Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti - Great Divide Brewing Company

dar482

New York

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The color is a pitch black with a brown small head.

The aroma has chocolate, roasted malt, sweetness, but also that oakiness that comes with these beers.

The flavor has a very creamy oak flavor along with bitter chocolate. The chocolate doesn't actually stand out because it's so darn bitter that it combines with the roasted bitter malt flavor.

The mouthfeel is so viscous and delicious. Smooth and creamy.

In the end, I I wouldn't go into this beer looking for chocolate, but you will get an fantastically balanced beer. For some reason though, this has the least amount of this chalky strange aftertaste that I do not like the about the Oak Aged series. Having regular Oak Aged, Espresso, and this, this still might be my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 06:10:38 | More by dar482

Ri0

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured 22oz bottle into snifter.

A - Pours very dark almost black into snifter. Head is a nice 1.5 finger tan. Leaves tan ring with bubbles, some lacing.

S - Bitter and semi sweet bakers chocolate with roasted malts and some oak.

T - As expected big bitter sweet chocolate followed by oak, touch of vanilla and roasted malts Seems there is a faint hint of soy sauce, in a good way as the saltiness works well with the chocolate. Finish is bitter chocolate and oak.

M - Medium bodied, nicely carbonated and creamy.

O - Very nice beer by GD. I wasn't sure if it would be sweet or bitter, but it finds a nice semi sweet bitter that makes it a great sipper. If happen upon this beer treat yourself. Thanks to deadonhisfeet for sending this.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 15:05:40 | More by Ri0

Dwtucker90

Texas

5/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bomber into a Deep Ellum Numb
comfort snifter at the Dancing Bear Pub, Waco, TX

Look: pours an oil black with a dark brown head that dissipates some but sticks around and clings to the glass.

Smell: dark chocolate, some vanilla notes, very balanced between the chocolate and vanilla.

Taste: dark creamy chocolate. Super dark heavy chocolate, almost like chocolate syrup. Lots of black roasted malt. A good amount of sweetness from the chocolate and an alcohol/cayenne finish that warms your throat and mouth.

Mouthfeel: syrup like stickiness. Medium carbonation but extremely thick and tasty.

Overall: this is definitely one of the best imperial chocolate stouts I've ever had. I place it a little above the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. Although I'm not sure if it beats the deliciousness that is the espresso Yeti. I'll try and get my hands on that espresso/chocolate yeti as soon as possible to try it out.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:44:45 | More by Dwtucker90

n2185

North Carolina

4.19/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2013 and 2012 side-by-side

A:
2013: pours black with a finger of dark brown head that fades into a thin layer with decent lacing.
2012: about the same as the 2013.

S:
2013: roasted malts with dark and slightly bitter chocolate hit first with some creaminess underneath. There are some spicy notes toward the finish.
2012: sweet chocolate and cocoa dominate followed by roasted malts and cayenne. There are also vanilla notes underneath.

T:
2013: roasted malts and bitter dark chocolate here as well. Creamy cocoa follows with light cayenne flavors. The finish is slightly spicy with a light alcohol presence.
2012: semi-sweet chocolates, cocoa, roasted malts, a bit of char, and a nice cayenne kick. The finish is spicy with almost no alcohol presence.

M:
2013: thick body with low carbonation, this beer is smooth and creamy.
2012: about the same as the 2013

O:
2013: tasty. I enjoy the cayenne and chocolate flavors combined.
2012: I like this one a little better. The chocolate and cayenne are both more pronounced.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 01:39:23 | More by n2185

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.31/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This poured out as a thick looking black colored brew with a tan head that has a decent retention and light lacing. Te smell is loaded with chocolate, oak, a spice. The taste of the beer has a nice toasted note with the dark chocolate and spice. The mouthfeel is thick and nicely carbonated. Overall this beer is awesome, really hits each note they strike on the label. Really worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:55:09 | More by Knapp85

rlee1390

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A-Black in the glass a deep brown head, with some lacing and it is sticky.

S-Dark chocolate (not super sweet like ST's chocolate) some oak and a tad bit of roasted malt.

T-Good deal of dark chocolate, bitter chocolate, still not overly sweet. Slight vanilla and oak.

M-Medium bodied, nicely carbonated and creamy.

O-A nice beer, was not expecting the dark chocolate but it ended up being a great change of pace for a chocolate stout and it came out great.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 19:11:23 | More by rlee1390

SHerninko

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

On tap @ Whole Foods - Mile Post Pub (PA)
Looks great, I enjoy all the Yeti's. It was a bit too cold so I let it warm, taking a few sips every 5 minutes.
Overall, it is a great Imperial Stout, but the addition of the choco did not do much for my palate. I didn't want it to be SUPER sweet like some of the Southern Tier stouts, but it was very bitter and caused a drying of my mouth. Some intense smokey and charcoal type flavors in the aftertaste.
I have a bomber bottle and I will compare that to the one on tap.
Try it, but don't expect any sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2013 19:23:37 | More by SHerninko

Zbeetleman

California

4.59/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance - nice, dark and motor oilish, great for a stout. Dark tan head lacing around the glass diminishing as it sits.

Smell - typical soft metallic smell of a stout, nice chocolate and hints of cocoa and coffee

Taste - A bit more metallic than I would like, but it has nice chocolate notes mixed with the thick stout mouth feel. Nice all around with the oak notes coming through in subtle vanilla. Nice.

Mouthfeel - very good for a stout, nice and thick, not too thin and "weak" for a big stout.

Overall - Really well done and nicely aged in the oak for the correct amount of time to mix with the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 05:44:55 | More by Zbeetleman

brock146

Minnesota

4.09/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance:
Very dark beer with a dark chocolate colored head. Leaves nice lacing on glass.

Smell:
A lot of booze and sweetness on the nose along with hints of chocolate and coffee.

Taste:
Black coffee, mocha, resinous hop bitterness (surprisingly), sweet and the oak flavor also stands out

Mouth feel:
Very smooth and creamy. This beer is quite sticky too.

Overall:
Pretty good stuff by GDBC. Just like the bottle says: "decadent" "luscious"

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 21:41:36 | More by brock146

ThirstyHrothgar

Ohio

3.76/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A little disappointed, perhaps because I love the regular non-chocolate, non-oak-aged Yeti. Chocolate (in the form of cocoa nibs) was subtle, so it can stand alone (i.e., you don't have to drink it as a dessert beer). Didn't really appreciate the oak at all- chocolate, coffee, and other flavors kind of overwhelmed it. But drinkable. Alcohol was well-hidden. And fresh.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 23:55:53 | More by ThirstyHrothgar

rjp217

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured very dark brown, almost black into a snifter. Left a 1 finger dark brown head, looked amazing. The smell was awesome. I immediately got dark chocolate, whipped cream, then light coffee notes. Absolutely the best smelling beer ive had. It made my mouth water. Taste was immediate dark chocolate much like the nose, then I got lingering ash, a lot of it. There was a milk cream taste built in between so definitely a 3 part taste for me of dark chocolate-milk cream-ash. The booze presence was more noticeable then I expected. It wasn't off putting but it let you know it was there. Overall, this a very good post dinner beer to sip, relax and enjoy. The smell is outstanding and the flavors jive pretty well. It's a fine chocolate stout for sure and one you should try and have once, if not just for the aroma..

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 13:50:31 | More by rjp217

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.41/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into an Elysian snifter. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black in the glass. Half finger light brown head with good retention and lacing. Great aroma of lightly toasted malt, chocolate, hints of coffee and oak. Flavor follows with toasted malt, chocolate, charred coffee. Finishes somewhat dry with a nice long residual taste of hop bitterness and toasted malt. Medium bodied with light creaminess. All the yeti varieties are very nice stouts and I'm surprised I waited so long to review this one. The chocolate nicely integrated and the whole stout is well balanced. Close in profile to a well made Russian Imperial stout, but a bit hoppier on the finish. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:18:48 | More by LiquidAmber

RaulMondesi

California

4.24/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Choo choo! Like the Union Pacific, this bad boi is solid down the line. Scent like the ghirardelli I got my boo for being my boo, and sexi textures like my baby mama after she got her hair did. Like a chocolate blizzard, Raul has his ski's on and he is ready to rumble. 99 problems? At the moment, Raul got none. Peace!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 02:28:03 | More by RaulMondesi

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti opens to an aroma that is part Imperial Stout, with ash, tobacco, coffee, heavy whipping cream, caramel, and bits of molasses, but because of the chocolate oak aging and the added spices, also carries both milk and dark chocolate aromas, as well as oak and vanilla, and a faint rim of smoky, peppery spices, such as cayenne and paprika. Add to this thick slices of brown bread, toast crust, and biscuit, as well as a thin mélange of dark fruit esters, including fig, date, and plum, and the result is a beer of incredible range and variety that ultimately bears perhaps more resemblance to a spiced and spiked cup of gourmet mocha than to a beer. The overall effect is intoxicating, the beer nicely bridging the gap between stout and dessert, its only weakness being a somewhat weak presence.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a shot of ash, tobacco, oily French Roast fresh-ground coffee, and black malt. These black notes are slowly joined by caramel and whipped cream, molasses and vanilla, baker’s cocoa powder, and touches of oak and charcoal, the latter combining with the 9.5% ABV to add a faint bourbon edge. Plum, fig, and date fruit esters add a bit of relief, but come in a distant second to the ash. The beer is definitely black and ashy, almost every flavor pushing the beverage further in this direction, and the aftertaste actually pushes the beer over the edge, being almost exclusively ash, black malt, and tobacco, strongly reminiscent of potent cigars and straight espresso. Mouthfeel is medium to medium-heavy, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is quite an amazing feat for an Imperial Stout, the dark, ashy, black malt notes in here stronger than seems possible, and fans of this style of stout should definitely put this on their must-try list. The sheer potency of these notes does, however, push the beer out of balance, and the result would likely be severely off-putting to many drinkers. Still, it’s hard to fault Great Divide for what is obviously an impressive amount of labor and savoir faire.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 16:16:33 | More by jondeelee

rand

California

4.39/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

From tap to small goblet

Pours jet black in color, forms a small coffe-tan heat that never fully recedes.

The nose is semi-sweet chocolate, coffee and toasty, almost burnt malts. Lots of wood notes, the malts are toffee-sweet, blending nicely with the coffee-astringency.

The flavors deliver a chocolate-wallop, especially at the front of the sip. Nice woody undertone throughout. Big chewy mouthfeel accents the chocolate and coffee notes. Hops actually play a welcome roll here, lending a snappy astringency and drying some of the sweeter aspects. Finishes long and bitter-sweet.

Probably the best of the Yeti so far (at least of the accessible bottles). Flavor-profile stays balanced and compelling throughout the swallow, drinkable and interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2013 04:03:48 | More by rand

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a snifter. 3/28/13 bottling date.

Pours a pitch black color with a light brown lacy head. Smell is rich in dark chocolate. very strong scent, im digging this! taste is good as well. its not as thick or syrupy as i thought it would be, has a great feel to it. tastes of chocolate and malts with a slightly bitter aftertaste. very enjoyable, though the chocolate taste is not quite as apparent as it is on the nose.

overall an enjoyable stout that isn't quite remarkable, but is very good nonetheless. definitely worth picking up if youre a fan of imp stouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 01:56:43 | More by Axnjxn

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.51/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance:
The beer pours a nice dark tan head. The beer itself is a very dark black but appears to have some dark brown as well.

Smell:
The beer's smell tends to be dominated by the cocoa nibs with a hint of sweet dark chocolate.

Taste:
The hops taste fairly strong compared to the roasted malts and dark chocolate. The hops are kind of Piny and bitter. The chocolate is kind of a dark and bitter chocolate instead of a sweet chocolate. I get some hints of spice and what I think tastes like mint.

Mouthfeel:
Biting carbonation but surprisingly smooth and full bodied.

Overall:
A very good beer and one that I'm glad that I could pick up. I totally recommend.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 02:08:55 | More by HattedClassic

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- extra dark black sums its up. There's no light gettin thru at all. The dense creamy head is one of the darkest I've ever seen and it holds itself well. The walls of my little snifter are blanketed with lace.

S- powerful aromas of espresso and dark chocolate with mineral water and roasted bitterness. Hints of oak and soil in the nose as well with deep earthiness. Somewhat pineappley booziness emerges as it warms.

T- almost overwhelming flavor of the darkest dark chocolate imaginable. Coffee and espresso flavors weave in and out of the cocoa with plenty of burnt wood and grains and a deep oakiness with only the slightest hint of vanilla sweetness and some curious heat. Caramelized sugars show themselves near the end and the finish is long and bitter with a healthy dose of herbal hops.

MF- huge sticky somewhat chalky body is offset by generous carbonation. Although the alcohol is almost imperceptible in the flavor, it's warmth is felt in the mouth and chest with an almost peppery kick and it contributes to a pleasant dryness on the cheeks. Sticky lips too.

D- subtle notes of oak compliment bold dark chocolate flavors to create a strongly flavored, yet sophisticated brew. Definitely not for those with a sweet tooth, this one is earthy and bitter and abominable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2013 23:47:54 | More by hustlesworth

ksimons

New York

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-almost black with about a fingers worth of very dark tan head that sticks to the glass

S-bitter dark coffee and sweet chocolate, roasted malt, a a little bit of oak

T-melted dark and milk chocolate, some dark coffee, vanilla, roasted malt, and a bit of peppery spice at the end. ABV is well hidden.

M-full body, moderate carbonation, very smooth, dry roasted mouthfeel

Overall a bit more choclatey than the original Yeti Imperial Stout, I would have to do a side by side to determine which of the Yeti's I like best, but haven't had a bad one yet. Really excellent.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 21:55:47 | More by ksimons

Jacurdy60

Alabama

4.49/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a pitch black color with a towering, toffee brown colored head that. The head is thick as hell, and it dissipates very slowly. Foams coats a thick layer on the glass as I sip and leaves a nice patchwork of foam. Looks real purdy

S-Boozy, spicy, sweet, bitter coffee, vanilla, semi-sweet chocolate with a little spicy kick at the end. This symphony of aromas in the nose is just fantastic. I'm also sensing faint twinges of raw red meat which is strange, but I like it

T & MF-Syrupy, thick, chewy, full bodied. Taste starts with a warming boozy kick and a sweet chocolate flavor that precedes a nice zap of peppered spice in the finish. Hints of vanilla flavored coffee linger for a moment at the end but aren't as pronounced as the bitter chocolate and the spice. Very complex.

O-Great Divide did it again. Absolutely exceptional. I like this brew more than KBS and it's in a tie with original Yeti and Founders Breakfast Stout as my favorite beers available. Complex and well layered with a nice, thick body, this brew could be appreciated by anyone.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 00:12:07 | More by Jacurdy60

Greywulfken

New York

4.26/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Into a large snifter...

A: inky black beer with sli dark head that slips away; oily lace motes inside the glass

S: super dark roasty chocolate malts and bittersweet (yes) chocolate

T: not overly sweet - sweet start dries into mellow bitterness; oak contributes lighter, drier characteristics to a rock-solid stout base

M: one of the defining characteristics, for me, of the Yeti series is a certain feel - the flavors are exactly what they say - but the feel is sublime. There is enough abrasion to make it feel like a rugged drink, but also a slick silkiness that makes it drink like a fine cordial.

O: fanboy status confirmed, this is probably my least favorite in the Yeti line. An excellent drink, but I really loved the Espresso Oak, (regular) Yeti, and Belgian Yeti better. I'm probably just more for those flavor profiles, so I tried not to let my preferences overly affect my scores. This is an excellent drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 20:51:53 | More by Greywulfken

Petela

New Jersey

4.34/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 3/28/2013

22oz Bottle poured into a snifter

A: Pours pitch black with a moderate amount of carbonation leading up to its finger wide mocha/ruby head. The head reduces to a halo around the perimeter of the glass and leaves a nice lacing.

N: I get dark roasted coffee, chocolate, and oak foremost. When I really get my nose in there I get hints of vanilla and very light cayenne

T: Taste like it smells, coffee dark chocolate and caramel. The cayenne is more prominent in the taste than the nose suggests. It leaves a nice touch of spicy heat right after it goes down. It reminds me of a more subtle Lindt Dark Chocolate Chili

M: Full bodied and silky with very low levels of carbonation. Also the chocolate lingers as the palate dries.

O: Excellent Imperial Stout! As expected, it stands up to the other Yetis Ive had thus far. Would recommend would by again.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 00:14:24 | More by Petela

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From growler picked up two days ago from brewery...poured in St Bernardus chalice.
Pours black with brown head.
Aroma of dark chocolate, espresso, dark roasted malts, carob, molasses.
Medium carbonation and big mouthfeel.
Flavors of bitter chocolate, oak, dark roasted malts, molasses. This is big and bold with a strong astringent and dry finish.
Would accompany many desserts nicely.

Serving type: growler

04-08-2013 04:21:33 | More by DenverLogan

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled March 29, 2012

A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some dark brown highlights. The beer has a finger tall very dark mocha head that slowly reduces to medium patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass.Moderate amounts of carbonation are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of dark malts, roasted malts, and slightly charred malts with some lighter notes of oak and stronger amounts of chocolate. Very light hints of spiciness like cayenne. Light amounts of alcohol towards the finish of the nose.

T: Upfront there are some moderate flavors of dark, roasted, and slightly burnt malts with some light notes of oaks and vanilla. There are moderate to strong flavors of dark chocolate with some light hints of cayenne spiciness. Overall this beer is sweeter and does not have a lot of bitterness. Very light flavors of licorice/anise.

M: Just shy of full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and silky.

O: Overall this beer is a touch too sweet and without enough bitterness to stand up to some of the suggested food pairings on the bottle (like the NY Strip Steak or the Blue Cheese). As the beer warms up, it rounds out a bit and tastes like some of the other Yeti stouts with a bit more chocolate. Feels more like a dessert beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 21:42:38 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a thin reddish tan head that died down, leaving only a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of chocolate, licorice and wood are present in the nose.
T: As the beer warms up, the taste begins to become a little more rounded out and tastes more like the regular version of Yeti along with some notes of oak and hints of chocolate and licorice.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little dry and thick on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer hides its alcohol well, but the dryness makes it a little harder to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 21:38:56 | More by metter98