Session # 168
Great Divide | Espresso Oak-aged Yeti
Imperial Stout |Denver, Colorado | 9.5% ABV

One year ago: New Glarus Raspberry Tart

Oak-aged Imperial Stouts are unquestionably one of the most celebrated styles in craft beer. Today’s beer from Great Divide, called Espresso Oak-aged Yeti, is of the said style but is not aged in wood. It’s aged ON wood. That means the brewery has used chips instead of barrels; not an uncommon practice today. However, when I poured this motor oil looking stout into a glass it immediately filled the room with an intense oak character. It wasn’t even subtle. For some of you that will be a very good thing, but for me it was a bit overwhelming when thinking about how a beer should be balanced. This was one of the only flaws I could find, however. The appearance was spot on and boasted the most beautiful head I’ve seen in a while (maybe ever). In addition to the oak and vanilla, there was a good deal of espresso and dark malts to carry the beer. The palate was a more intense version of the nose with its oak character hitting you right up front. Then you began to taste the espresso and hop bitterness next with a very drying effect on the backend. This isn’t the most beautiful beer in this style that I’ve had, but it was certainly worthy of its place. For those who like aggressive flavors in your beer, might I suggest this bad boy…? Rating: 91/100

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This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Ebo Taylor “Peace on Earth”



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Denver Colorado’s Great Divide makes some really good beers. Its Yeti, in particular, comes in an array of remarkable variations. There’s the Barrel-Aged Yeti, the Chocolate Oak-Aged Yeti, the Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti, and you get the point… And then of course there’s the good old regular version of the Oak-Aged Yeti which I have here. This is a huge beer folks, so I hope you have your big boy pants on when you sit down to enjoy it. The aromas that come out of the glass are enough to fill the entire room. It’s a heavenly smell to be downright honest with you. There’s lots of vanilla from the oak barrels, a fair amount of rich chocolate, and an obvious punch of coffee-like quality from the roasted malts. Finally, because it only comes in a 22 ounce bottle, you are sure to get drunk enough to perhaps see a Yeti cross your own lawn. And who doesn’t need a good time now and then?

This beer can be found in these states.

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Co.
Beer: Oak-Aged Yeti
Style: Imperial Stout
Location: Denver, CO
ABV: 9.5%
Rating: 97/100