Great Divide Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

Thursday confronted me with a lack of inspiration, hence, no Daily Mash. Friday was a completely different story! On Friday, I was on the search for the mysterious Yeti. There are frequent Yeti sightings in Pittsburgh, but I was looking for a more elusive Yeti. And I'm not referring to the fairly elusive Oak-Aged Yeti. I'm referring to his even more elusive counterpart, Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti! Is there such a thing, you may ask? Oh yes . . . I assure you, there is. And with me selling 80% of the inventory this week, it was just a matter of seeing who put it on tap first! . . . And the winner is . . . Market Street Ale House! Told you that they don't play around! They ordered the beer on Wednesday, and had it on tap by lunch on Thursday. Looks like I wasn't the only person ecstatic about the arrival of the Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti . . . Way to go Roess!

Great Divide Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, 9.2% ABV:

So you think that's a mouth full, do ya? The lengthy name of this beer is merely an abbreviation for what I found inside of my glass.

The color is black. That is if black were mostly black with a brown twinge . . . Completely opaque with a beautiful brown head. The nose is of very bitter dark chocolate, coupled with a wonderful aroma of medium roasted, coarsely ground coffee beans . . . Wow! The beer smells so good that I have to dive in immediately! Pummels the palate with liquefied chocolate . . . Fudge, molasses, vanilla, and mocha. Oak tannin present. This beer is ridiculous. By the time you are getting a grip on the malt, which pleasantly assaults your palate, the hops are beginning to replace the sweetness of the malt with intense green bitterness that intensifies as the beer finishes. The beer finishes for minutes . . . All the while, keeping all of the previously mentioned flavors present, and somehow getting more bitter. This beer starts off very dark and finishes with a lot of hop greenness. At this exact moment, this is one of the most complete, complex, beers that I have ever enjoyed . . . Luxurious! The beautiful coffee aroma and flavor serves as a reminder that this beer is caffeinated. Oh yes, as I discovered, this beer will perk you right up! This is one of the most special beers that I can recall quaffing in recent memory.

Keep an eye out. Great Divide Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout should be popping up at your favorite Pittsburgh beer bar over the next few days. If it's not, go where they have it, and do not hesitate. This is the most elusive Yeti yet!

Southampton Imperial Porter

Wednesday found me in downtown Pittsburgh in the late afternoon. Popped into seemingly the biggest secret beer bar in the downtown area, the Market Street Ale House. I say this, because I'm always amazed by the number of people that I run into that have never heard of this great place. The Market Street Ale House, located in Market Square, sits on the second story, directly across the square from Primanti Bros. Once in the Ale House, you have a great view of the Square, and more importantly, great food, great bartenders, and the best beer selection in the downtown area!

As I discussed this week's beer order with the manager, Roess Reddick, I decided to sip on a 2008 Southampton Imperial Porter, fresh on draft.

Southampton Imperial Porter does not get its Imperial from the loosely used American version of this word that seemingly means higher alcohol, rather Southampton Imperial Porter is a true Baltic-styled, or Imperial Porter. This porter is modeled after those of Eastern European decent, and drinks cleaner and crisper than its English counterpart.

2008 Southampton Imperial Porter, 7% ABV:

Color is dark brown. Big bitter chocolate and coffee in the nose. Hits the palate with HUGE chocolate and soft roasted bitterness. Finishes fairly quickly and extremely clean, like a good Baltic-styled Porter should. Leaves the mouth coated with wonderful mocha and hints of roasted bitterness. Wow!! This beer is 7% ABV? This is the type of beer that will sneak up on you if you are inexperienced, or not paying attention. I like that about this beer. Anytime you can hide the alcohol this well, you have created a beautiful offering. Kudos Southampton!!

If you are unfamiliar with this brewery, I suggest you begin familiarizing yourself with their offerings. Their beers are readily available in the Pittsburgh area, and not too many breweries nail down styles the way these guys nail down styles.

Now go find some Southampton . . . NOW!!