#310: Deschutes Brewery » Black Butte XXVI (Imperial Porter)

Deschutes Brewery » Black Butte XXVI (Bourbon Barrel Imperial Porter) | ABV: 10.2%
One of my favorite parts about winter is the occasional night in with my partner accompanied with big dark brews. We'd picked this beauty up on our anniversary trip to Philadelphia back in December - no Deschutes Brewery distro to upstate NY, but there's always hoping.

This 26th Anniversary beer is Deschutes' Imperial Porter, 50% aged in bourbon barrels for 6 months and dry spiced with cocoa nibs, pomegranate, molasses and Oregon cranberries.

Black Butte XXVI kicks off with deep, aromatics notes of pomegranate threaded with raspberry truffle, cherry chocolate, and molasses.

Onto the palate, it's exceptionally dark and juicy with a far lighter mouthfeel than expected. Its boozy without being sharp and backed by a delightful sweetness that's just a touch sticky on the lips. The initial finish wraps up with dark chocolate, tart pomegranate and cranberry.Further through there's a growing dryness and inferred flavors of vanilla bean.

To be honest, Deschutes Brewery Black Butte XXVI is phenomenal. A deftly well-balanced and unique blend of boozy dark beer with just the right amount of tartness that somehow all remains light on it's feet. It's not cheap, but well worth the cost.

#296: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Frisky Imp (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) & Boggled (Cranberry Saison)

Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Frisky Imp (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) ABV: 9.5% | IBUs: 55
Twas the eve before Xmas Eve and my partner, her sister and I decided to take a break from holiday stressers and head up the hill to Hopshire for one of their latest creations - an Imperial Stout brewed with all NYS hops and aged in local McKenzie Rye Whiskey barrels from Finger Lakes Distilling, aptly named Frisky Imp.

Upon arrival, Diane immediately served the three of us up tastings of the aphotic brew, emitting cozy whiskey aromas with a brief note of sweet candy. Onto the palate, it's instantly satisfying. The body is silky with a drying finish. Smooth whiskey flavors and heat are held in balance with lively carbonation. As big as this brew is at 9.5%, it's a touch juicy and jammy with notes of cherry, threaded with soft coffee and smooth spice that gradually achieving a dry, earthy finish.

Frisky Imp is surprisingly refreshing and drinkable, an Imperial Stout that's easy on the palate, never becoming too sticky or sharp.


Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Boggled (Cranberry Saison) | ABV: 8.0% | IBUs: 9
Following Frisky Imp, Diane served us up a round of Boggled, a Belgian-style Saison, packed with fresh Cranberries and a dash of orange peel.

Boggled kicks off with a pleasant, sweet & tart nose with a touch of yeast. It's a smooth marriage of tangy cranberry and sweet orange with a hint of vanilla. It's a zesty, fruity brew with a dry, earthy finish that's delightfully light on its feet for 8% and though it's a fruit beer, it doesn't venture into juicy or syrupy territory. Clocking in an just 9 IBUs, Boggled is a solid seasonal for those who avoid bitter in their beer.