Great Divide Hibernation Ale

This is a 8.7% ABV English-style old ale from the Great Divide Brewing Company of Denver, Colorado. It is a winter seasonal.

The beer pours a very dark brown and dark ruby in color. There is about a half-inch of tan foam. The aroma is malty, toasted, dark roasted, caramel, coffee, and dark fruits, especially cherry. There is also a roasted nuttiness. The taste follows the aromas directly, loads of malt, very roasted, but also very fruity. In the end, the roastiness prevails, ending with a dry finish, moderately bitter. The beer drinks medium bodied and smooth, not too full, but just enough body to hold up all those flavors. This is a great roasty, malty winter beer.

Still tasting great in 2015! The beer pours a dark brown and ruby in color. There is a half-inch of light tan head. The aroma is very roasted, nutty, with an underlying sweetness that shows some dark fruits. The taste follows the aromas, very roasted malt, nearing char, very nutty, finishing very dry, but there is an subtle sweetness underneath with all the malt. There is a strongly tingling carbonation. The bottle calls it an English-Style old ale, but I would go more with imperial nut brown.

2017 - Now in a can and still tasting good:  The beer pours a very dark brown and dark ruby. There is a relatively short head of tan foam. The aroma is malty, roasted and toasted, nutty, toffee, with a very light note of dark fruit. The taste follows the aromas, very nutty, roasted and toasted, lots of malt, so some sweetness, but the finish is extremely dry, with a light to moderate bitterness. The beer drinks smooth and lightly carbonated, with a medium body that is just enough to hold up the intense flavors here.