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 SaCkErZ9:
Photo of SaCkErZ9
Reviewed by SaCkErZ9 from South Carolina

4/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I received this via trade many many months ago and I have since forgotten whom to thank for this one. So, to whoever sent this, many thanks.

Pours pitch black and very stoutlike. I didnt realize this was an american porter. Perhaps Baltic Porter but I think this one is grossly miscategorized. I shun the category and substitute my own: Imperial Stout. There, I feel better.

Aroma is sweet and lacks a certain roastiness (maybe this is a porter) typical in the style. Slightly fruity with licorice and some bourbon/oakiness in there as well.

Nice oaky, barrel aged flavoring. A slight bit of fresh coffee seems to be present in the aftertaste, which typically isnt in porters. What is up with this beer?

Very nice drinkability. Not even record heat of around 100F (90F up here in West Jefferson) put a damper on this one.

Edit: Perhaps I should read the bottle before reviewing beers. The label indicates this is in fact a porter with coffee beans and chocolate and aged in bourbon barrels. Who knew! I would certianly recommend this one.
Jun 15, 2010
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