Great Divide
Great Divide Hop Disciples is the start of a new hoppy series
Great Divide Hop Disciples India Pale Ale has now started shipping nationwide.
At the start of fall last year, the brewery kicked off a new “Tank Farm” series of beers. The series serves as an ongoing departure from Great Divide norms. An experiment if you will. The inaugural release was Nadia Kali, a beautifully colored hibiscus saison.
As 2017 begins, Great Divide Hop Disciples, a new India pale ale has started shipping nationwide. Disciples will showcase one specially chosen hop variety, creating a real sensory experience for the drinker. This year’s hop is Idaho 7, one of dankest, most tropical hops out there. Expect orange zest, stone fruit, and a hint of black tea leaves.
“We receive different experimental hops to play around with on our pilot system each year, and this past year we were really blown away by the aromatics and flavor of the Idaho 7. We decided we needed to showcase them on a larger scale, and the idea of taking Hop Disciples to package was born.” – Bob Malone, Special Ops, Great Divide
The name “Hop Disciples” refers to an education program started by the brewery in 2008. The program gives home brewers and passionate fans a chance to learn more about brewing and the brewing industry.
Great Divide Hop Disciples is now available in 12 ounce cans and draft from January to April, 2017.
Style: IPA
Hops: Idaho 7
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Jan-April
Debut: January, 2017
6.2% ABV
Now you can buy your Great Divide Yeti Clan in 3-packs
The Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout series is now available in a mixed 3-pack.
Great Divide launched the Pack of Yetis during the brewery’s National Yeti Awareness Week earlier this month, now hitting shelves nationally. The Yeti 3-pack will contain three different Yeti varieties which will rotate constantly, as well as a Yeti Carabiner Mug.
This Yeti 3-pack will include 3 of these five options; Yeti Imperial Stout, Oak Aged Yeti, Espresso Oak Aged Yeti, Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti, and Oatmeal Yeti. The Great Divide Pack of Yetis retails around $24.99.
Style: Imperial Stout
Availability: 3-pack mixed 22oz bottles
Debut: November 2016
Spotted: Great Divide Velvet Yeti
Great Divide Velvet Yeti, the newest in a line of “Yetis” has officially been spotted. Or in this case, tapped.
Yeti Imperial Stout is easily one of the most iconic stouts in America. Over the past few years, the Denver, Colorado based brewery has grown the lineup to include Oatmeal, Espresso Oak Aged, and Chocolate Oak Aged editions. Each one is unique and flavorful, as well as strong. Your next morning will be a rough one if you are slamming Yetis all night. Great Divide Velvet Yeti is a little different.
This Yeti fell in with the nitrogen crowd. You know those kind of people. Little bubbles. Weird taps.
A nitro Yeti is finally going big time. Brewery founder Brian Dunn has had a vision of a more “sessionable,” nitrogen edition of Yeti. Great Divide has experimented over the past few years, so a lucky few might have found it in the taproom in the past. With various expansions going on at the brewery, fall 2016 was as good a time as any to roll this beer out.
If you were to lower the alcohol by volume from an “in your face” imperial stout like Yeti, you’d think the end result would be a beer that tastes thin, or watered down. Not even close. Great Divide Velvet Yeti is big on creamy chocolate and coffee flavors. One just isn’t enough.
This new release comes with just a tiny catch. Right now, Great Divide is producing around 112 kegs a month. Colorado and California are the first states tapping Velvet.
Great Divide Velvet Yeti is a draft only offering.
Style: Stout (Nitro Tap)
Availability: Draft Only
Debut: 10/3/16
5% ABV
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- A smoother Yeti. (In the background, the barrel house)
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- Great Divide Barrel House (Denver, CO)
Great Divide Nadia Kali Hibiscus Saison is fresh & beautiful
Great Divide Nadia Kali had made a June debut. The beer kicks off the Denver, Colorado based brewery’s new Tank Farm Series.
Hibiscus gives Great Divide Nadia Kali its pink color. The brewery didn’t stop there, however. The saison also boasts ginger and lemon peel as well.
…while ginger root gives it a subtle spice and hint of woodsy maturity, and lemon peel adds a citrus tartness to keep you on your toes. Full of complexity and intrigue, this unfiltered beauty will show you just how deceiving looks can be.
The most striking aspect of this beer is the color. Slightly pink – almost glows in the sun. No doubt you are drinking a full flavored saison, as the yeast tells most of the story. The ginger and lemon bolster a nice, fresh flavor. A great warm weather drinker. Remember, it’s still hot out there.
Great Divide Nadia Kali started shipping in 12 ounce bottles and draft in June, 2016 as a seasonal release.
Style: Saison (w/ Ginger, Lemon Peel, Hibiscus.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: June, 2016
6.3% ABV
Image: Beer Street Journal
Great Divide Samurai returns from retirement in cans
Great Divide Samurai was retired back in 2012. That move was less than thrilling to the Colorado brewery’s fanbase.
Who was to blame for the death of Samurai? Point your fingers at Colette, and Nomad, two other beers that went year-round leaving this beer in the dust. Until now.
Great Divide Samurai, a rice ale, is out of retirement and now getting the can treatment with a new look.
Since it’s been going on 5 years we don’t have the stats on this beer in hand. One small drawback for those wanting a taste of this warrior once again. Distribution of Great Divide Samurai will be limited to Colorado until 2017, when it ships to all markets.
Style: Blonde Ale
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft
Latest Return: August, 2016
?? ABV
The evolution of Great Divide’s Samurai artwork. Photo: Great Divide
Great Divide 22nd Anniversary, a sour ale debuts
Great Divide 22nd Anniversary is hitting shelves, marking the Denver, Colorado based brewery’s birthday
The brewery chose a dark American wild/sour ale to mark this milestone. Aged in red wine barrels, the beer boasts flavors of black cherry jam, and oak.
An expert blend of bold character, this Dark American Sour is a perfect culmination of 22 years of craft and ingenuity. Aged in red wine barrels, this robust offering is as sophisticated as it is sour. Notes of black cherry jam and tobacco are countered by a welcome tartness and tannic oak finish that lasts long after each sip, making 22nd Anniversary a beer you won’t soon forget.
Brian Dunn founded Great Divide in 1994. In 2014, the brewery announced the acquisition of 5 acres of land close to the original site, and broke ground in 2014. By 2015, the site was live and allowed the brewery to start canning.
Great Divide 22nd Anniversary is now available in 750 milliliter bottles and draft for a limited time.
Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Wine Barrel Aged)
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: June, 2016
8.7% ABV
Great Divide reimagines their 20 year old Denver Pale Ale
Great Divide Denver Pale Ale has officially been reimagined, in both recipe and artwork. The brewery celebrates their 22nd birthday this month.
For the last 22 years, Great Divide has called Denver, Colorado home. For 20 of those years, the brewery has been releasing Denver Pale Ale, an English-style pale ale. Two decades later, it’s time to change that up a bit.
Great Divide recognizes that drinker’s palates change over the years, about as much as the city of Denver has changed. Beer, like cities, are a living thing.
“This city has changed a lot since we first launched Denver Pale Ale almost 20 years ago, and so have the palates of craft beer drinkers. The original Denver Pale Ale is a great beer, and has won a lot of awards throughout the years, but we decided it was time to update the beer to better represent everything that this city has become.” Brian Dunn, Great Divide’s founder and president.
Great Divide Denver Pale Ale can is being transformed in a “living” work of art. Every year, a new can will be released, wrapped in the artwork of a different local artist. This year, Josh Holland’s design was chosen.
Along with the new look, the brewery has reimagined the base recipe to capture the essence of their hometown Denver. This new edition of the pale ale boasts big citrus and pine flavors, finishing with toasted malts, and a slightly bitter finish.
Great Divide Denver Pale Ale (Artists Series) will be available in 6 packs in Colorado. The art can will be found across the United States in the brewery’s Candemonium 12 pack.
Style: Pale Ale
Availability: Year-round
Debut (New Recipe): June, 2016
Great Divide Artist Series 2016 Poster. By Josh Holland
