17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA | Great Divide Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Great Divide Brewing Company
Colorado, United States
greatdivide.com
Style: American Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
None provided.
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 308 | Reviews: 180
Reviews by MrHirschybar:
More User Reviews:
3.66/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured a brilliant bronze with a very well defined one finger white head that left multiple broken rings of lace behind as it settled into a creamy mass.Toasted oak,vanilla,and caramel aromas overtop of leafy hops,the malty notes to me are much pronounced than any hop presence.The aging gave a real nice full but mellow feel to the beer, unfortunatly it mellowed the flavors a little as well.Oaky vanilla flavors along with big caramel sweetness,not to mention some alcohol induced sweetness,again the hop are leafy and slightly earthy but beneath the wood and sweetness.Its a decent beer but to me has lost most of its DIPA character in its wood aging.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured a brilliant bronze with a very well defined one finger white head that left multiple broken rings of lace behind as it settled into a creamy mass.Toasted oak,vanilla,and caramel aromas overtop of leafy hops,the malty notes to me are much pronounced than any hop presence.The aging gave a real nice full but mellow feel to the beer, unfortunatly it mellowed the flavors a little as well.Oaky vanilla flavors along with big caramel sweetness,not to mention some alcohol induced sweetness,again the hop are leafy and slightly earthy but beneath the wood and sweetness.Its a decent beer but to me has lost most of its DIPA character in its wood aging.
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3.78/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottled3/30/11; consumed 5/10/11
Pours copper wth 3 fingers of tan head. Head has decent retention bofore fading to a collar and leaves some lacing behind.
Smell is initially sweet caramel malt and toffee followed by faint oak aroma and citrus hop notes. Also present are notes of vanilla and florals.
Taste is initially very strong, drying oak. After the palate adjust to that, caramel malts, floral and citrus hops come through. Finish is hop bitterness and drying oak tannins. Alcohol is present but not overwhelming.
Coats the palate well with a nice, sticky medium mouthfeel. The drying feeling from the oak is a bit too much.
This is definitely oak-forward, maybe too much so for my taste. Still, a pretty enjoyable , malt-forward DIPA.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottled3/30/11; consumed 5/10/11
Pours copper wth 3 fingers of tan head. Head has decent retention bofore fading to a collar and leaves some lacing behind.
Smell is initially sweet caramel malt and toffee followed by faint oak aroma and citrus hop notes. Also present are notes of vanilla and florals.
Taste is initially very strong, drying oak. After the palate adjust to that, caramel malts, floral and citrus hops come through. Finish is hop bitterness and drying oak tannins. Alcohol is present but not overwhelming.
Coats the palate well with a nice, sticky medium mouthfeel. The drying feeling from the oak is a bit too much.
This is definitely oak-forward, maybe too much so for my taste. Still, a pretty enjoyable , malt-forward DIPA.
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3.8/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
On tap poured into a 12oz glass.
Pours a nice deep ruby color with a fluffy pillowy white head with generous lacing right off the bat. Nose is sweet and malty.
Taste is sweet & malty, nice caramel and chewy dark sugars with a nice helping o hops. I'm sure there's a ton but it's so well balanced it is not a palate crusher by any means. A bit harsh but tasty and drinkable.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
On tap poured into a 12oz glass.
Pours a nice deep ruby color with a fluffy pillowy white head with generous lacing right off the bat. Nose is sweet and malty.
Taste is sweet & malty, nice caramel and chewy dark sugars with a nice helping o hops. I'm sure there's a ton but it's so well balanced it is not a palate crusher by any means. A bit harsh but tasty and drinkable.
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4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Reviewed from tasting notes taken 1-7-12:
L: Pours reddish amber with a slight chill haze that clears up as it warms. 1” cream colored foam collar grips the side of the glass.
S: Spicy, floral hops, light citrus, light malts.
T: Starts with rich malt and then rich citrus rind bitter flavors emerge seasoned with vanilla.
F: Medium full body, medium carbonation.
O: A big, boisterous DIPA.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Reviewed from tasting notes taken 1-7-12:
L: Pours reddish amber with a slight chill haze that clears up as it warms. 1” cream colored foam collar grips the side of the glass.
S: Spicy, floral hops, light citrus, light malts.
T: Starts with rich malt and then rich citrus rind bitter flavors emerge seasoned with vanilla.
F: Medium full body, medium carbonation.
O: A big, boisterous DIPA.
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3.87/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Kind of a darker appearance for this beer, maybe the wood was walnut or hickory and the color carried over! Anyways, the wood aspect was apparent in the nose, and there's just not enough wood aged ipa's out there, and when you're using piney hops, its complimented even more, feels like a camping trip.
More of the same in the taste, wood and pine, the hops were in the ample, but not outrageous range, bitterness was in check, alcohol heat was largely in check.
At the end of the day, it really isn't all that complex, but is appreciable. Prolly wouldn't spend $10 on it, but can definitely appreciate this being brought to SDIBF.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Kind of a darker appearance for this beer, maybe the wood was walnut or hickory and the color carried over! Anyways, the wood aspect was apparent in the nose, and there's just not enough wood aged ipa's out there, and when you're using piney hops, its complimented even more, feels like a camping trip.
More of the same in the taste, wood and pine, the hops were in the ample, but not outrageous range, bitterness was in check, alcohol heat was largely in check.
At the end of the day, it really isn't all that complex, but is appreciable. Prolly wouldn't spend $10 on it, but can definitely appreciate this being brought to SDIBF.
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4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a reddish amber almost copper color with a thin white lace.
Smells like caramel, oak, and vanilla.
Taste is sweet with a touch of hop bitterness. Not a big hoppy beer at all. The malt and the oak take center stage on this one.
Can tell there is some alcohol kicking around.
Mouthfeel is medium with light carbonation.
Overall is good not great. If I get another one I'd like to hang on to it for a minute and see what happen flavor wise.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a reddish amber almost copper color with a thin white lace.
Smells like caramel, oak, and vanilla.
Taste is sweet with a touch of hop bitterness. Not a big hoppy beer at all. The malt and the oak take center stage on this one.
Can tell there is some alcohol kicking around.
Mouthfeel is medium with light carbonation.
Overall is good not great. If I get another one I'd like to hang on to it for a minute and see what happen flavor wise.
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4.62/5 rDev +18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into my DFH snifter, pours about 2 fingers of head that recedes, leaving some nice lacing on the glass. Smell- definite wood (oak flavor) on the nose, floral notes, possibly a sweet strawberry tropical, coconut flavor. I love where this is going. The wood aging has definetely sweetened the flavor of this beer, and taken some tropical qualities as well. Taste- the woody flavors are first, followed by a sweet cherry pie(maybe a brown sugar, or maple quality?) but subdued quality. Bitter hop finish to round it out. Hops are here, but the complexity of the malt and oak aging flavors here prevail. Mouthfeel- smooth, medium bodied, but as it warms, somewhat syrupy in mouthfeel. Drinkability- this one overall is a real winner for me- I am a big fan of wood aged (especially using white oak) IPAs, and a lover of the tropical qualities that it produces.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into my DFH snifter, pours about 2 fingers of head that recedes, leaving some nice lacing on the glass. Smell- definite wood (oak flavor) on the nose, floral notes, possibly a sweet strawberry tropical, coconut flavor. I love where this is going. The wood aging has definetely sweetened the flavor of this beer, and taken some tropical qualities as well. Taste- the woody flavors are first, followed by a sweet cherry pie(maybe a brown sugar, or maple quality?) but subdued quality. Bitter hop finish to round it out. Hops are here, but the complexity of the malt and oak aging flavors here prevail. Mouthfeel- smooth, medium bodied, but as it warms, somewhat syrupy in mouthfeel. Drinkability- this one overall is a real winner for me- I am a big fan of wood aged (especially using white oak) IPAs, and a lover of the tropical qualities that it produces.
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4.29/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottled on March 29, 2011. Sometimes you have to thank the beer gods for a beer like this NOT selling out at your local establishment, so you can buy it relatively cheaply and rely on someone else to age it for you. There will always be debate whether a hop-centric beer like this should be aged in the first place, but hell, it was already aged before it even got in the bottle (according to the label, and on oak chips, not in a barrel). And you know what? When was a U.S. brewer like Great Divide at its best when sticking to things like RULES and STANDARDS?
Ahem. Onwards...
Pours a hazy, nearly opaque burnt-orange, autumnal brown color. The head is a huge fluffy two fingers of cream at first, but dies to a dishsoap-y skim and crown pretty quickly.
This is my second one in a little over a week, and they both blew me away, especially in the area of aroma. Big vanilla tones float over gooey caramel, hints of oak and just a smidge of alcohol warmth. Hops are sort of threaded in and out of these other characteristics, and I'd say it was just about right to open these bottles, at least going by the smell.
The taste isn't transcendental like the smell, but it does deliver. A cool, nearly spearmint sort of breeziness is folded into a considerable oak personality. All kinds of caramel and toffee notes bring sweetness to the table. Plenty of vanilla too, which goes very well with the superbly creamy, round, slick mouthfeel. Still plenty of carbonation too, although not too much. Just right, feels like. A bitter, woody, semi-dry finish keeps the oak out front.
They could have sold this as a barleywine, as the double IPA characteristics have morphed quite a bit thanks to the oak chips and the time spent in the bottle. No matter what it's called, it's an excellent sipper, and I do mean sipper. It's probably a total headache-inducer if you'd drink it much faster. So, sip I shall...
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottled on March 29, 2011. Sometimes you have to thank the beer gods for a beer like this NOT selling out at your local establishment, so you can buy it relatively cheaply and rely on someone else to age it for you. There will always be debate whether a hop-centric beer like this should be aged in the first place, but hell, it was already aged before it even got in the bottle (according to the label, and on oak chips, not in a barrel). And you know what? When was a U.S. brewer like Great Divide at its best when sticking to things like RULES and STANDARDS?
Ahem. Onwards...
Pours a hazy, nearly opaque burnt-orange, autumnal brown color. The head is a huge fluffy two fingers of cream at first, but dies to a dishsoap-y skim and crown pretty quickly.
This is my second one in a little over a week, and they both blew me away, especially in the area of aroma. Big vanilla tones float over gooey caramel, hints of oak and just a smidge of alcohol warmth. Hops are sort of threaded in and out of these other characteristics, and I'd say it was just about right to open these bottles, at least going by the smell.
The taste isn't transcendental like the smell, but it does deliver. A cool, nearly spearmint sort of breeziness is folded into a considerable oak personality. All kinds of caramel and toffee notes bring sweetness to the table. Plenty of vanilla too, which goes very well with the superbly creamy, round, slick mouthfeel. Still plenty of carbonation too, although not too much. Just right, feels like. A bitter, woody, semi-dry finish keeps the oak out front.
They could have sold this as a barleywine, as the double IPA characteristics have morphed quite a bit thanks to the oak chips and the time spent in the bottle. No matter what it's called, it's an excellent sipper, and I do mean sipper. It's probably a total headache-inducer if you'd drink it much faster. So, sip I shall...
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3.7/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Over the top DIPA. Yellow-golden coloured body with big white off white creamy head, and lacey. Big bitterness followed by fairly big malt. Oak is ever present. Bottled April 28. Creamy, boozy, coconut. More of a sipper. Above average mouthfeel.Ken's bomber.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Over the top DIPA. Yellow-golden coloured body with big white off white creamy head, and lacey. Big bitterness followed by fairly big malt. Oak is ever present. Bottled April 28. Creamy, boozy, coconut. More of a sipper. Above average mouthfeel.Ken's bomber.
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4.33/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours a Amber to reddish
Head: Big frosty tan head
Smell: Bright hops with sweet malts and a strong tropical fruits with a subtle amount of heat on the back end
Taste: Big caramel and toffee with sweet malts and a large citric, little heat on the backend
Weight: Medium body with a low carbonation
Finish: Hoppy, stickiness on the lips
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours a Amber to reddish
Head: Big frosty tan head
Smell: Bright hops with sweet malts and a strong tropical fruits with a subtle amount of heat on the back end
Taste: Big caramel and toffee with sweet malts and a large citric, little heat on the backend
Weight: Medium body with a low carbonation
Finish: Hoppy, stickiness on the lips
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3.38/5 rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
17th Anniversary Ale is copper in color. There’s no haze. It looks a little orange when held to light. A vanilla colored head tops it and rises to a little less than a finger in depth. Retention was definitely short. Lacing was sticky, but a little light in volume.
The nose is weak and lacking in the aromatics department. There are some light malty notes up front. Smells mostly like caramel. The oak aging left plenty of oak and vanilla. Smells a little sweet, slightly sugary. The hop presence is somewhat buried. There are some perhaps light citrus pineapple and pine scents. Alcohol is actually blended pretty well. Honestly – very average.
The flavor is a tad more impressive, enough to warrant a score bump. Caramel malt kicks off the flavor profile. It’s sweet, sugary, and a little heavy on the malt. Flavors of oak and vanilla are very strong in the mix. They allow a little more hop flavor to creep through than I expected. There is a little white grapefruit and pineapple followed by a touch of pine. It’s a tad bitter, but not palate wrecking by any stretch. Alcohol is blended pretty well. Finishes sweet and dry with oak and vanilla flavors lingering on the palate.
The body is on the light side of medium. Carbonation is light, but it feels too thin. EDIT: It feels a little bigger with warming. Nontheless, more body would definitely be a positive. It goes down alright, but a bomber’s a bit much. A 12 oz. would be a better presentation.
I really am a big fan of Great Divide Brewing. Have been for quite some time. For such a great brewery, these anniversary releases are just okay. They’re not exactly bad, but the oak aging just seems to be a little overdone. If you’re into malty DIPAs with a strong oak and vanilla presence, you really might get into this beer. Personally, it’s just pretty good.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
17th Anniversary Ale is copper in color. There’s no haze. It looks a little orange when held to light. A vanilla colored head tops it and rises to a little less than a finger in depth. Retention was definitely short. Lacing was sticky, but a little light in volume.
The nose is weak and lacking in the aromatics department. There are some light malty notes up front. Smells mostly like caramel. The oak aging left plenty of oak and vanilla. Smells a little sweet, slightly sugary. The hop presence is somewhat buried. There are some perhaps light citrus pineapple and pine scents. Alcohol is actually blended pretty well. Honestly – very average.
The flavor is a tad more impressive, enough to warrant a score bump. Caramel malt kicks off the flavor profile. It’s sweet, sugary, and a little heavy on the malt. Flavors of oak and vanilla are very strong in the mix. They allow a little more hop flavor to creep through than I expected. There is a little white grapefruit and pineapple followed by a touch of pine. It’s a tad bitter, but not palate wrecking by any stretch. Alcohol is blended pretty well. Finishes sweet and dry with oak and vanilla flavors lingering on the palate.
The body is on the light side of medium. Carbonation is light, but it feels too thin. EDIT: It feels a little bigger with warming. Nontheless, more body would definitely be a positive. It goes down alright, but a bomber’s a bit much. A 12 oz. would be a better presentation.
I really am a big fan of Great Divide Brewing. Have been for quite some time. For such a great brewery, these anniversary releases are just okay. They’re not exactly bad, but the oak aging just seems to be a little overdone. If you’re into malty DIPAs with a strong oak and vanilla presence, you really might get into this beer. Personally, it’s just pretty good.
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4.03/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Saw these at my local spot today. Weird there is only 1 review so far.
Pours a clear amber. Light tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma is nice and oaky. Lots of hops and some noble hop aroma. Some caramel and aromatic malt aroma as well.
Taste is good. Nice and hoppy in the finish with an oaky smoothness. Pretty woody. Some sweet malt flavor too.
Mouthfeel is smooth with a bite in the finish. Nice carb.
Overall a tasty beer. Grab one and try it.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Saw these at my local spot today. Weird there is only 1 review so far.
Pours a clear amber. Light tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma is nice and oaky. Lots of hops and some noble hop aroma. Some caramel and aromatic malt aroma as well.
Taste is good. Nice and hoppy in the finish with an oaky smoothness. Pretty woody. Some sweet malt flavor too.
Mouthfeel is smooth with a bite in the finish. Nice carb.
Overall a tasty beer. Grab one and try it.
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3.65/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark amber red pour with a nice off white head that dissipated quickly in my tulip glass. A pretty noticeable hoppy and alcohol smell- perhaps the Bourbon. The others at the bar were really raving about this and the flavor was very distinct with the peppery and smokey taste and even a hint of Vanilla without really being sweet. This was a slow sipping beer and you wouldn't want to drink too many.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark amber red pour with a nice off white head that dissipated quickly in my tulip glass. A pretty noticeable hoppy and alcohol smell- perhaps the Bourbon. The others at the bar were really raving about this and the flavor was very distinct with the peppery and smokey taste and even a hint of Vanilla without really being sweet. This was a slow sipping beer and you wouldn't want to drink too many.
399 characters
17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA from Great Divide Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.89 out of
5 with
308 ratings
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