Deschutes Brewery Not the Stoic
I should have waited. Hell the bottle even told me that I was opening it two months too early. I just couldn’t help myself, especially now that I had collected a handful of the wax-sealed Not The Stoic from Deschutes Brewery. This particular sampling clearly stated that it was best after 4/22/2015 and yet, there I was back in late February pealing away the black material from the cap.
In truth, however, simply having this beer two month later than I actually did really wouldn’t have changed much. Not The Stoic is a big (12.1% ABV) Belgian-style quadrupel that really needs more like a year or so in the bottle to fully come into its own. Right now the flavors are good — perhaps even great on the right day — but with a little more time in the bottle, the beer is going to be outstanding. At least, that’s what I’m hoping to get out of the remaining stash that I have collected.
Appearance
The brew pours a ruddy copper in color with at small cap of tan foam that cell briskly to a patchy surface cover.
Aroma
A good bit of yeast and pomegranate fill in fist with old vinous grape notes quickly following behind. Burnt caramel, wood and peppery alcohol are also present giving the aroma good depth. I don’t pick up much rye whiskey at this time.
Taste
I knew immediately with the first sip that I’d opened it too early. Yes, it tastes darn good with a myriad of barrel influences, caramel, yeast, pomegranate and alcohol. The beer just needs a little more time to mature, meld together and develop into something special. Still, even this young, it’s a special beer with medium body, slightly viscous mouthfeel and warming finish.
Overall
I certainly enjoyed this bottle of Not The Stoic, but feel I cheated it some. Another year or so under that wax-sealed cap and this beer is going to be excellent. Let’s hope that I have the patience to let it sit that long.
Rating: 3.75/5
