Black Butte XXIV | Deschutes Brewery
Brewed by:
Deschutes Brewery
Oregon, United States | website
Style: American Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.00%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed with dark chocolate nibs, Daglet dates and Mission figs.
Added by John_M on 07-25-2012
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 199 | Ratings: 873
3.77/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Very bitter, loads of dark fruit flavors, which I enjoyed. No head retention and 0 barrel presence. Taste and nose followed in unison. I didn't try this beer fresh so I don't have the fresh comparison. Overall, it was a fun verticle
★ 236 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Very bitter, loads of dark fruit flavors, which I enjoyed. No head retention and 0 barrel presence. Taste and nose followed in unison. I didn't try this beer fresh so I don't have the fresh comparison. Overall, it was a fun verticle
★ 236 characters
3.84/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Brown and black, head didn't really come about in an impressive way, appearance points largely guided by the color, not so much anything else.
Dark fruit, roast, chocolate, bourbon very subdued.
Taste, good, but lacking the barrel quality of previous iterations. Too much licorice in the mouthfeel. Its like they blended this with a belgian dark strong ale. Screw the adjuncts, just make the usual BB barrel aged beer.
★ 425 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Brown and black, head didn't really come about in an impressive way, appearance points largely guided by the color, not so much anything else.
Dark fruit, roast, chocolate, bourbon very subdued.
Taste, good, but lacking the barrel quality of previous iterations. Too much licorice in the mouthfeel. Its like they blended this with a belgian dark strong ale. Screw the adjuncts, just make the usual BB barrel aged beer.
★ 425 characters
4.1/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pitch black and opaque without a trace of lighter color even when held to a light source. One finger beige head that vey slowly settles into a lasting cap/ring. Great retention, taking a while to settle and coating the glass with sheets of soapy lacing.
Slightly boozy aroma with prominent bourbon barrel character integrated into the notes of the base beer. Dry, earthy oak, vanilla bean, marshmallow and spicy bourbon but the barrel and booze don't interfere with the complex malt bill. Slightly smokey with lots of robust, roasted malt and subtle desert-like sweetness. Hints of coffee bean, oatmeal, toast and dark. chocolate followed by caramel and toffee sweetness. Also picking up some candi sugar, licorice and vinous dark fruit.
Slightly viscous full body with a strong boozy bourbon barrel presence up front with spicy spirit, heat and lots of dry, earthy oak. A touch of vanilla and toasted coconut but the spicy alcohol bite and charred wood overpower a bit. Underneath, there is prominent roasted dark malt countered by subtle chocolate sweetness. Also some vinous wine and dark fruit esters along with delicate spice and licorice. Bourbon soaked oak chips with some coffee bean, charcoal, charred toast, oatmeal and bittersweet dark chocolate. Also some sweet bakers chocolate and subtle hints of fudge/chocolate cake. Vinous dark fruit notes buried in there with some date, plum, fig and raisin. Pretty complex but the bourbon and heavy roast quickly begin to dominate the palate.
★ 1,514 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pitch black and opaque without a trace of lighter color even when held to a light source. One finger beige head that vey slowly settles into a lasting cap/ring. Great retention, taking a while to settle and coating the glass with sheets of soapy lacing.
Slightly boozy aroma with prominent bourbon barrel character integrated into the notes of the base beer. Dry, earthy oak, vanilla bean, marshmallow and spicy bourbon but the barrel and booze don't interfere with the complex malt bill. Slightly smokey with lots of robust, roasted malt and subtle desert-like sweetness. Hints of coffee bean, oatmeal, toast and dark. chocolate followed by caramel and toffee sweetness. Also picking up some candi sugar, licorice and vinous dark fruit.
Slightly viscous full body with a strong boozy bourbon barrel presence up front with spicy spirit, heat and lots of dry, earthy oak. A touch of vanilla and toasted coconut but the spicy alcohol bite and charred wood overpower a bit. Underneath, there is prominent roasted dark malt countered by subtle chocolate sweetness. Also some vinous wine and dark fruit esters along with delicate spice and licorice. Bourbon soaked oak chips with some coffee bean, charcoal, charred toast, oatmeal and bittersweet dark chocolate. Also some sweet bakers chocolate and subtle hints of fudge/chocolate cake. Vinous dark fruit notes buried in there with some date, plum, fig and raisin. Pretty complex but the bourbon and heavy roast quickly begin to dominate the palate.
★ 1,514 characters
4.25/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Big thanks to cfrancis for the bottle!
Pours black with a nice mocha head with bits of lacing. The nose and taste are really nice and feature all those old friends big, bad-ass beers, roasted grains, sweet pit fruit (prunes, dates, figs, raisins), dark chocolate, cocoa, nibs, a bit boozy; really nice. Thick, slick, oily on the palate, decent carbonation.
★ 359 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Big thanks to cfrancis for the bottle!
Pours black with a nice mocha head with bits of lacing. The nose and taste are really nice and feature all those old friends big, bad-ass beers, roasted grains, sweet pit fruit (prunes, dates, figs, raisins), dark chocolate, cocoa, nibs, a bit boozy; really nice. Thick, slick, oily on the palate, decent carbonation.
★ 359 characters
4.67/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pour is dark with a nice Carmel head. Aroma is sweet, Carmel. Bourbon from again makes a push at the start and on the end. Pom and some cocoa make a push but is not over whelming. Insanely delicious brew. Top notch.
★ 215 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pour is dark with a nice Carmel head. Aroma is sweet, Carmel. Bourbon from again makes a push at the start and on the end. Pom and some cocoa make a push but is not over whelming. Insanely delicious brew. Top notch.
★ 215 characters
4.31/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Deschutes for their 27th Anniversary party. Cheers!
Pours a dark black body, one finger offwhite head, fair retention, no lacing. Smells primarily of whiskey, cocoa and dark fruit. This is straightforward now; the whiskey is a bit stronger with oak, vanilla and smoke, and the dark fruit seems to have receded a bit. Flavour is impressively loaded with whiskey, cocoa nibs and vanilla, oak. Very nice and smooth; it has done well with 3 years of age on it. Mouthfeel is medium-fuller bodied, lower carbonation, smooth with a mild heat to it. Overall, this one took the cake in the XXIV-XXVII vertical and would recommend drinking this now if you have it still.
★ 671 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Deschutes for their 27th Anniversary party. Cheers!
Pours a dark black body, one finger offwhite head, fair retention, no lacing. Smells primarily of whiskey, cocoa and dark fruit. This is straightforward now; the whiskey is a bit stronger with oak, vanilla and smoke, and the dark fruit seems to have receded a bit. Flavour is impressively loaded with whiskey, cocoa nibs and vanilla, oak. Very nice and smooth; it has done well with 3 years of age on it. Mouthfeel is medium-fuller bodied, lower carbonation, smooth with a mild heat to it. Overall, this one took the cake in the XXIV-XXVII vertical and would recommend drinking this now if you have it still.
★ 671 characters
4.34/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The beer pours a nice head that takes a while to dissipate. The head is a creamy tan color and the look is creamy. The beer itself is a nice black but with little bits of yeast floating in it. The beer has some pretty heavy lacing on it.
The beer smell is very good and nice for an imperial porter. The beer has strong chocolate notes and some faint cocoa ones. The beer smell also has a strong pomegranate smell to it and a bit of molasses sweetness as well. The alcohol and a bit of vanilla also make an appearance in the beer.
The beer taste is very unique and impeccable for an imperial porter. In addition to the strong chocolate notes and cocoa nibs, the beer has strong vanilla and bourbon notes from the barrel aging. However, the best part is how the cranberries and pomegranate notes come out and mix with those other notes. The tartness of the fruits make a nice contrast with the chocolate but blend smoothly with the vanilla.
The mouthfeel is fairly good. Instead of a thick and heavy beer, the feel is a bit thinner and goes down smoothly. The beer it still heavy bodied and has decent carbonation, but it doesn't make it feel any lighter than it should be.
Overall, a fantastic beer and, if you can find one, worth getting two in order to see them aged for a bit.
★ 1,282 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The beer pours a nice head that takes a while to dissipate. The head is a creamy tan color and the look is creamy. The beer itself is a nice black but with little bits of yeast floating in it. The beer has some pretty heavy lacing on it.
The beer smell is very good and nice for an imperial porter. The beer has strong chocolate notes and some faint cocoa ones. The beer smell also has a strong pomegranate smell to it and a bit of molasses sweetness as well. The alcohol and a bit of vanilla also make an appearance in the beer.
The beer taste is very unique and impeccable for an imperial porter. In addition to the strong chocolate notes and cocoa nibs, the beer has strong vanilla and bourbon notes from the barrel aging. However, the best part is how the cranberries and pomegranate notes come out and mix with those other notes. The tartness of the fruits make a nice contrast with the chocolate but blend smoothly with the vanilla.
The mouthfeel is fairly good. Instead of a thick and heavy beer, the feel is a bit thinner and goes down smoothly. The beer it still heavy bodied and has decent carbonation, but it doesn't make it feel any lighter than it should be.
Overall, a fantastic beer and, if you can find one, worth getting two in order to see them aged for a bit.
★ 1,282 characters
4.26/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Picked up last summer in Colorado. Full notes taken last night while drinking this aged beauty.
A- Pitch black pour from the bomber shared to a few glasses. Light tan head rises over a finger with a frothy texture. A few huge webs lead to spotty lacing.
S- Dark dried fruits and big dusty cocoa nibs reminding me of Southern CA date farms and chocolate truffles. Age shows a bit but the oxidation blends into the dark fruitiness.
T- Dates and figs are the most prominent thing for me with the age adding more dark fruit like cherry, currant and raisin notes. Providing a base is earthy cocoa nib, dark but not burnt grains, toasted nuts, caramelized sugars, oxidation and a slight fruity tartness.
MF- Medium bodied perhaps a bit thinned put by father time with an oily slick texture. Carbonation level is fairly low adding to the thickness. Bitter cocoa feel.
Another Black Butte and another great iteration. Massive figs and dates smoothly integrated with the aged caramel, roast malts and cocoa nibs.
★ 1,008 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Picked up last summer in Colorado. Full notes taken last night while drinking this aged beauty.
A- Pitch black pour from the bomber shared to a few glasses. Light tan head rises over a finger with a frothy texture. A few huge webs lead to spotty lacing.
S- Dark dried fruits and big dusty cocoa nibs reminding me of Southern CA date farms and chocolate truffles. Age shows a bit but the oxidation blends into the dark fruitiness.
T- Dates and figs are the most prominent thing for me with the age adding more dark fruit like cherry, currant and raisin notes. Providing a base is earthy cocoa nib, dark but not burnt grains, toasted nuts, caramelized sugars, oxidation and a slight fruity tartness.
MF- Medium bodied perhaps a bit thinned put by father time with an oily slick texture. Carbonation level is fairly low adding to the thickness. Bitter cocoa feel.
Another Black Butte and another great iteration. Massive figs and dates smoothly integrated with the aged caramel, roast malts and cocoa nibs.
★ 1,008 characters
4.47/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 22 oz bottle into snifter. Best after 7/23/13.
A: Pours a very dark brown with 3/4 inch light tan head with decent retention. Faint lacing.
S: Molasses, dark chocolate, dark dried fruit (figs and dates), with hints of leather and dark sweet tobacco. Very nice.
T: Deep dark chocolate, dark dried fruit (figs and dates), molasses, oaky vanilla, chewy leather, dark tobacco, and a hint of spice (cinnamon).
M: Medium-heavy feel. Darkly sweet with a slightly oily feel. Moderate boozy burn in the finish...actually a bit less than I expected given the ABV. Lingers and matures nicely on the palate. With warming, this becomes the definition of silky smooth.
D: What a tremendous sipper. I like the thought process and structure. The nibs, figs, and dates all play well together. Well done, Deschutes!
★ 819 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 22 oz bottle into snifter. Best after 7/23/13.
A: Pours a very dark brown with 3/4 inch light tan head with decent retention. Faint lacing.
S: Molasses, dark chocolate, dark dried fruit (figs and dates), with hints of leather and dark sweet tobacco. Very nice.
T: Deep dark chocolate, dark dried fruit (figs and dates), molasses, oaky vanilla, chewy leather, dark tobacco, and a hint of spice (cinnamon).
M: Medium-heavy feel. Darkly sweet with a slightly oily feel. Moderate boozy burn in the finish...actually a bit less than I expected given the ABV. Lingers and matures nicely on the palate. With warming, this becomes the definition of silky smooth.
D: What a tremendous sipper. I like the thought process and structure. The nibs, figs, and dates all play well together. Well done, Deschutes!
★ 819 characters
3.97/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
MIght have past prime. Pours very dark, very small head leaves fast. Some big bubbled lace. Smell of soy, tar, heavy malt and vanilla. Pleasant taste, good malt, held up well, not cloying. Hot. Mouth is heavy, balance is to hot bitter in the end, but as I said, probably over peak. Glad I finally tried it... been cellaring for some time.
★ 345 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
MIght have past prime. Pours very dark, very small head leaves fast. Some big bubbled lace. Smell of soy, tar, heavy malt and vanilla. Pleasant taste, good malt, held up well, not cloying. Hot. Mouth is heavy, balance is to hot bitter in the end, but as I said, probably over peak. Glad I finally tried it... been cellaring for some time.
★ 345 characters
4.1/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cellar-ed 2 years and 2 months (released July 2012, consumed Sept 2014). Tasty, smooth, bourbon is still very noticeable but oak has faded. Past its peak because of this in my opinion.
★ 184 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cellar-ed 2 years and 2 months (released July 2012, consumed Sept 2014). Tasty, smooth, bourbon is still very noticeable but oak has faded. Past its peak because of this in my opinion.
★ 184 characters
4.02/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Updated: 8.11.2015
Pours dark with a nice caramel like head. Smell is quite complex after so much aging i'm sure i've missed something but mostly mix of dried fruits like dates, some cocoa. The feel of this beer now as opposed to the one opened last year is that the body has has thinned out a bit. Taste is a blast of molasses and vanilla, the bourbon is there but it's not too hot. There is also totally new flavor that wasn't there last year i opened a XXIV-almost a minty like flavor. no bad but just interesting. I suspect that it may be a byproduct of it's age.
I'v had 4 of these since it came out, my personal opinion is that this beer has peaked; I urge anyone who still has some these in their stockpile to have a look at them soon.
★ 744 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Updated: 8.11.2015
Pours dark with a nice caramel like head. Smell is quite complex after so much aging i'm sure i've missed something but mostly mix of dried fruits like dates, some cocoa. The feel of this beer now as opposed to the one opened last year is that the body has has thinned out a bit. Taste is a blast of molasses and vanilla, the bourbon is there but it's not too hot. There is also totally new flavor that wasn't there last year i opened a XXIV-almost a minty like flavor. no bad but just interesting. I suspect that it may be a byproduct of it's age.
I'v had 4 of these since it came out, my personal opinion is that this beer has peaked; I urge anyone who still has some these in their stockpile to have a look at them soon.
★ 744 characters
4.27/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A-dark brown black color with a nice light brown head and good lacing
S-dark chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, bourbon, earthy
T-dark roasted malt, dark chocolate, raisins, figs, bourbon, coffee, light char, molasses
F-medium to full body with moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy
O-great range of flavors and well-balanced, a tad on the sweet side for me, but a terrific Imperial Porter nonetheless
★ 403 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A-dark brown black color with a nice light brown head and good lacing
S-dark chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, bourbon, earthy
T-dark roasted malt, dark chocolate, raisins, figs, bourbon, coffee, light char, molasses
F-medium to full body with moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy
O-great range of flavors and well-balanced, a tad on the sweet side for me, but a terrific Imperial Porter nonetheless
★ 403 characters
4.61/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
22 oz. bomber poured into a Duvel Tulip styel glass. Coming out of the bottle it's a cola brown but gets a dark brown and even black in the center with deep autumn brown highlights. Tan head with mostly small bubbles, great lacing, frothy and thick.
Smell is great. Dark slightly over roasted dark, sweet glazed grains; not quite charred, but like a slightly over done marshmallow. Dark dehydrated fruits like figs, raisins, dates, and maybe even some white grapes (yeah still raisins, whatever). In addition there's the classic fudgey chocolate notes and some slight spices.
Taste is slightly spicy sweeter than I expected, but is freaking amazing! Lots of deep, dark dehydrated fruits like mentioned above in addition to the slightest hints of coffee masked by the sweet fudgey chocolate. There's a slight nuttiness hidden in the fruit as well, really a lot of natural, earthy, pure sweetness. Great spicy notes as mentioned earlier, I think cinnamon and nutmeg, but not in a Christmas sort of way, like a mulled wine sort of way that wasn't intended just for cold weather, there's some tropical fruit like pineapple and tangerine in there.
Moutfeel is down right awesome. Full bodied with a lingering flavor and a nice moderate carbonation level. Not overly, but adequately smooth with a nice natural sweetness to a spicy dry finish. Crazy drinkability. I like all of the anniversary/birthday Black Butte beer I've had so far, but to my recollection, this one is the most drinkable, pretty dangerously drinkable actually. Great beer, great brewery, thanks Geoff!
★ 1,571 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
22 oz. bomber poured into a Duvel Tulip styel glass. Coming out of the bottle it's a cola brown but gets a dark brown and even black in the center with deep autumn brown highlights. Tan head with mostly small bubbles, great lacing, frothy and thick.
Smell is great. Dark slightly over roasted dark, sweet glazed grains; not quite charred, but like a slightly over done marshmallow. Dark dehydrated fruits like figs, raisins, dates, and maybe even some white grapes (yeah still raisins, whatever). In addition there's the classic fudgey chocolate notes and some slight spices.
Taste is slightly spicy sweeter than I expected, but is freaking amazing! Lots of deep, dark dehydrated fruits like mentioned above in addition to the slightest hints of coffee masked by the sweet fudgey chocolate. There's a slight nuttiness hidden in the fruit as well, really a lot of natural, earthy, pure sweetness. Great spicy notes as mentioned earlier, I think cinnamon and nutmeg, but not in a Christmas sort of way, like a mulled wine sort of way that wasn't intended just for cold weather, there's some tropical fruit like pineapple and tangerine in there.
Moutfeel is down right awesome. Full bodied with a lingering flavor and a nice moderate carbonation level. Not overly, but adequately smooth with a nice natural sweetness to a spicy dry finish. Crazy drinkability. I like all of the anniversary/birthday Black Butte beer I've had so far, but to my recollection, this one is the most drinkable, pretty dangerously drinkable actually. Great beer, great brewery, thanks Geoff!
★ 1,571 characters
4.1/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a formerly waxed 22 oz. bottle into a Deschutes Brewery Public House branded snifter
Pours a dense opaque black capped by a medium beige two finger head. Exceptional retention, tons of splotchy lacing. Anise, dark chocolate, dark fruit notes, and booze on the nose. Plenty of dark chocolate and black licorice upfront. Dark fruit notes follow prunes and figs flanked by some dates accents and just a hint of cola. Finishes with a bit of roastiness and bittering hops, continued dark chocolate notes, and underlying brooding booziness. Light to moderate full body, low to moderate carbonation. Smooth and silky, with creamy highlights. Every brew in the Black Butte Anniversary Series is excellent and XXIV is no exception.
★ 735 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a formerly waxed 22 oz. bottle into a Deschutes Brewery Public House branded snifter
Pours a dense opaque black capped by a medium beige two finger head. Exceptional retention, tons of splotchy lacing. Anise, dark chocolate, dark fruit notes, and booze on the nose. Plenty of dark chocolate and black licorice upfront. Dark fruit notes follow prunes and figs flanked by some dates accents and just a hint of cola. Finishes with a bit of roastiness and bittering hops, continued dark chocolate notes, and underlying brooding booziness. Light to moderate full body, low to moderate carbonation. Smooth and silky, with creamy highlights. Every brew in the Black Butte Anniversary Series is excellent and XXIV is no exception.
★ 735 characters
4.2/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
best after 07/23/13. bomber into tulip.
A: pours a very, very dark brown. head is a shade of brown and frothy. can almost see the legs on this thing. good lacing.
S: licorice and a lot of wood. oak. dark fruits. maybe a little bit of coconut? I think I am getting that from the oak and the sweet sugars more than an actual coconut.
T: a lot of chocolate. a shitload of oak. a little bit of booze, but a pleasant amount. not too hot. figs in chocolate. or maybe just figs. some dark and sweet fruit. a little bit tangy. a lot of tobacco. wondering how I didn't notice that the first time. bitter dark chocolate reigns into the finish.
M: incredibly smooth. a silken mouthfeel. fucking full bodied to the max.
D: never had the pleasure of having this fresh, but approaching the 1 year after the best after date I would say this is drinking mighty fine right now with plenty of complexity and no flaws. very rich, a dessert amongst beers.
★ 942 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
best after 07/23/13. bomber into tulip.
A: pours a very, very dark brown. head is a shade of brown and frothy. can almost see the legs on this thing. good lacing.
S: licorice and a lot of wood. oak. dark fruits. maybe a little bit of coconut? I think I am getting that from the oak and the sweet sugars more than an actual coconut.
T: a lot of chocolate. a shitload of oak. a little bit of booze, but a pleasant amount. not too hot. figs in chocolate. or maybe just figs. some dark and sweet fruit. a little bit tangy. a lot of tobacco. wondering how I didn't notice that the first time. bitter dark chocolate reigns into the finish.
M: incredibly smooth. a silken mouthfeel. fucking full bodied to the max.
D: never had the pleasure of having this fresh, but approaching the 1 year after the best after date I would say this is drinking mighty fine right now with plenty of complexity and no flaws. very rich, a dessert amongst beers.
★ 942 characters
3.87/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Served from a bomber into a Smutty big beer tulip. Cellar temps.
Appearance- Pitch black with big two finger off-white head that lasted long and left great lacing.
Smell- Sweet porter aromas, definantly date and figs (those dried fruits are very prominant), heavy malt backbone, some light vanilla and mild chocolate. No real hop presence here.
Taste- Dark cocoa, with a resounding bitterness, dark stone fruits and dried fruits, no real alcohol presence here, heavy chocolate malts and no hops. I flip flop back and forth with whether I like it or not. But I think it's because of the mouthfeel...
Mouthfeel- Wayyy too carbonated. Everyones reviews say that its creamy and smooth. Mine is not. If it was, I'd probably like this beer more. Sharp carbonation that prickles the tongue.
Overall- If this were flat, it would be better than it is now. Too much carbonation for such a strong porter.
★ 900 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Served from a bomber into a Smutty big beer tulip. Cellar temps.
Appearance- Pitch black with big two finger off-white head that lasted long and left great lacing.
Smell- Sweet porter aromas, definantly date and figs (those dried fruits are very prominant), heavy malt backbone, some light vanilla and mild chocolate. No real hop presence here.
Taste- Dark cocoa, with a resounding bitterness, dark stone fruits and dried fruits, no real alcohol presence here, heavy chocolate malts and no hops. I flip flop back and forth with whether I like it or not. But I think it's because of the mouthfeel...
Mouthfeel- Wayyy too carbonated. Everyones reviews say that its creamy and smooth. Mine is not. If it was, I'd probably like this beer more. Sharp carbonation that prickles the tongue.
Overall- If this were flat, it would be better than it is now. Too much carbonation for such a strong porter.
★ 900 characters
4.34/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle from j47paco (thanks man!). Best after 7/23/13, released in 2012. Served in a Three Floyds teku.
Pours a near-black dark brown with a little more than two fingers of pale tan head. Maintains a thin haze across the top and leaves nice sized clumps of lace.
Smells sugary sweet with figs, caramel, dates, chocolate and roasted malt.
Flavors are an interesting blend of roasty ant sweet. A healthy dose of dark fruits like plum, date and fig with roasty malts, chocolate, currants, raisin bread, creamed coffee and a soft nip of alcohol. A nice fruit forward mix.
Creamy, smooth, medium full body with mild carbonation. Chocolate and dark fruit aftertaste.
A flavorful amped-up Black Butte. The added fruits and additional malts make for a flavorful experiece.
★ 779 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle from j47paco (thanks man!). Best after 7/23/13, released in 2012. Served in a Three Floyds teku.
Pours a near-black dark brown with a little more than two fingers of pale tan head. Maintains a thin haze across the top and leaves nice sized clumps of lace.
Smells sugary sweet with figs, caramel, dates, chocolate and roasted malt.
Flavors are an interesting blend of roasty ant sweet. A healthy dose of dark fruits like plum, date and fig with roasty malts, chocolate, currants, raisin bread, creamed coffee and a soft nip of alcohol. A nice fruit forward mix.
Creamy, smooth, medium full body with mild carbonation. Chocolate and dark fruit aftertaste.
A flavorful amped-up Black Butte. The added fruits and additional malts make for a flavorful experiece.
★ 779 characters
4.52/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pretty good head for an aged goodie! Pours out as black as before, with dark brown around the very edge. No lace, not surprised.
The smell intoxicates! Dark fruit, rich chocolate, slight roasted malts and earth to finish.
The taste is far richer than the smell! Thick chocolate, dried fruit, earth, more chocolate... Almost as good as XXI! Thick and smooth going down.
If you find one, cellar it for another year. I'm on the hunt.
★ 433 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pretty good head for an aged goodie! Pours out as black as before, with dark brown around the very edge. No lace, not surprised.
The smell intoxicates! Dark fruit, rich chocolate, slight roasted malts and earth to finish.
The taste is far richer than the smell! Thick chocolate, dried fruit, earth, more chocolate... Almost as good as XXI! Thick and smooth going down.
If you find one, cellar it for another year. I'm on the hunt.
★ 433 characters
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A: Dark brown, basically black with a mocha ring of head.
S: Berries, dark fruit, coffee, dark chocolate and roasted malt in the nose.
T: Chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, a bit tart, some oak and vanilla.
M: Full bodied and smoothish.
O: This version is quite a bit fruitier and has a lighter barrel character than the previous years, and I personally prefer the bourbony barrel aged imperial stouts.
★ 402 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A: Dark brown, basically black with a mocha ring of head.
S: Berries, dark fruit, coffee, dark chocolate and roasted malt in the nose.
T: Chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, a bit tart, some oak and vanilla.
M: Full bodied and smoothish.
O: This version is quite a bit fruitier and has a lighter barrel character than the previous years, and I personally prefer the bourbony barrel aged imperial stouts.
★ 402 characters
3.7/5 rDev -12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Served in a tulip. Pours the color of cola with a loose head that dissipates towards the shoulders. Nose expresses roast, medicinal notes (tussin), cocoa nibs and tobacco. Taste reveals chalky chocolate, dark fruits, roast and more of the medicinal character expressed in the nose. Mouthfeel is medium-light in body with an even carbonation. Overall, an interesting flavor profile, but this beer doesn't really come together for me.
★ 432 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Served in a tulip. Pours the color of cola with a loose head that dissipates towards the shoulders. Nose expresses roast, medicinal notes (tussin), cocoa nibs and tobacco. Taste reveals chalky chocolate, dark fruits, roast and more of the medicinal character expressed in the nose. Mouthfeel is medium-light in body with an even carbonation. Overall, an interesting flavor profile, but this beer doesn't really come together for me.
★ 432 characters
4.46/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
500th review!
Appearance - Pours a dark chocolate brown/black with two fingers of bubbly tan head.
Smell - Roasted malts, black currents, red wine, figs, cocoa.
Taste - Roasted malts and dark fruits (figs, black currents) up front, along with red wine and cocoa. Excellent blend of flavours.
Mouthfeel - Medium to full bodied with light carbonation. Finishes with a warming sensation.
Overall - A decadent blend of rich flavours in this porter. I was pleasantly surprised by the red wine character to this brew, which adds a unique dimension to the style.
★ 570 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
500th review!
Appearance - Pours a dark chocolate brown/black with two fingers of bubbly tan head.
Smell - Roasted malts, black currents, red wine, figs, cocoa.
Taste - Roasted malts and dark fruits (figs, black currents) up front, along with red wine and cocoa. Excellent blend of flavours.
Mouthfeel - Medium to full bodied with light carbonation. Finishes with a warming sensation.
Overall - A decadent blend of rich flavours in this porter. I was pleasantly surprised by the red wine character to this brew, which adds a unique dimension to the style.
★ 570 characters
4.29/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Black with copper highlights and steady beige film with feet.
Giant dark dried fruit sweetness on the nose with maybe a touch of smoke - alluring.
Black grape, plum, some roasty bite, raisins, a fleck of metallic/blood, and a rugelach ending.
Fig Newton finish and tart tannic linger.
Full, well chewy, smooth with no heat.
Supremely sweet and mellow. Time did well to meld this and take off any burn. Almost like a quad with added roast. Deep, complex, and lovely.
★ 470 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Black with copper highlights and steady beige film with feet.
Giant dark dried fruit sweetness on the nose with maybe a touch of smoke - alluring.
Black grape, plum, some roasty bite, raisins, a fleck of metallic/blood, and a rugelach ending.
Fig Newton finish and tart tannic linger.
Full, well chewy, smooth with no heat.
Supremely sweet and mellow. Time did well to meld this and take off any burn. Almost like a quad with added roast. Deep, complex, and lovely.
★ 470 characters
4.05/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Got this one from Rutager a while back. Thanks again for the awesome exchange man!
From a bomber into a snifter
Best after 23 July 2013
APPEARANCE: Clear brown pour yields a three finger, medium-thick, fluffy looking, light tan head with excellent retention. Clear dark brown body with lower levels of carbonation. Head eventually fades to a full cap and clings to the sides of the glass. A splotchy wisp remains leaving some good lacing down the glass. Good looking porter for sure.
SMELL: Dark malts, chocolate, caramel and some dark fruits. Quite bold. Bourbon, oak and vanilla with some caramel over the base beer. Good stuff.
TASTE: Dark malts with caramel and dark fruits up front, then some bourbon and oak at the swallow. Bolder finish of dark fruits, bitter chocolate, oak and creamy caramel sweetness. Milk chocolate and vanilla linger as well. Very nice.
PALATE: Medium-full body with medium levels of carbonation. Lots of weight, silky smooth, thick and heavy on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes sticky on the palate. No heat either. Great feel.
OVERALL: Really nice, and definitely something I'd be glad to drink again. In fact, this entire series has been great so far. Big feel and very full flavored with a well-measured barrel aging character as well. Perhaps not as impressive as the XXV I had the night before, but still top class. Cheers again Rutager. Highly recommended.
★ 1,412 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Got this one from Rutager a while back. Thanks again for the awesome exchange man!
From a bomber into a snifter
Best after 23 July 2013
APPEARANCE: Clear brown pour yields a three finger, medium-thick, fluffy looking, light tan head with excellent retention. Clear dark brown body with lower levels of carbonation. Head eventually fades to a full cap and clings to the sides of the glass. A splotchy wisp remains leaving some good lacing down the glass. Good looking porter for sure.
SMELL: Dark malts, chocolate, caramel and some dark fruits. Quite bold. Bourbon, oak and vanilla with some caramel over the base beer. Good stuff.
TASTE: Dark malts with caramel and dark fruits up front, then some bourbon and oak at the swallow. Bolder finish of dark fruits, bitter chocolate, oak and creamy caramel sweetness. Milk chocolate and vanilla linger as well. Very nice.
PALATE: Medium-full body with medium levels of carbonation. Lots of weight, silky smooth, thick and heavy on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes sticky on the palate. No heat either. Great feel.
OVERALL: Really nice, and definitely something I'd be glad to drink again. In fact, this entire series has been great so far. Big feel and very full flavored with a well-measured barrel aging character as well. Perhaps not as impressive as the XXV I had the night before, but still top class. Cheers again Rutager. Highly recommended.
★ 1,412 characters
Black Butte XXIV from Deschutes Brewery
4.24
out of 5
based on 873 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
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!).
★ 965 characters