Deschutes Black Butte Porter 6Pk

Deschutes Black Butte Porter 6Pk is a six-pack of 12 oz bottles of American porter brewed at 5.5% ABV in Bend, Oregon. Scoring a 93 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 7,000 ratings, this flagship dark ale has earned its reputation as one of the most respected porters in the American craft beer landscape since its debut in 1988.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Bend, Oregon, USA  |  Style: American Porter  |  Brewery: Deschutes Brewery

Production & Heritage

Deschutes Brewery launched Black Butte Porter as its original flagship in 1988—a bold move at a time when most American drinkers still reached for light lagers. The grain bill layers pale malt and wheat malt with crystal 80, carapils, and a dual-chocolate malt combination: American chocolate malt at 400 Lovibond and English chocolate malt at 300–350 Lovibond. The mash rests at 153°F for one hour with a mash-out at 168°F, followed by a full 90-minute boil, producing a porter with notable depth and a smooth, creamy body that belies its moderate alcohol content.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich roasted malt leads, followed by bittersweet dark chocolate and freshly brewed coffee. Faint hints of dark berries—blueberry and blackberry—emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is smooth, with a slight hop bitterness that quickly gives way to deep chocolate malt flavors at mid-palate. Brown bread and coffee develop through the middle, supported by a creamy, medium-bodied mouthfeel that carries the roasted grain character without becoming heavy or astringent.

Finish: Moderately long with lingering roasted chocolate and a dry coffee edge. The finish stays clean and balanced, inviting the next sip without residual sweetness.

How to Drink Black Butte Porter

Pour into a tulip pint glass or English-style nonic at 45–50°F to let the chocolate and roast complexity fully open up. Drinking it slightly warmer than typical lager temperatures rewards patience with richer aromatics.

Black Velvet: Layered with dry sparkling wine, Black Butte's roasted depth pairs beautifully against crisp effervescence. Black and Tan: Floated over a pale ale, the porter's dark malt richness creates a classic layered contrast. Porter Float: Poured over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, the chocolate and coffee notes transform into a decadent dessert drink.

Best For

• Introducing someone to dark beer styles without overwhelming bitterness or high ABV
• Fall and winter evening sessions around a fire pit or campfire
• Pairing alongside a backyard barbecue or smoked meat spread
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates classic American styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Butte Porter taste like? Black Butte Porter is defined by dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and brown bread flavors carried on a creamy, medium-bodied frame. Subtle dark berry notes and a clean, dry finish keep it balanced and highly drinkable at 5.5% ABV.

How does Black Butte Porter compare to Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter? Both are widely considered world-class porters, with fans split between the two; Taddy Porter leans more toward traditional English character with nutty toffee notes, while Black Butte emphasizes American chocolate malt richness and a slightly more assertive roast profile. Black Butte runs at 5.5% ABV compared to Taddy Porter's 5.0% ABV.

Is Black Butte Porter good for someone new to dark beer? Its moderate 5.5% ABV, smooth body, and restrained bitterness make it one of the most approachable American porters available, often cited as a gateway into darker styles for drinkers accustomed to lighter beers.

Where is Black Butte Porter made? Black Butte Porter is brewed by Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, a Central Oregon city known as one of the pioneering hubs of the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement.

What foods pair well with Black Butte Porter? Smoked brisket or pulled pork benefits from the porter's roasty depth cutting through fat. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda mirrors the malt sweetness. Chocolate brownies or flourless chocolate cake amplify the cocoa notes. Grilled portobello mushrooms complement the earthy roast character. Chili con carne gains a richer backdrop from the beer's dark malt and subtle berry undertones.

What sizes does Black Butte Porter come in? The standard retail format is a six-pack of 12 oz bottles; Deschutes also distributes Black Butte Porter in draft and occasionally in larger-format bottles for special barrel-aged anniversary editions.

Is Black Butte Porter worth the price? Black Butte Porter positions as a premium craft six-pack that consistently over-delivers for its tier, backed by a 93 BeerAdvocate score, multiple Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup medals, and more than three decades of continuous production as a flagship.

Why Black Butte Porter?

Launching a porter as a brewery's flagship in 1988—when the American market was still dominated by light lagers—was a statement of intent from Deschutes Brewery. Black Butte has vindicated that gamble many times over, collecting a Gold Medal in the Brown Porter category at both the 1996 Great American Beer Festival and the 1999 North American Beer Awards, a Silver Medal at the 1998 World Beer Cup, and a Bronze at the 1998 Great American Beer Festival. The dual-chocolate malt grain bill, combining American and English varieties at different Lovibond ratings, creates a layered roast character that sets it apart from single-note porters. More than 35 years into production, Black Butte remains a benchmark for the American porter style and one of the most consistently well-rated dark beers in the country.