and then aging a portion of it in Stranahan's Colorado whiskey barrels."
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by 2xHops:
Photo of 2xHops
Reviewed by 2xHops from Texas

3.8/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I thought it was very interesting that I actually strongly preferred the 23rd anniversary bottle over this one. I found the flavor profile to be drastically different between the two.

The beer had a oily dark black appearance, and it's pretty typical of what you see in good porters.

The part about this beer that disappointed me the most was the taste. I could certainly taste the traditional porter profile along with some chocolate note. For me, the overpowering flavor was the burnt, roasting. I t did not taste as complex as I wanted. It did feed significantly different once you swished and swallowed.

I would bring it again if there's anything available left, only to have a vertical sampling. I just thought the 23rd Anniversary edition did a better job integrating all of the flavor profiles.
Sep 07, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.78 by DVMin98 from North Carolina

Sep 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by 0x4a64 from Nevada

Dec 30, 2020
Photo of poisoneddwarf
Reviewed by poisoneddwarf from Idaho

4.64/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
22 oz bottle. Smells and tastes spicy. I’m a big fan of Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter, but my already high expectations for this beer were exceeded after just two drinks. If Black Butte Porter is Bruce Banner, XXI is the Incredible Hulk, beefing up an already great beer to unparalleled heights.
Jun 05, 2017
 
Rated: 4.34 by SadMachine from New Jersey

Sep 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.39 by johnlatona from New Jersey

Sep 25, 2016
 
Rated: 5 by jason_nwx from Oregon

May 16, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.79/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Black in the middle dark brown to the edge. Tan head, 2/5". Aroma hit the chocolate, bourbon and oak notes.

Seen some bottle variation in these, sometimes the coffee seems to have changed to a weird acrid thing going for it that is also earthy and meaty. Alcohol can be substantial in the mouthfeel. My least favorite of the series until they came out with that pomegranite one.
Mar 09, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by rlee1390 from Indiana

Feb 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.33 by striker2160 from Minnesota

Jan 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by jrob21 from North Carolina

Nov 20, 2015
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle from the cellar.

Pours opaque black, thin head to barely a trace. A few wisps of lacing.

Aromatics are crazy good. Espresso, chocolate, and bourbon, all perfectly balanced. Vanilla and Oreo shells.

Crushed velvet mouthfeel. Oily.

Bourbon, vanilla, Kahlua, and dark chocolate on the palate. Char, dark roast coffee, and warming booze follow through.

Finishes with all components fading slowly in perfect harmony.

A showcase of the true potential of a cellared beer.
Nov 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.49 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.9 by SierraFlight from Virginia

Jul 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.6 by gratefulbeerhead from Indiana

Feb 01, 2015
 
Rated: 4.4 by rab53 from Washington

Jan 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Jan 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.39 by wethorseblanket from California

Jan 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by AngusOg from North Carolina

Dec 21, 2014
Black Butte XXI from Deschutes Brewery
Beer rating: 97 out of 100 with 581 ratings