It's Not Winter in Colorado Without Hibernation Ale

When daylight starts to fade and the temperatures begin to drop each fall, it's easy to dread the coming winter months. There are reasons to embrace them as well. Seasonal winter beer offerings are a big reason, and they cover a wide range of rich, flavorful styles. One seasonal style that many craft breweries try their hand at is a winter warmer or old ale. Hibernation Ale by Great Divide Brewing Company is an English-style old ale that has cemented itself as a favorite among Colorado craft beer lovers. Great Divide opened in 1994, and has been brewing Hibernation Ale as its winter seasonal since 1995. Each fall, many in the Colorado beer scene anticipate the release of this festive traditional ale.

I discovered this delicious brew about five years ago, and still enjoy it as much now as I did then. Hibernation Ale is a complex, malty, aggressive beer that provides very nice balance between malts and hop bitterness. It's a stronger beer at 8.7% ABV, which lends itself to the potential for aging a year or two. However, it's perfectly delicious if you just want to enjoy it the same year it's brewed. The main flavor profile is a rich maltiness that resembles caramel and toffee. There's a robust hop character that gives an earthiness and spice to the finish. It really is a perfect beer for a cold winter night, and has all the elements I look for in this style of beer.

Although Hibernation Ale is only sold as a seasonal, it comes in 6-packs so it's easy to stock up on to enjoy throughout the year if you desire. Great Divide is known for including excellent big beers in its year round and seasonal line-ups, including Hercules Double IPA, Yeti Imperial Stout, and Old Ruffian Barley Wine, among others. They also brew in limited quantities a series of Yeti variations that has achieved a cult following among craft beer enthusiasts. Great Divide is one of the older and more established breweries in Denver and is a leader in brewing innovation covering all different styles. Located at 22nd and Arapahoe in Denver, it's a short walk from the Ballpark Neighborhood and LoDo, and is definitely worth a visit for a tour or just sampling. There's also word that Great Divide is expanding in the near future. With likely increased production, you out-of-staters may soon be in luck!