The Abyss

Reviews

1. 

   Review by mattly

   Rating: 90

   mattly

   drank this beer from a Snifter in Portland, OR

   Jan. 19th, 2009 at 11:29 p.m.

   Comment:

   It’s a great stout, but doesn’t live up to the immense hype that surrounds it. I was at the release party (at the Deschutes Brewery in Portland) for 2008’s batch and waited in line for over an hour to get a few bottles (limit 6 per person). They sold out nearly immediately. Over the summer, bottles from the 2007 batch had more than doubled in value on craigslist. Just to give you an idea as to the legend that this beer is.

   So as for the beer itself: It’s a great stout, but not necessarily for the price. Dark and velvety, the Abyss balances chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, graham crackers, licorace, and woody and roasted overtones. All while being amazingly smooth for an 11% beer.

   On the other hand, my experience of the 2007 batch (half of a 22oz bottle) might have helped build the legend in my mind. From talking to others, the 2007 batch was a lot better. So who knows. If you can get your hands on it it’s worth a shot (and hey, I’m cellaring a few bottles, so if you’re visiting Portland…)

   Characteristics: chocolate dark malty woody

2. 

   Review by Jordan Dobson

   Rating: 90

   Jordan Dobson

   drank this beer from a Pint glass in Seattle, WA

   Jan. 22nd, 2009 at 5:10 p.m.

   Comment:

   Very smooth and heavy flavored. Make sure you have no plans except taking a nap after drinking this.

   Characteristics: heavy smooth

3. 

   Review by Ryan Schroeder

   Rating: 92

   Ryan Schroeder

   drank this beer from a Pint glass in Seattle, WA

   Jan. 24th, 2009 at 9:43 p.m.

   Comment:

   Lucky enough to get a pint on tap from Red House in Renton, WA.

   Dark, syrupy & delicious this imperial stout is about as strong as they come (11% ABV!). A pint was the perfect cap to a great steak frites dinner. More carbonation than you’d expect — that’s a good thing here — not sure I could get through a pint otherwise.

   You really taste everything in this beer. Chocolate, coffee, bourbon, molasses - nothing dominates though.

   Highly recommended.

   Characteristics: black bourbon sweet syrupy

4. 

   Review by Ryan

   Rating: 90

   Ryan

   drank this beer from a Pint glass in Spokane, WA

   Jan. 26th, 2009 at 8:51 a.m.

   Comment:

   A velvet hammer. There is a TON going on in this roasted, spicy and sweet stout.

   Characteristics: bourbon chocolate complex dark sweet velvet

5. 

   Review by DavidDrinks

   Rating: 90

   DavidDrinks

   drank this beer from a Pint glass in Portland, OR

   Jan. 29th, 2009 at 10:39 a.m.

   Comment:

   Can’t add much to the other reviews, except that I sampled this at a Groundhog Day party after several other great brews and noshes, and all those flavors and the velvety feel were still vivid. Then I fell asleep.

   Characteristics:

6. 

   Review by elmazz

   Rating: 86

   elmazz

   drank this beer from a Bottle in Eugene, OR

   Feb. 7th, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.

   Comment:

   A great velvet taste with sweet touch of bliss.

   Characteristics: smooooooooth velvet

7. 

   Review by Remi

   Rating: 90

   Remi

   drank this beer from a Pint glass in Spokane, WA

   March 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.

   Comment:

   This one might just send you to the abyss. But it’d be a nice journey!

   Characteristics: bourbon dark velvet

8. 

   Review by DVVG

   Rating: 90

   DVVG

   drank this beer from a Bottle in Portland, OR

   April 15th, 2009 at 2:43 p.m.

   Comment:

   One of the best beers I’ve had in my life.

   Characteristics: dangerous dark delicious

9. 

   Review by mikegee

   Rating: 95

   mikegee

   drank this beer from a Snifter in Miami, FL

   April 17th, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.

   Comment:

   Aroma: Molassas, brown sugar, oak

   Taste: Licorice, oakey smooth, dusty, old coffee.

   Mouth: Creamy

   Carbonation: Subtle and nice

   Head: Dark tan, great lacing

   Reminded me of Night Tripper which is currently my favorite stout. Glassy surface and edges.

   Characteristics:

10. 

    Review by wanderingthurmans

    Rating: 92

    wanderingthurmans

    drank this beer from a Snifter in Portland, OR

    July 1st, 2009 at 2:20 p.m.

    Comment:

    Nothing that hasn’t been said before although i would like to know what years people tried.

    I have to agree with Mattly I thought 2008 was good but the hype is killing it for me. 2007 (bottle) left me wanting more 2008 (on tap) left me satisfied.

    Characteristics:

11. 

    Review by M@

    Rating: 91

    M@

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Washington, DC

    Sept. 17th, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.

    Comment:

    pours dark with a tan head

    smells chocolaty and holiday spices.

    taste is bittersweet chocolate and coffee. then the warming and smokiness come in. lingering bittersweet

    mouthfeel is slightly tink; just right.

    Characteristics: bitter chocolate coffee smoky