Recently, I grabbed a bottle of the Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti from Great Divide at a local bottle shop one night. Having had other Yeti varieties in the past, I couldn’t pass up the silver foil capped bottle, at reasonable price of $10. I’m expecting all the rich, roasted flavors of the original Yeti with some obvious chocolate and oak imparted into the beer.

As soon as I popped the cap right off, notes of chocolate and alcohol were immediately noticeable. Out of the bottle, the Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti looks jet black in the glass with a foamy dark tan head that left nice lacing around the walls. Towards the end of the aroma, the oak picks up quickly even more so as it warms.

One sip reminds you of all the wonderful flavors regular Yeti contains, with the additions being welcomed. The chocolate was first on the palate, coupled with plenty of roasted dark malts, caramel and toffee. Dry tannins and oak come through mid-palate, and the back end is finished off with some dusty cocoa powder and coffee grounds. For being 9.5% ABV, the alcohol is hidden extremely well. The body is fairly thick, full-bodied and smooth.

As well masked as the alcohol is, it’s quite noticeable working your way through the bottle, so tread carefully. All in all, this is an easy choice for lovers of Imperial Stouts. I enjoyed the additions of the chocolate that gave this beer an even deeper complexity, but wish the oak was a bit more pronounced to balance everything out.

Rating

90
out of 100