OK, here we go with the CostCo special! bottled Summer 2025, Lot D.

I saw this and at first was mildly excited that it might be a Fuller’s Vintage Ale clone. As it is, I’m not much interested in the style of beer represented here, BUT I’ll try (almost) anything once, and Deschutes deserves both respect and a chance.

Jet-black body and high, pitted head. Retentiona nd lace just about requisite for the style and ABV. Nos has some sweet alcohol but it’s not huge.

Hard to believe this is 12%, it feels nothing like that. Light on booze in the tastes too (good), and relatively light and drinkable all around. No cloying or heavy presence. A little solvent in the back-end, but again, considering the style and the ABV, it’s somewhat muted. Plenty of light bitterness that is muted by the barrel but never overtaken.

When it has reached ambient temperature, the finish is really rather sweet, but because of the aforementioned lack of aggression it is never too much.

Competent beer as I would expect from Deschutes, and not that aggressive. This beer isn’t my thing normally, but happy to have tried it.