Belgian Style Yeti | Great Divide Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Great Divide Brewing Company
Colorado, United States
greatdivide.com
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by DenverLogan on 06-19-2011
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 300 | Ratings: 912
4.3/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2011 on tap @ bottleworks, Seattle
big stout rich and full of flavor. black w/ 1/2 finger brown head. rich chocolate, coffee scent with the mildest hint of yeast. taste was roasty, chocolate, coffe notes. again, mild hint of yeast...not overpowering in the least bit. mouthfeel was rich, lasting flavor with barely any hint of alcohol. Overall, glad to have tried. would have again, which i did and would continue to do so if i come upon. Cheers!
★ 454 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2011 on tap @ bottleworks, Seattle
big stout rich and full of flavor. black w/ 1/2 finger brown head. rich chocolate, coffee scent with the mildest hint of yeast. taste was roasty, chocolate, coffe notes. again, mild hint of yeast...not overpowering in the least bit. mouthfeel was rich, lasting flavor with barely any hint of alcohol. Overall, glad to have tried. would have again, which i did and would continue to do so if i come upon. Cheers!
★ 454 characters
4.04/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
January 15, 2015
Bomber, mason jar
A – Jet black, dense, with medium-tan foamy bubbles. Moderate retention.
S – Semi-dark chocolate, vanilla bean, some fruity esters suggesting black cherries or prunes, a product of the Belgian yeast. Some spicy phenols and/or spicy hop aromas. A suggestion of oak and light bourbon warmth.
T – Chocolate covered raisins and other dark, pitted fruits. Some spicy notes that I would usually associate with rye but are likely from the yeast, and moderate hop bitterness. Vanilla and mild bourbon/alcohol flavor.
M – Very high carbonation, sudsy and washing, slightly bitter and dry in the finish. Mild alcohol warmth lingers in the background.
O – Age has smoothed some of the rough edges on this, making it an ultimate dessert beer. Sneaky with the alcohol and pretty heavy. Glad I got my hands on it.
★ 860 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
January 15, 2015
Bomber, mason jar
A – Jet black, dense, with medium-tan foamy bubbles. Moderate retention.
S – Semi-dark chocolate, vanilla bean, some fruity esters suggesting black cherries or prunes, a product of the Belgian yeast. Some spicy phenols and/or spicy hop aromas. A suggestion of oak and light bourbon warmth.
T – Chocolate covered raisins and other dark, pitted fruits. Some spicy notes that I would usually associate with rye but are likely from the yeast, and moderate hop bitterness. Vanilla and mild bourbon/alcohol flavor.
M – Very high carbonation, sudsy and washing, slightly bitter and dry in the finish. Mild alcohol warmth lingers in the background.
O – Age has smoothed some of the rough edges on this, making it an ultimate dessert beer. Sneaky with the alcohol and pretty heavy. Glad I got my hands on it.
★ 860 characters
3.35/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
June 20, 2011 stamping on the label
A: Pours a dark stale looking black, mocha edging around the glass with mini bubbles.
S: Aroma of dark roast coffee, stale cardboard, some light belgian yeast hints, raisin, and chocolate.
T: Berry flavors, coffee and chocolate mixing together in a smooth but slightly stale blend. the finish is dry and tannic, wet cardboard and belgian yeast flavors combine with ash. Coffee and chocolate malts most prominent here as expected, but the belgian style never fully takes over the beer since the chocolate and coffee flavors are so prominent.
M: Slightly stale tasting in flavor but with a stinging of tiny bubbles, this seems to have continued to carbonate in bottle and dilute the body some.
O: Overall, not my favorite Yeti variant. It has been a few years since I have gotten regular Yeti, however the regular Yeti would clearly be my preferred route here.
★ 903 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
June 20, 2011 stamping on the label
A: Pours a dark stale looking black, mocha edging around the glass with mini bubbles.
S: Aroma of dark roast coffee, stale cardboard, some light belgian yeast hints, raisin, and chocolate.
T: Berry flavors, coffee and chocolate mixing together in a smooth but slightly stale blend. the finish is dry and tannic, wet cardboard and belgian yeast flavors combine with ash. Coffee and chocolate malts most prominent here as expected, but the belgian style never fully takes over the beer since the chocolate and coffee flavors are so prominent.
M: Slightly stale tasting in flavor but with a stinging of tiny bubbles, this seems to have continued to carbonate in bottle and dilute the body some.
O: Overall, not my favorite Yeti variant. It has been a few years since I have gotten regular Yeti, however the regular Yeti would clearly be my preferred route here.
★ 903 characters
3.8/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
'12 vintage to the dome last night.
This one pours a dark black, with a bubbly, foamy head, and a little bit of lacing.
Smells pretty typically like regular Yeti, lots of chocolate, a little bit of piney hops, cookie dough, roasted coffee.
This differentiates itself from regular Yeti in the amount of dark fruit flavor present here- clearly from the Belgian yeast. There's chocolate, cookie dough, coffee- and the aforementioned dark fruits- raisin, grapes, plums, etc.
This is kind of thin, maybe the few years on it caused this, with a creamy mouthfeel, and a moderate level of carbonation.
This is pretty tasty, but far from the best Yeti variant.
★ 656 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
'12 vintage to the dome last night.
This one pours a dark black, with a bubbly, foamy head, and a little bit of lacing.
Smells pretty typically like regular Yeti, lots of chocolate, a little bit of piney hops, cookie dough, roasted coffee.
This differentiates itself from regular Yeti in the amount of dark fruit flavor present here- clearly from the Belgian yeast. There's chocolate, cookie dough, coffee- and the aforementioned dark fruits- raisin, grapes, plums, etc.
This is kind of thin, maybe the few years on it caused this, with a creamy mouthfeel, and a moderate level of carbonation.
This is pretty tasty, but far from the best Yeti variant.
★ 656 characters
3.51/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pour is black with a small amount of milky brown head. Nose has a light roast, hints of licorice and tobacco, and fruity esters. Taste has a bit more malt, light roast, some rich milk chocolate, a bit of sweet fruitiness in back. The Belgian yeast doesn't really make a huge impact. May add some fruitier notes not typically in an imperial stout. It isn't a sugary malt or a dark berry. Seems well attenuated, clean, full bodied, and moderate carbonation.
★ 455 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pour is black with a small amount of milky brown head. Nose has a light roast, hints of licorice and tobacco, and fruity esters. Taste has a bit more malt, light roast, some rich milk chocolate, a bit of sweet fruitiness in back. The Belgian yeast doesn't really make a huge impact. May add some fruitier notes not typically in an imperial stout. It isn't a sugary malt or a dark berry. Seems well attenuated, clean, full bodied, and moderate carbonation.
★ 455 characters
4.39/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled June 17, 2011, reviewed May 14, 2014
Poured from a into a Boddingtons pint glass and a stemless wine glass. Pitch black in color, extremely opaque. Very thin tan with little retention. Probably due to it's age.
Smell is dark chocolate, cacao, booze and molasses
Taste is coffee up front, booze, caramel, belgian yeast, and then chocolate in the aftertaste. Kind of like someone spilled coffee over chocolate covered banana bread.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and syrupy at the end
Overall, extremely well done. Hides the ABV extremely well, and is nicely balanced.
★ 575 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled June 17, 2011, reviewed May 14, 2014
Poured from a into a Boddingtons pint glass and a stemless wine glass. Pitch black in color, extremely opaque. Very thin tan with little retention. Probably due to it's age.
Smell is dark chocolate, cacao, booze and molasses
Taste is coffee up front, booze, caramel, belgian yeast, and then chocolate in the aftertaste. Kind of like someone spilled coffee over chocolate covered banana bread.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and syrupy at the end
Overall, extremely well done. Hides the ABV extremely well, and is nicely balanced.
★ 575 characters
4.22/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
June 2012 bottle. Opened May 2014.
A - Nice deep black-brown body. Touch of muddy ruby highlights. Light khaki head settles into a nice halo with ok lace.
S - Deep roasted malts, bread crust, graham crackers, molasses, walnuts, savory spice.
T - Smooth, deep roast. Graham cracker, burnt toast, buckwheat honey, toasted hazelnut, candied almonds, molasses, caramel, cola. Bitter char finish.
M - Smooth, medium frame.
O - A really nice imperial Belgian stout. Smooth and well balanced with a really nice flavor profile.
★ 524 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
June 2012 bottle. Opened May 2014.
A - Nice deep black-brown body. Touch of muddy ruby highlights. Light khaki head settles into a nice halo with ok lace.
S - Deep roasted malts, bread crust, graham crackers, molasses, walnuts, savory spice.
T - Smooth, deep roast. Graham cracker, burnt toast, buckwheat honey, toasted hazelnut, candied almonds, molasses, caramel, cola. Bitter char finish.
M - Smooth, medium frame.
O - A really nice imperial Belgian stout. Smooth and well balanced with a really nice flavor profile.
★ 524 characters
3.88/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle opnened on 2.20.14
Bottled On: Jun 06 2012
A - Pours a very dark brown with a fine, dark tan head with good retention and nice lacing left on the glass.
S - Belgian yeast, chocolate, malty.
T - Belgian yeast, very subtle and smooth coffee and chocolate.
D - Good carbonation with a medium body. Easy drinker, but chalky.
O - Ok, but I see why they dropped this verson. Average at best for the style.
★ 412 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle opnened on 2.20.14
Bottled On: Jun 06 2012
A - Pours a very dark brown with a fine, dark tan head with good retention and nice lacing left on the glass.
S - Belgian yeast, chocolate, malty.
T - Belgian yeast, very subtle and smooth coffee and chocolate.
D - Good carbonation with a medium body. Easy drinker, but chalky.
O - Ok, but I see why they dropped this verson. Average at best for the style.
★ 412 characters
4.01/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is an extremely dark beer. If there is any brown on the edges surrounding the dark black liquid, it's a very dark brown. An eight ball in a glass. The head is a light to medium brown but it's very thin and doesn't last long. Eventually you're left with just a few bubbles sitting atop a really dark murky beer.
Strange scents waft from the snifter. The roasty grains and bittersweet chocolate you expect, plus a shot of dark fruits from the Belgian yeast. Kind of weird in that it smells like fruity coffee. Not a bad smell, just a merging of two different styles that I'm not used to.
All that craziness in a bottle provides a more typical, and dare I say better, taste than it does for the nose. Whereas the ingredients were struggling for attention in the nose, they put aside their differences on the tongue. Light expresso flavor topped with ripe sweetness from the fruits.
The palate finds this very acceptable. It comes across as more sweet than smokey and that pairs well with the fruit yeast. Also, it's not as heavy as you might imagine. The high alcohol never brings much heat, but it's there, mostly in the finish. Faint hoppy bitterness, again in the finish.
It's kind of an odd pairing, a Yeti that's packing a fruity punch, but when all is said and done, it's a really good beer providing complexity and something that's very easy to sip.
★ 1,362 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is an extremely dark beer. If there is any brown on the edges surrounding the dark black liquid, it's a very dark brown. An eight ball in a glass. The head is a light to medium brown but it's very thin and doesn't last long. Eventually you're left with just a few bubbles sitting atop a really dark murky beer.
Strange scents waft from the snifter. The roasty grains and bittersweet chocolate you expect, plus a shot of dark fruits from the Belgian yeast. Kind of weird in that it smells like fruity coffee. Not a bad smell, just a merging of two different styles that I'm not used to.
All that craziness in a bottle provides a more typical, and dare I say better, taste than it does for the nose. Whereas the ingredients were struggling for attention in the nose, they put aside their differences on the tongue. Light expresso flavor topped with ripe sweetness from the fruits.
The palate finds this very acceptable. It comes across as more sweet than smokey and that pairs well with the fruit yeast. Also, it's not as heavy as you might imagine. The high alcohol never brings much heat, but it's there, mostly in the finish. Faint hoppy bitterness, again in the finish.
It's kind of an odd pairing, a Yeti that's packing a fruity punch, but when all is said and done, it's a really good beer providing complexity and something that's very easy to sip.
★ 1,362 characters
4.29/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a Yeti tulip glass. Purchased in Attleboro, MA. Bottled in June 2011, sat for nearly 3 years on the shelves (or in the stock room?)
A- Pours a deep brown, nearly black opaque body with a decent sized, 3 finger mocha colored head that reduces slowly, leaving some lacing.
S- Very inviting on the nose.. strong vanilla, butterscotch, molasses, caramel, some milk chocolate and coffee.
T- Upfront I get cocoa powder, sweet molasses, french vanilla, toffee. The finish is delightful with a strong roasty character that I really like in imperial stouts.. like charred malt or heavily roasted coffee that sits on the palette for a while.
M- Low carbonation and pretty rich, not as rich and thick as the other variations of Yeti I've tried. Maybe it lost some body over the years.
As with the other Yeti's I've tried, I was impressed with this variation. The only complaint I have and the reason I give it a 4.0 overall is that I really didn't get much Belgian character, as advertised in the title. I tasted like an excellent imperial stout, but the Belgian yeast really didn't add much.
★ 1,122 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a Yeti tulip glass. Purchased in Attleboro, MA. Bottled in June 2011, sat for nearly 3 years on the shelves (or in the stock room?)
A- Pours a deep brown, nearly black opaque body with a decent sized, 3 finger mocha colored head that reduces slowly, leaving some lacing.
S- Very inviting on the nose.. strong vanilla, butterscotch, molasses, caramel, some milk chocolate and coffee.
T- Upfront I get cocoa powder, sweet molasses, french vanilla, toffee. The finish is delightful with a strong roasty character that I really like in imperial stouts.. like charred malt or heavily roasted coffee that sits on the palette for a while.
M- Low carbonation and pretty rich, not as rich and thick as the other variations of Yeti I've tried. Maybe it lost some body over the years.
As with the other Yeti's I've tried, I was impressed with this variation. The only complaint I have and the reason I give it a 4.0 overall is that I really didn't get much Belgian character, as advertised in the title. I tasted like an excellent imperial stout, but the Belgian yeast really didn't add much.
★ 1,122 characters
4.53/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Grabbed this by whim when wondering around looking for something on a cold winter night. Guy behind the counter said it was retired and this was the last bottle they had. Bottle had a bottled on date of June 8, 2012.
Appearance: Nice almost black pour with a slight head that slowly evaporated leaving a brownish lacing on the glass.
Smell: A dark roasted cocoa, slight molasses and a far off fruit smell, maybe plum, burnt malt. Not overwhelming that I expect from this style.
Taste: The burnt malt is the first thing to hit the tongue with the cocoa streaming in quickly. As it sits the flavor of coffee takes over with a bit of dark fruit. It finishes with a little spicy something and a touch of sweet molasses. Great taste. The alcohol is hidden very well.
Mouth feel: medium to full body with a slight carbonation. Thought it was going to have a thicker heavier feel.
Overall: Love this for just picking it up on a whim. I've had others in the Yeti series and this one definitely does it justice. I had a slight concern over the Belgium style thinking it might take over the taste, but didn't feel that at all. Shame it's retired, glad I got a bottle before it was gone!!!
★ 1,183 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Grabbed this by whim when wondering around looking for something on a cold winter night. Guy behind the counter said it was retired and this was the last bottle they had. Bottle had a bottled on date of June 8, 2012.
Appearance: Nice almost black pour with a slight head that slowly evaporated leaving a brownish lacing on the glass.
Smell: A dark roasted cocoa, slight molasses and a far off fruit smell, maybe plum, burnt malt. Not overwhelming that I expect from this style.
Taste: The burnt malt is the first thing to hit the tongue with the cocoa streaming in quickly. As it sits the flavor of coffee takes over with a bit of dark fruit. It finishes with a little spicy something and a touch of sweet molasses. Great taste. The alcohol is hidden very well.
Mouth feel: medium to full body with a slight carbonation. Thought it was going to have a thicker heavier feel.
Overall: Love this for just picking it up on a whim. I've had others in the Yeti series and this one definitely does it justice. I had a slight concern over the Belgium style thinking it might take over the taste, but didn't feel that at all. Shame it's retired, glad I got a bottle before it was gone!!!
★ 1,183 characters
4.21/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Black as night with a brown head, that fades to a ring.
S: Nose has earthy, roasty malts and funky Beligan yeast notes.
T: Roasted malt and chocolate flavors are equally balanced by fruity esters typical of Belgian ale yeast. Weird, but still very good.
M: Full bodied and smoothish.
O: While I do like hoppy stouts, Belgian style stouts have yet to really impress me. This is a great beer though. If you can find it, try it.
★ 432 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Black as night with a brown head, that fades to a ring.
S: Nose has earthy, roasty malts and funky Beligan yeast notes.
T: Roasted malt and chocolate flavors are equally balanced by fruity esters typical of Belgian ale yeast. Weird, but still very good.
M: Full bodied and smoothish.
O: While I do like hoppy stouts, Belgian style stouts have yet to really impress me. This is a great beer though. If you can find it, try it.
★ 432 characters
4.29/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Next up in my Yeti lineup that should have been drunk a while ago, but gotta love they they even date an imperial stout. I really hope this isn't way past it's prime since it looks like I won't be able to get it fresh again, but if it's not up to par I'll have to search out fresh when they maybe bring it back again. Bottled on 06/20/11, so more than 2.5 years old now.
The pour comes out velvety smooth looking, and forms a nice thick creamy 1/2 finger mocha black colored head that sticks around nicely, and leaves both a nice thick lacing and long legs as it eventually fades into the pit of abyss, and by that I mean super pitch black colored, not light making it through.
Nose is interesting and unique, it has notes of the original Yeti series beers, but it's own interesting twist. Starting with the norm, dark malts, black despair malt that sucks the blood of everything light, cocoa and roast of the beast, caramel and fluffy nougat of the hair of a yeti of course, hints of warming booze aroma, all right on with typical Yeti. Then the interesting twist, a strange biscuity slight phenolic estery like thing, and an earthy forest floor like where the Yeti sleeps, with an interesting minerality.
Taste brings more of the malts of the night, stalking me in my sleep it seems, super dark, typical of the Yeti that damn stalker! dark super malts, with roast and black malts, toasty and grainy as well, with a mild cocoa and super dark bitter chocolate. Then caramel and fluffy nougat trying to entice the picnic basket dwellers with their beers and food. Mild earthy hop character too, fluffy hop as well, with mild grassy spicy flavors. But different than normal Yeti, his Belgian cousin brings the earthy biscuit again, with a little grainy raw barley character like the Yeti caught it before the mash finished, and some mild phenols with the booze that warms and slightly tingles, as well as that slight forest floor earthy mineral character, very light. Oh and it brings quite a bit of that essence of pure darkness, sucking the life from my tongue as it sits there tingling from the booze. The finish saturates the entire mouth and coats it with a big dark malt paste, thick almost molasses like with bit more caramel and fluffy nougat, as well as more cocoa, and dark dark black malts, touch of roast, and more bitterness, little booze and more of that earthiness.
Mouth is big heavy, spooky ghost of darkness like, thick and a bit fluffy and smooth, little chewy like, nice fluffy carb, and some warming slightly tingly booze that makes my tongue even shiver in fear.
Overall pretty nice, aside from allt eh Yeti and scary jokes, it was a good beer. Lots of the original yeti with dark malts, some cocoa, creamy thick chewy like, caramel and fluffy nougat with touch of roast, etc. This time an interesting twist that I guess could be Belgian, some more earthy qualities with little minerality, that mild ester phenol profile that makes sense for a Belgian yeast, and little biscuity like that is also somewhat typical for the "Belgianization" I think. Still tasty.
★ 3,085 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Next up in my Yeti lineup that should have been drunk a while ago, but gotta love they they even date an imperial stout. I really hope this isn't way past it's prime since it looks like I won't be able to get it fresh again, but if it's not up to par I'll have to search out fresh when they maybe bring it back again. Bottled on 06/20/11, so more than 2.5 years old now.
The pour comes out velvety smooth looking, and forms a nice thick creamy 1/2 finger mocha black colored head that sticks around nicely, and leaves both a nice thick lacing and long legs as it eventually fades into the pit of abyss, and by that I mean super pitch black colored, not light making it through.
Nose is interesting and unique, it has notes of the original Yeti series beers, but it's own interesting twist. Starting with the norm, dark malts, black despair malt that sucks the blood of everything light, cocoa and roast of the beast, caramel and fluffy nougat of the hair of a yeti of course, hints of warming booze aroma, all right on with typical Yeti. Then the interesting twist, a strange biscuity slight phenolic estery like thing, and an earthy forest floor like where the Yeti sleeps, with an interesting minerality.
Taste brings more of the malts of the night, stalking me in my sleep it seems, super dark, typical of the Yeti that damn stalker! dark super malts, with roast and black malts, toasty and grainy as well, with a mild cocoa and super dark bitter chocolate. Then caramel and fluffy nougat trying to entice the picnic basket dwellers with their beers and food. Mild earthy hop character too, fluffy hop as well, with mild grassy spicy flavors. But different than normal Yeti, his Belgian cousin brings the earthy biscuit again, with a little grainy raw barley character like the Yeti caught it before the mash finished, and some mild phenols with the booze that warms and slightly tingles, as well as that slight forest floor earthy mineral character, very light. Oh and it brings quite a bit of that essence of pure darkness, sucking the life from my tongue as it sits there tingling from the booze. The finish saturates the entire mouth and coats it with a big dark malt paste, thick almost molasses like with bit more caramel and fluffy nougat, as well as more cocoa, and dark dark black malts, touch of roast, and more bitterness, little booze and more of that earthiness.
Mouth is big heavy, spooky ghost of darkness like, thick and a bit fluffy and smooth, little chewy like, nice fluffy carb, and some warming slightly tingly booze that makes my tongue even shiver in fear.
Overall pretty nice, aside from allt eh Yeti and scary jokes, it was a good beer. Lots of the original yeti with dark malts, some cocoa, creamy thick chewy like, caramel and fluffy nougat with touch of roast, etc. This time an interesting twist that I guess could be Belgian, some more earthy qualities with little minerality, that mild ester phenol profile that makes sense for a Belgian yeast, and little biscuity like that is also somewhat typical for the "Belgianization" I think. Still tasty.
★ 3,085 characters
3.79/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A jet black pour with just a modest head; lots of dots line the side of the glass
Smell: Dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, dark fruits and phenolic spice
Taste: Chocolate, coffee and a growing sense of dark fruit as we move toward the middle; plum and clove spice build, after the swallow, bringing a plum liqueur tone as we head toward the finish; boozy in the aftertaste
Mouthfeel: Surprisingly thin for an Imperial Stout, with moderate carbonation
Overall: Despite some misgivings I rather liked this beer and was glad to have been able to find a lonely last bottle sitting on the shelves nearly two years after the brew date
★ 648 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A jet black pour with just a modest head; lots of dots line the side of the glass
Smell: Dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, dark fruits and phenolic spice
Taste: Chocolate, coffee and a growing sense of dark fruit as we move toward the middle; plum and clove spice build, after the swallow, bringing a plum liqueur tone as we head toward the finish; boozy in the aftertaste
Mouthfeel: Surprisingly thin for an Imperial Stout, with moderate carbonation
Overall: Despite some misgivings I rather liked this beer and was glad to have been able to find a lonely last bottle sitting on the shelves nearly two years after the brew date
★ 648 characters
4.1/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Small light brown head. Opaque body with a deep brown, almost black color.
S: Rich and full smell. Coffee and chocolate smells predominate with a sweet and inviting aroma. The smell is the most interesting part of this beer- it's strong and intriguing!
T: Malty, rich and flavor-packed- surprisingly sweet and smooth. Notes of rum and raisins.
M: Low to medium carbonation. Finishes with mild tartness and the rum flavor lingers for a while after each sip. Fairly thick texture.
O: Impressive and interesting beer! The Belgian yeast gives this stout a sweet and raisiny taste while maintaining its malty and chocolate characteristics from the original Yeti Imperial Stout recipe.
★ 689 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Small light brown head. Opaque body with a deep brown, almost black color.
S: Rich and full smell. Coffee and chocolate smells predominate with a sweet and inviting aroma. The smell is the most interesting part of this beer- it's strong and intriguing!
T: Malty, rich and flavor-packed- surprisingly sweet and smooth. Notes of rum and raisins.
M: Low to medium carbonation. Finishes with mild tartness and the rum flavor lingers for a while after each sip. Fairly thick texture.
O: Impressive and interesting beer! The Belgian yeast gives this stout a sweet and raisiny taste while maintaining its malty and chocolate characteristics from the original Yeti Imperial Stout recipe.
★ 689 characters
4.53/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Everything about this brew is BIG!
Thick, and dark liquid, under a massive thick and tan colored foamy cover. Heavy stuff.
The nose has a creamy, deep chocolat-ish, coffee, and cocoa thickness with dried fruits, and a n earthy, hearty scented yeast kick.
A huge, full and smooth feel with heady amounts of complex malt flavors: dry chocolate, with the hops and yeast providing almost equally as intense amounts of dried, sweet fruits and earthy, dry yeast. Chunky feel with big flavor's, balance is great concidering just how big this brew is in scope. Staggering effects that make you sip, savor and ponder. The hops come over as sweet and also very bitter, dry and a bit overwhelming for me personally. Subtle flavors include: mocha, coffee, vanilla, grapefruit, dry chocolate and dark wheat.
Intense stuff, it's like two of my favorite style had a love Monster!
★ 874 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Everything about this brew is BIG!
Thick, and dark liquid, under a massive thick and tan colored foamy cover. Heavy stuff.
The nose has a creamy, deep chocolat-ish, coffee, and cocoa thickness with dried fruits, and a n earthy, hearty scented yeast kick.
A huge, full and smooth feel with heady amounts of complex malt flavors: dry chocolate, with the hops and yeast providing almost equally as intense amounts of dried, sweet fruits and earthy, dry yeast. Chunky feel with big flavor's, balance is great concidering just how big this brew is in scope. Staggering effects that make you sip, savor and ponder. The hops come over as sweet and also very bitter, dry and a bit overwhelming for me personally. Subtle flavors include: mocha, coffee, vanilla, grapefruit, dry chocolate and dark wheat.
Intense stuff, it's like two of my favorite style had a love Monster!
★ 874 characters
3.35/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A - Poured black with brown hues around the edges. Very little head or lacing.
S - Chocolate, something funky (maybe this is the yeast), booze, licorice, coffee.
T - Funk, syrupy sweetness and chocolate. Dark fruits, a touch of coffee, and booze.
M - Medium with little carbonation. Dry finish.
O- I was expecting more from this than was there. The funky smell and taste just didn't do it for me.
★ 400 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A - Poured black with brown hues around the edges. Very little head or lacing.
S - Chocolate, something funky (maybe this is the yeast), booze, licorice, coffee.
T - Funk, syrupy sweetness and chocolate. Dark fruits, a touch of coffee, and booze.
M - Medium with little carbonation. Dry finish.
O- I was expecting more from this than was there. The funky smell and taste just didn't do it for me.
★ 400 characters
4.17/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
(Bottled on 6-20-11) Drank on 11-27-13
A black, opaque pour with a thin brown head. So it looks like a standard issue imperial stout.
It has a stronger aroma that other imperial stouts I've had recently, but it doesn't really have that Belgian scent one might expect to pick up on.
Okay, this beer tastes like a good imperial stout...but I'm not getting the Belgian vibe from it. I don't know if it being 2 1/2 years old has mellowed out the flavors imparted by the yeasts or if they're just too mild for me to pick up in the face of what is a 9.5% ABV Imperial Stout.
The beer has a strange combination of high carbonation and a certain chalkiness that lies just beneath the surface.
Overall, a good, but not amazing, imperial stout. Don't expect much deviation from the mean.
★ 782 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
(Bottled on 6-20-11) Drank on 11-27-13
A black, opaque pour with a thin brown head. So it looks like a standard issue imperial stout.
It has a stronger aroma that other imperial stouts I've had recently, but it doesn't really have that Belgian scent one might expect to pick up on.
Okay, this beer tastes like a good imperial stout...but I'm not getting the Belgian vibe from it. I don't know if it being 2 1/2 years old has mellowed out the flavors imparted by the yeasts or if they're just too mild for me to pick up in the face of what is a 9.5% ABV Imperial Stout.
The beer has a strange combination of high carbonation and a certain chalkiness that lies just beneath the surface.
Overall, a good, but not amazing, imperial stout. Don't expect much deviation from the mean.
★ 782 characters
4.4/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Great Divide Brewing Belgian Style Yeti
Appearance: dark brown, small head, and good lacing.
Smell: yeast, cocoa, and a malty grain.
Taste: chewy chocolate bar, some hops, light grain, and very light cocoa.
Mouthfeel: medium and smooth.
Overall:
This is a pretty good brew. The flavors are nice and not overly powerful. This is extremely drinkable and smooth. It reminds me of the Great Divide 17th Anniversary but with less complexity.
★ 445 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Great Divide Brewing Belgian Style Yeti
Appearance: dark brown, small head, and good lacing.
Smell: yeast, cocoa, and a malty grain.
Taste: chewy chocolate bar, some hops, light grain, and very light cocoa.
Mouthfeel: medium and smooth.
Overall:
This is a pretty good brew. The flavors are nice and not overly powerful. This is extremely drinkable and smooth. It reminds me of the Great Divide 17th Anniversary but with less complexity.
★ 445 characters
4.27/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance- Pours up very little head and has just as little retention. The head is a dark beige with hints of burnt umber while the body is an opaque, dark chocolate brown. Leaves no real lacing but this beer has seen some age.
Nose- Fascinating. I've never gotten so many fruity esters from a stout before- the glass is dominated by them. Cherries, plums, hints of raisins, even a little bit of citrus (mostly orange but some lemon). I think I even caught a hint of some banana after it settled. The aroma from the bottle is more traditional and shows a good amount of chocolate and coffee with slight hints of vanilla, caramel, and toffee. But the fruity esters are the star of the show and even exhibit a bit of tartness. These begin to fade and the more traditional notes I described start to emerge from the glass.
Taste- Very reflective of the nose- I'm getting most of the non-traditional fruity aspects up front followed by the more traditional aspects which lead into the finish. Cherries, plums, and raisins are bright and the citrus aspects tend to get subsumed by the roasted malts (mostly coffee) which interrupt the middle. There is none of the phenolic character that you get from a lot of Belgian yeast and I certainly appreciate that. That is the main reason why I waited so long to purchase this beer; I only pulled the trigger when I learned that it was discontinued. I'm quite impressed by the presence and complexity that exists after almost a year and a half. Slight woodiness, maybe a touch of cloves but it is hard to distinguish from the coffee and short, rich chocolate of the finish. Without a doubt, a really good beer. The rounded sweetness of the front works beautifully with the muted bitterness and the roasted notes of the finish. Perhaps it is best that I waited this long as I would not have experienced it at this age. I am going to have to buy the last bottle I know of to see how it will develop even further. The balance and integration are amazing.
Mouthfeel- A little more than medium bodied with mild carbonation. Maybe a little too much but this is a mild complaint. Some velvet to the texture.
Drinkability- Very easy drinking. No heat. I wish there were more. Not as good as Espresso Yeti but it's probably my second for the series. 11.50 for a vintage bottle ain't bad either.
Overall- Really good- expresses some of the best of Belgium on the rock solid platform of Yeti. Much of the Yeti aspects have diminished but the yeast has taken over to fill in. If you see a left over bottle, buy it. Even if you don't like it, do it for someone else. I'm happy I did.
★ 2,618 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance- Pours up very little head and has just as little retention. The head is a dark beige with hints of burnt umber while the body is an opaque, dark chocolate brown. Leaves no real lacing but this beer has seen some age.
Nose- Fascinating. I've never gotten so many fruity esters from a stout before- the glass is dominated by them. Cherries, plums, hints of raisins, even a little bit of citrus (mostly orange but some lemon). I think I even caught a hint of some banana after it settled. The aroma from the bottle is more traditional and shows a good amount of chocolate and coffee with slight hints of vanilla, caramel, and toffee. But the fruity esters are the star of the show and even exhibit a bit of tartness. These begin to fade and the more traditional notes I described start to emerge from the glass.
Taste- Very reflective of the nose- I'm getting most of the non-traditional fruity aspects up front followed by the more traditional aspects which lead into the finish. Cherries, plums, and raisins are bright and the citrus aspects tend to get subsumed by the roasted malts (mostly coffee) which interrupt the middle. There is none of the phenolic character that you get from a lot of Belgian yeast and I certainly appreciate that. That is the main reason why I waited so long to purchase this beer; I only pulled the trigger when I learned that it was discontinued. I'm quite impressed by the presence and complexity that exists after almost a year and a half. Slight woodiness, maybe a touch of cloves but it is hard to distinguish from the coffee and short, rich chocolate of the finish. Without a doubt, a really good beer. The rounded sweetness of the front works beautifully with the muted bitterness and the roasted notes of the finish. Perhaps it is best that I waited this long as I would not have experienced it at this age. I am going to have to buy the last bottle I know of to see how it will develop even further. The balance and integration are amazing.
Mouthfeel- A little more than medium bodied with mild carbonation. Maybe a little too much but this is a mild complaint. Some velvet to the texture.
Drinkability- Very easy drinking. No heat. I wish there were more. Not as good as Espresso Yeti but it's probably my second for the series. 11.50 for a vintage bottle ain't bad either.
Overall- Really good- expresses some of the best of Belgium on the rock solid platform of Yeti. Much of the Yeti aspects have diminished but the yeast has taken over to fill in. If you see a left over bottle, buy it. Even if you don't like it, do it for someone else. I'm happy I did.
★ 2,618 characters
4.17/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A-black with a large brown head that leaves a nice lace
S-strong roasted malt smell
T-strong roast malt with a great hop bitterness in the aftertaste that fades into a nice chocolate finish
M-very creamy with high carbonation
O-great Russian Imperial. I was lucky to find a case. Hope to enjoy the rest zin the near future
22oz -July 8, 2012
★ 341 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A-black with a large brown head that leaves a nice lace
S-strong roasted malt smell
T-strong roast malt with a great hop bitterness in the aftertaste that fades into a nice chocolate finish
M-very creamy with high carbonation
O-great Russian Imperial. I was lucky to find a case. Hope to enjoy the rest zin the near future
22oz -July 8, 2012
★ 341 characters
4.56/5 rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottled June 6th, 2012.
Pours out black with ruby edges. Thin mocha head. Smells of chocolate and coffee with a touch of buttery caramel. Faint Belgian yeast clove. I pick up some earthy hops as well. The flavor: wow. Lots of chocolate and buttery toffee up front. The roastiness come out a bit more in the middle along with some bitterness from the roast and hops. Belgian yeast is more prevalent in the aftertaste as a vapor in the mouth of esters. This is kind of like drinking a heath bar. Full of flavor, but it restrains itself from beating you over the head. A bit sweet overall. Mouthfeel is not as heavy as you would think, which is a good thing, and the carbonation is so smooth and creamy. Excellent version of Yeti, which is sadly retired.
★ 752 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottled June 6th, 2012.
Pours out black with ruby edges. Thin mocha head. Smells of chocolate and coffee with a touch of buttery caramel. Faint Belgian yeast clove. I pick up some earthy hops as well. The flavor: wow. Lots of chocolate and buttery toffee up front. The roastiness come out a bit more in the middle along with some bitterness from the roast and hops. Belgian yeast is more prevalent in the aftertaste as a vapor in the mouth of esters. This is kind of like drinking a heath bar. Full of flavor, but it restrains itself from beating you over the head. A bit sweet overall. Mouthfeel is not as heavy as you would think, which is a good thing, and the carbonation is so smooth and creamy. Excellent version of Yeti, which is sadly retired.
★ 752 characters
3.71/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
22 oz bottle into a tulip. From yesterday.
A: Pours a nearly pitch black color with a LOT of sediment at the bottom of the glass. A mocha shaded head that's one finger high crowns the body. It retains acceptably (I've seen better, though) with little lacing left behind.
S: Lots of dark chocolate. Wow. As brilliantly chocolaty as it is, it's backed up by many other rock-solid notes, like dark fruit, roast, and savory malt. Not a hint of alcohol anywhere. This smells absolutely fantastic.
T: At first, the chocolate notes are divine. They really are. A midtaste of subtle fruit turns into a roasty finish helping to balance all of that dark chocolate flavor. Hops are negligible, expected given its age. After several ounces, though, it seems to take a turn for the worse. The bread notes from the yeast combine with a budding leathery flavor to make the brew slightly undesirable after a long period of resting. I'd give it a lower score, but the first few ounces were easily a 4.5 - so rather than downrate it horribly, I'd say just share it with a few people instead. Problem solved.
M: This is where I'm most let down. Instead of the luscious, full creaminess of regular Yeti, it feels thin and somewhat insubstantial. It's adequately soft, sure, but in no way supports the flavors sufficiently enough. For something that isn't superbly drinkable, it should feel more decadent.
O: Like the other Yeti variants, this is absolutely a quality brew. But after a while, the aftertaste kills it for me - which is a damn shame, because everything else about the flavors are fantastic. The weak body doesn't help. A great one to share, but probably my least favorite Yeti.
★ 1,677 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
22 oz bottle into a tulip. From yesterday.
A: Pours a nearly pitch black color with a LOT of sediment at the bottom of the glass. A mocha shaded head that's one finger high crowns the body. It retains acceptably (I've seen better, though) with little lacing left behind.
S: Lots of dark chocolate. Wow. As brilliantly chocolaty as it is, it's backed up by many other rock-solid notes, like dark fruit, roast, and savory malt. Not a hint of alcohol anywhere. This smells absolutely fantastic.
T: At first, the chocolate notes are divine. They really are. A midtaste of subtle fruit turns into a roasty finish helping to balance all of that dark chocolate flavor. Hops are negligible, expected given its age. After several ounces, though, it seems to take a turn for the worse. The bread notes from the yeast combine with a budding leathery flavor to make the brew slightly undesirable after a long period of resting. I'd give it a lower score, but the first few ounces were easily a 4.5 - so rather than downrate it horribly, I'd say just share it with a few people instead. Problem solved.
M: This is where I'm most let down. Instead of the luscious, full creaminess of regular Yeti, it feels thin and somewhat insubstantial. It's adequately soft, sure, but in no way supports the flavors sufficiently enough. For something that isn't superbly drinkable, it should feel more decadent.
O: Like the other Yeti variants, this is absolutely a quality brew. But after a while, the aftertaste kills it for me - which is a damn shame, because everything else about the flavors are fantastic. The weak body doesn't help. A great one to share, but probably my least favorite Yeti.
★ 1,677 characters
3.87/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a new belgium globe glass from a bottled dated june 2012. Pours a pitch black as you would expect from a yeti with frothy two finger tan head with great retention and tons of sticky lacing. So black absolutely no light comes through. Smells of tart fruit, coffee, and chocolate. The belgian yeast smell is also present bringing out banana and cloves in the aroma. First sips first taste like your average stout with chocolate, coffee and roasted malt notes. Taste finishes with some sour fruits and bannanas brought out by the belgian yeast. I really like the belgian aspect of this stout, making it unique and quite tasty as well as refreshing. The funky, tart fruits complement the beer nicely. As the beer warms more flavors come out such as cherries, more belgian funk, and more typical stout flavors. Not much carbonation in this beer which works well but I think the mouthfeel is a little bit off. Mouthfeel is somewhat flat and doesn't have that creamy feel to it but its not bad by any means. Also I realize that this style is better enjoyed in the winter compared to a hot summer day like today. I'm really impressed with this beer as it is unique. It doesn't sound like it will work well but it works great. A truly unique stab at the style. This one has been recently discontinued so make sure to buy it soon if you want to try it. Looking forward to trying more from great divides yeti series. A great and unique brew! Too bad it is being discontinued I really like this one alot for its uniqueness and overall deliciousness!
★ 1,549 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a new belgium globe glass from a bottled dated june 2012. Pours a pitch black as you would expect from a yeti with frothy two finger tan head with great retention and tons of sticky lacing. So black absolutely no light comes through. Smells of tart fruit, coffee, and chocolate. The belgian yeast smell is also present bringing out banana and cloves in the aroma. First sips first taste like your average stout with chocolate, coffee and roasted malt notes. Taste finishes with some sour fruits and bannanas brought out by the belgian yeast. I really like the belgian aspect of this stout, making it unique and quite tasty as well as refreshing. The funky, tart fruits complement the beer nicely. As the beer warms more flavors come out such as cherries, more belgian funk, and more typical stout flavors. Not much carbonation in this beer which works well but I think the mouthfeel is a little bit off. Mouthfeel is somewhat flat and doesn't have that creamy feel to it but its not bad by any means. Also I realize that this style is better enjoyed in the winter compared to a hot summer day like today. I'm really impressed with this beer as it is unique. It doesn't sound like it will work well but it works great. A truly unique stab at the style. This one has been recently discontinued so make sure to buy it soon if you want to try it. Looking forward to trying more from great divides yeti series. A great and unique brew! Too bad it is being discontinued I really like this one alot for its uniqueness and overall deliciousness!
★ 1,549 characters
Belgian Style Yeti from Great Divide Brewing Company
4.06
out of 5
based on 912 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Super black all the way through. Beige 1" head. Roast and a quaint Belgian yeast note in the nose.
Taste is gargantuan amounts of malt to cover up the majority of the Belgian notes. Pretty dry mouthfeel somehow. The chocolate malt flavors are lessened a little bit in this one from the competing yeast. Still plenty bitter. Comes off a little sweeter though, marginally. Even though it is classified as a Belgian style stout, in the Russian Imperial Stout vibe, it owes more as an American double stout more than the others. The yeast notes are faint, the dark fruit vibe of a RIS is almost absent, but the heavy viscosity and chewiness is definitely there.
★ 668 characters