Great Divide Belgian Style Yeti is this family's black sheep

Last night at Beechwood, I actually had the original Great Divide Yeti after the Golden Monkey, which as always, was soul touching. I picked up this golden labeled gem at Whole Foods.

From a homebrewer's perspective, what's interesting about the Yeti is that the clone recipe uses White Labs 001, a very neutrel and hop friendly strain ubiquitously utilized by Stone. Most Stout and Imperial Stouts use a more malt friendly yeast such as an Irish or London. So the introduction of a sweet and possibly fruity (or spicy) Belgian Yeast will noticeably alter the Yeti's standard flavor.

I hold the Yeti and Oak Aged Yeti in the highest regard, how will this Belgian style yeast turn out?

Will the serendipitous showing of ARMAGEDDON define this beer's rating?

The Belgian yeast forcibly changes the very rich and distinctive Yeti roast. It brings a sweetness and light apple flavor that for me, doesn't mix well. This isn't doing it for me, the yeast not only adds a peculiar flavor to a dark stout, but it also detracts from the Yeti's inherent malty goodness. ARMAGEDDON rating. For the record, David finishes his pour and the rest of mine, so he doesn't mind the odd mix so much. To each his own. However, I'm sticking with the original gangster Yeti. Ho fo sho

Fortunately, David is making his famous and incredibly delicious Clam Chowder this afternoon, so I'm washing out the bad marriage with some good cream, bacon, and several glasses of The Bruery's Black Orchard, poured from a growler that was filled last weekend. Party on Wayne.

Great Divide Yeti Chocolate Oak Aged Imperial Stout with Cayenne kicks me in the pants

Our third Yeti of the week is considerably different than the first two. Despite having cocoa nibs added to this oak aged imperial stout, the other two we tried were considerably more chocolaty. The major difference, is what isn't on the front of the label, but rather the fine print in the back. Cayenne Pepper was added. Chocolate and spice? I dunno Scooby Doo, looks like a bad idea...

The Cayenne pepper really kicks me in the pants at the end of every sip. The cocoa nibs add a more finished chocolate flavor, but the chocolate flavor overall is more muted, which makes me frown. The cayenne is too much really, I think if they would've used chipotle instead, the flavor wouldn't stick and I wouldn't have an issue. Overall, I don't find this beer in the same league as the original Yeti and the oak aged, they strayed too far from the original here. It's an interesting beer, but not my favorite. ARMAGEDDON rating. 

Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout Oak Aged edition is the Empire Strikes Back of Yeti's

There have been a few moments this year when David and I poured a beer and exclaimed at the same time, either "holy sh*t" or "what the hell?" This reaction is never a bad thing and is simply our way to say, "this looks ridiculous in the best of ways, what is going on? Wow!"

When we poured the Oak-aged Yeti, both phrases tumbled out of our mouths. There's an intense amount of caramel colored foam on top of a darker than night body.

Elvis/Sarah has left the building and returned to Chicago, so it's time to ketchup on TV, specifically Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry David makes being insanely neurotic look cool.

The best way for me to describe the difference between the Oak Aged Yeti and original Yeti, is in their food pairings.

Original Yeti: grilled steaks, strong/salty blue cheese, chocolate.

Oak Aged Yeti: grilled NY strip, fudge brownies, strong/salty blue cheese.

The food pairing increased from rich, to even richer foods. It's the sequel to Richie Rich; bolder, richer and smoother. The oak, which neither David nor I can taste, has softened the flavors and the complexity is gone. But the oak has also created new flavors, such as vanilla and a increased chocolate presence. This one is so chewy and viscous, it is hard to drink.

And when I say it is hard to drink, it's a high class problem. This is intense and I'm loving it. The Oak Aged Yeti benefits from the utilization of oak, without any of the negative effects of oak (i.e., oak taste). It took the original and elevated it, hence the Star Wars reference. THE ROCK rating.

Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout is the first of three Abominable Snowmen

I spent the final Carmageddon day playing with seals while kayaking and beaching it up before joining Nic, AJ and Tiffany to watch the long awaited premiere of the best show on television, Breaking Bad.

I am not kidding. That is not a hyperbole. It is the finest show on television right now. See how I did not use any contractions to further emphasize my point? Sh*t is getting real. Go watch it now.

Love me some Venice sunsets

We're into the home stretch here in our beer every day year and coming off the heels of a 7 day Rogue feast, I'm back home and amp'd for a three day flight of Imperial Stouts from Great Divide.

When I began the blog last year, I was really into IPA's. Midway through the year, I really got into Belgian style beers. As the year closes, I'm dialed in on darker beers such as Stouts, Barleywines and Old Ales. Great Divide has made three editions of their Yeti Imperial Stout - their regular series, one that is oak aged, and a chocolate oak aged series. Can you say, Dank Danker Dankest?! The next three days my tongue will be in the equivalent of Beer Hawaii, sipping on some crazy stouts.

Tonight we're having the original Yeti Imperial Stout. Yeti is the name given by Tibetans for a legendary Abominable Snowman, by the way. The North American counterpart is Bigfoot, which is why you don't see any Snowman in those beef jerky ads.

I am still in awe of big alcoholic stouts that are dark as night and smooth as ice. I plan on trying my hand at an Imperial Stout soon and if it's half as smooth as the Yeti, I'm partying like it's 1999. This beer is so righteous and rich. There is no sign of roasted bitterness. It is thick and viscous with chocolate, coffee and molasses flavors. Even at 75 IBU, the hops are barely noticeable with the embarrassment of riches that is going on in my glass. If the other Yeti's get better than this, I am in for a treat. THE ROCK rating.




Margaritaville happened earlier in the day. I'm pretty sure there's no better way to honor the dedication of the USA women during the World Cup than by imbibing Mexican food and drink, right?

Well, at least it wasn't sake and sushi --

ZING