Review – Great Divide 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

From Great Divide Brewing – Based on the brewery’s most award-winning beer, Denver Pale Ale, this copper-hued treat is a celebration of everything Great Divide does best. Plenty of malty sweetness provides a backdrop for earthy, floral English and American hops, while French and American oak round off the edges and provide a touch of vanilla.

Great Divide Brewing Co. – Great Divide 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA poured into a goblet – 10% abv.

Appearance: Pours a dark,opaque amber with a gathering of froth at the top.

Aroma: Dried apricot, oranges, tangerine, caramel, honey and cantaloupe.

Taste: The exact same wood characteristic found in Oak Aged Yeti. A strong wood characteristic, almost medicinal for sure. After the wood blast, I find caramel and bitter hops and a little bit of fruitiness. Finishes sweet and woody. All these flavors come together nice, and almost bring a bourbon note to the beer.

Mouthfeel: Thick and syrupy.

Overall: Fantastic and complex.  Wood aged Double IPA’s are so far different from fresh Double IPAs, and border line characteristics of a  a well made hoppy barleywine.