Black Butte XXIV
Deschutes Brewery

another exceptional release of this beer, cant believe this has been going this long now. stoked to find it on tap, although a little part of me wonders if the bar i had it at meant to put xxxiv not xxiv on their menu, that kind of place where a mistake could be made, and for this to be around after ten years seems wild, but the adjunct ingredients do seem right, and this is obviously mature beer, going with it. dates and figs in this vintage, dark cocoa nibs too, really impressive specimen, hides its alcohol shockingly well, and still hits somehow as porter and not stout, not sure if thats a body thing, a roast level thing, or what, but there is still black butte character to this through and through. i look forward to these every year and this does not disappoint, thought maybe i missed this one forever if in fact this is correct! nice deep near black color, medium viscosity, decently lively in terms of head and carbonation for what it is, and an awesome nose with oak and char front and center, light vanilla, raisin and fruit leather from the dates and figs, a rum hint with the obvious bourbon, very complex. flavor is big roast, suggestions of black coffee, light smoke, barrel char, and quality whiskey. less sweet than expected with the dates and figs, these meld into the base beer so well, and enhance the middle malt richness of this. there is a light molasses thing, but its not sugary in the normal sense. i like that there is a slight yeast element in this, and that its on the dry side for what it is. the oak is robust, the body isnt as big as some other vintages of this, perhaps a little oxidation, also lending credence to the possibility of this actually being correctly listed on the menu, and overall a smooth, complex, and surprisingly drinkable brew. need to try the latest vintage to confirm which this is, but its wonderful like it always is! ideal for cold weather sipping. this series is has reached epic status at this point...

22oz bottle poured into a snifter
10 year old beer? Why not!

A- pours dark brown with a one-finger foamy khaki head that reduces to a ring around the glass

S- slight oxidation on the nose, but primarily dominated with dark fruits; raisins, figs, dates, prunes and dried cherries. Undertones of chocolate, leather and black licorice

T- taste follows the nose with an array of dark fruits up front; raisins, figs, dates & prunes. Mid-palate gives notes of dark chocolate, caramel, charred malt and a hint of tobacco. The finish gives more dark fruits, with a linger of raisin, fig and chocolate

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

O- this variation is certainly dark fruit dominate, probably enhanced by the age of the bottle. A solid sipper

 

Bomber from Jeremy. Not much of a pop. Dark brown pour, wispy head, calm. Aroma is woody, nutty, leather, hint of chocolate, light boozy notes. Taste is sweet, then a brief blast of booze, tailing off to a sticky, woody, nutty finish. Holding up very well.

 

Cellared bottle, poured jet black with no foam. The booze is hidden very well behind rich waves of chocolate raisin, figs, dates, and maybe dried cherry. The taste had more depth with earthy and licorice notes, but smell was no slouch. Nice medium heavy body on this porter, reminiscent of decadent black forest cake.

 

Cellared until February 2018. Held up fairly well but the reduction of carbonation over time left no head or lacing. The complexity of flavors were still present. A great beer.

On tap at Saraveza on November 2nd, 2017.

L: Opaque deep brown. Almost black, but ever so slightly ruddy.
S: Pumpernickel
T: Like a sweet vanilla latte made by a master.
F: Thick, almost milkshake like, though that is clear hyperbole. Coats the mouth, and and has a very subtle effervescence.
O: Three years of age has done the old bastard good. If you're in Portland run, don't walk. You shan't regret it.

 

 

 

 

Bomber into a snifter appears black in color witha khaki head that fades leaving stringy lace.

The aroma is sweet with chocolate, roast, raison, black licorice and mild oak.

The taste is a little oaky with hint of chocolate, raison, roasty earth, mild oxidation.

This is medium in body with light carbonation. Overall pretty tasty.

 

 

 

 

I guess they are selling several versions/years of these at once (maybe some sort of 'vertical' promotion?). At any rate, I've wanted to try one of these for a while, so I decided to start with the oldest. 22oz waxed bottle into a XL B&B snifter.

L: Nearly black with a large toffee-colored head. After a few minutes, the head subsides to leave a nice ring of foam around the glass.

S: Nose is chocolate and bourbon. Then come the dates and figs. Dark malts, and a hint of barrel character round it out.

T: The dark fruits make more of a showing here. I don't know how much actual fruit they used (it seems like a lot), but it works fairly well. Right after that is the chocolatey bourbon. Slight bitterness from the hops rounds it out.

M: Thick on the tongue. Good carbonation even after several years. I think age has mellowed it a bit as well.

O: I'm glad I picked this up. Might get one of the other versions (hopefully one not so date-y and figgy!).