Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing Company

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Thick black elixir with chocolate ice cream-like foam cascading over the glass. Very good lacing. Some of the darkest foam I've ever seen.

Smell: Good balance between chocolate and espresso. Some fruit too.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Roasted coffee with a more than a hint of chocolate. Extremely creamy mouthfeel...almost like a cappuccino.

Overall Drinkability: Definitely makes me want to find more Russian Imperials.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2013 23:51:24 | More by tjsdomer2

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I've had this several times over the years, just never reviewed it for some reason.
Opaque black color with a finger or so of frothy mocha head; decent retention and lacing. Typical stout qualities in the nose, dark roasted malts, coffee, cocoa, and additionally, some definite hops notes. More of the same in the taste, roast, sweet malts, coffee and bakers' chocolate, caramel, resinous hop notes contributing a lasting bitterness, with a somewhat mineral aftertaste. Body is on the fuller side of medium. It's not an out-of-this-world stout, but it's a solid brew and quite drinkable overall. It makes a good base beer for some of GD's more adventurous selections.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2012 06:36:45 | More by Rifugium

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, that's a perfect looking beer, enjoyed at the brewery tasting room. Jet black, thick consistency, perfect 1"+ deep tan head. Amazing retention and lacing. That's how its done boys. Aroma, massive amount of roasted two row and chocolate malt. No alcohol perceptible in the aroma.

Taste, rocksolid, sturdy. Again, deep roast, mild chocolate malt notes. Very chewy and thick on the palate, in a complete good way. Its straight forward, and not really complex (that's what all the varieties are for right?), and I mean that as a compliment. There's plenty of bitterness from the heavy roasting and relatively forward hopping. Earthy and dry at the same time, this does make 9.5% drink so damn easy. Remember how stoked I was when they put this into 4 packs. Kind of sad to think how this doesn't get a lot of stroking these days, being widely avaiable and around for so long. But then again, it is well up on the beers of fame list, so maybe I'm dabbling in hyperbole a little much here. Regardless, even if it is well respected, I think it deserves it even moreso.

A real great beer, that is a great base beer to so many other varieties as well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2012 20:18:11 | More by Beerandraiderfan

The_Kings_Quart

Bhutan

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Sludge. Motor oil. Liquid darkness. Beautiful 3 fingers of head that clings to the glass for dear life. Retains at 1 finger with nice lacing.

S: BIG! Coffee up the wazoo and roasty. Flutters of burnt sugar and slightly peppery. Zero alcohol to be found.

T: Bittersweet chocolate, more coffee, and big roasty malts. Had to double check the ABV because there was way too little of an alcohol presence. Really well masked and deadly easy to drink.

MF: Letsmyou know it's there, but treats you right. Excellent, smooth texture with a good bite.

O: This beer's a beast, but a subtle one. Nuanced and delicious. Powerful, but strangely tender. Yeti wants to love you, but will crush you if you're not careful.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2012 04:31:57 | More by The_Kings_Quart

TriggerFingers

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery in Denver, CO

As most people gave a complete rundown, I will just give you my overall impression. For an Imperial Stout, the Yeti is quite approachable. The man at the brewery said the IBU's were high (around 100ish)-- ummm....I guess?....it seemed very well balanced to me....I was actually getting more bitterness from the Black Malt, rather than hop bite. Some slightly medicinal notes on the nose, and faintly on the taste buds...other than that...the Yeti is a top quality high-octane stout that displays the cocoa and coffee in spades...

This one is lighter and a little more enjoyable than Old Rasputin out of a bottle, IMHO

Grade: 93-, A

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 04:26:43 | More by TriggerFingers

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap.Tumbler glass.Enjoyed on nov´11.Pure black color.Beige creamy crown.Medium bubbled, excellent retention head.Nice lacing rings.Yeast & intense sweet chocolate to the nose.Puckering dry upfront then candy & roasted malt flavors. Sweet & velvet palate.Slightly bitter notes. Coffee finish.Intense full body,moderate carbonation.Sweet licorice on the aftertaste. Perfect balanced beer.Very good drinkability -where is the ABV?.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2012 23:14:42 | More by GONZALOYANNA

CampusCrew

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is probably the best example of a regular imperial stout in tne world. This is the style that this brewery is known for. Its absolultely dynamite. Tons of coffee flavors fighting woth deep dark chocolate. The flavors are dominating and take over your mout. This is a great afters dinner drink or pair it up with a chcoclate death dessert. I love this beer and the whole series. Great job great divide. You hit alot of homeruns with me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 02:35:51 | More by CampusCrew

jtierney89

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Rich and black with no opaqueness whatsoever. Dirty brown head. Smells of slight charcoal, alcohol, chocolate and coffee. Some piney hops resonate to the back of the nostrils as well.

Lacing is amazing.

Caramel and burnt coffee and black bitter chocolate malt backbone which is massive. Its balanced nicely with a burnt bitter malt presence as well as a good deal of hops that attack and destory any malty sweetness. Beautifully balanced with tons and tons of perfectly layered flavors. Simply fantastic.

Big thick and chewy mouthfeel. Such a big body.

The flavors are abundant and complex and leave you craving another sip each time you drink to find more hidden beauty within the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 03:21:33 | More by jtierney89

RJLarse

Washington

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Jone's Radiator. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a black walnut color and is opaque. Creamy brown head.

Smells of sweet burnt caramel candy and coffee.

Taste is a burned flavor. Dark fruit flavors some burned caramel and molasses.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and cloying.

ABV is high to be sessionable. But tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 06:04:46 | More by RJLarse

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a snifter...

A - Presented an impenetrable, opaque, black color. Really nice creamy, mocha brown head that receded to a cap of the same color.

S - Big hits of sweet chocolate and coffee mixed with some nicely roasted dark malts. Some nice dark fruits come out as well adding even more depth to the aroma.

T - Rich chocolate, slightly bitter coffee, dark roasted malts, and dark fruits all come together nicely and mix very well together.

M - Very creamy and smooth. Medium to heavy bodied beer with a slight dryness on the finish.

O - I've loved this beer since the first time I had it. This was the first tap experience with it and I still love it as mucbh as ever.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 17:21:42 | More by KAP1356

tdm168

North Carolina

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

On tap at the Village Draft House

Arrived in a 12oz chalice. It's pitch black with 1/4" of dense, brown head. Great retention. Those nose deep, roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. The taste is much the same; coffee and roasted malts up front with notes of chocolate and hops for balance in the finish. As the beer warms some alcohol becomes noticeable, but it adds a welcomed warmth to the beer. The mouthfeel is full bodied, rich, and very smooth.

This is an amazing beer. The flavors are intense and well balanced, the alcohol is noticeable but doesn't overpower and is actually welcomed when it shows up, and the mouthfeel is so rich, smooth and pleasing. This is definitely one of the better stouts on the market. I love it! I'll be back for more, and I'll even check out the other varieties of Yeti now.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2011 11:51:54 | More by tdm168

kylehay2004

Florida

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

Enjoyed at the brewery.

A: very dark, No light getting through. 2 finger off white head with tons of lacing.

S: peppery and smokey

T: the hops are well represented initially which fades to a smokey with sweet milk chocolate finish.

M: thick and oily. Moderate to high carbonation

Overall: incredibly drinkable for an imperial stout. Very good beer with excellent transition between flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 22:51:25 | More by kylehay2004

BeerNoobNC

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This was the first imperial stout that I have been fortunate enough to try. Needless to say, it was much stronger than I expected.

It had strong chocolate and coffee tastes. It also had some hop character. This little bit of foam is dark brown. Placed beside a porter, the porter looked like water almost.

Though the beer initially seemed to strong, I got more used to it with every sip. By the last sip, I really enjoyed it. And, at 10% ABV, this beer is not for the lightweights. In all, I will try this style and this beer again. For a first time drinker of this style, just give it a chance to get used to it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2011 02:58:18 | More by BeerNoobNC

ThaCreep

Belgium

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Nose mature large. No oxidation. Mocha, chocolate and pure arabica coffee black nose. Drink very smooth and heavy body. In the mouth, a mixture of pure chocolate Black invade the palace comes to bitterness and to the saturation of the cacao beans on the tongue. The power is amazing and there are many flavors in the drink. In addition, it offers a balance between simply amazing sweet creamy bitterness and roasting. A beer that wears its name perfectly.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 10:07:07 | More by ThaCreep

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

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

this beer pours pitch black with a two finger mocha colored head that lingers. the smell is roasty bitter chocolate with some coffee notes and a hint of booze. the taste follows suit with the dark chocolate flavors coming up front followed by the hint of coffee and a warm slighlty alcohol finish. the mouthfeel is full bodied and well carbed. a very good example of the style

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2011 02:29:55 | More by rowingbrewer

ermeis06

Minnesota

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

Great beer!

A: This beer poured a nice dark black into the pitcher. It had about 3 fingers of dark creamy head that stuck around for what seemed like forever! Good lacing.

S: Good smell of coffee, along with some chocolate.

T: Intense coffee flavor, but it is balanced out by a burnt malt flavor. You get the warmth from the alcohol as well. While the coffee taste was very present, you can still get some of the hop flavor, burnt sugar and a little woodiness as well.

M: Very chewy malt flavor. Good mouthfeel. Very creamy!!

Overall I really like this beer. There is an excellent balance of flavor and it has great body, and did I mention the head retention!? We got a pitcher on tap at Great Divide, and I had to step out for a work phone call, and when I came back 20 minutes later, there was still 2 fingers of dark, creamy head. Amazing!!

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2011 01:40:11 | More by ermeis06

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

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

On tap at Beer Temple in Amsterdam. From notes.

A - Poured black with a film of mocha head and no visible carbonation. Good head retention with film and sticky lacing along the sides.

S - Cola, some roasted notes, chocolate, vanilla, and some additional milk chocolate.

T - Ohhh ya. Lot's of chocolate. Some wood, a little yeast and some bitter coffee in the finish. Sweet then bitter in the taste. Pretty good stuff.

M - Full body and mild carbonation. Bitterness in the finish.

O/D - There's a reason this beer is known as one of the more famous examples in the U.S. It's a really solid Impy stout with nothing to really complain about. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 22:04:14 | More by tbeckett

negroobserver

New York

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout - 9.5% ABV
Served at Room temp.

C: Black with about one inch of dark cappucino colored head. No light penetrates the glass.

S: Malts. Coffee. Roasted scent. Light floral/fruity scent. Sweetness.

T: Barley Malts. Slight mossy quality. The coffee flavors linger throughout the middle. Soft rounded fruity uundertones in the flavor. Not very bitter. It has a strong aftertaste of coffee. The alcohol is present and noticeable, but doesn't dominate or spoil the taste. It lingers almost wholly in the background. I was concerned that the warm serving would detract from the experience, but it is actually complimentary. Good complex combination of flavors and very well balanced.

M: A little watery. Medium carbonation.

D: Highly drinkable and enjoyable.

OVERALL: A/A+

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2011 15:41:05 | More by negroobserver

raszputini

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a rock solid example of an Imperial Stout. Nose includes chocolate, coffee and burnt malt. Chocolate, coffee, smoky malts, mild hops and a lot of alcohol dominate the taste. It is smooth, with a nice thick mouth feel. rock solid. Highly recommend for fans of this genre.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 00:20:44 | More by raszputini

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours jet black with a chocolate brown head. In the aroma, sweet coffee and chocolate. In the taste, dry coffee, chocolate, and roasty malt. A smooth and a medium too big bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry coffee taste in the aftertaste. Hides the alcohol and great flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2011 21:01:11 | More by OWSLEY069

salvo

Indiana

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Yeti on tap is amazing; thick and rich it coats the mouth tongue and palate.

Tan head is so thick it is almost like meringue; head stays for an hour as I let the cold stout warm for different tasting profiles. Black as night; thick as marine fog. Completely opaque: so black it was almost blue. Carbonation was nicely tingly: the bubbles formed light foam in the beer, on the glass.

Hoppy nose; shockingly hoppy for a big stout. Finishes dry, with pine and citrus asserting itself both in the finish and more apparently as the stout warms. Chocolate and coffee balance in the nose with coffee winning out in the taste. Dried fig and dates in the unfolding flavor, hints of dry black cherry. Toffee and caramel. Complex and layered. High praise especially from me as stouts are not my favorite style.

Enjoyed at the Black Dog in Urbana, IL: a great place for BBQ and beer. See my Beerfly review.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2011 15:14:40 | More by salvo

badboyrsl84

California

3.5/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured in a tulip glass at hoffers cigar bar. It pours a jet black with no head.

Is it me or is there a smell at all? I get a hint of alcohol and some bitter roasted chocolate.

I get bitter chocolate up front that stays throughout. Its very carbonated and I feel it over powers the flavor. There is an alcohol kick with some tobacco. Nothing special.

Overlall its a decent stout but not my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2011 02:44:41 | More by badboyrsl84

thain709

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Two words...pitch black...this one is a black hole and no light is being let in...a two finger, creamy, tan head forms...it slowly receeds and becomes thin but it comes back with just a quick swirl...some decent lacing

S - Huge roasted aromas...lots of chocolate as well...there is some underlying dark fruit and a touch of caramel

T - The roastiness carries over into the flavor and is there from start to finish...roasted malt gives the beer some depth and pairs well with the dark chocolate flavor that is present...the dark fruits appear in the middle and have some caramel to sweeten things up...back comes the roasted flavors again...this time the chocolate becomes bitter...and I believe there might be a few hops at the end of this one

M - Full bodied...no doubt about it...smooth and creamy...just a touch of alcohol keeping it from a 5

D - This is one tasty stout...I tried this the day after having a TenFIDY and I must say I prefer this one...huge roasted characteristic through out the entire beer plus lots of chocolate...a very nicely done imperial stout...I'd like to try aged versions

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2011 21:21:15 | More by thain709

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at RFD in DC today.

The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is impressive, with coffee grounds, dark chocolate, licorise, and some noticeable underlying hoppy bitterness. As a result, there's a very impressive sweet and bitter aroma profile going on. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely in this complex beer, though I thought it was dominated by flavors of licorise, dark chocolate and cherry vanilla. Still, what's really striking is the underlying hoppy bitterness in this beer, which counters the considerable sweetness in this beer rather well. Mouthfeel is full bodied, with a long sweet and bitter finish. Drinkability isn't bad, though the obvious high alcohol, sweetness and licorise detract just a bit. Still, while this beer is very much a sipper, it's nevertheless quite impressive and delicious.... a very easy to appreciate and enjoy beer from Great Divide. Excellent!

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 23:39:43 | More by johnmichaelsen

jampics2

Ohio

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

On tap @ the Buckeye Beer Engine. Served in a snifter.

The beer looks great in the glass. There's something almost intimidating about the shade of black that the beer in this snifter is colored. Almost like the color of the deepest, darkest corner of the woods where the Yeti actually lives. A place man shouldn't visit, unless he risks being swallowed by the woods themselves. The beer is totally opaque and has a small milk chocolate colored head that doesn't stick around or provide much lace. But the color itself puts this beer well above average.

The smell of Yeti is smooth and rich, with just a bit less expression than the very best of the style. All of the requisite Russian Imperial Stout notes are there, especially a nice cocoa powder note and a touch of smoke. Some black strap molasses and coffee lurk in the background, as do the hops. Just a bit of alcohol hotness is noticeable. This is very pleasant and just a step down from the best of the style.

The first sip of Yeti reminds me of the first RIS I ever had. I remember being blown away by the depth of the flavors and how the brashness of each element interlocks in a puzzle that, when absorbed as a whole, is perfectly balanced and not that brash at all. Cocoa powder, bakers chocolate, and a light coffee note make this a winner. Some hops and alcohol are well concealed. This keg must be a few months old because everything has gelled. A wonderful example of the style and perhaps the perfect base beer for all the variants Great Divide has found success with. But, for all the hype about bourbon barrels, coffee, vanilla, chile peppers and oak, the basic Yeti stands tall and lets out a bloodcurdeling Grassman howl, announcing his dominance to the world.

The beer is milkshake thick and I think I've only had a beer or two ever with this much viscosity. The only superior beer that comes to mind in New Holland Night Tripper, so, given that I've had over 300 RIS in my life, this is truly exceptional. The carbonation is creamy and delicious and roast and only a hint of booze linger. This beer is smooth and enjoyable. A great stout that everyone should try!

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2011 17:47:15 | More by jampics2