Black Butte XXIII
Deschutes Brewery

Black Butte XXIIIBlack Butte XXIII
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From:
Deschutes Brewery
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Imperial Porter
ABV:
10.8%
Score:
95
Avg:
4.28 | pDev: 10.51%
Reviews:
322
Ratings:
793
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 28, 2023
Added:
Jun 17, 2011
Wants:
  148
Gots:
  470
XXIII. So where to next? What's 2011's rich, imperial take on Black Butte Porter? Just for kicks, you dream. Orange zest perhaps? From Spanish Oranges. Seville, to be exact. And Chocolate nibs. Pampered nibs from the artisanal alchemists at Theo. Maybe some chilies? Pasilla Negra only, please. That would be crazy wouldn't it? Welcome to crazy. Get it while you can.

55 IBU

Info from brewery: "475 barrels were produced. 275 were bottled and the remaining 200 were put into kegs."
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by axeman9182:
Photo of axeman9182
Reviewed by axeman9182 from New Jersey

3.31/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber that was a very generous extra from dc55110. It was allowed to warm some before being poured into my Duvel tulip.

Black Butte XXIII pours a solid black, with a monstrous, frothy caramel colored head. It tops out at more than four fingers of foam. Head retention and lacing are both very good, but I'd have liked to have seen a little more from at least one of those to give the beer a 5 for appearance. I bring my nose towards the glass, and a bunch of different aromas hit me; most, but not all working well together. There are notes of chocolate and molasses, the two of those contrasted by a bit of heat from the chili peppers. That all meshes together fine, but there's also a citrusy orange peel component that doesn't fit in, and just sticks out like a sore thumb. The flavor again has those same great suggestions of chocolate and molasses, with just a hint of spice, only to be ruined by the orange peel. It almost tastes candied, like it has a sugary edge to it, and is more prominent than in the aroma. The body is not as rich and full as I might have imagined, but it has a very nice creamy quality to it. The carbonation is definitely lacking though, the beer occasionally teeters across the line into having a syrupy quality. I had Black Butte XXI a few months ago and loved it, so my expectations may have been unfairly heightened. Also, XXIII is fairly fresh and almost a year out from its "best after" date, but I wanted to try it fresh, while this year's addditions (orange and chilies) are fresh. There's a good beer lurking somewhere in Black Butte XXIII, but it's overpowered by the inclusion of orange peel in the brew. This one will probably be a bit better with some age
Sep 05, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of Treyliff
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours brown in color with a slight ruby hue, one finger foamy khaki head reduces to a ring

S- roasted malt and cocoa nibs initially give it a nice rich chocolate aroma, quickly followed by an undertone of orange zest and orange cream truffle candy. As it opens up, there’s a distinct chili pepper bite coming through, not hot on the nose but more of a pepper skin note. Hints of vanilla and caramel close it out

T- Sweet cocoa nibs and malty chocolate up front quickly gives way to a surprisingly bold note of bourbon barrel (given that it’s only 25% barrel aged.) mid palate brings out the orange as it follows the nose, giving an orange cream truffle note. Mid-palate gives more barrel before adding hints of vanilla cream. The finish brings out the vegetal note of the pepper, along with more chocolate and barrel that stick around on the linger

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that turns creamy into a warming finish

Not nearly as oxidized as expected, given its age. A nice slow sipper
May 28, 2023
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

4.25/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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.
Mar 20, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by redfox405 from Virginia

Aug 17, 2018
 
Rated: 3.27 by sweetbrew82 from California

Aug 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by heysuz from Indiana

Mar 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Mar 10, 2018
Photo of bobv
Reviewed by bobv from Vermont

4.19/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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!
Jan 25, 2018
 
Rated: 4.06 by cp45 from New Jersey

Aug 06, 2017
 
Rated: 4.11 by rab53 from Washington

Jun 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4.4 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

Apr 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.21 by johnnyboy76 from Oregon

Mar 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4.46 by SaxmanRick from Minnesota

Dec 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.28 by Gtg642 from Michigan

Dec 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.46 by jason_nwx from Oregon

Nov 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by itracy63 from Washington

Sep 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.54 by Brandonparrent from Michigan

Jun 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by AngusOg from North Carolina

May 24, 2016
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.1/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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.
Apr 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4.54 by t8dd from Illinois

Apr 09, 2016
Black Butte XXIII from Deschutes Brewery
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 793 ratings