Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale has finally made its way to cans, and this classic has never seemed more drinkable. The beer pours with an extremely dark brown to ruby coloration and a good amount of decent amount of off-white head that rapidly dissipates. Hibernation Ale goes down incredibly easy, a dangerous proposition when one considers the 8.7% ABV of the brew.
Hints of tobacco, brown sugar, chocolate, roasted malts, and toffee can all be discerned. The beer has a thick and luxurious mouthfeel and a richness that ensures that the different elements of the effort are consistent from beginning to end. Without moving too far into the sweet side of things, the Hibernation Ale balances the honeyed elements with a chorus of more bitter and biscuit elements. A small amount of alcohol burn does well to unite the disparate elements of the Hibernation Ale, adding an intensity to the calm, collected spirit of the early reaches of the effort.
As the temperature continues to drop through autumn and into the beginning of the winter months, Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale is a perfect purchase. While it is a style wholly unique from the average bottles and cans cluttering up store shelves, fans of porters, dubbels, and stouts will be able to find something that is delectable and desirable in the beer in an initial sip.
We have reviewed a number of Great Divide beers in the past, including their Showdown Rye , Espresso Oak Aged Yeti , Orabelle , and Old Ruffian . Visit Great Divide’s website for more information about their year-round and seasonal offerings, and take a sojourn to their social media profiles for new product announcements, news, and other stories about the brewery.
Rating: 9.3/10
Hibernation Ale (Old Ale) / Great Divide Brewing Company / 8.70% ABV / http://greatdivide.com/ / https://twitter.com/greatdividebrew / https://www.facebook.com/greatdividebrew /