Great Divide Hibernation Ale

Brewed by Great Divide Brewing Company
Style: Old Ale
Denver, Colorado USA

THOUGHTS: Nice flavors, but it didn’t hide the alcohol all that well. Should age incredibly well. The flavor changed a little from sip to sip. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a clear, dark, brownish amber to mahogany with an average, off-white head that kept a thin sheet and left fair lacing. The aroma was light to moderate caramel, light to moderate citrus hops, raisin, prune, maple syrup, vanilla, alcohol, dark fruit and when cooler a little chocolate. The flavor started sweet and a little bitter, and finished acidic and a little bitter with a long duration. There was slight chocolate, caramel malt, maple syrup, citrus hops, alcohol, and at the very end pine hops. The medium body was oily then dry with soft carbonation and a dry and moderate to heavy alcoholic finish.

Clear, dark reddish brown with a centimeter of tan head. Aroma is rich decaying fruit (in a good way). Taste is similar with an added malt roast that complements the fruity notes and an odd mineral cocktail in the initial taste and finish. Bitter chocolate notes persist thereafter $2/12oz

Brown in color with ruby highlights and a small beige head. Aroma is of chocolate and nuts with some caramel and fruits. Taste is of caramel, chocolate, and fig.

12 oz bottle courtesy of mreusch. Pours a hazy amber with a small beige head. The aroma is moderate in strength with chocolate, mocha, musty fruits and roasted malts. The taste is rich with chocolaty malts, some earth and some biter oak. The mouthfeel is smooth and (mostly) creamy with a touch of grit. The finish is medium, in duration with lingering mocha. Overall: Another winner from the folks at great divide.

Pours a deep ruby red with a very thin white head. Aroma is of cherry, plum, oak, and candied sugar. An immediate taste of oak, malt, and fruits that evolve as the beer wamrs. Very complex and warming, a great beer for winter.

IT POUR A DARK BROWN COLOR WITH A THICK CREAMY HEAD. THE TASTE IS A LITTLE BITTER FOR A WINTER ALE. IT IS VERY HOPPY WITH A ENGLISH MALT AFTERTASTE.

Style and Glass: American Strong, Trappist ABV, Volume & Calories: 8.1 % in 12 fl oz. estimated at 200 C Purchased at: Canal’s Lawrenceville, NJ for $1.83 Aroma: caramel, syrup and roasted malts. Some pepper, spice, and citrus. Visuals: Beautiful packaging, recently redesigned cohesive brand from Great Divide. It does the beer within the bottles justice. The ruby mahogany body is deep and contemplative. hard to see through, but clear rather than hazy. Thin tan head is long lasting, lace is intricate and shows this brew’s freshness. Taste: Well balanced flavor starts with roasted malt, follows with a rush of crispness from carbonation, and finishes long with a dark roasty deliciousness. Sugar overtones, followed quickly by a light sourness. Easily drinkable. Alcohol is quiet and well hidden. Palate: Smooth, crisp, drying, and long fantastic finish add up to a wonderful session brew, despite the high ABV, so beware! Overall: A beautiful, enticing, delicious beer, affordable, from a great brewer, and entices the senses. I’ll have it again, for sure. Address : <http://beercritic.wordpress.com/>

Crushed with Jakebra. Interesting aroma. Kinda leafy and fruity aroma. Very thin-bodied. Flavor is very leafy. Probably coulda aged this one a little bit longer. I’ll rerate it one of these days, but for now, it stands as is.