Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing Company

drabmuh

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer is black and forms a nice brown head of small and medium bubbles that leaves a lot of lacing on the glass. Carbonation is moderate.

Aroma is sweet with some roast. Its about I expected.

Beer is really smooth, coffee flavors comes up late, there is no carbonation in the palate but connectivity is fine with the sweetness up front and the roasted bitterness in the back. Drinkability is high.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2010 22:03:35 | More by drabmuh

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Prime 16 into a 3/4 pint.

A: Black body with almost an inch of dense, creamy brown foam. Great retention and lots of lace. Beautiful stout.

S: Really brings the espresso - coffee, sweet maltiness, more coffee, some oaky vanilla, and more coffee. Wonderful.

T: Follows the nose precisely, and deliciously. Lots of dry oak on the finish, and no noticeable booze. Fantastic.

M: Rich, full, sticky, and alive with explosively creamy carbonation. Lovely.

D: For the strength and intensity of flavor, this one goes down in a hurry.

Notes: Just as Oak Aged Yeti is a dramatic improvement over the regular version, the Espresso OA is an improvement over the simple OA. Big, rich, creamy, and full of coffee goodness, this is truly a world-class stout. I need to have a coffee stout tasting with this, Speedway, FBS, and Péché Mortel. I just love them so much more than either regular stouts or regular coffee.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2010 03:12:34 | More by woosterbill

Tomdee74

Connecticut

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

This was a great treat I must say. Got it on tap at prime 16 in New Haven, CT.

A - Pours a black oil color with about a half inch head and very nice lacing.

S - Wow those coffee notes really hit the nose! A very powerful coffee smell indeed! I love this because I love coffee; however, I can see someone who doesn't like coffee not liking this. You must be a coffee lover to appreciate this.

T - A huge coffee blast! Of course you taste the chocolate, but this this thing is dominated by coffee and that taste seems to supercede all else!

M - Pretty thick and I enjoyed this. Definitely a sipper and something to enjoy with dessert. I really liked this and now that I had it on tap I may seek out a bomber of this. I was impressed by this although great divide does make some pretty good stuff. I compared this to a Founders Breakfast Stout as that also has a strong coffee presence; but I think this has a stronger one. I wouldnt say this is better than an FBS; but I think it's pretty similar and if you like that one then you will definitely like this.

D - High ABV's and a thick dessert/coffee taste make this one a sipper. I would only want one of these after drinking a nice hoppy brew as that is my taste. This one I would look to finish the nite off with. Very enjoyable, hope to get my hands on this soon!

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2010 13:20:22 | More by Tomdee74

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well now. EOAYIS on cask. Yes please.
Now, I'm not a coffee guy (or espresso) so I do try to hold objective.
Pours deep black with rich ruby hints on along the rim. More noticeable as it is drank. A thick, rich, chocolate malt looking foaming head on this one. Oh..beauty.
A dry espresso, dark chocolate and slight anise aroma. A bit boozy, but hidden quite well. Some fig and nutmeg hints.
A fruity start, dark soft fruit. Dry. Dark chocolate coated in espresso comes in like gang-busters. Flows smoothly over the tongue, a quick bite and flush of anise and prune. Coffee like aftertaste. Leaves clean. Easy drinking. A bit boozy in the finish with an exhale.
Great beer

Serving type: cask

02-27-2010 06:31:28 | More by Mebuzzard

soupyman10

District of Columbia

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

Couldn't miss out on a variation of the always delicious Yeti. This was no exception, although it was certainly quite a different beer than the more traditional versions. Deep brown with a perfect tan head that sits around. Big coffee and chocolate in the nose, with a touch of roasted malt. Likewise in the flavors, with the roasted malt mixing nicely with some quieter hops underneath all that giant mocha. Feel is thick and full, sort of a mix of creamy and oily. Nice. Overall, this one was excellent, would love to try it in a bottle that had been ageing.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2009 15:00:28 | More by soupyman10

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A-Deep black with large mocha tan head that reduces to a thin cap and leaves nice lacing.

S-Take oak aged Yeti and add coffee. The addition makes it even better! Chocolate and coffee aromas swirl in a dance of decadence.

T-Sweet chocolate malt and bitter coffee with balancing astringency from the oak. Never becomes too sweet nor too dry and bitter. Great balance.

M-Medium-heavy body with nice lingering flavours and drying finish.

D-This is one of the most impressive coffee infused RIS's I have ever had. Simply awesome. Take oak-aged Yeti and crank it up to eleven!

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2009 14:17:46 | More by Deuane

sprucetip

Alaska

4.63/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From notes. Pours black, modest mocha head fades to ring, thick lacing. SMELL coffee, roasty, woody, malty, alc heat. Nice, but took some swirling to get much. Probably more if I'd let it warm longer. TASTE is roasty, woody, coffee, modest hop bitterness, chocolate, vanilla, hint of sweetness. Very smooth and complex. Delicious. FEEL thick, rich, creamy, viscous and smooth. Finishes clean. OVERALL wicked delicious, one of the best of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2009 19:40:00 | More by sprucetip

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-I had this on tap at City Beverage in Winston-Salem, NC. It was served in a Chimay Chalice. It is pitch black with a nice dark tan head. It leaves some descent lacing and a beautiful cascade effect.

S-There is lots of depth on the nose; chocolate, espresso, brown sugar, molasses, and alcohol.

T-Dark chocolate, espresso, brown sugar, and some dark fruits are flavors that stick out the most to me. At first the complexity is really subdued by the strong espresso and chocolate flavors, but as it warms the brown sugar and dark fruit flavors emerge. Also some oak characteristics come in after it warms as well.

M-Thick with very light carbonation.

D-Pretty drinkable Imperial Stout, though the high alcohol would definitely limit the number consumed.

Overall, this is a good Imperial Stout though not as complex as I had hoped it would be.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2009 23:14:16 | More by thegodfather2701

aaronxsubaru

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Very dark. Can't see lacing. Little to no head light ring of foam.
Smell Coffee and roasted notes.

Taste bold very much esspresso and hops. After taste is almost all coffee. keep in mind this is espresso not coffee, and the boldness and complexity comes through as well.

Mouthfeel. Can't decide reminds me of ipa with a shot of espresso, lots of hops. Hits easy then flavors explode and go to a mild after taste that sticks in your mouth for a long time.

Drinkability? The flavor sticks so heavy I can't say I could take more than one or 2 of these.

Overall not sure, it's a niche thing. Def interesting. I could see this being something I crave on the rare occasion but not something I'd drink often.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2009 03:57:29 | More by aaronxsubaru

taylorhamrick

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this one in the middle of a promotional liquor giveaway. I couldn't resist, even with free liquor around.

It looks just like I want an Imperial stout to look. Black, shiny, with a massive brown head. Poured into a small snifter. I could hardly see any highlights, though the lighting in the restaurant wasn't incredible (still daylight when consumed though, so not a problem). Nice looking. The smell was light on the coffee, very light on the wood (maybe it was too old to get the full force). There were some dried fruits, a tiny bit of sweetness, heavy on the roasted malts. The smell, without the oaking (which adds some vanilla and woody, earthy smells) and coffee (which enhances the roastiness) was about average, but the extra stuff pushes it beyond average. I kind of liked the smell, though it could be better. The taste was right on. I mean, everything was there, but the only drawback was just that the base was a little too estery (maybe a little too hot). There was coffee, vanilla, a tiny bit of wood, some decent sweetness (not quite enough, in my opinion), roast barley, everything. Wish there was a bit of bready sweetness. That is all I wanted. But I found that this had everything else I expect, in fact, it exceeds what the average person does by quite a bit. I mean, if I judge it along the others, it more than deserves the score, if I judge it by my own standards, it just about earns it. The wood and coffee help the mouthfeel, of course. This one doesn't cling like regular yeti, it isn't too harsh or rough, it's just nice and pleasant, a bit better than normal, but not incredible. I drank this one down rather quickly, and enjoyed it. I would ask everyone to try it, I mean, I wasn't a huge fan of the regular yeti, and if you weren't a fan, this was much better. Try it if you can (it may be too late now). worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2009 00:32:08 | More by taylorhamrick

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at TJs Everyday.

A-Deep opaque brown to black with a creamy tan head and nice lacing.

S-Espresso dominates the nose with some sweet malt also.

T-More diverse than the nose might suggest. Sweet milk chocolate to start, then the roastiness and coffee/espresso notes take over. Espresso taste more muted than the aroma, and this is welcome. A surprising sweet finish tops it all off.

M-Creamy, rich but still medium bodied.

D-Outstanding drinkability. Creamy, rich, tasty and delicious.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2009 18:07:56 | More by sholland119

Source

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served ontap in a 12oz snifter.

A: Stout black with 1mm head that quicjly dissipated to a ducks foot cram streak and ring. Nice lacing.
S: Subtle espresso and cocoa.
T: Well the name is well earned here. Strong espresso and malty flavors with a chocolate underbelly. Quit delicious, would be better bottles with age.
M: impressive - the mouth of a fine RIS, challenging the tongue with every sip.
D: Very enticing. Could easily be a habit if it weren't an imperial stout.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2009 21:46:27 | More by Source

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +13.6%
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

Douglas14

California

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I put this up there with Peche Mortel in terms of strong coffee-liek stouts. It's pure black with a huge, dark brown head that is thick and made up of the densest, tiniest bubbles. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans the most and then bits of chocolate. The taste is also of fresh coffee beans but has a bit of astringency from the bitterness of the burnt beans...it works well though in this beer. The mouthfeel is creamy and awesome. Not hints of alcohol solvency. Well done. Fucking awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2009 03:40:22 | More by Douglas14

snaotheus

Washington

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

Darker than used motor oil. Pours with wall beige head. Lacing surprisingly robust. Smell is mostly coffe with a chocolate background.

Taste is blindingly sweet for the first second or so, followed by a brutally strong coffee flavor mixed nicely with chocolate. Nice hope notes.

Feels light and gritty. Pretty drinkable for an imperial stout.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2009 00:53:54 | More by snaotheus

angelmonster

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ordered a snifter at the Great Divide Brewery Tap Room.

Pours a big 2 finger dark chocolate colored head. Body is pitch black and opaque. Head retention and lacing are good through out

Smell is very big on espresso and chocolate malt. The only way i could describe it to someone would be like walking into starbucks or the ground coffee aisle in a grocery store. Never have smelled anything like it. Hops are present but pretty low.

Taste is very similar to a frappuccino but with alcohol added. Lots of roasted, burnt malts that give it the thickness of a milkshake. Aftertaste is of some hops and a bit of alcohol

Head is nice and creamy. Body is rich, almost like a desert. Theres not a lot of carbonation but thats probably a good thing

Over all has lots of flavor, nice thick consistency but still highly drinkable. From where i sit i can see the fermenters making this brew, i kind of want to jump right in there and bathe in this delicious beer but the burns would prolly be pretty severe. So glad i live so close to the supply, could drink this everyday

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2009 18:35:34 | More by angelmonster

Wetpaperbag

Washington

4.22/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Nice dark black beer with a very dark brown foamy head.

S- The smell is coffee and chocolate, with a good hit of oak wood.

T- This is sweet, and not overly coffee flavored. The coffee is very much there, but subtle and not over powering. The oak flavor is there and tasty. A nice complexity that is smooth and easy going.

M- Easy on the mouth, nice semi thick, not too thick and yet great carbination.

D- Easy to drink for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2009 04:36:52 | More by Wetpaperbag

BeerSox

Virginia

4.9/5  rDev +14.8%
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

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this on tap in DC. Small snifter glass serving.

Nice thin cap of creamy tan head sits atop the brew. Deep dark black color.

Aroma was unreal. I love dark French dark roast coffee and espresso... This smells just like those. Wonderful.

Total coffee flavor with a Smokey background to it. The oak aging adds and amazing depth. Alcohol is very well hidden.

Mouth feel is thick, rich and creamy.

Great drinkability. Nice coffee stout.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2009 20:06:36 | More by Reagan1984

thekanna

Maryland

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

Had this on-tap at Birreria Paradiso in Georgetown, DC. The following review is compiled from the notes taken there:

A: Served in a small snifter: pitch black with about 1 finger of tan head.

S: Extremely dark chocolate, fresh-made espresso, some slight spicy notes, and a general smokiness.

T: Strong taste of dark, dark chocolate, espresso, mahogany, tanned leather, and good cigar tobacco. As my friend described to me: "this is a manly drink." It's like the liquid equivalent of Haggis.

M: Nice, dark, thick, creamy, and smooth.

D: Extremely delicious when sipped and treated like a wine.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2009 06:29:41 | More by thekanna

morebeergood

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ordered on tap at Roadhouse in Brookline. Served in an 8 oz stemmed glass. Dark brown color. Thin white head. Good amount of lacing. Smelled like a nice cup of espresso. Close your eyes and you'll think it's a cup of coffee. Taste was equally awesome. The chocolate/roasted barley from the stout, the espresso flavor, and the slight bit of oak aging all paired together wonderfully. For such a thick, strong tasting, and somewhat high in abv beer, this was a pleasure to drink. Small serving sizes are the way to go, as a pint might be a bit much. A spectacular after dinner drink. Would love to pair with dessert on a future evening.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2009 16:20:05 | More by morebeergood

klewis

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at GD Tap room 3/19/09

A: Pours deep blackk with a tan head. Good lacing.

S: Big smell of espresso with a boozy Kahlua aroma.

T: huge espresso taste like something from Starbucks. Burnt undertones. Overall, a huge, complex flavor.

M: Full-bodied with light carbonation. Silky smooth and super sticky.

D: Hot damn. Go get some.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2009 03:58:46 | More by klewis

squaremile

Oregon

3.45/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Awesome deep black color with brown foamy head, the nose is all espresso. Taste is a major dose of coffee as is expected, but it does not overwhelm, and as it warms more subtle notes of vanilla and regular yeti come through, although I did not get any oak. Solid on tap, but a bit too expensive overall.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2009 15:41:51 | More by squaremile

Rayek

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Great Divide Tap Room.

A: Midnight black with a voluminous hot cocoa head. Head retention is decent, and patches of lace are left behind.

S: Smells like coffee being brewed in a pine forest, with the pine winning out. Hop aromas dominate with a heavy pine scent, but the coffee aromas do their best to keep up. Bakers chocolate is in the back doing its best to break through the other aromas.

T: The hops dominate, but the coffee gives them a run. After an initial hit of espresso and dark chocolate, bitterness bursts onto the scene with heavy pine and grapefruit flavors. Espresso flavors ride through the experience. Baking chocolate is there if you actively search for it. Finishes dry, with an odd citrus bitterness/coffee acidity combination.

M: Heavy body feels oily and slick. Carbonation is on the high side.

D: This brewery fresh sample really felt rough. Hops and coffee battled for dominance while leaving the other flavors behind. The acidity of the finish bothered me a bit. This beer is probably a worthy candidate for cellaring, simply to get things to smooth out. To be honest, the regular Oak Aged Yeti was a better fit for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2009 15:51:42 | More by Rayek

everetends

Alabama

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this brew on tap at the Brickstore Pub in Atlanta, GA. This was an eight to ten ounce pour in a chalice.

A: I don't hand out too many 5's whatsoever but this beer's appearance was exceptional. Just friggin perfect and I what I was looking for. This poured a beautiful dark, pitch black. No light was getting through this puppy whatsoever. Then you get to see that head. The head is this beautiful dark brown head that resembles chocolate mousse. This head has an insanely creamy texture to it. That foam is so thick and creamy it saturates the glass and leaves that heavy foam stuck on that glass. I was amazed when the bartender handed the beer to me and it absolutely has the wow factor. You have my attention.

S: this brew has a really nice nose to it. Rich and deep chocolately malts are very much here. The malt is has a really nice roast to it. The coffee is strong but still has that sweet smell coffee can have. It isn't overpowering or doesn't have too much bitterness to it. The wood is very nice and has a really nice syrup and vanilla aroma to it. Its all sweet, but its very nice and enjoyable for sure.

T: This beer is quite tasty. Once again there is a really nice chocolaty presence here. Really nice and rich milk and dark chocolates mingle very nicely with the oak wood and vanilla flavors. The malt is roasted wonderfully and really compliments the coffee. The coffee is perfect for this beer. Espresso bitterness with a touch of mocha sweetness. It just friggin works. Then you get some really nice bourbon booziness on the back end. Dig it.

M: This is a full bodied beauty. Curves and textures are all in the right places. This beer is chewy and thick. Super oily and slick, this sucker really coats the mouth. The ABV has a really nice warming quality all over the palate, the throat, and the belly. Very nice. Carbonation is nice for this style with a low level that really lets this beer be thick and rich. Aftertaste is some nice booziness and coffee, a combo that I enjoy.

D: This beer is damned good. It didn't disappoint in the least. This is by and far the best of the Yeti line. I was really disappointed by the Oak Aged Yeti, and I was sceptical going in. It is amazing how this espresso quality makes this beer damn near perfect. The flavors, aromas, and feel are on point. The look is damned perfect. This was a great beer experience from the start and I will drink this beer every opportunity I get. Damned good brew. Fanfriggintastic. Drink this shit.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2009 03:03:03 | More by everetends