9 replies to this topic

[CaptRon]

So I picked up a sixer of Deschutes Obsidian Stout. Boy this has to be up there, probably top 3 stouts I've had. Nice big roasty flavor that seems to be missing from a lot of commercially bought stouts in my opinion. When I poured it out it had a nice thick almost like a hot cocoa frothy type head to it. Took a big sniff and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of roasty aroma. Took that first sip and wow, there is a ton of flavor going on here. Not sure about the hops though as I think the big roasty flavor is taking over on it.What I thought was a sixer of Obsidian, I found one of their Mirror Pond Pale Ales in one of the slots of the six pack. I was like "Alright, cool". So I poured it, took a sniff and was baffled by the seemingly non-existent aroma - both malt and hop. Then I took the sip and was even more disappointed. Hardly any flavor to it at all. So I ask my wife to take a sniff as she doesn't like beer and would confirm that it isn't just me, and she said "I don't really smell anything. Weird." So I'm going to have to give a HUGE two thumbs down on the Mirror Pond Pale Ale.The Obsidian Stout is top notch though.

[Tim the Enchanter]

So I picked up a sixer of Deschutes Obsidian Stout. Boy this has to be up there, probably top 3 stouts I've had. Nice big roasty flavor that seems to be missing from a lot of commercially bought stouts in my opinion. When I poured it out it had a nice thick almost like a hot cocoa frothy type head to it. Took a big sniff and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of roasty aroma. Took that first sip and wow, there is a ton of flavor going on here. Not sure about the hops though as I think the big roasty flavor is taking over on it.What I thought was a sixer of Obsidian, I found one of their Mirror Pond Pale Ales in one of the slots of the six pack. I was like "Alright, cool". So I poured it, took a sniff and was baffled by the seemingly non-existent aroma - both malt and hop. Then I took the sip and was even more disappointed. Hardly any flavor to it at all. So I ask my wife to take a sniff as she doesn't like beer and would confirm that it isn't just me, and she said "I don't really smell anything. Weird." So I'm going to have to give a HUGE two thumbs down on the Mirror Pond Pale Ale.The Obsidian Stout is top notch though.

Try the Mirror Pond again sometime. Maybe not after you just tasted a stout. Mirror Pond was my go-to beer when I lived in Oregon. They had it almost everywhere and I always knew I would like it (kind of like SNPA in CA). Maybe you just got a bad bottle or something.I'm sure you know, you need more than one sample to be sure you don't like something.

[No Party JKor]

I had the Mirror Pond for the first time when I was out in Cali over Thanksgiving. You definitely got a bad bottle. When I had it the hop flavor and aroma were in your face and awesome...and the beer had probably the best malt flavor I've ever tasted in an APA. Without a doubt, the best APA I've ever had.

[CaptRon]

Good to know, I will definitely give it another tasting or 6 ;)I also picked up a case of their Black Butte Porter. Really nice Porter with an almost coffee type flavor to it. Perfect carbonation which gives it nice head.

[Mya]

Good to know, I will definitely give it another tasting or 6 :angry:I also picked up a case of their Black Butte Porter. Really nice Porter with an almost coffee type flavor to it. Perfect carbonation which gives it nice head.

that's good, mirror pond is the beer that got me into real beer and then homebrewing

[jammer]

Deschutes Brewery puts out some fine product. Some of my favorites. Somehow i got away from them and have been drinking SN products lately. Imma have to get back to my local breweries soon.

[Tim the Enchanter]

If you get a chance, try their Cinder Cone Red (spring seasonal). Great aroma hops right up front, nice malt backbone. Excellent freakin' beer.

[DaBearSox]

If you get a chance, try their Cinder Cone Red (spring seasonal). Great aroma hops right up front, nice malt backbone. Excellent freakin' beer.

+100

[Mya]

If you get a chance, try their Cinder Cone Red (spring seasonal). Great aroma hops right up front, nice malt backbone. Excellent freakin' beer.

ohh you have to try the new seasonal the Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale, wonderful malty Pale ale with a delightful citus hop finish, damned good.

[porter]

Obsidian Stout is great - one of the best American stouts. Mirror Pond seems to have QC issues. When it's on, it's one of the best APAs out there. But I too have gotten bottles (that I know were "fresh") with almost no aroma, or an off aroma.