Black Butte XXIII
Deschutes Brewery

Bottle, kindly shared by gunnar. ABV 10.8%. Black colour, big tan head. Strong roasty aroma, notes of coffee, bourbon, vanilla and oak. Strong roasty flavour, medium sweet, notes of strong coffee, caramel and bourbon, hints of liquorice. Bitter finish.

 

 

 

 

Best after 6/15/12
10.8% abv.
Moderate pour yields a one inch tan head over a (you guessed it!) black body. Nose of cocoa, slight booze, and even slighter spice as the nose of orange zest probably took a powder years ago. Taste is where the orange zest makes an appearance and asserts itself while pushing the cocoa nibs and bourbon barrel aside very nicely with the spice coming along for the ride on the back end, Nice feel and overall, a very unique and intriguing offering from Bend, OR. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet and chocolaty (semi sweet dark chocolate, that is), black with tiny beige head on tap at Payette’s Black Friday event. Lingering sweetness somewhat masks the the roast grain backbone of this beauty, slick and smooth with a slight afterglow. Perfect for a chilly evening.

 

Dark brown with burnt copper and red edges to it. Aroma was a little bit of chocolate, coffee, orange and bourbon.

Good ratio of barrel to chocolate, to alcohol warmth and wood. Peppers come and support the warmth in the mouthfeel. Tiny vanilla intrusion. Complex stuff, this is probably the best of the BB Anniversary beers that made it into the wild (XXII was an awesome chocolate bomb that few made it out).

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased today at the Beer Hive in Salt Lake City.

Appearance: poured into snifter glass. Appeared sludge brown. Looked like a brown ale with particles dispersed. Not appealing.

Smell: Instantly bourbon. Surprising considering only part of the beer was barrel aged. You'd think the whole thing sat in barrels.

Taste: sweet and maybe a little tart. Chocolately with notes of bourbon. Maybe a little bit of fruit. I assume the added oranges is what contributed to the beer sweetness. Did not taste any citrus (thank goodness).

Mouthfeel: no so bad, nothing that stands out. The mouthfeel is not light nor is it heavy.

Overall: this is a sweet porter. The smell and the taste is a winner but the appearance is kind of a little gross.

Stoutfest IV reviews. (even though its a big Porter)

Purchased last August in Colorado Springs, CO.

A- Pure black pour from the big ol' bomber into many glasses. A nutty tan head rises up to over a finger with fairly good retention. Lacing forms in sheets with plenty of drizzle.

S- Somewhat oxidized but plenty of aromatic strength. Figs, raisins, dates and dark fruits in general lead to a base of roasted barely and caramelized sugar. Orange peel stands out from the darkness.

T- For my palate the orange peel and dark fruits like cherry, figs and raisin really opens up here. The rest of the bold base is oxidized caramel, roasty cocoa nibs, brown sugar, toffee and toasted nuts. Chocolate, raisin muffins.

MF- Creamy and frothy body with a definite thickness, moderately high. Carbonation is on the high side provoking a crisp and creamy texture even with some years of age. Finishes with orange lingering along with bitterness.

The orange peel stands out atop a roasty and semi-sweet base brew. Feels more like a Porter than a Stout but it doesn't matter either way. Another Butte anniversary down, another good beer.

Reviewing from notes, tasted in 2012

A — Pours a deep dark brown, not black, there is some light visible along the edges. Puffy light brown colored head atop of it. Nice lacing left behind.

S — Smells quite bright and orangey, lots of sweetness, as well as a very nice chocolate creamy base.

T — Tastes like a chocolate covered orange, very unique and bright, little bit of a spice tone in it as well.

M — Medium bodied, not as heavy as expected.

O — Nice overall, though not what was anticipated, very fruity.

 

Appearance is a thick tan head that slowly settles and lots of lace. The oranges have faded away, but the cocoa and a bit of the bourbon is there along with roast. Very smooth and easy drinking; only slight hint of alcohol. Great beer!