Great Divide Hibernation Ale

Back in the day, this beer somehow snuck into NC before the cap was popped. A rare high gravity treat! But it remains one of the better, more flavorful winter brews. It ages particularly well, with the hop presence that’s evident in its youth settling down nicely to reveal some of the warming malts and spices more fully. Subtle and flavorful.

Bottle @ home. I’m in love with this stuff! Chestnut brown colour, nice head. The aroma is awesome, notes of molasses, syrup, chocolate, caramel/toffee, resin and hops. Taste is gorgeous, just what you expect after sniffing the aroma’s. Taste is thus much the same as the aroma’s, but with a nice, dry, bitter finish that lasts. Texture is creamy and syrupy, very soft and dangerously drinkable. If you’re used to the Belgian strong ales, this will knock you off your chair!

This one is why you love to try new beer, on a whim, and reap the rewards of others obvioulsy hard labor. This is such a vague category that it’s hard to compare with other A.S.A.’s so I’m gonna judge this sucker on an island. Gorgeous deep brown hazy complexion with 1/2 a finger tan/brown frothy head. Amazing smell of chocolate like crazy, mild toffee and roasted nuttiness. Flavor is more of the same and a perfect level of sweetness and alcohol. Flat out perfect mouthfeel for what this beer reminds me of which is a brown ale/ quad mix. Grab some of these, especially in the fall/winter.

Dark brown pour with a creamy tan head. Aroma of caramel toasted malts. This is sweet and malty on the tongue with molasses and caramel notes. Slightly bitter hops and a bit of pine. Finishes clean.

12oz. bottle--2004 vintage. picked this up at the Whip In in Austin. pours with light carbonation, color is nice tan leather. aroma is musty malty sweet. taste is dry, malt, and smoky. aftertaste is a slow fade of slight hop bitterness and wood-malt flavors.