Two Boulder Beer Company Hybrid Styles That'll Hit the Spot

As I detailed in my recent post about Flipside Red IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing, fall is an especially good time for beers that meld a large amount of hops with a rich, robust grain bill. Such hybrid styles are a great answer to this season of transition, offering the best of warmer weather beers and colder weather beers. Today we explore hop-forward beers with even darker, more complex malt profiles. I'm giving you a two-fer from Boulder Beer Company: Flashback India-style Brown Ale and 35th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA.

Both beers are anniversary beers for Boulder Beer, which was founded in 1979, making it Colorado's oldest craft brewery. Flashback was first brewed for Boulder Beer's 30th anniversary, but it's now brewed year-round. 35th Anniversary was brewed this year as a one-time beer, though perhaps someday it may get the same revival treatment as Flashback. These are both great examples of beers that balance big, bitter hops flavors with a significant malt presence, providing a unique beer drinking experience born out of American craft brewing ingenuity.

Flashback is a cross between an American IPA and a brown ale. Aspects of both elements really shine, but also come together really well. There's a big hop aroma, along with caramel, chocolate, and a slight roastiness in the nose. The beer feels medium-bodied, much like an IPA, with a slick mouthfeel. Flashback has a crisp, spicy hop bite right up front, with hop flavors of citrus and pine. The rich malt backbone adds flavors of caramel and toffee without being overly sweet. A bitter finish lingers on the palate, leaving an impression that this beer leans slightly more toward an IPA than a brown ale.

35th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA is a definite step up in strength from Flashback, with a darker and even more complex malt profile. It pours a very black color, and has an aroma of floral, crisp American hops, roasted barley, and coffee. Hop flavors jump out first, and then comes a rich roasty maltiness of chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, and a bit of char. 35th Anniversary is a crisp, balanced, medium-bodied, hearty black IPA. When enjoying this beer, hop lacing lingers all the way down the glass, adding a nice visual touch.

I recommend trying both of these delicious beers, or similar ones available in your area, if you have a chance anytime soon. They're sure to satisfy and challenge your palate through a variety of powerful flavors.