As cooler weather sets in, there’s nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea, a Stranger Things binge-watch, and some good snacks – especially if you swap that cup of tea for a glass of Great Divide Chai Yeti, a delicious beer twist on everyone’s favorite spicy tea.
This beer is stout-style with a roasted malt finish, and clocks in at 9.5 percent ABV, and is brewed with traditional chai spices like cinnamon, green cardamom, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla. The brewery has said that this beer is a nod to the mythological Yeti’s home region of the Himalayas.
The creative brew comes from Great Divide, who recommends pairing it with seasonal vegetables, like butternut squash; Indian take out; or any desserts with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg (hello, apple pie!). Great Divide comes from Denver and offers a variety of exciting year-round and seasonal beers. Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Ale and Hibiscus Saison are just a few of the offerings we’re lusting after.
The chai version is the fourth installment in the brewery’s “Yeti” series. It was preceded by equally delicious-sounding Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti, Espresso Oak Aged Yeti and Oatmeal Yeti. The chocolate one was made with cocoa nibs, vanilla and cayenne; the coffee variety with Denver’s own Pablo’s Espresso; and the oatmeal with rolled oats and raisins. These guys seriously know how to create a complex flavor profile.
After some research, we learned that Great Divide isn’t the first brewery to include the popular tea in a specialty beer. Blue Moon has a Chai Spiced Ale, though it has a significantly lower ABV (5.4 percent), and Avery Brewing makes Chai High ale, also with a low ABV. Regardless, I have a feeling these would go down pretty easy.
Great Divide Chai Yeti will be released in 22-ounce bottles across the United States, and will be available on draft through December in both of Great Divide’s Denver taprooms. Chai Yeti will also be poured at the Great American Beer Festival.
