Hades Ale - Great Divide Brewing Company

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured a nice golden color with a three finger pure white head that subsided to one finger very slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, spices, fruit, subtle banana, and floral notes. The flavor was of sweet malt, spices, wheat, fruit, and banana. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. Surprisingly this one was rather fruit forward upon investigation. While this is definitely good for drinkability it does wear on you after awhile as there was no real balance in it to counter-act this. I would have loved to see just a hint of citrus or bitterness going on to make this one a little more balanced. The alcohol is nowhere to be found though if that is more your thing. Worth trying if see it sitting around on the shelves.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2012 14:30:30 | More by thagr81us

Murrhey

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap at Taco Asylum in Costa Mesa, CA. Reviewed from notes.

A- Thin white head. Clear amber color. No real lacing.

S- Golden malts and some light hops.

T- Very smooth flavor. Muted and yet flavorful. Hoppy and some wine notes.

M- Light bodied but too heavy on the carbonation.

O- Ok beer. Middling.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2012 02:44:32 | More by Murrhey

kojevergas

California

2.63/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Served on-draught into a Great Divide sampler at Great Divide's Taproom in high altitude Denver, Colorado. Reviewed from notes taken yesterday. Not paired with food. Expectations were moderately high, as I tend to like Great Divide's beer. Cost was $1.00 USD.

A: Pours a half finger head of slight cream, fair thickness, and poor retention. Colour is a clear yellow.

Sm: Light vinegar is all me broken nose detects. All apologies, lads.

T: Light vinegar, clean barley, and an excess of crystal malt - which ruins the balance. Poorly built for a Golden Ale. Not complex either. Bland and boring.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but also thin. Light on the palate.

Dr: Drinkable but lackluster. Wouldn't get it again. $1.00 for a sampler is a fair price, but I wouldn't seek this out in bottle form by any means.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 22:38:25 | More by kojevergas

kylehay2004

Florida

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: clear and golden with a single finger head without much retention.

S: spice and belgian yeast but light. some banana notes.

T: nice hop character. The spices and yeast blend very well. More fruity notes in the taste.

M: high carbonation and medium to light body.

Overall: Drinkability is excellent. I thought the hop character and complexity was better than would be expected.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 17:59:17 | More by kylehay2004

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.7/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Summer fruit nose with smells and all special features of the apple and pear, all present in the nose but not acids. Easy to drink after all. Hop light enough and unfortunately the finish a bit weak. Of course, ideal for summer due to summer fruit flavors and complex proposed but too little, too little for a dark beer called by the name of the Underground God. Not a real "Belgian-style" but more a "american pale ale".

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2011 20:55:16 | More by ThaCreep

Reaper16

Alabama

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

served on-tap @ Egan's, Tuscaloosa, AL, into a pint glass
Quick Hits review, from notes taken at bar.

Pours a straw-hued greenish-yellow color. Almost perfect clarity throughout. Bartender didn't give me any head at all, but I know that there would have been a finger and a half or so. Lacing seems adequate considering. For a Duvel clone, this looks its part.

In both taste and aroma, this beer gives off a "Like Duvel, but half as good" vibe. You've got some pilsner malt smells, some definite pear, some crisp Saaz hops. A sweet, Pear-splosion on the palate, with some curious clove-driven Belgian yeast flavors. Everything is pretty solid, but Hades lacks the nuance of a Duvel or a De Dolle Ara Bier or a Russian River Damnation.

The body is of optimal thickness for the style, though the beer is not as attenuated as it needs to be. The carbonation isn't as soft as I'd like, either. It's pretty drinkable, though. There isn't a lot to process, so it goes by pretty fast.

Great Divide's Belgian style offerings have never impressed me. Hades is no exception. There's nothing bad here, it's just wanting of elegance and nuance relative to the flag-bearers of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 07:35:06 | More by Reaper16

champ103

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a fairly clear golden/straw color. A two finger white head forms with lots of bubbles rising to the top. The rocky foam has good retention, and nice lace is left behind.
S: A big peppery yeast is up front. Some fruity esters as well. Banana, citrus, lemon. A big and dry grassy hop aroma. Plenty of bread and biscuit malt. Really good.
T: A big peppery yeast is up front and center again. Grassy and floral hops with lots of bread and biscuit malt. Still very good, but does not seem to have the complexity of the nose.
M/D: A medium body that is very crisp and dry. Creamy at the same time. Very easy to drink. This is a pleasure to drink, and I wanted more after I finished.

This is a really good Belgian Pale Ale. What I would expect the style to be, and very enjoyable. Something I highly recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2010 03:50:26 | More by champ103

1fastz28

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

well i finished off my keg of this stuff and released i never did review it, so i figured i'd go ahead and review it. has a really nice cloudy orange color to it, looks like a hefeweizen really, had a big white head that laces a bit. smell is good, has a great yeasty aroma to it, like all great belgian or belgian style the yeast is a huge part of the beer. taste is good too, while at nearly 8% you'd be hard pressed to tell. its an easy to drink beer and a very good one, i'd defintely buy another keg of this beauty

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2010 03:37:44 | More by 1fastz28

bceagles39

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Plan B in West Hartford, CT on May 22, 2010.

Straw color, very little white head. Some retention and moderate lacing.

Not an overly strong aroma. Smells clean, slightly floral to me.

Subtle flavors of melon/citrus with a hint of spice. Tartness in the middle. A little dry at the end, but not bitter or unpleasant at all.

Medium bodied, some light creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Very easy drinking. Drinks like a lighter Duvel.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2010 00:29:53 | More by bceagles39

Rayek

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Great Divide Tap Room.

A: A fluffy white head sits atop a golden body that is slightly cloudy and has minimal carbonation. Head retention is pretty good and a nice lace is left on the glass.

S: Strong amounts of coriander, clove and lemon rind dominate. Slightly musty.

T: Malt has a dry biscuit flavor that gets things moving. A citrus and spice bitterness comes along quickly that is strong, yet not over the top for this style. Finishes slightly tart and dry, with lingering lemon and clove flavors.

M: Medium body feels like it could stand a bit more carbonation.

T: This is yet another nice offering my local crew at Great Divide. I'm really glad I stopped into the Tap Room and gave it a whirl.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2009 19:44:22 | More by Rayek

Seru1

Alabama

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance- Deep gold with a white head and nice carbonation.

Smell- Floral aromas waft up with a nutty hint in the back ground.

Taste- Honeyish flavor provides a nice sweetness balanced a by peppery floral bite.

Mouthfeel- Rather thin but because of the sweetness the thinness leaves it refreshing.

Drinkability- A very easy drinking offering. It wouldn't be hard to get through a 6 pack of these at all.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2009 20:38:52 | More by Seru1

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Great Divide- Hades

A- Bright clear yellow with good carbonation and a small fizzy white head. No lacing.
S- Sweet sugary rock candy with lemon and dry graininess.
T- Very sweet lemony grainy sunflower seed malt with dry grassy hops.
M- Starts off very sweet and grainy, slight sweet corn with a dry grassy finish.

Overall- Light, but flavorful and enjoyable

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2009 22:37:02 | More by NJpadreFan

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured ontap into Chalice

Appears nice and golden, though some carbonation appears soda like and a bit contrived. Small bone white head, no lace, no vibe. Recedes to nothing.

Smell is of sweet malts and a subtle belgian twang.

The taste is a fairly well rounded strong golden ale, a pronounced sweetness and a sherry like alcohal character. Soft and very distant fruit and that is all.

Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium bodied, champagne like finish.

This is a good brew, lacking a bit of depth but surpassing that with a fine drinkability that beckons for a night of mischief.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2009 07:15:45 | More by Stinkypuss

sml505

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear, light gold with small frothy white head.

S - Toasted grain, banana, caramel, spice of light pepper/ coriander.

T - Sweet and lightly bitter and sweet. Light spice, coriander.

O/ M - Medium mouthfeel. Enjoyed the beer, but does not seem like a traditional Belgian. Nice spicy flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2008 03:02:23 | More by sml505

jasonjlewis

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery.

Appearance is a pale goldern color with a decent head and retention.

Smell is of banana phenol and orange peel.

Taste is of corianeder and some belgian spicyness. Dryness comes out and the palate clears with a taste of banana that clings to the nose with each swallow..

This beer isn't as crisp as I would like for a beligan. It is slightly watery on the palate. That's the only really big flaw I can find with thsi beer.

I could make a decent session out of this beer. It's worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2007 00:14:37 | More by jasonjlewis

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Transparent straw yellow body with foamy white head. Decent head retention. Head eventually fades to thin collar and some lacing is left behind in the glass.

S- Big smell of citrus upfront. Behind the citrus smell is a balanced smell of spicy Belgian yeast, citrus hops, and other pepper spices.

T- Similar to the smell. Big citrus taste upfront with lots of hop flavor, some spice, and little yeast in the background. Decently balanced but overall flavor leans toward the bitter end of the BSPA spectrum. The finish is a good balance of citrus and spicy Belgian yeast with the spicy yeast and a slight warming alcohol feeling lingering.

M- Light fluffy body and medium carbonation. Refreshing and goes down pretty easily.

D- Decent BSPA but not my favorite. Something I will have again. This is wonderful for a filtered wheat beer. Almost all the yeast taste still lingers. This is a good one that a myriad of beer fans will enjoy.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2007 00:07:30 | More by PittBeerGirl

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.05/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this on tap at the Brick Store Pub in Decatur, GA. I'm usually a pretty big fan of Great Divide, but this beer was just not that great. Especially compared to the other Belgian and Belgian style options out there, this one didn't fly. Pours a fairly light golden, with a very nice head. Big and fluffy looking but with some decent density. So far so good. The smell isn't welcoming. There is sharp apple, wintergreen, and a slight bit of floral hops. Somewhat harsh and not that well integrated. The taste is pretty thin up front, but develops flavors of crisp red apple with peel, banana, bubblegum, and some late astringency. Gets better as it warms, but still lacks integration, balance and robustness. Could also use a little sweetness. Mouthfeel is fairly full bodied but somewhat slick. Really, why bother? Try it once and maybe again in a year to see if its any better integrated, but there are so many better options out there. I'll stick to their non Belgian stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2007 21:59:49 | More by Georgiabeer

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear, sparkling light yellow body with a white, creamy head.

Smell: A sweet-smelling grainy nose with hints of yeast, pineapple, banana, and perfumy hops.

Taste: Again, sweetish and grainy, but with a pronounced, sweet lemony flavor and lesser notes of yeast and banana. Light, spicy hops lend a bit of bitterness to the lightly acidic, semi-sweet finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: I will say that when faced with the task of soothing my harried nerves after navigating my way through Atlanta traffic, the Great Divide Hades did a bang up job.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2007 16:33:23 | More by ChainGangGuy

Lachlan

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Falling Rock during their 10th Anniversary week. Crystal clear, bright and pale yellow with a creamy white dense head that falls away shortly. Excellent carbonation helps sustain a thin, lingering head, though. Nice lace. Aroma is of smooth esters and a hint of yeast. Tastes slightly fruity with a low hop flavor that blends well with the overall profile. Somewhat sweet, but not overly so. Feels creamier than it should for a dry beer- I'd have to credit the CO2 level for perceived body. This isn't a session beer, but it sure drinks like one.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2007 18:12:10 | More by Lachlan

DenverLogan

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into Corsendonk glass.
Gold color with small head...some lace.
Aroma of anise, liquorice, candy sugar, malts.
Medium carbonation and rather penetrating mouthfeel.
Flavors of a very dry cream soda with herbs. Some malt sweetness but also funky yeast esters going all over including bitter citrus, light aspirin, cream of tartar, white pepper. Overall very big and bold body with some bite!

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 03:07:38 | More by DenverLogan

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4.09/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

served in a St. Bernardus glass.

Bought the 6 pack today after contemplating it every time i went to the liquor store over the past few weeks. Had never had anything from Great Divide before, but was intrigued by the sub-$10 relatively strong belgian 6.

the look honestly reminded me of a cheapo beer, with the exception of pretty good lacing as the glass empties. Light, straw colored with an almost non existent head.

The smell reminded me of any classic belgian style. Grainy, but slightly sweet, with alot of funky belgian yeast presence.

The taste is what really got me though. I didnt have high expectations for it after the nose and look, but it caught me totally by suprise. Smooth, a slight refreshing bitterness, and the belgian yeast I constantly crave. This will probably turn into a good regular 6 I will be purchasing on a regular basis to sit beside the new-brew-try-ers.

Overall this was a great beer for the price. I will be trying more of the Great Divide brews because of this. Great first impression

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 04:00:54 | More by alex_hart

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

A: Clear pale yellow with one-finger, white, foamy head that lasted a couple minutes and left a nice film. Great lacing.

S: Belgian yeast and spice. Mild.

T: Moderate sweetness and light bitterness. Bananas and Belgian yeast. Subtle spice. Flavors are well rounded. Not overwhelming but not too mild either.

M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Crisp and slightly warm going down.

O: Nice Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Another great beer from Great Divide.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 02:43:51 | More by SolipsismalCat

gpogo

California

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Slightly hazy light golden body with a small white head that quickly disappeared.

A- Fruity and spicy belgian yeast aroma. Nice alcohol kick.

T- Strong spicy malt flavor with a nice hoppy bitter finish. Alcohol in the finish as well.

M- Medium-light body and moderate to high carbonation.

D- Nice enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 07:53:42 | More by gpogo

MadScientist

New York

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: light golden with great clarity and a long lasting white head of rocky bubbles that leaves some lacing. A larger head would be nice but it is likely the fault of my glass.

S: The overall impression of the aroma is spice from the yeast and hops. A moderately-strong fruity and spicy Belgian yeast aromas of pepper, oranges, peaches and a touch of ginger. There is a moderate Continental hops aroma being a spicy and a bit floral.

T: Strong complex spice flavors mostly pepper with a little ginger and all-spice. There is a moderate fruitiness of oranges, pears and apricots. There is a some malt flavor and a moderately-strong hops bitterness with a moderate spicy hops flavor. The balance is firmly bitter with a very dry finish and a lingering hops bitterness.

M: A medium-light bodied beer with moderately-strong carbonation.

O: A Belgian Pale Ale with a pronounced spice character derived mostly from the yeast with the hops lending a hand.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:36:14 | More by MadScientist

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This brew was served from a bottle at Jembetat Gallery and Café in Rochester, NY. It arrived in a hefe glass showing a straw yellow coloring. No real head was visualized, but a white film of bubbles lay across the liquid’s surface. Spots of lacing were left here and there as the beer disappeared, but no other lacing surfaced. No sediment or haze was noted, and carbonation appeared highly active. The aroma gave star, banana esters, light adjuncty grain, faint caramels and butters, chalk, flour, and baker’s yeast. On the back there was the warming bite of phenolic clove and dried strawberry sugars to cut the drying twang of grain. Our first impression was that the beer was chalky and bitter to the end, following a robust, grapey sweetness at the outset. As we sipped, bittering grain, sour lemon tea, strong phenolic clove, and fusel booze started things off. The middle peaked with soured citrus, of both grain and hop, with a wheaty dryness. The finish was bitter and chalky, with lemon rind bite, spicy notes of clove, esters of bubblegum and banana. A bready coolness calmed the palate by the end, as the beer warmed. The aftertaste breathed of bittered grain, grassy and citric hops, souring yeast, and musky woodiness. The body was medium to thick, and the carbonation was higher, making each sip very bubbly and bright to the palate. There was light coolness, and an initial metallic coating to the sip, with slurp, smack, cream, and pop being decent on the finish. The mouth was left with a final dry, crisp bite, with light astringency. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank okay on account of the, at times, excessive bitterness.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the nose. There was soft sweetness of white sugar, light gingerbread, and big banana and bubblegum esters. These mixed nicely, getting you interested from the start. It did, however, lose points on the excessive bitterness and surprising booziness at the end of the flavoring. Each sip felt nice going down, but mouthfeel was otherwise less contributory. This beer is decent for the style and, at times, overly robust in all the wrong places.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 23:03:40 | More by TheBrewo