Deschutes Brewery began as a small craft brewer in Bend, Oregon in 1988. They now have two brew pubs as well, the original one in downtown Bend, Oregon, and a a newer one that opened this past May in Portland's Pearl district, where they offer several exclusive just-for-Portland brews on tap in addition to their full suite of seasonal and year round brews. Black Butte was one of their first two offerings, and it remains one of their most popular. I first heard about Black Butte (named after the very visible outcropping over Oregon's Metolius River) from a friend who was occasionally able to snag a six-pack in Alaska. He's not alone in waxing enthusiastic about Black Butte Porter; it's earned more than a few awards, including several Golds. Most recently, Black Butte Porter won "Best Porter" at the 2007 Readers' Choice Awards, Northwest Brewing News, and a Gold for the Porter Category at the 2007 Australian International Beer festival.

Black Butte is a mere 5.2 ABV by volume, but it's loaded with flavor. It pours very dark, the body is almost expresso colored, with a light cream-colored head. Made with Chocolate and Crystal malts, it's extremely flavorful; this is a big beer with a small alcohol footprint. The chocolate is the first thing I notice, followed by a hint of burned caramel sweetness, with a faintly bitter finish. I like this one very very much; so much, in fact, that it might give my current very much loved but seasonal porter, Kona Brewing's Pipeline Porter, a run for its money.

Deschutes suggests accompanying Black Butte Porter with French Onion Soup; I've been thinking about a quesadilla made with cheddar, and chicken roasted with a bit of the porter, and caramelized onions.