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Tag Archives: Great Divide
Great Divide Hoss Rye Lager
The rye style is one that’s been growing on me recently, so I’m excited to try Great Divide’s lager version, Hoss.
Pours a crisp, transparent amber, as expected. Floral and fruity hops come through most in the aroma. Loads of roasted, sweet malt are noticed first, followed by dark fruit,, spicy rye, and a very late bitter kick from the hops. As it warms, the flavors, especially the rye, become more pronounced. It’s rather fruitier than I anticipated, but it works.
Rye isn’t the foremost flavor here, but it’s there. Overall, it’s well balanced and tasty. Little higher ABV than you might expect from a lager with 6.2%. Definitely worth a try
Grade: B
Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale
The first thing that surprised me about Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale is how dark it is! Most Scotch Ales fall somewhere between amber to ruby, but this is mahogany to brown. Mind you, that’s not a bad thing.
I always start Scotch Ales with a bit of apprehension that they’re going to be too hopped. Thankfully, Great Divide has used restraint in the right way here. Smoked peat, toasted malt with just a hint of sweetness, but it’s far from cloying. Chocolate, raisins, and some wood in the finish. Hops do add some bitterness but they are kept in check, just like they should be in this style.
Pretty tasty!
Grade: B
- Great Divide Claymore
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti
Already a big fan of the “normal” Great Divide Yeti, I’m curious how the oak aging will affect the beer. The color is black, as expected, with some deep browns around the edges. The fluffy head might be the darkest I’ve ever seen. The aroma is mostly charcoal, chocolate, and toffee.
This is quite the big beer. More hops that usual with an Imperial Stout, keeping with the un-aged version. Lots of very bitter chocolate, toffee, and a bit of coffee. The oak aging shows up the most in the finish and the aftertaste. There are hints of vanilla along with a dry, woody aftertaste. Remarkably creamy for how much flavor and how aggressive this is, especailly when you consider it clocks in at 9.5% ABV.
It’s very, very good. But I’m not sure the oak aging will add enough for people who love that. I’d have to have the “normal” and the oak aged at the same time to compare. But you can’t go wrong with this one.
Grade: A
Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter
The big aromas from Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter delightfully waft up the nose the second the bottle is opened. Smoked, deeply toasted malt, bittersweet chocolate. Those flavors carry over once you start drinking, as well.
Smooth and creamy, and since it’s a lager, the mouthfeel is lighter than you might expect. The hops don’t get in the way at all, leading to a slightly dry bitter chocolate finish.The smoke is there, but it’s not overpowering. In fact, I wonder how much it would be noticed if I didn’t know the name of the beer.
So what makes it “Baltic”? A take on the style from countries in the Baltic region. Lager and a little higher ABV at 7.5%. Nothing wrong with that!
Grade: B
- Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter
Great Divide Rumble
Great Divide Rumble
Oak? IPA? Great Divide? Yes, please! Lots of promise with Great Divide’s Rumble Oak Aged IPA.
The color from the wood aging shows through and the nose is full of hops. A hint of sweet malt followed by very pungent hops and some lingering vanilla and caramel. This is no timid beer. The hops are more prevalent than the oak for sure, but this is great for hop heads looking for a bit of a change. Quite bitter, and a nice 7.1% ABV.
Grade: B
Great Divide Hercules
Great Divide Hercules
A nice start with a hazy bronze color and big fluffy white head. Smells like piney hops and a bit of wood. Big round malt flavor followed by a hit of hops. Extremely well balanced. Long and intensely bitter finish. Very creamy texture and a lot of the hop hit comes in the finish rather than while you first drink it. Noticing quite a bit of orange in this brew.
I like it. Good balance not only between malt and hops, but among the different hops, too. Fantastic mouthfeel, as well.
Grade: A
Great Divide Yeti
Great Divide Yeti
A beer and a brewery I have been wanting to try for a while, Great Divide’s Yeti is a multiple award winning Imperial Stout. Black as the abyss with a dark sticky head. The smell is roasty and a lot hoppier than I had anticipated. The taste is huge and complex like an Imperial Stout should be! Bittersweet chocolate, caramel and toffee, then finally a big, musty, dry, woody finish. It doesn’t have that currant flavor that a lot of RISs do. Velvety texture and so drinkable you need to be careful that the Yeti’s 9.5% ABV doesn’t unleash your untamed side. Superior lacing, as well. Every sip is a little different. The hops are more noticeable as it warms.
Complex and curious, this isn’t a beer to gulp, it’s one to savor and discover. Try it!