Name: The Abyss 2010 Reserve (Deschutes Brewery)
Origin: USA, Oregon
Style: Imperial Stout (Molasses Stout, 11%)
Appearance: When I poured this into the glass, memories of Odin’s Tipple came racing back to me. A thick, black stout, it pours heavily into the glass. No light can penetrate its abyssal like blackness. A creamy, tan head comes initially but is quickly consumed into the abyssal void that is The Abyss. This beer really does look that epic. They even sealed the bottle with black wax to prevent the abyss from escaping and consuming my furniture.
Taste: The aroma is very pungent, with molasses, black licorice and notes of its alcohol are all present. The Abyss has a very heavy, potent palette. Strong flavours of molasses and bakers chocolate are easily discernible, followed by a roller coaster of changing flavours; It starts with a piney/herbal bitternesss that turns to a sweet molasses flavour, giving way to a bitter black licorise, then to a sweet then bitter chocolate finish. The bitter cocoa end lingers on the tongue.
Mouth Feel: A very heavy drinking beer, creamy and extremely filling. There is no noticeable heat from the high ABV, even though I detected it in the aroma.
Final Thoughts (4 out of 5): I can imaging this beer mellows with age, but why would I wait? A beer like this is best enjoyed when its old enough its not like rocket fuel but young enough it still punches you in the face every sip.
