Deschutes Black Butte XXVI

This is an 10.8% ABV Imperial Porter from Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Oregon. They release a version of this each year to mark their birthday; this was year 26. This version was brewed with pomegranate molasses with 50% aged in bourbon barrels blended with some non-barrel aged that had cocoa nibs and cranberry added.

The beer pours black in color, with a half-inch of thick, tight, nearly creamy, dark khaki, foamy head. The aroma is dark roasted malt, molasses with a fruity tang, the cranberry is there, cocoa, dark chocolate, coffee, light bourbon, vanilla, light char, and some very light star anise. The taste follows the aromas, but is much brighter, and then adds in a heavy dose of pleasant char. The pomegranate and cranberry come through in the aftertaste. There is much sweetness, but the finish is mostly dry with all the char, and a moderate bitterness. The beer drinks smooth with light carbonation.