My, how time does fly. I just looked at my review of Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and saw that it was a full five years ago that I reviewed it. Can that be? It seems like it was just yesterday I partook in said epicurean delight. And yet, as I glance at my bottle of it's younger sibling, Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, I see I've already put a year of aging on it.
As I said, time does fly.
Luckily, a beer like this can stand the tests of time, and although my bottle was filled on July 16th, 2009, it's as wonderful as it could possibly be. I suspect one could age it a few years more without ill effect, though I doubt it would improve, which is why one would age such a beer in the first place.
Imperial stouts are big beers, of course, and this one is no exception. With an alcohol content of 9.5% by volume it should be enjoyed in moderation. Easier said than done, however, with a beer that's as tasty as this one is.
Let's sample some, shall we?
Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout pours to a jet black color with a thick and creamy tan head formation and a simply amazing cocoa and whiskey nose. It took me a while before I actually got a sip, because the nose was so darned wonderful I just sat and sniffed the beer for a time. But eventually sip it I did, and I got an amazingly complex reward for my efforts: a sinfully rich and luxuriant textured liquid immediately coated my palate, full of heady notes of dark fruit (raisin and prune), licorice, espresso, and of course, chocolate.
The chocolate I get here is the real deal. Dark roasted malts can throw off flavors akin to chocolate, but Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti is brewed with actual cocoa nibs. That comes through in the slightly powdery, alluringly bittersweet cocoa flavor. maybe some smooth chocolate pudding, too, like mom used to make on the stove top. You know, with the skin on top? Yum.
But wait. There's more. The oak aging adds a touch of wood and a hint of vanilla that accents the dark flavors magnificently. Still not satisfied? I thought not. Never fear, because the dash of cayenne pepper emerges in the finish, adding a dash of heat that works so well with the warmth from the alcohol and, of course, the chocolate. It reminds me of a hot pepper laced Ghirardelli bar I once enjoyed. Laced with a bit of whiskey, perhaps.
To be sure, this is a lot like the standard Oak Aged Yeti, except that it's not. Great Divide freely admits that they toned the hops done for the chocolate version, and I can see that. In my review of the original I remarked upon the immense hop character, which is noticeably absent in the chocolate version. I'm not complaining, though, as I believe this beer is all the better for that omission.
Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti is a sipping beer to be sure, and with all this complexity going on it's fantastic with dessert. If you really want to sin, try it with a hot bread pudding and vanilla ice cream. Now that's living.
$8.99 for a 22-ounce bomber bottle, and worth every penny. And then some.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler