Brew Review: Great Divide 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

Great Divide might have pulled out of the DC market recently, but since I live in Virginia, I managed to get my growler filled at Whole Foods with GD’s 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA. I think it’s time to get the phrase “lucky at growler fills, unlucky at love” going again.

The beer pours a dark copper colour, with a nice just off-white head and few signs of carbonation. On the nose there is some sweetness (fruity maybe), but the clearest smell is a nice batch of floral hops.

The taste reveals something different. There is very little hoppiness for a DIPA, and a sweet, caramel maltiness dominates the taste, with a slight – though not unpleasant – lingering flavour. As the glass warmed, I felt oak and vanilla elements in the taste became more prevalent, intermingling well with the malt and caramel.

At 10% it packs quite a wallop, but is certainly an enjoyable testament to a great brewery.