Great Divide Brewing Hibernation Ale 2014
Great Divide Brewing Hibernation Ale 2014 is Colorado's original strong ale — an 8.7% ABV English-style old ale the Denver brewery has released every winter since 1995. The brewery deliberately forgoes holiday spices in favor of a robust, dry-hopped ale: malty richness from 2-Row, brown, chocolate and dark crystal malts balanced against Cascade and Centennial hops (37 IBU). A three-time Great American Beer Festival medalist — gold in 1997, silver in 2003 and 2006 — plus a World Beer Cup silver in 1998. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 8.7% (brewery's stated ABV)
- Size: 750mL per live store tag — see applier flags re: 12oz 6-pack era format
- Style: English-style old ale, dry-hopped (37 IBU)
- Malt bill: 2-Row, brown malt, chocolate malt, dark crystal
- Hops: Cascade, Centennial
- Seasonal: Great Divide's winter seasonal since 1995 — no holiday spices
- Origin: Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colorado
When Winter Approaches, It's Time for Hibernation
That is the brewery's own line, and it has held since 1995. Hibernation is the anti-spice winter beer — no nutmeg, cinnamon or clove — just deep malt and an assertive dry-hop. The medal case backs it up: GABF gold in 1997, silvers in 2003 and 2006, a World Beer Cup silver in 1998, and a RateBeer score of 98 quoted in the brewery's own press. Find more winter-ready craft beer or the Great Divide Brewing collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Toffee, dark fruit, piney hops. Palate: Malty richness — caramel and chocolate — with complex hop bitterness. Finish: Long, warming, hop-dry.
How to Enjoy
Serve at cellar temperature in a snifter with beef stew, aged cheddar or dark chocolate — this is a beer built for cold nights. Vintage bottles age gracefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hibernation Ale have holiday spices? No — the brewery deliberately skips them, favoring malt richness and dry-hopping instead.
What awards has it won? GABF gold (1997) and silver (2003, 2006) in strong/old ale categories, plus a 1998 World Beer Cup silver.
How long has it been brewed? Since 1995 — one of Great Divide's longest-running seasonals.
Colorado's winter classic — order Great Divide Hibernation Ale 2014 online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.