Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing Company

Jacurdy60

Alabama

4.48/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a pitch black, motor oil color with a thick, creamy light brown colored head with lovely retention. Foam coats the entire glass and sticks to the side in one of the thickest latticeworks I've ever witnessed.

S-Dark chocolate, meat grilled over oak chips, a bit nutty, bitter and dark chocolate with the faintest twinge of alcohol. Booziness is well hidden for a 9.5% abv brew.

T-Sweet dark chocolate comes through at the front with a touch of nuttiness that precedes the charred oak in the middle of the palate. Finishes with a bitter taste of coffee (as expected) with a faint twinge of booziness again. Lingering aftertase of vanilla. Malty sweetness is balanced well with the bitter coffee and oak chips. Outstanding.

MF-Sticky as hell. Probably the stickiest beer I've had as it clings to the glass and does not want to let go. Body is full and thick, finishes like whole milk with a touch of carbonation. Well played, Gread Divide.

O-The best version of the Yeti series. And probably my favorite Imperial Stout so far. Balance is perfect. Complex as hell and the alcohol is hidden well. Absolutely no complaints.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:54:00 | More by Jacurdy60

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Motor oil black, freaking dark and seriously opaque. You see the light brown bubbles hovering to the surface of the brew creating a dark tan head just about 2/3".

Smell: An appetizing aroma of coffee, plus a hit of molasses that shakes/ up the nostrils.

Taste: I served this brew cold but indeed let it sit a bit to warm up so I could absorb how rich it is. Strong coffee bean, slightly over shadows the rest of the beer but still outstanding . Little sweet in the end maybe the molasses or the aging (because you definitely feel some vanilla).

Mouth: Medium and sticky, comes a bit dry. The bitter finish is the awesome.

Overall: If you like coffee infused imperial stouts, this one should be at the top of your list. It is a little pricy but it never hurts to treat yourself every now and then. Think of it a a super-sized breakfast stout, breakfast not included. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 04:35:26 | More by BlurryVisi0n

hardy008

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Dark black with a one finger mocha head, which fades to 1/4 inch and holds, leaving nice lacing. The aroma has dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, and roasted malt.

The taste is more coffee forward than chocolate forward, as the name suggests. There is coffee, roasted malt, chocolate, cocoa, alcohol, and oak. The oak is pretty strong, and a bit too strong in my opinion. Still solid though.

Medium bodied with average carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel. Has a strong coffee aftertaste. Another good effort in the Yeti series from Great Divide.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:08:50 | More by hardy008

davey101

Connecticut

4.06/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled on: February 12, 2010. 22 oz bottle with gold foil into a DFH signature glass.

A - Pours a jet black body with three fingers of dark mocha foam. Thick edging with solid lacing and retention.

S - Rich milk chocolate, cocoa butter, roasted malts, vanilla and some light bitterness. Oak is there but obviously not as complex as a a barrel. The coffee is definitely faded and about as noticeable as any non coffee stout which develops some of those bean notes via the malts. A bit harsh and boozy on the finish.

T - Rich and decadent chocolate, cocoa powder, woody oak, light roast, a touch of vanilla and then faded coffee beans. The oak is very noticeable and quite tasty against the chocolate backbone but the coffee is just an afterthought now. Luckily there is no awkward bitterness from the coffee left over, which is something I've found in KBS with a year or two on it. Mouth feel is thick and creamy.

O - Probably a former shell of itself as the large selling point, the espresso, is all but gone. Fortunately the oak shines through and the standard yeti is a delicious chocolate bomb which makes for an outstanding stout with nearly 2.5 years on the clock.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 02:34:34 | More by davey101

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance:
The beer itself comes closer to a really dark brown that borders on black. The foam is a coffee colored tan.

Smell:
Coffee and sweet dark chocolate dominates the nose.

Taste:
The main notes are coffee and dark chocolate with a bit of hops that tastes pretty nice. I get tiny bit of vanilla that along with the dark chocolate balances well against the strong coffee tastes.

Mouthfeel:
Barely any carbonation. Very full-bodied.

Overall:
A fairly decent Imperial Stout and one that I would probably pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 23:03:08 | More by HattedClassic

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.14/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

22oz from Belmont Station.

A: Pours with a big foamy dark mocha head. So black it obscures the printing on my Bailey's tulip. Some good stains.

N: Lots of smoke, espresso, and oak. Strong enough to smell from a few feet away. Chocolate, tobacco and leather. Overtures of vanilla. Coffee brings an overt acidity. Dry earth. Worth savoring.

T: Starts with the hoppy bitterness. Lots of smoke and coffee which adds another element to the bitter side. Oak dries this out. There's not a ton of sweetness, but it is there. Like drinking a heavily roasted espresso.

M: Oily and heavy, though it doesn't coat the palate like some other RISes. Still it's not slouch. Alcohol is well-hidden.

O: A hoppy coffee forward stout that has a lot of layers and which I very much enjoy. I wish it had a bit more sweetness to prop up the coffee, but it's a minor complaint. Well done. Need to buy more next year.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 04:05:28 | More by writerLJBerg

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A gift from a client who knows I like coffee and big stouts...

The appearance of this beer as it pours into the glass is awesome looking. It is thick and black with lacing on the side of the glass and a orangish, brown head.

The smell is of roasted malts and coffee. There is a faint scent of oak as well.

The taste is initially a roasted flavor with some oak. The coffee hits you pretty hard on the back end of each sip. It is bitter but with a faint sweetness.

The mouth feel was fairly full and it felt like it had more carbonation than what showed up on the initial pour.

Overall, a very solid coffee stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 03:08:18 | More by mjpolzin

Moose90

Colorado

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz
Bottled - DEC 17 2012
Tasted - APR 15 2012

A – Jet black and thick. Head is a thin, chocolate brown later that leaves beautiful lace.

S – Bitter coffee, chocolate, and oak notes. No sweetness here. In your face with strong, bitter coffee.

T – Dry and more bitter coffee and oak notes, some light cocoa powder. Surprisingly large influence from the oak here. Nicely balanced.

M – On the fuller side of things, though not overly heavy. Reminiscent of a big strong cup of coffee. Finish is long, lingering and enjoyable.

O – Best coffee beer tasted thus far. Rich, authentic, dark bitter coffee flavors without any cloying sweetness to detract.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 04:27:45 | More by Moose90

superspak

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled 1/10/2013. Pours dense pitch black color with a nice 1 finger dense dark tan head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Good soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malt, light char, vanilla, oak, toast, toffee, and light floral. Fantastic aromas with great balance of coffee and dark malts with moderate oak character. Taste of dark chocolate, espresso, roasted malt, light char, oak, vanilla, toast, toffee, light pine, floral, and roasted earthiness. Lingering notes of dark chocolate, espresso, roasted malt, light char, oak, vanilla, toffee, and light pine on the finish for a while. Fantastic complexity and balance of dark malt, coffee, and oak flavors; with zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic imperial coffee stout as expected. Great complexity and balance of coffee and roasted flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 07:45:33 | More by superspak

MCain04

Illinois

4.56/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle for $13 from 12/12, poured into a FFF Teku glass.

A: Dark brown to black, dark khaki head of 2+ fingers with great retention and lacing.

S: Espresso and roasty malts are quite aromatic. Some oak and vanilla as well. Nice nose.

T: Follows the nose well, strong on the roast malts and the espresso does not disappoint. Some oak and vanilla. No heat whatsoever, remarkable for the abv.

M: Thick but not as thick as it could be. Sticky, a tad dry, very smooth.

O: A great coffee, oak-aged RIS. I imagine it may be perfect with a bit more mouthfeel, possibly an added barrel and bourbon character. Still thoroughly enjoyed though, this is definitely wonderful, I would think it makes the world-class cut.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 02:29:26 | More by MCain04

rlee1390

Indiana

4.26/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A-Black in the glass, two finger head that leaves behind nice lacing.

S-Coffee, good deal of it, chocolate, oak and roasted malt.

T-Coffee is at the forefront but does not dominate. Chocolate oak and roasted malt round it out.

M-Medium to heavy, nice carbonation and creamy.

O-A wonderful coffee oak aged beer. Not as good as BCBCS, but a serviceable substitute at a nicer cost as well

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 21:05:14 | More by rlee1390

riemster

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a Hoppin Frog snifter. Bottled January 2012.

A- oil, thick, shiny, beautiful small brown head with a whipped cream consistency

S- chocolate and coffee explosion, earthy wood too, feels like your nose is turning into a cappuccino machine

T- milk and dark chocolate overwhelms, but with a Willy Wonka's chocolate factory sense of awe, coffee is also present obviously, but is not as strong as bottles less than 6 months of age, the mellowed out coffee and chocolate flavor is superb, hop presence as well, really balances the sweet chocolate flavors, toast and a little vanilla too

M- thick and sticky, i was licking my lips so much my friends were becoming annoyed

O- If you like chocolate or coffee, then this is a must-have. Great imperial stout. The added hop characteristics really balance out this beer. I didn't think I would enjoy this beer as much as I did with a bottle date over a year ago, but I thought it was still great. Having it aged a bit was just as good as having it fresh, but for different reasons.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 02:36:20 | More by riemster

joefuzz

New York

4.36/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Jan 13 bottle

Pours jet black with a small mocha head that quickly fades to a ring of bubbles around the brim of the glass. Smells of straight espresso. Taste is huge coffee upfront...like a shot of italian espresso that becomes a bitter dark chocolate with a bit of sharp oak. Mouthfeel is on the full side with just the right amount of carbonation. Overall a very good variation of a already stellar beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 06:57:57 | More by joefuzz

arfenhouse

California

4.44/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black with a big brown head. Retention is good and lacing is decent.

S:Bakers chocolate. Some prune and grape. Coffee note is a bit small compared to the chocolate.

T: Big sugary sweet cafe mocha upfront. A slightly bitter roasted malt and black coffee come in about halfway and linger on into the aftertaste.

M: Medium-full mouthfeel with low carbonation. Smooth and wet.

O: Good sweet coffee imp. stout that's well priced.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 06:51:21 | More by arfenhouse

JeffreyJDavis

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Wow - this is a quad-shot espresso forward Imperial Stout!! Starbucks should be worried as the price of this per ounce isn't that much different than my normal morning beverage.

Pours jet black like used motor oil with a lovely , velvety mocha head which looks creamy and retains well. Nose is all roast malts and espresso. Flavor is heavily dominated by the coffee and espresso but you pick up the oak smokiness and a little char from the malts. This is one of the better coffee stouts that I've had, but be warned that it is a little unidimensional and much less complex than a KBS or Bourbon County. I think the six shots of espresso kind of offset the 9.5% ABV, so theoretically you could drink this all night!!

I enjoyed it a lot, and I'll be back to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 12:30:25 | More by JeffreyJDavis

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle to hfs sniffer

A: very dark brown but completely opaque and poured thick with basically no head like motor oil. There was some thin mocha lacing around the top.

S:the first thing that you smell is the expresso/coffee and it is a pretty powerful and dominant which is what I look for in a coffee stout, it really is a deep dark coffee smell but there are hints of alcohol that I am confident will come out with age.

T: wow so the espresso part is really no joke here you can taste it as soon as it touches your lips. There is a shock of bitter expresso there is a tiny hint of hops too. This then more on into a more deep dark coffee to chocolate like flavors that are strong flavors they even have some sweetness to them. There is also notes of smokiness that clearly come from the oak that complement the powerful coffee well. It's almost more like coffee then stout but I like that though it could use more balance.

M: it is very thick and heavy as it is so full of coffee/expresso that you can almost feel the grit of the coffee as it goes down. That being said it still does go down smooth and is drinkable in sips despite being a little hot from the alcohol but as I said that should go away with age.

O: this thing is one if the most in fm your face coffee beers I have ever had the only thing comparable to this level of coffee is WnB and even that doesn't give a solid caffeine buzz halfway through the bottle. I really like it because I like the in your faceness but it could use a little more balance. All that being said it is definitely my favorite yeti so I do recommend a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 01:37:25 | More by Pinknuggets

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottled on: Jan 10, 2013

Appearance: Pitch black body with a foamy dark brown head.

Aroma: Sweet dark malts, a hint of espresso, and an overall bright aroma.

Taste: Espresso flavor hits the palate immediately and stays through to the aftertaste. Very smooth mix of dark malts and a roasty character that builds in intensity right after the finish and then fades away. No real hop flavor in here but a moderate bitterness that could be both charred malt and hop influenced. 9.5% ABV almost seems light for how much flavor there is to enjoy. Interestingly there really isn't any oak flavor, but perhaps its implementation has gone more towards smoothing all the flavors than adding its own.

Mouthfeel: This is a thick beer by any standards but somehow feels very light and has great drinkability. The carbonation disrupts some of the smoothness of this brew but the feel is still nice overall.

Final Thoughts: I've never had an espresso stout before but if Espresso Oak Aged Yeti is any indication, then it is a good flavor to have. Would I drink it again? Yes, I've got last years vintage to try.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 23:41:22 | More by JamesMN

Gmann

New York

4.14/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a pitch black color with a tight creamy brown head that settles into a light ring. There is no seeing through this bad boy.

The stout has a lovely ground coffee and brownie batter aroma. Some dusty cocoa powder and milk sugars. More chocolatey than coffee-y.

All sorts of roasty and chocolatey in the first sip. Fairly big roasted flavor that brings some anise and burnt toast. The chocolate presence is of the bitter dark kind. Some coffee flavors as well but they seem to get overwhelmed by the roast, though that could be the espresso roast I guess. Deep caramel brings some sweetness. Some berry type flavors that can be found in a RIS. Big bold flavor.

Moderate to full feel, a bit thinner than I expected. Some sweetness on the palate but there is tons of bitter roast notes. Besides the bitterness it does drink smooth and finishes sticky with more bitterness.

A very flavorful stout and quite bitter. The espresso seems to bring in more of a bitter flavor than a coffee flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 18:21:42 | More by Gmann

BigBarley

Texas

4.76/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A - Extremely thick, extremely black. poured hard into a goblet, the head rolls up to about a finger, before receding by half. Head is a khaki brown color, very deep

S - Oaky vanilla, sweet cocoa, bitter coffee, mild hop notes, roasted notes, more coffee, mild alcohol presence... This beer is packed with aroma. I could smell this all day without having to drink it.

T - I'm glad I decided to stop smelling and start drinking. Sweet all over, with an aggressive coffee profile. Accenting this is that same oaky, wooden presence, and some definite traces of vanilla beneath it all. Plenty of hops to work in conjunction with the dark coffee, and a decent note of alcohol that works well with the chocolate coffee madness. All around delicious and even more flavorful than the nose promised.

M - Very thick, very creamy. Intensely satisfying, but somehow still refreshing. Active carbonation and thick body come together to make one hell of a milkshake. Amazing beer, one of the best RIS for mouthfeel.

O - Amazing beer. Everything great about Oak Aged Yeti, with the compliments added by an aggressive coffee profile. Big beer stuffed with character.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 11:08:07 | More by BigBarley

Ricelikesbeer

Colorado

4.48/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

This would have to be my favorite version of yeti that i've tried. The intense coffee aroma and flavor works really well with the roastiness of the original yeti recipe. The bitterness really accentuates the overall experience of the beer and allows for incredible balance.

A: perfectly carbonated with a sticky tan lacing and jet black ink ina a glass.

S: Coffee! Pure espresso up front, like both brewed espresso and like opening a fresh bag of uncracked beans. There is a whiff of booze and malt, but the coffee dominated the nose. I love it.

T: More coffee up front, and your tongue is blasted with bitterness from the roast barley and the coffee. there is the typical hit of hops and some slight warming alcohol in the finish, and some sugary sweetness as well. The balance is incredible. You get tons of bitterness up front and a sweetish finish. The hops keep everything in check as well.

M: Thick and chewy, but not cloying. Coats the tongue with oily goodness.

O: I love coffee, and coffee beers, and I think this is easily one of the best out there. I'd buy this before many of the more overpriced, overhyped stouts out there. There's really nothing else you could ask for in this beer, except for maybe year round distro. This will always be a go to for me when I want a big intense stout. It's perfect for dessert as well.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 16:17:43 | More by Ricelikesbeer

Greywulfken

New York

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: center-pour into a large snifter: void black body; finger of dark foam slipped away but left a little frothy dark collar behind, some sticky lace motes clung just above the surface

S: dark roasted cocoa and espresso - as if they'd been ground together and brewed into beer

T: nicely dry and smoothly bitter dark roasted malt with lighter tones of wood hovering overhead; espresso flavors are rich and dominant, chocolate-iness is sublte and bitter more than sweet; the wood aging adds a nice sophistication to this very stout stout

M: creamy smooth and full-bodied; any stickiness is ameliorated by the dryness of cocoa, espresso, and oak

O: excellent craftsmanship is apparent - this is decadent, but avoids the cloying sweetness that some stouts fall prey to; very classy and elegant.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 01:27:34 | More by Greywulfken

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A-pours oily black with a nice sticky tan head

S-definitely a nice mix of oak and espresso as well as rich chocolate. Also a very noticeable hop presence as well, makes it a tad grassy. Good strong scent.

T-comes in with a great oak flavor along with a rich flavor of chocolate espresso. The oak is definitely most prominent here. It is long lasting with an awesome matching after-taste. Great flavors, nothing off.

M-thick and creamy with a dry finish

O-this has got to be one of the best easily obtainable stouts out there. I'm extremely impressed. The oak flavor is done so well, it's very prominent yet it isn't overdone. It's got so much flavor to it that I can imagine drinking this as a meal. Great drinkability, alcohol isn't noticeable

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 02:53:25 | More by AdamBear

ilikebeer03

Texas

4.71/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

22 oz bomber dated 1/10/12. poured into snifter.

A: pours jet black. nice tan head. fades after about minute to a nice tan ring. pretty good lacing.

S: chocolate, coffee, oak, vanilla, leather maybe? coffee is not as strong on the nose as i would have anticipated.

T: I was afraid the coffee would have faded considering the bottle is 13 months old. I was wrong. Very forward coffee. Lots of chocolate. slight vanilla (less than in oaked yeti in my opinion)

M: Very nice. Smooth, creamy, very well carbonated.

O: very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 21:57:16 | More by ilikebeer03

chinchill

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

served from a 22oz bottle, suspected of being a bit colder than optimum. Sampled just after a New Belgium Lips of Faith - Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout (NBICCS).
Pours black and opaque with a durable tan head.
An extreme beer with loads of flavor, mainly from the roasted malts and expresso.
Notably sweeter, especially in the aftertaste than the NBICCS, which I found too bitter from the finish on. Plenty of oak in the nose but less in the flavor which still has a noticeable oak note.

{Review tweaked with on-tap tasting in March 2013. Excellent and aroma and mouthfeel compared to memory/notes from bottle.]

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 01:18:27 | More by chinchill

stumac

Texas

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

This beer didn't pair well with me and Amanda's homemade chicken margherita pizza buuut it was a delicious meal in its own. Quick side note: On the side of the label it says ,"Pairs well with breakfast burritos, eggs benedict, and hash browns..." I dont see this pairing with hash browns lol. Goin off a hazy bag-wine-hangover memory, this beer starts completely black and thick with a big 'ol chocolate head. Crazy sticky lacing. Nice subtle aroma of rich chocolate and coffee. I didn't realize this was oak aged even though it says it in HUGE letters on the bottle, so I didn't notice any oaky flavors coming out very aggressively. I didn't notice any oak at all. Pretty cut and dry brew. Coffee, chocolate. But oh so damn good! Just so many levels of those two flavors. It's nuts. Full thick body. Nice crisp carbo. Classic baybuh.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 15:17:52 | More by stumac