Black Butte XXVII
Deschutes Brewery

Just came into town the other day so already, a little bit of aging going on. ;^)

It almost looks pitch black but not quite. Beautiful pour...served at room temp..a thick swirly billowy tannish head of foam that shrinks to darn quickly but that's the way of these higher abv brews, eh? That doesn't stop the brew from leaving some lovely lacing behind. Based on the looks alone, I WILL? like this newest rendition of the Anniversary Black Butte.

Smell wise, the first thing that hits my nose buds is the Bourbon. Nice. Followed by a cascade of cocoa, a rather plentiful aroma of pitted fruits. bits of black cherry tartness, and more of the boozy Bourbon. I can't wait to dive in.

I get more of the cocoa and pitted fruits, yes..including apricots, than the Bourbon taste wise. Fine by me. It doesn't need to be center stage to add to the general quality of the beer. And there's that black cherry mild tartness that I mentioned in the smell. Or is it pomegranate? Never ate that fruit in my 63 years on planet Earth.

Everything seems so in sync with XXVII; looks, smell, taste. Best after July 20, 2016? This is awesome "straight" out of the gate. And I've been a loyal follower since XX.(Damn you XXII for never being bottled!)

Creamy smooth body goes very well with the light carbonation.

Well, there you have it. XXVII may be my favourite BB since whenever. Near perfect blending with a drinkability that defies reasoning. I must and will get more!

Opened January 5, 2025.
Pours dark black or dark brown. Tan head with no lacing. Nose is cocoa or slightly bourbony. Taste also cocoa and slight bourbon. Seemed to have a slight bitterness on back, but that faded pretty quickly. Residual sweetness on plate.
Almost forgot, this beer is dangerously SMOOTH! ABV is not evident.

22oz (best after 7/20/2016—check) into a tulip. Pours a deep dark chocolate brown with a thin mocha head, patchy lace.

Aroma is rich and roasty, slightly bitter. Cocoa, coffee, roasted nuts, a hint of vanilla.

Taste is a nice balance of bitter and sweet. Same roastiness as the nose with a mix of hazelnuts, chocolate, and toasted coconut.

Mouthfeel is on the heavy side of medium, just right. Velvety smooth with just a hint of boozy heat.

Overall another excellent Black Butte anniversary beer that has aged very nicely.

**
01/14/24

8+ year old bottle to snifter.

A little musty, but not bad considering there is 8 year old apricot puree in this.

Char, cocoa, black cherry.
Smoke.
Raisin.


**

Chocolate black with steady tan trailers and moderate viscosity; fudge, tobacco, fig, wood, and red fruit sugar on the nose; chocolate, ash, dark sugar, marmalade, vanilla, hint of berry jam, spicy hum, licorice, and clean roasty bite to end; med, oily, chewy, dry.

4 4.25 4.25 4 4.25

Polish chocolates - the jammy fruit centre, the whiff of booze, the chocolate coating, and the slight cloying. Definitely a porter in body, which can’t really hold up to all the adjuncts. Barrel could cut all this, but it’s not there enough.
Nicely melded, but also can’t say it’s playing like a 7 year old beer. A bit too British winter warmer.

Abyss with the volume turned down.

Bottle from cellar. Near black pour with a small collar of beige head. Roasty, chocolate aroma, dusty. Taste is chocolaty and sweet, light roast, finishes sticky.

A 22 fl. oz. black waxed bomber, 27th birthday reserve, with a best after date of 20th July 2016. Poured into a snifter glass.

Appearance: Dark brown with an orange hue, and a thin khaki head that dissipated quickly, while leaving some sparse spotty lacing.

Aroma: Roasty, cocoa nibs, chocolate, fruity, tangy, dried apricot, orange, with soft bourbon notes.

Taste: Moderately roasty, chocolate, cocoa nibs, vanilla, lightly sweet, molasses, fruity, dried apricot, orange marmalade, pomegranate, and a hint of bourbon.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.

Overall: Interesting series of adjuncts that I wouldn’t have put together, but results in an interesting and pretty enjoyable sipper.

 

 

 

Best after date of 7/20/16. Opened 6/5/21 (28th wedding anniversary).
1 1/2 finger beige head...really good retention in an aged beer. Slowly fades to a solid cap.
Dark brown porter, good clarity and mahogany-ish with a flashlight shined through.
Light roasted malt, wood, and fruit (rich and dark fruits...apricot is there for sure).
Very expressive nose that deserves more of a description than this.
Cola, booze, tart and sweet fruit - apricot and pomegranate seem to be present and accounted for.
Silky smooth mouthfeel, low carbonation and still a bit of heat. Sweet, tart, and roasty lingering finish.
Fantastic beer, great experience!
Outstanding to World Class.

 

A tasty Halloween treat.

Pours like a vampire squid who squirted your submersible with used diesel.

Smell and taste reflected Gomez's lust for Morticia, as he licked and kissed her arms and toes.

This mash might just become a monster on the greatest holiday of all times,

Halloween............mwuhaha..haha...
Haha.........

 

22 oz bottle, into Odell Teku.

Rose Water, huh. And apricot nibs, and pomegranate molasses. What are these things?

Pours a medium nut brown which forms a darker brown to black in the Teku and has a 2 finger khaki head that recedes to 1. Lace is really nice and plentiful.

I can smell apricot and molasses, licorice, yes a little pomegranate seed, hot caramel, and some general peppery spiciness. It is intriguing.

Flavor brings the flower pot water first and loudest, followed by some tart and nearly sour apricot, slight pomegranate seed, dry cocoa, pineapple, caramel, fennel, and a bit of grassy hop. Further sips yield more tart apricot puree.

Feel is medium bodied, slightly roasty, slick, and build in heat on the palate. Drying finish.

Overall, a bizarre piece of brew here. Tart apricots, plant water, pomegranate seeds, and dry cocoa. I don't think I'd revisit it again, but they really did throw the kitchen sink into this one. After about 1/3 of the bottle, I'm saying "no more".

Price paid : $8.99 (clearance) / 22 oz bottle
Would buy again : Nah