Hibernation Ale

Hibernation Ale is another Great American Beer Festival winner from Great Divide Brewing Company, located in Denver, Colorado.  According to the label it won a Gold Medal in 1997 and Silvers in 2003 & 2006.  Additionally, if looking to pair the Hibernation Ale with food, the label suggests trying; Romano cheese, grilled beef tenderloin and an apple crisp with ginger ice cream.  I haven't had the opportunity to check out the pairings, but I did have the chance to taste a few of Hibernation Ales while home in Binghamton, NY for Thanksgiving. Here are my thoughts:

Aroma: A slight blend of cinnamon & nutmeg spiciness with a deep lingering scent of caramel. Lovely!

Taste: Not overpowering with the caramel but definitely a malt forward flavor; think butterscotch chips & you're headed in the right direction! Yet, very balanced with a subtle bite of hops that create a mild bitterness in the finish.

Color: A beautiful, deep, caramel brown like an amber stone that you can not see through.

Thickness: Medium to full body that coats & creates a welcome stickiness of toffee like consistency in your mouth. Gorgeous pour with one inch of creamy, tannish head that leaves a delicate lacing in your pint.

ABV: 8.7%; Welcome winter brews :)

Mom Factoid: Sometimes the Thanksgiving holiday literally makes me feel like "hibernating," especially after eating delicious turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, decadent desserts & enjoying craft beer in excess.  Ironically, it turned out that my favorite beer over the Thanksgiving holiday was appropriately named Hibernation Ale.  I knew from having sampled Great Divide brews in the past, that I was in for a treat with their winter seasonal and I was not disappointed. Overall, the beer is very hearty & warming like you would crave in a winter beer. But, beyond those characteristics, the beer is, paradoxically, fresh, (bottled on 10.14.11) and slightly hoppy; two sought after qualities in craft beer but not necessarily present in every style you taste. Bottom line, if you like to hibernate, like me, during the winter months, you'd be foolish not to have Hibernation Ale along for your long journey. Cheers!

Great Divide Brewing Company Belgian Style Yeti Imperial Stout

 

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company
Location: Denver, CO
Name: Belgian Style Yeti
Style: Imperial Stout

Aroma: A nutty yeast like aroma from the special strain of yeast that is used.

Taste: A strong coffee maltiness slams your palate & drives you to sniff more & take your time sipping this beauty of a unique Belgian style Imperial Stout. Smokey undertones present themselves as the tasting continues and the beer warms up.  Overall, a deliciously unqiue beer & one that should be sought out.


Color: A dark chestnut brown.


Thickness: A medium to full body mouthful with excellent carbonation. Close to an inch of  a tan, creamy head lingers leaving lacing along the glass.


ABV: 9.5%


Mom Factoid: Given that today marks the beginning of the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado, I thought it was fun & appropriate to review a beer from Denver.  In spirit, by drinking a beer from Denver, I'm transported out there, with everyone participating in the incredible three-day GABF events.  Of note, in 1982, when Charlie Papazian, President of the Brewers Association first sponsored the GABF, there were only 24 breweries with 47 beers to sample.  Whereas, the 2011 GABF features 466 breweries and 2400 beers.  Talk about providing concrete evidence that the craft beer movement in the US is growing!  Maybe, someday, I'll fly out to Denver and blog from the GABF, but until then, it's fun to hear about it from afar.  Looking forward to learning which beers take home medals this year & crossing my fingers that a few from New England will be winners!