Great Divide Hibernation Ale

8.7 ABV

Holiday Beer Series Part I

Since the first snow fell in Fort Collins this past week, we feel it is only appropriate to kick off our holiday beer tasting.  The first in our series is Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale.  It was the perfect beer to start with – a very malt dominated festive winter ale with a dry quality that earns its place in the category of English style Old Ales.

The beer pours a light toffee colored head atop a reddish, mahogany colored backdrop.  The aroma is very malty – it reminds us of a rum cake, with rich toffee aromas that gain hints of the holiday spices as it warms.  It smells “hot” – you immediately notice the strong alcohol presence in this 8.7% beer, which is exactly what we wanted on a cold, winter night.  At the end there is almost a floral hop note, but it is subdued and barely detectable. 

The first sip is ever so smooth; it has a rich, roasted toffee flavor that matches its aroma and color.  The taste starts sweet and malty, transforming into a mild earthy hop flavor with hints of coffee bitterness, and finishes dry on the back of the tongue, leaving you with a lingering, spicy note reminiscent of cognac.  This beer is multilayered and complex – the malts have such a strong dominant presence, but their taste is very well blended with the finish: earthy, spicy, hot.    

This beer is highly recommended for a cold night.  It makes us want to sit in the dark and watch the snow fall while it warms the belly.  This beer is only available through January – so grab one now and enjoy!

http://www.greatdivide.com/