Great Divide Belgian Style Yeti Imperial Stout (2011)

Last year I grabbed a bottle of this brew in hopes I would let it age for a while. The in-laws came in to town, from Petaluma, and I kind of got into a 'mode' of beer sharing. This was one of the first we dug into. I am not sure on how many Yeti's are out there these days. It's gotta be over a dozen. Right? This bottle was a 2011 bottled in July. The pour was what you would expect from any good Imperial Stout. Nice head, freakishly dark, and inviting. The smell was what really grabbed me. It has that nostalgic stout whiff but a hint of Belgian yeast which brightened it up a bit. Coffe came through and some chocolate. Again, like a classic good stout.

The taste, again nostalgic, was of a familiar stout that one loves and rememb ers from times past. But the capper is that Belgian hit that lingers on the finish. To the point where banana comes through granted you really pay attention and geek out and pay attention. Dates, raisins and also a bit of balck licorice. It only gets better as it warms up too. But not too warm...

git it

D

Funkwerks 'Scepter' Golden Ale

The wife and I just came home from Oskars. Not the Weasel but the resteraunt (Liquids and Solids). I imbibed on the Funkwerks Belgian IPA which was absolutely delicious. But this post is not about that. On the way home we promised to grab a bomber of Racer 5, which is great and cheap, but as fate would happen on the front range I noticed a new Funkwerks selection I have not tried. In fact, from what the dude told me at the liquor store they just released it to the masses. As of today...or something like that.

Like most Funkwerks concotions this is pretty damn smooth. With a nice hit of malt up front, which can be unusual with 'funk' brews, it really balances out. It's a good looking Ale, barrel aged with a cellar longevity of 3 years according to the bottle. Regardless, it's a Belgian beauty that has the expected spice and a smooth mouth feel that hits home. It's a biggin' too at 9.3% but with no heat or boozy taste whatsoever. It's always a bit of BS when I review beers that can cellar for time due to the fact I don't know what it will taste like 3 years from now. But then again it's what I have now and it may be what you grab for the night. And I highly recommend it.

git it

D