Hibernation Ale - Barrel-Aged
Great Divide Brewing Company

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Plush tan froth sits atop a brownish ruby brew.

Smells of brown sugar, molasses and persimmon.

Faint dark chocolate with more brown sugar, persimmon, red grape, pine and wood in the finish. The barrel aging shines as this one warms.

Medium w subtle heat. Smooth and a perfect accompaniment to a heavy holiday meal.