Reserve Series

We throw out all the rules when it comes to our Reserve Series. But we throw in all the best ingredients and brewing techniques to make small batches of innovative, bold flavors. These brews age well and have a higher alcohol content. Although our Reserve Series takes more time to brew, they disappear quickly due to their popularity and limited release.

   

BLACK BUTTE XXI

On June 27th, Deschutes Brewery turns 21. To celebrate, we are releasing a limited batch of Black Butte XXI, which is a doubled-up, barrel-aged version of the brewery’s flagship ale, Black Butte Porter.

“It may seem a little unusual to release a dark, heavy beer in the middle of the summer, but to us, it was only fitting,” said Gary Fish, founder of Deschutes Brewery. “After all, the company has thrived for 20 years, largely on the back of Black Butte Porter.”

Last summer, we released Black Butte XX for its 20th Anniversary and received a spectacular response. Building on the existing chocolate notes already present in Black Butte Porter, brewers added Theo’s Chocolate cocoa nibs from Seattle,  1000 pounds of Bellatazza’s locally roasted Ethopian and Sumatran coffee, and then aged a portion of it in Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey barrels.

Fish said, “Black Butte Porter in general has a lot of chocolate notes to it. To physically add chocolate, and then add coffee, is a home-run.”

Still, Deschutes Brewmaster Larry Sidor wasn’t satisfied. “Last year’s batch had a fleeting coffee note to it,” he explained. “It was quite nice, but we wanted it to stick around longer.”

A limited amount of Black Butte XXI will be available on tap and in wax-dipped 22-ounce bottles starting Saturday, June 27 across 11 of the 14 states where we distribute.

As with all of our Reserve Series beers, we recommend drinking one now and saving a  bottle to drink a year from now.  These beers only get better with age if they are cellared properly.  That's why we put a "Best After" date on the bottle.

Learn more about Black Butte XXI...