Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado)
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 9.5%
Oh man, do I love oak aged beers! I don’t know if I am just now noticing them or if they have exploded in popularity lately, but I seem to have been finding more oak aged brews than ever before. Great Divide’s Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is the “sophisticated sibling” to the brewery’s regular Yeti Imperial Stout. I haven’t tried the regular stout so I won’t be able to compare between the two, but judging by the quality of this beer I am sure it’s great.
This oak aged stout pours very dark, almost completely black but with a mocha-colored head. Upon tasting, many different flavors come through. I noticed hints of chocolate and dark coffee, as well as a subtle vanilla touch that is caused by the oak aging. The tastes of roasted malts and hops are also prominent. The lingering aftertaste is strong and a little bitter, but I love it. This is a very easy Russian Imperial Stout to drink.
Compared to other similar stouts, Yeti is reasonably priced for a 22oz bottle. At 9.5% ABV, you definitely get your money’s worth as well. This is one of the better stouts I have had lately, and if you have any interest in oak-aged beers you really should give this a try.
8.5/10
Apparently there are also espresso oak aged and chocolate oak aged versions of this stout. Looks like I am going to have to take another trip to the beer depot!
I had a few of these on Christmas Eve (and one more on Christmas day), and loved the hell out of it.
Mmm… yeah, this is a damn good beer. I enjoyed some stouts myself on Christmas Eve last year — Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout. Still one of my all-time favorites.