XX. It usually means bigger. Richer. And we can think of no better way to describe the taste of this even-bolder take on our classic, Black Butte Porter. Black Butte XX is an imperial porter with a lot more malt and hops, a wealth of coffee, cocoa nibs and aged in bourbon oak barrels. XX. It also means 20. Enjoy one during our 20th anniversary. On the flavor scale - It's legendary.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by keal from Wailuku, HI, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (8/14/2008 2:23:58 AM)
"Strong, clean coffee and chocolate aroma upon opening. Taste is similar - strong coffee and chocolate taste. Not much to say on this one - not that that's a bad thing - but this porter's profile is so straightforward. I'm cellaring a case as I'm betting the flavors will really mellow in a short while.
Being an anniversary beer, this is an experience one shouldn't pass up. Get 2 bottles, at the least!"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $9.47 Unit Cost: $6.89 per Pint
[2] Review by Timmyk77 from Overland Park, KS, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/10/2008 10:08:31 PM)
"From a bottle. Pours an opaque black with a thick brown head. Aroma is caramel sweet and malty with a slight alcohol note. A little thin, but silky mouthfeel. Flavor is fantastic. Chocolate, coffee, and caramel hit your tastebuds, followed by a great bitterness to balance out the sweetness up front. Leaves an alcohol burn at the end. Fantastic beer. Wish I'd gotten a few bottles when I had the chance."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $9.99 Unit Cost: $7.27 per Pint
[3] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/16/2008 1:00:08 AM)
"A vigorous pour into my New Belgium globe goblet produces three-fingers of tightly beaded, browned, dark tan colored froth. The beer is opaque and black, though it does show a hint of a red tint if held up directly to the light. The aroma definitely has lots of chocolate to it as this is the first thing I notice as I am pouring it. Once I focus on the aroma though the chocolate takes more of a back seat to the roast aromatics and warm alcohol esters. The roast character smells distinctly of deeply roasted coffee; sharp, slightly acrid with a burnt, acidic edge and even a bit of char. Towards the end some toasted grain notes become noticeable, sort of like browned saltine crackers, but these notes are fairly soft. This has a fruitiness to it that is reminiscent of roasted prunes and blackened raisins.
Quite sweet tasting, with more fruit and less roast character than the aroma would have suggested. The fruitiness has notes of berries, raisins and figs that all have a charred note to them. The finish has notes of bitter, darkly roasted coffee and some light oak spiciness to it as well as some soft warming notes from the alcohol. While this is chewy and slightly viscous it definitely drinks lighter than its 11% alcohol; it almost has a lightness to it & I would have expected this to be a lot more thick and creamy. Sweet, roasted flavors of molasses and chocolate syrup move to bright, coffee notes in the middle and finally finishes with charred malt, a burnt acidity and a lingering roasted bitterness in the finish. The oak / bourbon notes are quite subtle / hidden; just noticed in the finish with the spicy bourbon-barrel notes accenting the warming alcohol notes a bit.
An interesting beer. The flavors and aromatics don't integrate and work as well together as they should, thought the individual components are pretty good. In the end it can be a bit too thin, a bit too acrid and a bit too bitter to be really good. Still a tasty tipple and certainly enjoyable.
Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $10 Unit Cost: $7.27 per Pint
[4] Review by Chef Chad from Grand Junction, CO, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/11/2008 11:22:54 PM)
"Truly Stunning craftsmanship of a beer. This beer can and will rival the abyss. Pours dark brown with a nice thin tan head. Aroma is very roasty caramel and chocolate with the hint of a morning java trip. Mouth feel is intense with full body warmness and very balanced carbonation. Flavor is as complex and most rewarding of any imperial porter I have had. The bourbon hint is upfront and not over powering. The palette is greeted with lots of coffee and intense dark chocolate flavor. This finish is surprising bitter to give you the sense that the hops were carefully planned on this one. WOW!!! I can’t wait to ages this beer.
FYI This beer is an Imperial porter not a strong ale......"
Aroma:
10/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
10/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
10/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $6.38 Unit Cost: $4.64 per Pint
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