Hibernation Ale

Awhile back, I bought a mixed case of Great Divide Brewing Company beers to bring to a party... or was it because my brother-in-law was coming for Thanksgiving...  well whatever the reason, I never got around to trying any of them myself at the time. However, the other day whilst browsing through the beer fridge, I happened upon the Hibernation Ale and decided it was as good a time as any to give it a whirl.  

I have kind of a modus operandi when it comes to drinking beer.  First I take it out of the fridge and let it sit for about five minutes.  After I open it, I pour it straight into the glass.  I mean right down into the glass so I can get the biggest, foamiest head I can get from the beer.  Yeah, yeah... I've been scolded by many a beer enthusiast and bartender for doing this, but it's my beer, and I can do what I want. When it's all poured out, I like to take photos of the beer if I can, and then I like to give it a thorough examination.  And I mean thorough.  I can't tell you how many times I've stuck my nose deep into a glass and wound up with snootful.  Classy, I know.

The head on the Hibernation Ale was huge, creamy and tan.  As it started to go down, it began to take on kind of a whipped cream texture, and there was lots of lacing.  The color of the beer was dark brown when poured, but under some light it became reddish orange or even cherry-soda like depending on which way the light was shining.

The aroma was hoppy and citrusy.  There was maybe the slightest hint of yeast, but it was mostly grassiness.  

Honestly, I'm not much for the word "mouthfeel." Ew...  no, I don't like the word, but unfortunately I haven't been able to come up with a better one.  So for lack of better verbiage, the mouthfeel is somewhat creamy with medium carbonation.

Up front the taste was hoppy, a little bitter, and citrusy - a similar taste to the pith of an orange or grapefruit.  The aftertaste was crisp and clean.  The label boasts the words "malty" and "robust".  Hmm. Robust perhaps, but malty?  Not much. There was definitely more hop than malt, which is ok if you like that sort of thing.  Me?  I'm a malty kind of girl.  That's not to say I didn't like Hibernation Ale, but I'm not sure I'd stock my beer fridge full with it.

The one thing that did surprise me about Hibernation Ale is the ABV of 8.7%  The alcohol is well hidden in this brew, so it could sneak up on a person real fast.  Mmmm... sneaky alcohol...

All in all, I give it three out of five stars.  If you happen to come across some Great Divide Brewing Co. Hibernation Ale, give it a try and let me know what you think. Cheers!