In this winter beer blog, we are going to do the 12 days of beer at Countryside Bar.  The first beer of the twelve days of Christmas is Great Divide Hibernation Ale.  Great Divide was founded in 1994 by Brian Dunn in Denver, Colorado.  They brew several different beer styles.  Their Denver Pale Ale was one of three craft beers to be feature at the Denver Broncos new football stadium in 2001.  Let us get into the beer.

It is a cloudy amber color without a head on the beer.  There is really no smell maybe slight malty to it.  The taste is a sweet carbonation to caramel with a little hazel aftertaste to the beer.  This beer is the type of beer that the drinker will have one maybe two and will move on to the next beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.greatdivide.com):

HIBERNATION ALE has been our celebrated winter tradition since 1995. This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character.

ABV.: 8.7%

RATE BEER: 98

AVAILABLE: Seasonal

SIZES: 6 packs and 5 gal kegs

Awards:

1997 Great American Beer Festival, Gold Medal, Strong Ale/ English-Style Old Ale
1998 World Beer Cup, Silver Medal, Strong Ale/English-Style Old Ale
2003 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Old Ale
2006 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Aged Beer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatdivide.com

Twitter:  @greatdividebrew

In closing, I enjoy the balance this beer has and warmth that it peers out with every sip.  This is a good and easy to drink.  I could have a few and I need to move onto the next beer.  There is not too many good English-Style Old Ale in the market.  I have been wanting to try this beer a few winter seasons ago.  This program that Countryside had going made me try it.  I recommend you trying this beer if you are a fan of English Ales or winter beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser