Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing Company

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Really great RIS. Lots of great stuff going on here. There's plenty of chocolate, toffee and sweet milk notes, as well as notes of port wine and leather. Great mouthfeel, nice and smooth while still having a small bite at the end (for an RIS). I actually almost prefer this more than the Espresso Oak aged version which I tried side by side with this for the first time. This really is an awesome beer, but not my favorite of the style. It's really good, but it didn't WOW me (I was expecting it to be good anyway.) Due to the fact that it's impossible to get in my area I probably wont be going out of my way to seek this out again seeing as though there are just so many other things I want to try out there. All in all good beer though.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 16:11:34 | More by Zachtheporter

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.51/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Yeti has a magnificent obsidian color with a voluminous mocha colored head. Tons of lacing left on the glass. The aroma draws comparisons to bakers chocolate, new leather, port wine, and creamy milk. To my delight, the flavor is very chocolatey, along with some earthy wood and tobacco notes. Surprisingly a fair amount of hops are included in the mixture. The finish is tart and bitter. I appreciate the heavy, velvety mouthfeel, and the warming sensation of the high ABV. Definitely a must try when in the mood for a bold RIS.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 15:49:30 | More by Neorebel

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a deep pitch black with a dark khaki colored head. The foam is thin, and fades fairly quickly, leaving a nice bubbly film across the top of the beer.

S: The nose is caramel, milk chocolate, roast, slight raisin, and a touch of alcohol. This beer smells great.

T: It starts out sweet and smooth with malt, chocolate, and caramel. The roast and raisins come on in the middle of the beer, and in the finish I get a touch of slight bittering hops and some alcohol kick.

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet and coating to start, slides off the palate well, and doesn't leaving much of a lingering impression. This is an insanely drinkable Russian Imperial Stout, if there is such a thing.

O: Great beer. It holds it's own against some of the other beers of the style. Like I mentioned earlier, this is an incredibly drinkable stout. I will return to this beer often in the future.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 13:28:14 | More by trxxpaxxs

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.21/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The Yeti is a quality brew from Great Divide, but the price tag will likely prevent me from choosing over more complete Imperial Stouts like Ten Fidy. The pour is sexy; what a great looking beer in a snifter, pint glass or in one case while on a ski trip with the only glassware option being a wine glass. Really good, just a bit pricey.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 14:48:47 | More by DenverHopHead

Jeplacek

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served out of a three month old 12oz bottle into a snifter.

A- Dark, intimidating, imperial stout. Little to no light getting through. Super dark brown, if not black. A fairly aggressive pour produced a half-inch khaki head, which slowly dissipated into a nice lacing.

S- Coffee, chocolates, roasted malts. Noticeable aroma when diving in for a taste. Has my nasal hairs dancing.

T- A toffee flavored, smooth front-end, with a sharp, coffee-like bitterness on the back-end. Coats the whole mouth and the taste lingers until your next sip. Delicious.

M- Great mouthfeel for this beer. A little thickness compliments the taste, adds depth and shows how full bodied this beer is. Exactly what you would expect from a 9.5%er...

O- Definitely a widely available go-to imperial stout. Love the Great Divide bottle as well. Suggests food pairings, lists the IBUs, has a clear bottling date, nice texture, and a spot on description of what you're getting yourself into. Gave this beer 4.5's all around to express how well balanced it is. Won't guarantee this will be your favorite imp. stout ever, but I can say you will not be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 05:50:12 | More by Jeplacek

elvislwyr

Alabama

4.41/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: This beer pours thick, dark, viscous. A vigorous pour yields a mocha colored head the width of your thumb. This dissipates fairly quickly and I did not observe it to leave lacing on the glass. Completely opaque, the beer is maybe more dark brown than black. An appetizing appearance.

S: Dark baking chocolate, or cocoa, which to me is the dominant note. Some background alcohol booziness wafts in, along with some brush strokes of espresso.

T: Complex, balanced between sweet and bitter, decadent maltiness with hops that would be aggressive in an ale, but leave you questioning whether the lingering bitterness is charry malt or the hops in this beer. A beer to be pondered.

M: It drinks like it pours; full and thick and viscous. There is a nice carbonated tingle on the front end, balanced with mousse-like silkiness. Maybe the best part of the beer.

O: This is an impressive stout. A superb example of artful craftsmanship.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 03:39:14 | More by elvislwyr

craft_shannie

Indiana

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

pours thick & black. two finger light brown frothy head. robust nose - malt, espresso, dairy, and a bit of booze. taste isnt as agressive as the nose. very smooth. sweet burnt malt, espresso. the bitterness is right in balance w. the sweet. well done RIS.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:03:09 | More by craft_shannie

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.94/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottled in February 2013.

Appearance: Looks black at first glance but more like very dark brown. Even though it is too dark to see through, it looks to have nice clarity and no cloudiness. Retains a brown frothy half finger head.

Aroma: Not super aromatic but giving off a nice blend of dark malts with hints of chocolate and roasted barley. No alcohol in the nose. Pretty much average for an Imperial Stout.

Taste: Immediately get a bright and slightly grass hop bitterness that blends well with the roasted malt and chocolate flavor. The first half and second half are basically the same with the finish adding in darker flavors of cocoa and black coffee. There is a nice woody character throughout as well, perhaps from the yeast. The hops are really only present in the first bit but it's good that they don't linger because the charred malt offers up a good amount of bitterness on the back end and aftertaste. The 9.5% ABV is no where to be found in the flavor.

Mouthfeel: Full in body and robust yet drinks like something lighter. I recommend an aggressive pour to rid of excess carbonation. Very pleasant feel all around and exactly what it should be for the style.

Final Thoughts: Yet another enjoyable brew by Great Divide. The brewers obviously know how to make a good Imperial Stout. I'd recommend this beer to anyone who has not tried this style and is looking for a jumping off point. Yeti Imperial Stout is a good example of an Imperial Stout can be great without any extra bells and whistles. Have it with or without a meal as it can serve as one on its own. Would I drink it again? Yes, cellaring a few to see how it ages.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 17:50:21 | More by JamesMN

spoony

Colorado

4.41/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

From a 650 ml bottle (bottled January 17, 2013) into a globe.

A-This is what an imperial stout should look like: A normal pour produces about one and one-half fingers of dense, dark-brown head. The foam has good retention and leaves a blanket of lacing on the glass. The brew is opaque and nearly black.

S-The aroma is big and rich with roast coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, some dark boozy fruits (like prune), and a substantial (for a stout) amount of hoppy bitterness. Pretty intense.

T-The taste is also pretty intense with a slightly sharp hop bitterness on the start and finish. The hops surround a core of coffee, caramel, boozy vanilla, light charcoal, and dark fruits. The finish is long and slightly bitter.

M-The feel is medium to full body with a nicely balanced carbonation. Although this is a big and heavy brew, it sips well.

O-This is another great Yeti. I don't think I like this Yeti as much as the Oaked version, but I slot this ahead of the Espresso version. For me, the hop presence in this Yeti adds balance, if a little bit of bitterness, to a nice malt profile. Extra points here for style as this is a great looking beer. I enjoyed drinking this on a cold (it is 13 friggin degrees outside) April night and will certainly drink this brew again.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 01:19:29 | More by spoony

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Served in a 17 oz. snifter glass. Bottle dated January 24, 2013.

Appearance: A beautiful pitch black with subtle brown tint to it pouring like crude oil followed with a very dark tan head. Head rose to roughly 2/3" pretty thick and not willing settle down after the sip, looking real good.

Smell: Strong cocoa scent and believe it or not caramel, comes off like a slight roast similar to espresso.

Taste: A bitter coffee paired with a bitter dark chocolate, very fulfilling. It's heavy malt feel creates a complexity to it that is f'n addicting. Strong and bitter, if you don't like it in the beginning I promise it gets better and better with every sip.

Mouth: Medium and roasted finish, freaking sticky like a bitter espresso. I am pairing this with cheese and the flavor really hugs your cheeks.

Overall: This is by far one of the best Russian Imperials that I have ever had. It offers everything and would rate it higher if not to leave a little room for improvement. Quality brewing believe me, spend the ten bucks and smile. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 04:51:11 | More by BlurryVisi0n

CHickman

New York

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 4/3/2012: pours spent motor oil pitch black color with a massive 2 finger creamy brown head that was full of bubbles like a lava pit and faded extremely slowly, leaving great lacing coating the sides and rings as it went down. The head never completely dissipated and settled with a foamy layer on top; a great looking stout.

Smells of molasses, toffee, chocolate, burnt wood, cocoa powder, roasted grains, piney hops, coffee, charcoal, burnt malt, floral hops, herbs and some light alcohol like bourbon or rum; while very chocolate and malt dominant in the nose, it was great to have the hops keep jumping out for attention to prove that the 75 IBU’s listed on the bottle was no BS. The booze is strong, but the complex malt and caramel/toffee sweetness keeps it in check. A great smelling beer that had a lot of nice components working together to inhale and savor.

Tastes like it smells, with molasses, toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, burnt wood, cocoa powder, roasted grains, piney hops, coffee grinds, charcoal, burnt malt, floral hops, herbs, brown sugar, dry or almost burnt cinnamon buns and some light alcohol like bourbon or rum; after the beer slides down there is a bitterness like lemon zest, a Starbucks coffee and some light spices. The sweet toffee and caramel flavors mix well with the hops and combine for a nice bitterness normally associated with a DIPA; the chocolate and hops seem like a frozen coffee drink thawed out and warmed up a bit, unleashing all kinds of complex malty notes. The ABV is not well hidden but gets lost in the big time stout flavors, so it’s actually easy to drink.

Mouthfeel is creamy, slick and smooth like thick chocolate milk coated with fresh hop oil; it has almost no carbonation, a very thick chewy body that feels like a straw would stand up in it, and a sweet finish that’s bitter and hoppy at the same time. A lot more hops than I expected, especially after sitting for a year. Damn flavorful at this stage, so I imagine a fresh bottle would be quite hoppy.

This bottle was aged for a year and went down super easy; I need to get some more and try it fresh to maximize the hop flavor. Well balanced, but yet very powerful, this was incredibly tasty and enjoyable like the Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti Stout. Great Divide makes some great beers and I highly recommend trying this.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:14:59 | More by CHickman

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, served in a tulip
Bottled on 21NOV12, Sampled 03MAR13

[A] An aggressive pour yields only a quarter finger high head. The color is dark brown, the texture is foamy/creamy and retention is above average. The body is as black as black gets. Lacing in sheets initially, then hanging and breaking apart later.

[S] Really dark chocolate with a deeper than average roasted tar-like quality. The hop character is as strong as advertised, coming through with notes of earth and pine wood. Slight soy sauce with a light metallic edge in the background.

[T] Fantastic. Dark, bitter chocolate impresses upon the palate first. The roastiness creates a touch of acridness that fades slowly into the healthy dose of hop bitterness. Piney, earthy, woodsy and a perfect compliment to the malts, keeping the sweetness completely in check.

[M] Not one complaint. And no room for improvement...really. Thick and full, viscous and chewy - and wonderfully tongue coating. The effervescence is just enough to graze the tongue and promote the body in a wonderful way. Love it.

[O] Very similar to Victory's Storm King but a little less hoppy, a better overall flavor and a more complete mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 15:02:55 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.31/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A- darker than the darkest depth of the dark lord sauron's soul in a snifter but there are miniscule hints of brown as it streams from the bottle. Oddly enough, the head is the EXACT same color as a dirty juvenile Sasquatch, which is somewhere between cappuccino and hot cocoa. Studly. Impressive holding power and a thick crocheting of lace make for an abominable looking brew.

S- monstrously roasted, with some smoke, licorice, molasses, soil and mushroom. Coffee and black chocolate dominate and swirling the glass releases lots of burnt citrusy, spicy, floral and almost briny hops with a whiff of pineapple alcohol. Wet leather, rotting wood, and pipe tobacco come together is the best way.

T- dry and spicy, not so sweet, with a squatchy bitterness from start to finish, porpoising over and under the surface from aggressively hoppy and brash to smoothly roasted and black. The flavor of the water still shows through despite the full onslaught of coffee and dark chocolate. If it weren't for the Himalayan quantity of earthy yet sweetish malt, this would be a tongue smashing amount of hops, possibly one of the more hoppy RIS's I've tried. There's some acidity on the back end that seems to be both citric and fermented and it reminds me vaguely of those dark chocolate oranges. Or orange peel flavored dark chocolate, lasting well past the finish. The label boastes caramel and toffee, neither of which I can detect amidst this chaos, unless of course they were blowtorched. In that case yes absolutely. Bitter burnt blackness.

MF- oily thick and chamois dry. Coffee dry and barely astringent. Sticky malty on the lips with mouth numbing alcohol and a slight menthol coolness. There's a lot goin on here. The carbonation, as it should be, is there merely as an accent to break the intensity of this ape's body. It's fuzzy and almost scratchy, but tamed, muzzled, and together.

D- I thought the "real" yeti would be lighter colored to blend in with the snow? Apparently not this time. Ominous and black, seeping and angry, and absorbing all whiteness from anything in both appearance and flavor, this a bad ass and fun brew that I'm glad to keep in my roster however it's psycho hoppiness can become tiresome I mean, burps taste like a DIPA and that's just absurd. The barrel aged version has some serious tits tho.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 02:14:40 | More by hustlesworth

gillagorilla

Maryland

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle from 7/30/12

A: Jet black with no head even on the pour. There was a slight mocha film, but that is it.

S: All roast and malt. I am not good at distinguishing between the liquor smells, but it seems like a bourbon/brandy/whiskey. There is also the distinct smells of a mocha, high % dark chocolate.

T: Not a big fan of the aftertaste though, but it diminishes as it warms up and has less of a bite. It tastes like burnt hops, kind of like the usual bitter hop aftertaste of an IPA, but with a hint of cheap coffee. However, the hops that are present in the swallow are a great addition to this. Also, it really warms up nicely in the mouth. The alcohol is very well hidden too. The liquor flavors don't come through as much as the dark chocolate mocha.

M: Crisp up front at the teeth, with the tell tale bubble massage that fills up your mouth. It has a very smooth mouthfeel overall.

O: This is a good stout. I think stouts might be falling out of favor with me though. Overall, the taste and flavor is quite good, but I am still new to stouts; so, I am less knowledgeable about the nuances. It does smell delicious though.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 01:50:16 | More by gillagorilla

ksimons

New York

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A-almost black with dark chestnut highlights and dark tan head that sticks to the glass

S-roasted coffee, chocolate, roasted malt, molasses, light hops, and a little smoke

T-roasted malt and dark coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, and a surprisingly bitter finish for the style which makes this beer really stand out from other RIS's

M-medium to full body, light carbonation, very dry roasted finish

Overall I think this is one of the most bitter RIS's I have had, but you still get plenty of malt, chocolate, and coffee. Very interesting and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 22:31:14 | More by ksimons

haazer

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Pitch black brew pours out with a very condensed, saturated tan colored head. So thick, is this beer. Lacing is caked all of the glass from the immense head that eventually settles to a quarter inch cap.

S - Dark roasted malt nose. Heavy amounts of sweet chocolate cocoa, and vanilla tied in. Toffee, and a tiny bit of coffee aroma. All the normal ingredients in here for an RIS. A bit of roasted peanuts perhaps too. I'm not sure why but with most RIS's I always detect some presence of mint in the nose.

T - The flavor starts out with a bitter roast on the palatte. Transitions nicely into a sweet chocolate, then a vanilla swirl for good measure. Caramel makes an appearance, but is not the last flavor. It ends with a very pleasant toffee flavor. All this would suggest a cloying brew, but the bitter roast balance's everything out nicely.

M - Thick, full bodied brew with mid to high carbonation. I can feel this beer sticking to my teeth.

O - One of my favorite RIS's. So much flavor, so many variations. May be the most well balanced RIS out there. I've had the oak version and it beats the base for me, but what a base beer. I believe in the Yeti.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 03:31:20 | More by haazer

PaterMorse

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

I've only been around a handful of yeti; and those that I know are hairy, pungent, and unkept but friendly and, on balance, good creatures -- unless they're taken for granted, in which case you're likely to be clubbed over the head. Same with the beer.

A: The darkest brown imaginable. Stunning orange caramel head / lacing. When the head dissolves, it's almost like those flat glass displays filled with colored sands -- different looks with each swirl or shake, all as mesmerizing as the last (from a snowy dusting of suds across the surface to a peanut butter colored nucleus surrounded by dark chocolate -- akin to a Buckeye).

S: Roasted malt, coffee grounds, faint cocoa powder. As it warms, a sweeter but earthy peat moss.

T: Bitter, pungent. Not bad mind you, and uniformly well balanced. Just hairy and immodest. For me, while I often enjoy closing my eyes and allowing my tongue to define this adjective or that descriptor, this was "just stout" -- again, not a criticism; simply a straight forward and fun pour. (In fact, it reminded me of a blend between a good RIS and a Scottish ale).

M: Good balance, medium body (slackening a bit with a swirl or two). Low carbonation. Dry feel.

O: Beyond a gorgeous appearance and nice feel, not much to catapult it ahead of other stouts in terms of taste or aroma; but I find myself coming back to it again and again. Though not a poetic adjective evoking one of the five senses, it's just a flat-out "fun" beer -- and in my little humble saloon, a crowd favorite (where it's requested by name by even the most occasional visitor).

Repeat? Yes, but I'm glad I only see it in bombers. I crack them open with some frequency for parties, but would do so far less frequently if it was an individual bottle for personal sipping enjoyment. Not that it can't be enjoyed that way; it's just a great social beer with a good, hairy, fun characteristic. (That said, I will say that it's a wonderful sipping companion for specific food pairings -- most notably a good steak Pittsburgh rare and heavy cheeses).

Where? A cookout with charred steaks & dogs served up hot; a campfire with or without food. Or any party where you need a good beer in the middle of the line-up to get people telling stories they shouldn't. Just beware: this is the same brew that Jack used to fuel the ritualistic dance in Lord of the Flies...

Two Words: Well Named

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 05:32:33 | More by PaterMorse

screamking

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into snifter.
Bottled Jan. 17, 2013.

Apperance-pours jet black with a thick chocolate head that dispates slowly,very nice lacing. 4.5

Aroma-lots of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, hints of vanillia, brown sugar, little bit of toffee and cinnamon in there too. 4.25

Taste-loads of milk chocolate up front. Followed by creamy vanillia and hints of toffee. Very sweet not much roasted flavor in here. Getting a peppery finish as well. All the typical RIS notes are here but are a little stronger on the sweet side. 4.5

Feel-full bodied beer, coats palate completely and lingers for a long time. Alcohol is noticeable but acceptable. 4.25

Overall-this is a great RIS. I thing I wish it had more of is the roasted coffee taste some of the other RIS have. I guess I should just get the espresso version. I'm surprised I liked this as much as I did, I'm not the biggest great divide fan, this might be the beer I needed to try more. 4.25

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 02:46:38 | More by screamking

Dope

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottled August 4th, 2011, so about a year and a half old.

A: Pours inky black with a really nice and large chocolate brown head. Head fades away slowly, leaving a heavy wall of lacing behind. Top notch head retention. Looks just right for a big RIS.

S: Nice roasted malt. Some char and chocolate and just a hint of smoke. Get a touch of pretzel in there too, or perhaps burnt toast.

T: Starts out a little sweet with some pretzel and a little chocolate. Turns into some meaty bbq smoke and char. Sweetness falls away and the char and smoke turns slightly acrid and a little bitter. Maybe a little hop presence in the finish too? Hard to catch exactly, especially with 1.5 years on it, but there's a little something in there - maybe pine or resin. Lingering light char, smoke and pretzel in the aftertaste. Maybe even a hint of coffee.

M: Nice slick medium/heavy body. Carbonation is dead on and leads to a nice full mouthfeel.

O: One of the best easily available year-round RISes. Pretty much a staple of any RIS lover, along with Old Raspy and Ten Fidy (in my opinion). If I'm honest I prefer the oak and chocolate versions a lot more but it's hard to ignore this one. Good complexity, good balance of flavor and goes down easily. All at a good price point and easy availability. Can't ask for much more.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 04:36:08 | More by Dope

snaotheus

Washington

4.44/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a large mug

Pours black, with little head. Not much more to say about it than that. It's attractive. Smell is black licorice, coffee, chocolate. Some plums or dark fruit.

Taste is roasty bitter, malty sweet aftertaste, lots of roasty bitter flavor, like a rich coffee. Very pleasing.

Mouthfeel is rich and gritty, slightly dry, not sticky or thick. Very nice.

This beer is very good. I like it a lot. I'm very surprised I haven't reviewed it before.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 23:07:49 | More by snaotheus

bobhits

Kentucky

4.06/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Yep....bitch black. Yeti nails the dark stout look. Good half inch of head that isn't going anywhere, rather impressive. OK this is good looking stuff.

Rather light aroma given the pour. Light chocolate malt, hops mixed with caramel, coffee, and maybe hints of butter scotch and molasses.

Opens with a soft malt bill, chocolate malt and light molasses. Then things get dark, bitter coffee, chocolate, and enforced by large amounts of piney hops. This creates a very funky finish though this is a bit more dark and roasted than I recall form the past.

A bit of heat and it drinks smooth to start then the body and thickness of this beer really hits you. A big beer that ties to drink like a light one, but smacks you for thinking so.

I'm not sure this one deserves all the hype and 14 bucks for a 4 pack is a great price given it was 8ish for a bomber in the past.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 01:31:28 | More by bobhits

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the best Imperial stout that I have had so far!

It's beast! lights out in a cavern dark, Very thick, thin head retention, strong aroma!

Poring this beer gives you since of what your in for, there is no light coming through even the thinnest points. Bold aromas and flavor, coffee, licorice, heavy roasted malt, some caramel notes. You feel the whiplash from this one, high in alcohol but very smooth!

You will be seeing black your at least 24 hours!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 15:18:24 | More by FlatRabbitRed

mactrail

California

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Looking at the label,it says bottled on March 11, 2011. I should have waited two more days for its second anniversary! Very dark, with a nice beige head and plenty of lacing in the Ommegang chalice. A pleasant aroma of toasted fruitbread and burnt raisins.

Flavors of licorice and a little smoke. You could imagine this as a black, oily Scottish Ale. Rather bitter in the aftertaste. A lot of malt, but it tastes mostly burnt and dark roasted. This is a more austere and glowering style without much sweetness. It's possible that any residual sugar has vanished with the aging, but there is not trace of unwanted bacterial flavors, so it's a bonus for Great Divide.

From the 22 oz bottle bought at Liticker's Liquor & Deli in Ocean Beach.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 06:02:17 | More by mactrail

PghBeerAlien

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a Guinness pint glass.

Appearance: This is the thickest and blackest I've ever had. Vigorous pour required for a one finger, thick, awesome dark chocolate head.

Smell: Almost perfect balance of chocolate and espresso. This is pretty much exactly what I hope for in an imperial stout.

Taste: Following the smell, a wonderful balance of chocolate and espresso. I can't taste the alcohol, but there seems to be a little bit of warmth from it. Hops kick in as the beer gets warmer, but I never get much there.

Mouthfeel: Really nice body. Balanced. Thick and syrupy.

Overall: Extremely pleased. This will be part of my regular 4-pack/6-pack rotation when I go shopping for stouts.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 01:05:59 | More by PghBeerAlien

Raven3464

Japan

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: It pours a deep black body with a thin brown head. Retention is incredible and there is more carbonation than expected.

Smell: Bitter, dark chocolate, fresh coffee, toffee, a touch of booze and a "woody" flavor I can't quite put my finger on are all noted. This may be the best smelling Russian Imperial Stout I've ever experienced.

Taste: Bitter chocolate, roasted malts, and coffee dominate early but are then followed by toffee and a hop kick. The "woody" taste shows up more along with a slight burn as the beer warms.

Mouth feel: It's thick like syrup and sticky. There's a perfect amount carbonation to compliment the dryness from the hops. This is a full bodied brew. and none of the flavors are ever overwhelming. I have a new favorite stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 11:43:49 | More by Raven3464