Belgian Style Yeti - Great Divide Brewing Company

marvin213

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

YetI always looks pretty pretty, as the Belgian proves no different in that regard. Oily thick blackness with frothy, dark cream suds. Can't recall if Yeti chasing human is part of the traditional label, but a unique Belgian spin would've worked well. A curious take on a proven winner made me bite the bullet.

Malt goodness prevails in the race to the nose. Even searching for it, a nasal strain gets only a hint of that tarty Belgian spice. Within the Belgian realm, there's a higher bar for smell. Since it's not really a "Belgian" beer (see style coming into play as a factor), I won't hit it too hard.

The taste is solid, no doubt. As with the nose, it's more Yeti than anything. That's certainly not all that big a problem, but beers like this one prompted me to recently pose the question: are Belgian Stouts for real? I do recall a Black Albert that was great--and pretty "true" to both...what about Black Tuesday?

Malty Yetis get kudos for mouthfeel. Overall, I prolly won't get it again at $13.25. At this point, I think it's fair to say I'd hesitate to get next year's (if that's the plan). I think it's the bronze on the widely available, special Yeti platform. Bretty Yeti, however, does sound interesting....

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 18:52:20 | More by marvin213

Gww1864

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-22-2013 00:04:41 | More by Gww1864

Chugger

New York

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-19-2013 15:10:19 | More by Chugger

carlosega

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

05-17-2013 19:33:01 | More by carlosega

saeh

France

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

05-15-2013 22:04:58 | More by saeh

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

05-12-2013 20:51:56 | More by twenty5

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-12-2013 17:21:16 | More by mikeburd1128

aflies

Arizona

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-12-2013 02:42:48 | More by aflies

jkermitj

Mississippi

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-11-2013 23:14:38 | More by jkermitj

ToddHolder

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-11-2013 01:20:39 | More by ToddHolder

sparx1100

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-09-2013 03:06:59 | More by sparx1100

IpaSipa

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-09-2013 02:42:46 | More by IpaSipa

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -26.8%

05-08-2013 02:34:42 | More by tommyguz

VaTechPhilly

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

05-06-2013 22:51:50 | More by VaTechPhilly

ChumleyX

California

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-05-2013 01:12:54 | More by ChumleyX

ajtorres311

Florida

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-01-2013 15:29:42 | More by ajtorres311

bigbeers84

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

04-30-2013 10:09:21 | More by bigbeers84

RichK1

Maryland

5/5  rDev +22%

04-26-2013 17:37:37 | More by RichK1

hardy008

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Dark black with a 1/2 finger of mocha foam, with good retention and lacing. The aroma has chocolate, dark roasted malt, and some dark fruit.

The taste has chocolate, dark roasted malt, dark fruit, and Belgian Yeast, which I did not pick up in the aroma. Sweet, with a little bitterness from the dark roasted malt for balance. The Belgian yeast is different, and there are also some herbs. Interesting, and different.

Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. The alcohol is well hidden for 9.50 % abv. The aftertaste is both sweet, and bitter from the dark roasted malt. A well made beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 02:59:04 | More by hardy008

jjboesen

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Here we have another great beer from the Great Divide. And who does not love a robust imperial stout? The Yeti has so much to offer; from the beginning, as it pours out into a pitch black body beneath a chunky beige head, the thirsty Beer Advocate has much to anticipate. Once poured, the Yeti emits an initial waft of grape juice that fades into plum and cocoa powder. Once it hits the tongue, this beer lacquers the palate with a wooly coat of roasted malt, punctuated by sharp bits of fruit, clove and cinnamon, all of it empowered by the ubiquitous Belgian yeast that leaves the mouth dusted with subtle chalkiness.

And yeti, despite an intimidating 9.5% abv, in conjunction with the abovementioned details, the Yeti seems to maintain some surprising smoothness that allows this imperial stout rendition to come off as a sessional quaff – perhaps, the famed Yeti is some sort of impish hybrid. And yeti … this is one good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:16:08 | More by jjboesen

browniewithnuts

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.4%

04-20-2013 03:10:54 | More by browniewithnuts

twax

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

04-18-2013 03:32:27 | More by twax

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

4.13/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A bomber, bottled on 6/8/12. Poured into a chalice.

Overall - This beer started off hot (too much alcohol), but mellowed as I drank the bomber over about 2 hours (two pours, kept bottle in fridge inbetween). An enjoyable beer. I like this particular belgian twist on the Russian Imperial style. A really good beer that I would buy again. Proud to have these in my cellar and serve to my friends.

A - Poured black opaque with a one-finger rocky dark tan head (sort of the color of foamy chocolate milk). Average lacing. Lots of heavy sediment in this bottle. I accidently poured the sediment into my second glass. Due to the heavy nature of the sediment it went almost immediately to the bottom of the glass without clouding the beer.

S - Chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, hints of alcohol, faint spicey notes.

T - Roasted malt, sugary (maybe fruity) sweetness, hints of bourbon. Not much, if any, coffee notes in this beer. Nor much bitterness, though a litte in the finish.

MF - Smooth

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 03:51:38 | More by Sludgeman

Atomicskis5

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -2.4%

04-11-2013 02:24:46 | More by Atomicskis5

beagle75

Iowa

3.65/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a half-pint chalice.

A: Hazy, dark brown color with less than one finger of diminishing light beige foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Earthy roast is stretched by separate and distinct toastiness that rounds out the malt qualities. Faint fennel seed suggests Belgian yeast influence. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins off-dry, with nutty yeast-affected roast that extends into the middle. Yeast phenolics are subtle, vegetal, against the dominant roast. The finish features an odd combination of meaty as well as minty qualities. No alcohol is detected.

M: Medium viscosity, mostly balanced but slightly syrupy on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: Surprisingly approachable for a big experimental beer, its mellow Belgian yeast influences find a natural home amidst the heavy roast. This may be one of the friendliest Yetis encountered so far.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 15:57:10 | More by beagle75