Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

'Crack open Yeti Imperial Stout's sophisticated sibling -- Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout. Although these beers come from the same clan, they have entirely different personalities. Aging on a blend of French and toasted oak chips infuses a subtle oak and vanilla character into Yeti's already intense chocolate, roasted coffee malt flavor and hugely assertive hop profile. Who says you can't tame a Yeti? 75 International Bittering Units (IBUs).'

This is my first barrel aged beer that wasn't all full of bourbon and I still love it. Oak aging seems to add a good amount of bitterness to the flavor of Yeti Imperial Stout. The vanilla flavoring goes a long way to offset the bitter coffee flavoring without neutering the overall experience. This is a killer stout, definitely a 'big beer' with plenty of kick to it. I think the best thing Yeti has going to is that all the flavors are distinct and strong but they never cross the line where they become to much. The end result gives you a strong yet drinkable brew. Great stuff.

Great Divide St. Bridgets Porter

'St. Bridget, a legendary Irish saint, created a sensation by turning her bathwater into beer. What better way to celebrate her worthy miracle than with our zymurgistic tribute to her feat, St. Bridget's Porter. St. Bridget's is a smooth, elegant, and chocolaty brown porter. Brimming with coffee and chocolate characteristics from dark barley malts, St. Bridget's is carefully hopped to provide the perfect complement to its malty robustness.'

Fake Irish beer week continues!

As far as porters go St. Bridgets Porter is pretty nondescript, which makes it fairly average. I know many times the word 'average' is meant in a derogatory fashion, thats not what I intend here. You would be hard pressed to find anything significantly wrong with this beer or anything very memorable. Its still fun to drink though! 'Slainte!' or whatever the fuck Irish people say instead of 'cheers'.

This Porter is a little on the thin side but not to the point I would call it watery. There is a slight alcohol bite to the initial drink but the aftertaste covers it up with some fairly nutty flavors. It's a little smokey with the tiniest hint of chocolate, but nothing I would consider 'robust'. Would I drink Great Divide St. Bridgets Porter again? Sure, with pleasure. Is it something I would go out of my way to drink? Probably not.