The Abyss is back from Deschutes Brewery for 2020, its seminal barrel-aged imperial stout, and this year it’s packaged in a new format. Every year previous, The Abyss has been bottled in wax-dipped 22-ounce bombers; this year, it’s going into 12-ounce bottles, and sold in four packs.

Details from the press release:

Deschutes Brewery, family and employee owned since 1988, announced today the release of this year’s The Abyss. First released in 2006, The Abyss 2020 will release in 4 pack, 12-ounce bottles for the first time. This new presentation makes this fan favorite among the brewery’s Reserve Series accessible to enjoy immediately, share, and/or age. ​

“In this time, we are eating and drinking at home more often,” said Veronica Vega, new product development director at Deschutes. “What I find most exciting about this new format is that we can make any night something special by pouring one of these out into a snifter and having that be ‘the occasion.’ ”

The most formally recognized and award winning barrel-aged brand for the brewery, The Abyss is an exclusive barrel-aged Imperial Stout that is released every November. Brewed with licorice, cherry bark, and molasses, the dark malt character is amplified, creating layers and layers of flavors that can be unraveled as the beer warms in the glass. Deschutes utilizes a Trappist yeast capable of handling the high alcohol (11.7% ABV) and ages in a blend of new Oak, bourbon and wine barrels. ​

The Abyss is currently shipping to Distributors across the brewery’s footprint in 12 ounces, 4 pack bottles and draft and is available now at Deschutes’ owned and operated locations in Bend and Portland, Oregon.

The 12-ounce bottle four pack is the direction Deschutes is going this year with its Reserve Series, including Black Butte XXXII and Super Jubel. I don’t know if it’s permanent but so far it seems to be positively received.