Great Divide Hibernation (7/10)

Great Divide Brewing Company of Denver, Colorado, produces Hibernation, a dry-hopped English Old Ale with what the brewery describes as “a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character.”
It pours a deep coppery brown with with a thin beige head that seems to last for a long time.

The aroma starts with coffee and chocolate, then adds what seems to be a subtle spice element (although Great Divide doesn’t indicate that it’s brewed with spices).  Some nuttiness comes through in the aroma, too.

The flavor has a strong malt character to it.  Coffee and nuts play a small role, and there even seems to be a bit of vanilla in there.  The hops presence is detectable but mild.
Rate Beer loves Hibernation, giving it a 98 overall.  Beer Advocate gives it a 90, with over 1,800 ratings recorded by visitors.   I like it also, but not quite as well as they do.  I’m giving it a 7/10

Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, or Bitter:  Malty
Spice Level:  Low
Hops Level:  Low
Dominant Flavors:  Coffee, chocolate, caramel, vanilla
ABV: 8.7%
IBU:  Unknown but probably mid 20’s to low 30’s
My Rating: 7/10