Hibernation Ale - Barrel-Aged
Great Divide Brewing Company

Hibernation Ale - Barrel-AgedHibernation Ale - Barrel-Aged
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From:
Great Divide Brewing Company
 
Colorado, United States
Style:
Old Ale
Ranked #21
ABV:
12.4%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,530
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 9.83%
Reviews:
115
Ratings:
405
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 06, 2023
Added:
Nov 17, 2009
Wants:
  160
Gots:
  117
Over 12 months in whiskey barrels has completely transformed our prized winter seasonal, producing a Hibernation that starts with big whiskey flavors before mellowing out into luscious chocolate, dark fruit and vanilla. If you can only take one beer into your cave this winter, we suggest this one.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by zhanson88:
Photo of zhanson88
Reviewed by zhanson88 from California

4.21/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2009 vintage, bottle 333/492.

Appearance: Pours out a clear, deep auburn color. Just a trace of khaki head forms, which has minimal retention and lacing. Right after it poured I was a bit concerned about the carbonation level, but it seems to be fine, albeit minimal, after a bit of study.

Smell: Smells of caramel and dark fruits, with barrel flavors rounding everything out. Definite wood and whiskey notes still apparent after several years of aging. Light hints of oxidation as well, but minimal and not as bad as I had feared after reading some recent reviews of the '09 vintage.

Taste: Lots of dark fruit flavors with lighter caramel notes as well. Mid palate and into the finish, the barrel influence kicks in. Whiskey notes still remain pretty dominant. Also a bit of vanilla along with oak tannins. Finish is very warming. Light oxidation present, but not too noticeable.

Mouthfeel/Overall: Medium-full mouthfeel with low carbonation. Pretty slick. Overall this was a good old ale, and I was very glad to get the chance to trade for it and try it. Held up pretty well with age. Definitely a dessert-type beer, as it does have a good amount of sweetness. It probably drinks harder than the ABV would suggest. Definite sipper.
May 27, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.79 by Gemini6 from Michigan

Nov 06, 2023
Photo of 2beerdogs
Reviewed by 2beerdogs from California

4.11/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Efrainpaniagua for this gem.
Pours a deep brown leather hue that is capped by a mocha colored fluff that rises just shy of two fingers, then quickly settles in to a milky ring. A few floaties can be scene. So I guess this is where I say "Bottled On: FEB 16 2016" is stamped on the bottle. So I'm not afraid of some fiber.
Nose is lush. Caramel, smoothest whiskey ever, brandy, figs, dates, raisins, and some more subtle fruit notes akin to plum.
Flavor begins less sweet than the nose foreshadowed. Whiskey starts off firm but not overpowering. Then raisin, date, burnt brown sugar, some char, warm stewed apples, a lick of leather, and a light hop bittering on the backside finish the sip. The more I ponder this one, the whiskey attributes are leaning in the direction of a peaty blended Scotch Whiskey. Quite complex. I love when a beer reveals itself slowly.
Mouthfeel is on the hefty side. I like that. The finish has a pleasant warm hug.
Overall, with 5 years on it, I'm impressed. I'd love to do a side by side with a younger bottle.
Dec 20, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Jul 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by BdM from Netherlands

Jun 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.19 by MykeJ from Minnesota

Feb 12, 2021
 
Rated: 4.39 by ummswimmin from New Jersey

Oct 17, 2020
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Not sure who brought this to the Firestone Walker Festival pre party the night before in June 2017, but was glad to see it again, much less in 12 oz bottles this time around!

Pours a brown auburn like color right in the style guidelines wheelhouse. 1/4" light beige head. Aroma hit the whiskey stride, slight light brown sugar sweetness.

Taste kept pushing the sweet whiskey and brown malty notes. Little bit of vanilla worth mentioning. Does the trick, nice and smooth, not overhopped or too bitter. Sure there's some alcohol heat, but nothing 12.4% ain't supposed to bring. I don't really know how much of the dark fruit character is there (thankfully). Thought it had just as much, if not more, of a light chocolate and watered down cola note to it. Should mention wood.

Definitely found this barrel aged version to be superior to the already decent base beer. I dunno what 12oz bottles go for, but given the ability to age these a long time, I wouldn't mind throwing one in the cellar.
Jul 15, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

May 04, 2020
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottle from cellar, 2017 vintage. Mahogany colored pour with light fizzy head. Malty aroma, sweet, tobacco, maple. Taste is more dark malts, earthy, leather. Whiskey barrel makes an appearance near the finish, bringing woody and boozy notes. This has aged quite nicely.
Mar 27, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by Elicoleman from Colorado

Feb 19, 2020
 
Rated: 4.66 by GoBearsWalter34 from Illinois

Feb 16, 2020
 
Rated: 3.89 by sirzekel from Georgia

Oct 26, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by TylerJ from Iowa

Jun 22, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

May 28, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by Abe_Froman from Massachusetts

May 19, 2019
 
Rated: 4.23 by jakecattleco from California

Mar 24, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by Fettpopps from Massachusetts

Feb 03, 2019
 
Rated: 4.05 by herman77 from Minnesota

Jan 29, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by JLK7299 from North Carolina

Jan 22, 2019
Hibernation Ale - Barrel-Aged from Great Divide Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 405 ratings