You refering to the brew from Houston or the one from Poland? either way I've yet to do a review on those....

Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager - Flying Dog Brewery | Frederick, Maryland USA

Style: Steam Beer

My personal notes: This brew poured up a dark, rich copper colored body with a one-finger bubbly off-white head that left a good deal amount of lacing. Scents and flavors of toffee, caramel, malts, warm butter. The body is somewhat creamy/malty with a very smooth finish and a great balance between the malts and hops. Would be great paired up with some grilled poultry or a spicy fish/seafood meal.

Kostritzer Schwarzbier
Kostritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei GmbH & Co. | Bad Kostritz/Thuringen, Germany

Style: Schwarzbier

My personal notes: Another great German schwarz! This brew poured up a hearty black-colored body with a one-finger tan-colored head that left good lacing on the sides of the glass. Scents of roasted malts and dark chocolates and a subtle undertone of hops. Flavors of rich malts and dark chocolates. The body is smooth with hardly any bitter aftertaste but rather a somewhat silky, chocolaty aftertaste which gets better the more the brew returns to room temperature. Definitely a brew to have following a hearty brat/wurst dinner!

Deschutes The Abyss 2010 Reserve
Deschutes Brewery | Bend, Oregon USA
Purchased @ Lone Star Beverages

Style: American Imperial/Double Stout

My personal notes:

Oh how sweet that deep, dark Abyss �

For quite some time I have been reserving THE number one spot of my Beer Hall of Fame for THE best brew. Deschutes Abyss is THE brew! From the moment I peeled off the wax covering and removed the cap I knew that this would be a brew like none other. Many friends and brew-aficionados had long been telling me that this was the brew of brews that were along my taste preferences. What a fool I was to wait so long to partake in this enticing beverage!

After refrigerating for a few days and then into the freezer for an hour, I let this brew �rest� for an hour to warm up a tad. This brew poured up a decadent near-black colored body sporting a healthy mocha-colored foamy head with retention like I�ve never experienced (so much that I had a lot of foam left on that last sip!) and lacing that left you holding the glass and admiring the artwork long after that last sip was taken. Amazing scents of warm cocoa, roasted malts, alcohol (not too much), and slow roasted robust coffee. This coffee is complex and tantalizing with flavors of dark chocolates, coffee, roasted hazelnuts and hints of vanilla and well-aged bourbon that beckons you to take another sip just as soon as you finished taking one! The body of this brew is just astounding with the just-right thickness and that smooth, clean finish with a warm, bitter, chocolaty, light bourbon aftertaste. Delicious.

I enjoyed this beverage all by itself and it�s definitely a warmer-upper!! At 11% ABV (alcohol by volume) this bad boy does the job right! So it is definitely NOT a brew to be quaffed! Slow down, relax, and enjoy. While this brew is recommend to be enjoyed during the wintry months, it is definitely one that can be enjoyed all year round. When the next reserve is produced, I know I will be stocking up and cellaring many, many bottles of this fine beverage. Heck, I might even share a bottle; might, that is!

Enjoy it by itself or pair this brew up with a hearty slow-grilled porterhouse steak or some wild game (venison, buffalo, feral hog, etc.) or even some slow-smoked brats/sausage. Either way, you will enjoy this amazing brew! Hats off to the folks at Deschutes; you nailed it with The Abyss!

Where did you pick up the abyss? And how much? Thanks

Deschutes Abyss, my personal favorite Imperial Stout, ever.

As for picking it up...probably best waiting till it's released again this fall. This year was the first year Texas actually got any of it, and it sold out almost everywhere that got it in pretty fast. People were posting all kinds of threads on the Beer Advocate Forum about where to get it, and how much they had left in stock, and so on.

AW got it from a friend who runs a Beer Store, from his private stock lol.

There may be a FEW bottles here and there at some of the beer stores and liquor stores that sell craft beer, and aren't as well known as others. Heck, that little Coral City place might have even got some in.

If you do find any? Let me know, cause I want to buy more LOL.

It usually ran about $12-$15 and was very limited.

Here is a quality product you can pick up at World Market.

yeah that BBP is a right-good brew!

like has been said before for the Abyss... put it on your list and keep track of it's next release date (published at Deschutes website) and then hit your brew store manager hard to order you a case or three!!!

Yup, same Brewery as the Abyss, as well. Everything Deschutes brews is delicious.

hey AW, I will be spending the weekend in mansfield. where is that place you get all of your beer? and are they open on sunday?

just back from vacation! getting some write-ups ready and will be back to posting regularly soon!

was it kegs and corks? I went there on Sunday and was very disappointed

The best option in Mansfield is:

Beer & Wine World (on Debbie Lane & HWY 287)

Choc Beer Brewmaster�s Signature Belgian-Style Dubbel
Krebs, Oklahoma USA
Purchased @ Lone Star Beverages - Carrollton, Texas USA

Style: Ale � Dubbel

My personal notes: Now just because this brew hails from Oklahoma, don�t let that stop you from trying this exceptional beer! It pours up a rich mahogany-colored body sporting a tan-colored head that lingers for quite a long time and leave a good amount of lacing on the glass. Incredible scents of toffee, caramel, and dark fruits (like plums, dark cherries, etc.) along with vanilla, warm nuts, and roasted malt. Flavors of the same with none overpowering the other. The body is rich and creamy with a spicy finish that is just absolutely amazing! Definitely a brew to be paired up with a hearty beef dish or slow-grilled steaks!