16th Anniversary Wood Aged - Great Divide Brewing Company

Dope

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Why am I reviewing this beer now? I've had both the 17th and 18th anniversary versions fresh. They weren't hoppy at all and were super oaky (like drinking a 2x4) so when I found a 16th anniversary on the shelf (hooray shelf-aged beers!) I said "why not?" Figured the oak may have faded somewhat and maybe it's halfway decent. Let's find out...

A: Pours a murky amber. Big frothy tan head. Fade slowly, leaving surprisingly decent lacing behind. Quite decent head retention too.

S: Loaded with raisins plus some caramel and some oak. A little bit of citrusy and grassy hops, surprisingly enough. Smells a lot like an american style barleywine.

T: Caramel, raisin and brown sugar abound up front with nice hints of oaky vanilla. Mild hop bitterness somehow, especially towards the finish. Mainly grassy and a bit of pine and citrus with some toasted oak characteristics. Finishes oaky and bitter. Zero booze.

M: Medium bodied, honestly not as heavy as I'd expect a 10% aged beer to be.

O: Well damn, what a nice experiment. When these beers are fresh they are oak bombs. There is only a little oak left in this now, it's more of an afterthought to the strong malt. Surprisingly still hoppy and bitter. Honestly it's quite nicely balanced. Not bland after 2+ years. Still nothing earth shattering but quite an improvement.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 03:43:00 | More by Dope

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 8/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a clear red amber, slight head, no lacing. Wood and hop aroma. Pleasant medium bodied oaked IPA with moderate hops. Hoppy middle with a somewhat astringent finish. Not a hop forward IPA. Oak is nice, but not very complex. An enjoyable oaked IPA, but not that remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 18:26:46 | More by LiquidAmber

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great example of what a good beer a DIPA can be on wood. Easily as good as Burton Baton.

Served in a 10oz-12oz snifter from the source.

This beer was just clean...much better than the Hercules. Grapefruit, fresh cut grass, the wood was there but not at all overpowering. The oak just added depth. There was a small amount of booziness detected, as one would expect with a 10% wood aged beer. NOT overly malty. Horray! To my pleasant surprise.

Was glad I was able to try this one visiting Denver for the first time.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 21:12:07 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

stephens101

Oklahoma

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Striking reddish-orange that pales at light. The thick tan head is resilient. Smells of citrus, floral hops, caramel, yeast and some cotton candy for good measure. Has a light fruity middle wrapped in resinous hops. Oak, vanilla and cardamom come into play. Pure medium bodies with crisp edges and well-concealed alcohol. Smooth with a near perfect build.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 20:21:40 | More by stephens101

LinusBohman

Sweden

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served at room temperature into a snifter.

A: Golden brown. Quite clear with a white head that resides quite fast. Some lacing on the sides of the glass. Doesn´t look very carbonated, no apparent bubbles.

S: Candyapple, syrup, alcohol and chocolate. Also some woodiness.

T: Wood, syrup, almond and with a vague aftertaste. Some vanilla in there as well.

M: Thick body and low in carbonation. Dry to the palate.

O: I can down a bottle but then it´s enough. It gets a bit dry and I feel that somethings missing to get the right balance to this one.
Quite average for a craft beer is the overall impression, but still worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 10:27:12 | More by LinusBohman

doughanson78

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Darker amber color. One finger off white head with good retention and lacing.

S: Pineapple and oak are dominate in this. A decent caramel malt aroma comes through all that citrus hop and oak.

T: Very sweet caramel upfront. Citrus hops come through nicely but the oak mellows out the bitterness nicely. This isn't overly oaked like the Oak Aged Yeti was.

M: Medium body. Lower carbonation. Creamy. Slightly dry.

O: Very good wood aged IPA. Others I've had were overly oaked. This is a little much but still awesome.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 03:21:40 | More by doughanson78

Heres2Beer

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Serving Style: 22oz Bottle into Surly Darkness Goblet

Appearance - Deep copper hued pour with a 1/8" of vanilla head, tight bubbles and decent "legs" for an IPA.

Aroma/Smell - Huge hints of vanilla from the wood aging, subdued hops, nothing citrusy or over the top, a bit earthy. Malts come through at the very end.

Taste - Fantastic. One of the most complete beers I've had in a long time. Strong vanilla flavors and oak flavors come through on this one. Similar to the aroma, subdued hop flavor, a bit bitter on the foretongue. Finishes complete and malty all through the small.

Really a great cigar beer.

Mouthfeel - Average. Nothing heavy, nothing to light, just right given the style and aging.

Perfect time to crack it. YUM!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 22:37:00 | More by Heres2Beer

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a 13 oz tulip. Pours a hazy bright mahogany, with a inch and half of off white fairly sticky head, with some lacing. Smell is cut grass, vanilla, pungent citrus, oak, and some booze. Taste is all of that with carmel, woody oak, alcohol and grapefruit, with some vanilla in the finish. Very large body for the style, enough carbonation, and low dribkability. Felt like a Barleywine, curious what time would do, would love another to find out.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 17:47:13 | More by SawDog505

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an amber/orange with a 1.5 finger off-white creamy head.

Oak, vanilla and a little bit of tobacco in the nose.

Starts off with a bit of a pine hop kick. Lots of oak, vanilla and as it warms, tobacco come out in the flavor. Finishes with a small bitterness. Very malt forward.

Fairly creamy and medium-low carbonation levels.

Some different flavors going on here, but they don't completely meld together. Better than a lot of wood aged IPA's though.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 23:08:07 | More by jmarsh123

stabzmcgee

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance is somewhat orange. Super woody beer. Vanilla on the aroma, almost peach almond. Tastes like oak, almost burbon whiskey. Tangy carbonated resinous mouthfeel. Long aftertones. Alcohol is hidden by wood.... 10% alcohol... 90% oak. It needs a few years to tame that oak. Sad I didn't buy more to do that.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 21:01:58 | More by stabzmcgee

Blakaeris

Iowa

2.58/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours very hazy dark copper with virtually no head.

Aroma is intense caramel with hints of toffee. Light apple fruit quality.

Taste is caramel malt and tobacco. Very unusual. Then a dry woody character takes over with a generous bourbon character.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied.

Really, this is a bourbon malt bomb. Where is the hops? The beer is fine for what it is, but it's not a DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 23:57:03 | More by Blakaeris

bashiba

Iowa

2.6/5  rDev -32.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured a deep hazy orange with a light very thin off white head.

The smell is very strange, sweet and alcohol, but there is something else I'm really struggling to even describe here, almost a big sweet medicinal rye bread quality.

The flavor is sweet and coppery. Has a long earthy and herbal sweet flavor, not real hoppy at this point, and not very barrely.

the mouthfeel is thick and oily and a bit hot.

Not very good, it is dated for this style, but this is a flat out strange tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 23:44:29 | More by bashiba

yemenmocha

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Chalked full of floaties/dandruff, with orangey-amber color and off-white head. Nose is surprisngly a little tame, with some woody citrus. Oak is present on palate too, and to me it melds with a sweetness to produce a sweet oak quality, with citrusy hops to balance, and complete masking of the high abv. Extremely drinkable, but sadly there is no longer a drinkability criterion for reviews.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 03:29:11 | More by yemenmocha

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Taken from notes on 4.12.11

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a deep orange with a tan head, almost no retention, but leaves good lacing on the glass.

S - Woody and oranges.

T - Tastes like and orange creamsicle, vanilla, and wood.

D - Very creamy and nice.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 08:22:38 | More by HuskyinPDX

beer2day

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice orange gold color with 1/2 finger forced head. Very light retention and decent lace.

Nose is wood and herbal, pine hops. Very strong herbal tones.

Lots of herbal hop rush up front and all the way through the glass. Heavy wood presence. Strong alcohol taste. Nice burn in the finish.

Resiny, oily, and velvety smooth.

Doesn't blow me away, but I'd like to have another.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 02:28:57 | More by beer2day

CHILLINDYLAN

Washington

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear ruby infused nectarine. Apricot edges. Small offwhite head, dissipated quickly.

Spicy herbal resins. Slightly musty log cabin. Big Woody Oak. Some toastiness with a bit of sweet caramel. Touch of vanilla and booze.

Spicy herbal bitterness. Big Woody Oak with some toasty vanilla and booze. White grape and apple esters. Oaky vanilla and booze lingers in the aftertaste.

medium body. drying. super slow carbonation. slight stickiness. seems appropriate for this beer.

Interesting and complex. Super Oaky. A bit much for a DIPA. maybe it would improve with a bit of age though.

bomber - 9/2010

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 22:59:59 | More by CHILLINDYLAN

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From 22oz bomber to pint glass of 4/20/11
*From notes

A: Unfiltered, it's a bold redish-amber. It should be noted that there are some epic floaties in this one. A mommoth 3+ finger head on what I'll call an eager pour. Quality lacing hangs out for the duration.

S: At this stage, I'd classify this as an American Barleywine. Sweet, massive booze and intense wood. Even with some time in the cellar, this one is quite immature. As it warms, it begins coming across like a young Burgundy.

T: Quite tannic. The alcohol bites the tounge and adds a complex layer of fermented cane sugar as the wood literally shivs my mouth. I can honestly say that the eight months I've sat on this have eased the pain considerably, though this could take another six to ten months, no problem. It finishes like warm toffee and soft, chewing caramel.

M: I've had thicker and more well balanced beers in my day, but it's above the cut I suppose. The carbonation detracts from the syrupy nature of the brew, though it also keeps this one drinkable.

O: I'm calling this as I see it: Great Divide's 16th Anniversary Wood Aged is an American Barleywine, pure and simple. It looks, smells and tastes like one, no question. It's a nice brew but not at the top of the food chain by any means, whether classified as a DIPA or an AB. Regardless, I came, I saw, I drank and enjoyed well enough. If you're in possession of one, I'd say give it 'til Autumn or beyond, as it's still drinking rather hot.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 20:11:59 | More by Rhettroactive

vgarneth

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed one of these with y2korey on a goregeous Spring evening. This wood aged Double India Pale Ale was purchased last August at Total Wine in Columbia, SC. It's not as fresh as it could have been, but still drank suprisingly well. Nice golden brown color and oak nose. Again, even though it's fallen off a little, this DIPA was quite delicious. Overall, I thought Great Divide proved successful for their 16th Anniverary brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 03:31:29 | More by vgarneth

biggred1

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear,brassy amber with an everlasting head of fine foam that melts like ice cream and leaves sheets of sticky lace on the glass. Pine sappy hop resin and tobacco with toasted oak and vanilla in the aroma. An extreme beer flavor-wise with caramelized woody sugars, toasted vanilla and resinous hop flavors that balance remarkably well. Smooth and sticky, medium bodied and creamy. I like this beer a lot but it's not for everybody.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 01:54:56 | More by biggred1

jera1350

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Copper colored with a two finger billowy head of foam and some gobs of lacing on the tulip.

A blend of citrus and sweet malt. Caramel and soap notes as well.

Wood and booze aplenty. Quite hot tasting and plenty of raw cedar wood tones and some vanilla. The middle offers up some caramel and toffee sweetness. The hops come in at the back end mostly and offer a little citrus, but mostly just a bitter and piney component. More alcohol on the finish.

Soft and smooth feel. The body feels to be about medium. Lightly dry and woody finish.

I really like the attempt here. The wood is unique when compared to other wood/barrel aged beers. Can't say that I like it more, but it is different. Would be a much better beer if it wasn't so dang hot. This has some age on it too which is surprising how prominent the booze still is. Still a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 00:52:16 | More by jera1350

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bright medium copper color with modest head and good lacing.

Brown bread, raisins and a little vanilla on the nose. Strong vanilla flavor blends with subtly spicy malt and hops background. The vanilla, presumably from the oak chips, is quite predominant. Hops are pretty subdued for a double IPA.

Round mouthfeel with light carbonation. A good sipping beer for a winter evening.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 00:03:30 | More by CliffBrake

mdaschaf

Washington

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to injuredreserve for this one!

A: Pours a dark orange color, small head formed but dissipated quickly down to some bubbles on the top. Good amount of carbonation, looks to be on the thicker side. Small floating chunks as well.

S: Light citrus aroma, some biscuit malts, and definitely some wood and vanilla.

T: Very nice caramel flavor. Very woody, the vanilla from the wood comes through nicely. A little bit of citrus fruit - grapefruit, but the malty side comes through.

M/D: Medium to full bodied and a bit syrupy. A little thick for my liking, but the flavors from the wood are really nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 01:49:02 | More by mdaschaf

BeardedRiker

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It's been awhile since I've tried a Great Divide beer but when I saw this double IPA on the shelf, I knew I had to get it. Their regular pale ale is good, their Yeti stout is also note worthy, and I remember very much enjoying their Dunkelweizen. Then when I saw that it was oak aged and an anniversary brew, my interest peaked even more. Mind you, this is a pricey beer.

When I poured this out, it was immediately evident that I would enjoy it. The head on it is caramel in color and frothy. The head also lingers on top and leaves much lacing on the beer glass. The double IPA is a little interesting in its color. I don't know why I think it would have a different color but for some reason I took note of it. Perhaps it is the less-than-normal bubble intensity in it as well as how clear it is. It looks like copper-colored water. Eh, well, enough about the color. The smell is great. It's malty sweet and smooth goodness is mixed with a hint of pine, alcohol, a bit of citrus, and the pseudo-sour/earthiness of oak (from the oak aging, obviously).

As far as taste goes, it's very nice. The oak aging has toned down the hops but it's still a very good pale ale. It is smooth on the tongue but has enough bite with the hops and a little bit of carbonation to make a balance. The smoothness comes from some vanilla syrupy flavors. This beer has a 10% ABV but it isn't very noticeable, which isn't a bad thing. It's a bit interesting how this double IPA doesn't taste like a more hoppy beer. I don't think that's bad because it's still a very good beer. Syrupy, sweet, hoppy, and smooth, that's what this beer is. And don't forget the pine flavor.

This is a very good pale ale. If you're expecting a more than usual hoppy beer, like a usual double IPA, then this won't be what you want. It's still tasty and enjoyable. It's very drinkable and doesn't kick your butt like most other 10% ABV beers would.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 04:40:48 | More by BeardedRiker

Flipadelphia84

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Poured into a pint glass with a one finger cream colored head. Darker colored amber, pretty much clear. There was a sediment of some sort at the bottom of the bottle, not sure if it was a yeast sediment. Chose not to drink it.

S- Smells pretty balanced, in fact the first thing I noticed was the malt. Slightly piny hop scent. Dark dried fruits like prunes and raisins. Can't detect too much booze.

T- Pretty balanced, doesn't really smack you in the face with the hops. Pine, a little vanilla from the oak chips but also a slight woody flavor. Leaves that dark dried fruit taste with the bitter hops for the finish. The alcohol is hidden well.

M- Thick for a DIPA. I'm a fan of thicker bodied beer so it works for me. Just about the right carbonation.

D- Good drinkability. Again, it doesn't overpower you with hops like some DIPA's which i personally like, but I like variety more and this Imperial IPA is simply different.

I am a fan of Great Divides take on this one...

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 00:34:49 | More by Flipadelphia84

ferrari29

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into Snifter glass

A - Beer poured with a brown/dark orange body; little head formed with a moderate amount of carbonation for an Imperial IPA; the body of the beer has a heavy liquor, almost syrup look to it

S - Oak and wood chips carries a smooth and fermented smell; some mild citrus notes in the back; biscuit, but mostly sweet and malty

T - Smooth caramel/toffee malt taste; woody; rinses your mouth with a clean dry aftertaste finish; some grapefruit sourness comes up

M - Drinking this beer leaves a sour but creamy feel on the tongue; liquorish syrup feel; slightly effervescent and lingers with a slightly astringent body

D - Great drink; smooth and well aged for an IPA; I could definitely have a few more drinks of this

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2011 20:44:03 | More by ferrari29