Deschutes Brewery The Abyss

“In the nose, dark roast, sweet chocolate, and sun-dried tobacco leaves intermingle. Bitter dark-chocolate flavor, huge roast, with some sweetness in the background. Leans old school with the higher bittering, but with enough new-school smooth chocolate to balance.”

“Bitter cherry wood, smooth vanilla, dark roast in the aroma. Coconut and lingering bitter dark chocolate in the sip. Smoke and toffee as it warms. Old-school bitterness helps fend off the sweetness.”

**Aroma:** “A moderate chocolate note that reminds me of opening up a chocolate bar. A slight boozy note, but sweet enough to complement the chocolate. Strong chocolate flavors, reminiscent of bittersweet and sweet baker’s chocolate. Nice malt sweetness and a touch of roasted malt notes.” **Flavor:** “Sweet malt and chocolate prevail, with just a bit of roasted malt coming through as coffee. Balanced with a slightly sweet finish. Intense sweetness has some fruitiness that comes off a little bubble-gummy. Cherry and fig, dark fruit malt sweetness. Slight warming helps in the finish, and the fruitiness adds complexity.” **Overall:** “Full-bodied, sweet chocolate stout. A boozy chocolate milk is the best descriptor. The dark fruit esters from the fermentation overwhelm the chocolate character. Not quite enough hops bitterness to balance out the malt bill. Smooth, with a nice warming, and very easy drinking.”