Boulder Beer Company Loves It When You Get Hazed

Some beers are iconic and recognizable, even to the casual observer. Anyone who's been in and around the Colorado craft beer scene since the early 2000s is familiar with Hazed and Infused. When driving to the mountains on often-crowded I-70, it's not uncommon to see a "Get Hazed" sticker plastered onto a vehicle. Hazed and Infused is a dry-hopped amber ale from Boulder Beer Company, Colorado's first craft brewery that started in 1979.

Boulder Beer has had its share of ups and downs, which are well-chronicled in the book "Mountain Brew" by Denver journalist and author Ed Sealover. The brewery was started by Boulder physics professors David Hummer and Randolph Ware, two craft beer pioneers who dreamed big but had some missteps along the way. Boulder Beer has gone through different management over the years and even changed names a couple times, but remains a prominent member of the Colorado brewing community. The brewery's present-day success can be attributed, in part, to the release of Hazed and Infused in 2002. Though the brewery enjoyed some modest success in the early 1990s with beers like Buffalo Gold and Singletrack Copper Ale, the popularity of Hazed and Infused upon its release helped invigorate Boulder Beer. According to Sealover, it was a recipe that answered the call from David Zuckerman, head brewer at the time, to make beers that were more creative and assertive.

Hazed and Infused is appealing for many reasons. The psychedelic-themed labels connect well with the city of Boulder's counter-culture history, and are very visually stimulating. The beer itself is quite delicious, with flavor and complexity in every sip. In the name, "hazed" refers to the fact that it's an unfiltered amber ale. The beer is "infused" with dry American hop varieties, giving it a sharp, crisp character that's refreshing. The initial flavors are sweet malts like caramel and biscuit, then a spicy hop kick that lends some citrus and pine flavors. The dry hop flavors linger for a moment before subsiding into a smooth finish. Hazed is also sessionable at 5 percent ABV, perfect for a summer afternoon. With a groovy name and great drinkability, Hazed is an ideal beverage to enjoy at a park concert while picnicking, or before catching a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater. It's packaged in cans as well as 12-ounce and 22-ounce bottles.

As part of the Looking Glass series, Hazed was followed up after its release with beers like Mojo IPA, a west coast style IPA with big citrus flavors, Mojo Risin' Double IPA, Flashback India Brown Ale, and more. These beers and others in the Boulder Beer catalogue can be found all over Colorado and in some other states. Bold and assertive beers are a central attribute of today's American craft beer culture, and Boulder Beer can take a bit of credit for helping push the trend in this direction.