Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing Company

Brad007

Vermont

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a oil-slick black color with a very thick brown head that fades down to a one-finger head.

Aroma is creamy with a good dose of coffee in the nose. A bit of chocolate shows underneath the nose as well. I can't smell any oak but otherwise, very nice aroma.

Taste is creamy upfront and gives way to dark fruits and cocoa in the middle. Wow. The coffee character is here but it in no way overwhelms the other flavors. Wow. Again, I'm impressed here.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering bitter coffee, cream and chocolate flavors.

Holy Shit! I'm so glad I picked this up. I love the flavors and the mouthfeel is just where I like it. It's got the right amount of creaminess and the other flavors seem well balanced as well. I'm not sure if you can do better than this. Would improve even more with age. Very, very, very nice. I will be seeking this out the next time I go to Mass.

Don't worry about the rating. This is one hell of a beer that deserves its' marks. I can't wait to open the bottles of 2007 Yeti and Oak Aged Yeti that I have.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2009 03:47:35 | More by Brad007

hickmancase

California

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle from Total Wine poured into a pint glass.

A: Beautiful. Dark as night. Dark brown head.

S: Fantastic. Strong espresso smell.

T: So much going on. Spicy hoppiness that the carbonation singes into your tongue. Bitter bite. Great coffee flavors. Lingering espresso aftertaste.

M: Thick. Smooth but bubbly. Silky smooth at first, but stinging carbonation right after that.

D: Great coffee stout. Not the go to coffee stout, but a good variation to keep things interesting.

10/10

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 05:47:26 | More by hickmancase

BrauKilR

Michigan

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Roast, coffee, chocolate, dark fruit notes. Mild woody or earthy aroma

A: Opaque black with a creamy copper head which builds abundantly and lasts as a creamy film that laces the glass -- a stemmed Einbecker Ur-Bock in this case.

F: Vanilla. Some woodiness which may be masquarading as hops. Sweetness. Roast. Some moderate to moderately high bitterness which lends itself to the sensation of bittersweet chocolate. Dryish roast finish

M: Medium carbonation which keeps the full body texture off the tongue and fills the mouth. Creamy, chewy texture. Some bitterness and roast grain astringency in the finish (as expected) to keep it from cloying

Overall: A very pleasing marriage of dark roast and coffee flavors and aromas with oak. Very complex, with the coffee serving to restrain the acrid notes of the black malt grains. Highly recommended as a beer for the initiated, as well as the uninitiated. Hard to imagine anyone wouldn't find it at least admirable

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 02:39:50 | More by BrauKilR

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The color is black. That is if black were mostly black with a brown twinge . . . Completely opaque with a beautiful brown head. The nose is of very bitter dark chocolate, coupled with a wonderful aroma of medium roasted, coarsely ground coffee beans . . . Wow!

The beer smells so good that I have to dive in immediately! Pummels the palate with liquefied chocolate . . . Fudge, molasses, vanilla, and mocha. Oak tannin present. This beer is ridiculous. By the time you are getting a grip on the malt, which pleasantly assaults your palate, the hops are beginning to replace the sweetness of the malt with intense green bitterness that intensifies as the beer finishes. The beer finishes for minutes . . . All the while, keeping all of the previously mentioned flavors present, and somehow getting more bitter.

This beer starts off very dark and finishes with a lot of hop greenness. At this exact moment, this is one of the most complete, complex, beers that I have ever enjoyed . . . Luxurious! The beautiful coffee aroma and flavor serves as a reminder that this beer is caffeinated. Oh yes, as I discovered, this beer will perk you right up!

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 20:44:21 | More by ExtraStout

BillRoth

Maryland

4.97/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just had my cellared 2005, and can't recommend enough. I have always enjoyed Yeti and Espresso in particular has never failed, but this was extraordinary. I used a large snifter with a vigourous pour. It was a dark deep black/brown as expected with a notable head and fairly good retention. As hoped the aroma exploded...roasty malts, subjugated hops and coffeehouse fresh roasted beans. All the characteristic flavors had both melded and still retained some distinct isolation. The taste was a blend of rich bold coffee swirling in a sea of intense dark malts, but wonderfully mellow and decadent. The mouthfeel was criminally smooth.
Higly suggest you put down a bottle, and be patient. The wait is worth it.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 20:56:30 | More by BillRoth

ralree

Maryland

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Beautiful dark brown color with a dark tan head, perfect retention and lacing. One couldn't ask for better.

S: Rich hoppy goodness covered a bit with a little fruit. Smokey rich coffee and a little chocolate. This is one of the best smelling beers I've ever tried.

T: Coffee is really in there! This is the most coffee flavor I've ever tasted in a beer. Hops are right behind it, kicking in almost instantly. They're the same tangy hops found in many northwestern IPAs. Oak flavor really comes out, along with the alcohol in back, but the alcohol is really tolerable when mixed with all the other flavors. There's a little bitter chocolate in there too.

M: Really rich and creamy texture, medium-heavy body. Carbonation is spot-on for the style - light but present. Non-astringent.

D: This drinks like mad for an Imperial. I could have this any day of the week.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 00:50:29 | More by ralree

ckollias

Maryland

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

1 pint and 6 oz bottle with a golden wrapper enjoyed out of a large snifter.

A: Dark, pitch-black, with a thick brown head that lingers for a while, and then leaves a persistent wispy lace all the way down the glass.

S: Strong nostril filling aromas of espresso coffee and chocolate. Lots of roasted malt goodness with every sniff. You could smell this beer from across the room. Now that is how a coffee beer should smell.

T: Chocolate and coffee taste with a nice malt background. Lots of alcohol is present here that leaves a sweet aftertaste. I couldn’t put this beer down it was so addicting.

M: Medium-full body and medium carbonation.

O: Wow – I feel like I’m drinking a strong cup of coffee with a high ABV. A nice sipping beer that can be enjoyed anytime. This is a big coffee stout – with tons of aroma and taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 00:31:34 | More by ckollias

stckhndlr

Virginia

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Max's Taphouse in Baltimore MD on 1-28-12.
Review from notes.

A- Black, no light getting through on this one. A good solid tan one finger head. Gorgeous lacing along the glass.

S- Beer sat on the bar for about 10 minutes to allow it a chance to warm up from the tap. Suddenly I start to smell fresh dark roast coffee. It's like someone just ground up the bean under my nose. Upon further examination I found notes of coffee, cream and plenty of chocolate.

T- HUGE espresso up front with roasted malt and a hint of chocolate. Has a touch of bitter and smoke on the finish.

M- Has a numbing tingly feel like you touched ambisol to you lips. Big bold creamy.

O- Waves of emotion came over me with this beer. Absolutely soothing flavors and aromas. Just perfect.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 14:22:32 | More by stckhndlr

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Comes out of the bottle a rich opaque chocolaty sable with a thick brown head. Aroma is like a rich coffee and has a strong undertone of hops with a firm hint of chocolate, like a good IPA mixed with a fine mocha. Flavor has a strong coffee component, a hoppy overtone, and more than a hint of unsweet chocolate, with smoky and nutty hints. Texture is pleasingly smooth and thick, and finish is coffee-ish and a little hoppy. I thought there was no way to combine "stouty" and hoppy flavor - I am glad that I have been proven wrong!

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2009 21:47:22 | More by Cyberkedi

BeerSox

Virginia

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap into ~8oz snifter @ Birreria Paradiso in Georgetown.

Presented in a snifter, with a pitch black hue and a thick two finger brown head that never really settled. Very heavy espresso aromas, along with a bit of mocha. It's like this is brewed in a Starbucks in Seattle rather than a brewery in Colorado. Roasted malts are in the front, along with more syrupy espresso and more bitter chocolate. The alcohol is well hidden, but can be detected as the beer warms a little. Full bodied, extremely thick.

Definitely a coffee stout, through and through. Somewhat drinkable for its richness, especially with the amount of alcohol. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2009 23:32:32 | More by BeerSox

Onslow

Texas

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

"lots of semi dark chocolate, empty espresso cup, chocolate and coco powder Aromas .. .
quite a bit of unique flavours, the espresso is most upfront, light dark chocolate and used coffee grounds follow .. .
on the extreme side of smoothness for such a big brew!
the aftertaste is outta this world, clean yet assertive!

I think this really is the finest Imperial Stout to touch my lips!!

world class!! ..god! why did i only buy one bottle!?!?!?"

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 00:19:55 | More by Onslow

JEdmund

Kansas

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance
Pours out thick, like black chocolate milk; massive, thick dark tan head forms and hangs around; body looks solid in the glass--impressive looking

Smell
Not an enormous aroma like regular Yeti, but what's there is full and inviting: dark chocolate covered espresso beans; smells like I'm about to have dessert

Taste & Mouthfeel
Amazing. Right away I'm in awe of this beer. The espresso and oak aging work so beautifully together as the espresso roastiness is balanced by the vanilla sweet oak. In addition, there's just a ton of dark chocolate from start to finish, really making this a heavy, delicious dessert beer. This beer completely satisfies my chocolate cravings. And the more I drink, the more I pick up the chocolate quality. Surprisingly, the normal Yeti's assertive hoppiness is completely muted by the chocolate and vanilla sweetness. The mouthfeel is like drinking milk--thick and creamy! I think I could go on and on about how much I like this. Definitely, definitely recommended!

Overall
So good from the first sip! After a few more I'm nearly convinced this is my preferred Yeti version and maybe favorite imperial stout (though I'd have to put it up against Speedway Stout to know for sure); Great Divide really knocked this out of the park, managing to include vanilla and espresso notes into an already full-flavored beer without muddling the overall character. Nice work!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2009 03:39:12 | More by JEdmund

OStrungT

California

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a jet black color, with a thick dark brown head. The head takes forever to fade, leaving a massive curtain of lace in the glass.

Smelling this beer is like walking into a coffee shop. A strong espresso coffee aroma dominates this beer. I detect a mild vanilla aroma. Some sweet caramel malt mixes in. This beer also smells of dark fruit, with a hint of chocolate.

Wow. This beer has a mostly vanilla flavor. Some coffee flavor mixes in. It is very sweet with a huge malty presence. Alcohol is well hidden in the flavor. This beer tastes slightly like home made Kahlua.

This beer is very thick. It is low in carbonation, fitting the style nicely. It goes down surprisingly smooth, leaving a vanilla aftertaste.

This beer wouldnt be the best session beer at 9.5% ABV, but it is pretty damn good and easy to drink.

Overall: A huge thanks go out to monsterfat for hooking me up with this winner. It is just plain amazing.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 21:25:49 | More by OStrungT

kgrober

North Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sat down with this one before a football game the other weekend and it was, in a word, magnificent.

Pours thick like warm brownie batter, but darker. Not a single ray of light passes through this black beauty. Head is frothy and lasting like the foam of a root beer float.

The espresso notes hit you immediately with hints of chocolate and a slightest twinge of bourbon. All of these translate directly to the palette for an exceptional flavor start to finish.

Hearty with spikes of alcohol in the finish, but far from overpowering despite its ABV.

Definitely one of the best complex Imperial Stouts I've tasted.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2010 21:48:51 | More by kgrober

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti's aroma alone lets you know this is a serious beer: the standard Yeti notes (huge chocolate malts, ash, tobacco, and chocolate) are joined by a healthy dose of espresso, bringing a distinctive double mocha tone to the brew.

On the tongue, a combination of black malts, black espresso, tobacco, and ash provides a huge initial blast, tempered only slightly by a thick layer of caramelized sugars and the woody earthiness of oak. Dark fruit esters such as fig and black cherry lurk in the background, trying hard to keep up with the bitter notes. Hops are present in good quantities, though they mainly show through towards the end of the mouthful, after some of the sugars have worn off. The aftertaste is mainly espresso beans and ash, and lingers on the tone for the better part of a minute. For all of the flavor, the mouthfeel only ranks a medium (though it does have an oatmeal smoothness), and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is great beer, though no doubt far too strong for many--especially those who don't like the taste of coffee or tobacco. But for those who do, this is a definite must-try.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 17:25:55 | More by jondeelee

DavidST

Texas

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass, bottled on Jan 10, 2012. This pours a motor oil thick pitch black with a brown head which leaves a lacing, perfect. The smells are of dark roasted malts, espresso, alcohol. The feel is thick and creamy. The taste is big and excellent dark roasted malts, espresso, give hop flavor, amazing.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 05:27:52 | More by DavidST

Indulgence

Arizona

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Mind blowing, the absolute best coffee stout that I've ever had. It is refreshingly bittersweet with cocoa to back it up. Absolutely incredible... Pours pitch black with a nice head and lacing... smell is velvety dark chocolate and espresso coffee with a touch of wood... taste is the same as advertised by the aromas... mouth feel is pure velvet, alcohol is there any? ....nuff said!

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 21:35:41 | More by Indulgence

ZebedeeDuBois

Kansas

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this beer on tap, after a meal with some friends. We all agreed this was an exceptionally good tasting drink.

Dark opaque pour, with an inch of brown foam.
The espresso comes through immediately in the smell and taste.
The feel is a rich creamy texture.
It is very smooth and drinkable.

The espresso flavor is authentic and rich.

Excellent following a meal. A real dessert. I am tempted to try it with ice cream.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2010 02:20:31 | More by ZebedeeDuBois

FishPondManager

Colorado

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz bomber, bottled 12/10/11

A - Poured into stout glass. Black, thick, creamy brown head to about 1.5 inches. Fantastic

S - Coffee aroma, chocolate, some alcohol. Molasses and sugar.

T - Rich coffee, toffee, chocolates. A little nutty. Hops and bitterness on the finish.

M - Nice medium-low carbonation let's the rich favors melt over your mouth.

O - A nice desert addition to the Yeti family. Buy as many of these as you can.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 05:30:54 | More by FishPondManager

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is an exceptional beer. I was thrilled to death to see it on tap at Barleys last night and the first thing I ordered when I got there without heistation. Served in a pint glass, this one was consumed on 04/03/2009.

The pour was fantastic. Rich dark black in color with a completely opaque and dark look to it. Rich tan colored head rose up to at least an inch and a half before settling down into a whispy cloud on top and tons of side glass lacing, perfect. The aroma was sublime, rich cocoa and coffee notes that swirled together effortlessly wth light hints of oak and rich sweet smells just swirling about it. As I took the first sip I nearly fell over. This is what I have been looking for in a big coffee stout. INSANE. Rich coffee flavors that were perfectly balanced against the rich oak and chocolate notes that I love in my oaked yeti. Smooth, seductive big bodied fel that made this a sublime sipper that offered no hint of the alcohol in it at all.

Overall I was floored by this beer. Simply put one of the best beers I have had in a very long time. This is an instant classic that has been done wonderfully. I would go after this one at every chance that I get.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2009 00:17:25 | More by mikesgroove

Mayhem976

Colorado

4.85/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Pours very black and syrupy, has a small dark brown head and hardly any fingers on the ol' glass.

S- A very earthy strong dark roast coffee smell with a small amount of hops.

T- Delicious! Obviously an over abundance amount of dark roast coffee finishes somewhat bitter but the bitterness comes from the strong coffee roast and not so much the hops.

M- Super thick and creamy, feels good on the palate.

D- This stout is exceptional! Creaminess, boldness flavor, and a strong alcohol kick, comfort level on this drink is very high. Amazing stout and it's local. Would definitely purchase another bottle ...or 50.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 01:58:53 | More by Mayhem976

dizknee24

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Been a good while trying to get this one. It looks dark brown almost perfectly black. A good two finger dark brown head. Smell of chocolate and espresso! Tastes amazing with a really strong espresso taste. the chocolate after taste makes me want some coffee with my chocolate. Nice and thick just the way i like it. this is a great beer. if you see it you should buy it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 00:07:06 | More by dizknee24

BeforeNoon

Washington

4.85/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

22 oz bottle poured into a Smuttynose Big Beer Series tulip. Picked this guy up at Belmont Station in Portland.

A: opaque with 1/2" dark tan head

S: bourbon, toffee, oak, coffee

T: hints of vanilla, mild chocolate, sweet malt, coffee

M: sticky oak and coffee, medium/full body

O: This is an exceptional beer. The coffee aroma is quite strong, but not overwhelming in the overall taste. The backbone is the oak and bourbon with a mild bitterness at the end. Creamy malt compliments the extremely slight coffee bitterness at the end. I love this beer. I would love more.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 02:31:48 | More by BeforeNoon

frothyhead

New Jersey

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Great Divide Yeti snifter, deep chocolate brown with a nice three finger mocha head. Melts to a ring with nice lacing as I (quickly) empty the glass. Nose is chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate with a bit of a roasted coffee/espresso bitterness. Smells absolutely delicious.

Mouth is full bodied with medium carbonation and silky smooth feel with a little bit of a dry edge as it fades away.

Oh lordy, this is one decadent and amazing beer. I love the original Yeti, and Oak Aged Yeti, but I've only had a small tasting of the Espresso Yeti at the 2008 GABF. I remember liking it. But now I love it. Huge chocolate and malt ball taste. Roasted with that Espresso bitterness and a mild hop presense. Sweet and bitter and milky smooth.

This is extremely drinkable for a big stout. Could get you into a lot of trouble. I'm drawn to sip after sip and watching the glass empty too fast.

This is a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2009 03:04:33 | More by frothyhead

thisnamestoolong

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Used motor oil black with a creamy brown head

S- Wonderful, the dominant smells seem to be more along the lines of dark chocolate and vanilla. The espresso takes a bit of a back seat, but this is not a bad thing, this beer smells like heaven.

T- Where to begin? Big, bold cocoa up front, with the espresso and vanilla right behind it. The oak REALLY comes through in the flavor, as does a very peculiar (and positively wonderful) smokiness. The finish is warm booze, ever increasing oak, and even a bit of hop bite. All I can say is... wow.

M- Chewy and lightly carbonated, very well balanced.

D- This beer is definitely a sipper, but I had no problem finishing a 22 oz. bomber and was saddened upon taking the last sip... it is that good.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 15:40:21 | More by thisnamestoolong