Flashback Ale - Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub

Darkmagus82

Montana

2.69/5  rDev -28.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – Served a copper colored brew with a one finger white head. The head has a good level of retention, slowly fading over time to give a nice level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is heaviest of some lightly roasted malt aromas mixed with smells of a more nutty and coffee nature as well as some notes of citrus and grass with some spice aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg. It is a rather odd combination of smells which produces a rather odd and not all that appealing aroma.

Taste – The taste begins with a roasted malt flavor mixed with a lighter flavor of caramel. While there is caramel upfront it fades as the taste advances with the flavors becoming slightly more roasted and bitter as the taste moves on. Along with the loss of caramel sweetness there is an oncoming of some hop flavors of a grassy taste as well as some spice flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. A light nuttiness joins these flavors and ends up leaving a somewhat unpleasant spiced and slightly bitter flavor on the tongue .

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side in terms of its thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is average as well. A little more body may have been nice but overall it was fitting for the style.

Overall – A brew that I did not really enjoy all that much. The flavors and the nose never really melded to well with transitions that were somewhat abrupt and disjunct. I will likely not come back to this any time soon.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2013 00:21:00 | More by Darkmagus82

TheSixthRing

California

3.69/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoy by date of January 29, 2013.

Appearance - Pours a brilliant ruby brown with an off-white, near tan 2 finger head and fair retention. Leaves behind a fine layer of microbubbles, most congregating around the edge of the glass. Lacing is thin to spotty, with good stick.

Smell - Earth and caramel stand out the most. Touches on cocoa.

Taste - Follows the nose. Strong notes of caramel and cocoa are the driving force behind this brew, upfront and throughout. A bit of earthiness and hints of floral hop come through mid-taste. Faint traces of citrus hop and moderate grass bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied, with somewhat lively carbonation. Goes down easy with crisp, a semi-dry finish.

Overall - Candidate for a re-review. I wish I'd noticed the freshness date before plucking it off the shelf. As is, it's already a solid brew. I'd love to try it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 05:21:54 | More by TheSixthRing

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle > Lagunitas Mason Jar

A - Pours a really nice reddish brown color, thick fluffy 1 finger head, lacing leaves a little to be desired.
S - Toasted malts, roasted nut flavor, some mild vanilla, and a faint hint of cinnamon and spices, big hop presence as well, minor alcohol, smells awesome.
T - Toasty nut brown flavors with the bite of floral hops, a little pine flavor, some mix of different spices hidden underneath. Kind of complex, but very drinkable.
M - A little thin after the fore-front of flavors, bitter hops hang on for a bit, but not the good nutty flavors.
O - This is a very interesting brew, I havent had much in the way of IBA styled beers, but this would be a good example I'd take it. Complex with that toasted nut and piney floral hop flavors, but drinks easily. Excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 23:28:37 | More by Omnium

yamar68

Minnesota

3.96/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Excited to try this one out - love me some hoppy brown ale.

Maple syrup colored brown body with nice consistent beading, topped with a creme brulee type head that laces perfectly well.

Lots of vanilla on the nose, a bit of caramel, good hop dosage, breakfast cereal, really damn smooth with a great sense of balance.

Easy drinking cola flavors, the nuances of the hop profile are lost but there's still a pleasant bitterness to counter the nutty malt character, little bit of coffee. It's a touch thin but it's nothing to complain about.

Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 01:15:11 | More by yamar68

CHILLINDYLAN

Washington

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear amber with copper highlights. oily beige foam. thin film of organic frosty lace.

Very Toasty. Sweet Caramel. Light chocolatey roast. Graham cracker. Spicy herbal, citrus, and piney hops.

Piney, resinous, grapefruit. Light chocolate with caramel and toasted graham cracker. Good resinous piney and grapefruit rind bitterness.

med body, sticky with resins. semi-smooth creaminess with some acid bite. moderate carbonation.

Nice winter beer. Great toastiness with light roast and a nice hop bittering kick. Solid brew.

(11/30/10)

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 18:53:42 | More by CHILLINDYLAN

B0BZ1LLA

3/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: This beer comes out a tea color with a touch of red. Mine had a nice, 2 inch head and left significant lacing on the glass.

S: A sweet, malty smell that I associate with a brown ale, as well as grass and chocolate.

T: moderate citrus hops and chocolate malt

M: moderately rich, full

O: I agree with other reviewers that there are too many clashing flavors here. Still, it's a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 23:21:42 | More by B0BZ1LLA

claspada

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, medium brown color with some crimson highlights. Great head formation and retention with a lot of lacing.

Aromas begin with a bold punch of citrus, fresh cut grass and pine notes. As it warms you get some of the base beer; malts give a nutty, chocolatey, toasty background that attempts to balance the aromas but hops steal this show.

The tastes begin with chocolate, nuttiness, and toffee malts actually take the foreground of flavor before the hops kick in. But before long, the citrusy hops rise and eventually dominate the beer. No off flavors, just medium all around except for the aggressive hops.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Moderately sweet from the malts but the hop bitterness overpowers into the finish.

Overall I just do not like my darker beers with this much hop profile. While is is clean, crisp and relatively easy to drink, I just don't enjoy drinking it.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 16:27:44 | More by claspada

arizcards

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a single in late March from Total Wine for $1.49. Enjoy by 1-30-12 - whoops i missed that.

Beer poured a tea brown with a nice off white head that is leaving lacing behind.

Nose is citrus hops with hints of chocolate.

Taste is hop forward, citrus and pine dominate. Dark chocolate malts lay an interesting backbone.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, decently carbonated, and fairly smooth.

Overall this is a nice brew, especially for being as old as it is. I will need to pick up a fresher version!

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 23:28:14 | More by arizcards

tony223366

California

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Gorgeous ruby hued brown. Clarity is spot on. 3 fingers of fluffy off white head with nice lacing.

S: Nice citrus hop aromas. Some of the malts come off in a bready, molasses way but it's much lighter than I would like. But if the goal is and Imperial Brown I guess it's ok. Some milk chocolate.

T: Hops are absolutely on the forefront. Then the richer malts kick in. I get brown sugar and chocolate. Some crusty breadiness. Then the finish goes way back on the sour spectrum. The finish feels a bit wonky but it is interesting.

M: Great carbonation with medium, almost fluffy body.

O: Not a bad beer but it doesn't quite jive well in my opinion. I think the flavors are all there, I'd just add more malts and raise the ABV a bit.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 04:32:26 | More by tony223366

tdm168

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at World of Beer in Raleigh

A - hazy amber with a rich, soft, off white head that has great retention

S - burnt toast, earthy

T - toasty, nutty, faint coffee, faint hop bitterness in the finish

M - the nitro tap made this incredibly light and almost fluffy; light to medium bodied, smooth, little carbonation

This is only just above average. The nitro tap helped out the drinkability, but the flavor isn't for me. The toasty notes were overpowering. I would prefer a more up front nutty, malty quality versus the toasted malts.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-10-2012 12:12:49 | More by tdm168

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured on nitro-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer has a great cascade of golden brown layers. The beer settles into a light amber-brown coloring with a dense, low profile, cream colored head. Aromas of roasty and nutty sweet characters with an overlay of resiny, bright hops. Interesting dynamic. Flavors are very eclectic, and you initially feel like they should clash, but they end up blending very well. Roasty, nutty, and toffee sweet backbone support a bitter and floral hops profile that defiantly pokes through the strongly sweet palate to be represented. This dichotomy gives an interesting and unique balance to the palate. Very tasty. Great frothy, thick cling along the glass as you go. The aftertaste leans more towards the sweet characteristics of nut and toffee, with a creamy, smooth, clean finish.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-29-2012 17:44:31 | More by GarthDanielson

Arsenal11

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on Tap at Old Chicago, Pretty good for the style, I like even though it is higher in alcohol it doesn't have that sickly sweet taste some of the higher alcohol brews have. Good blance between caramel malts and hops, I enjoyed this one. Would recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 23:04:37 | More by Arsenal11

metter98

New York

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Rattle ‘n Hum, New York, NY

A: The beer is very dark amber but clear in color. It poured with a quarter-finger high creamy off white head that has good retention properties and left a coating of bubbles completely running down the sides of the glass.
S: There are very light aromas of brown and nutty malts in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of brown and nutty malts along with some hints of citrusy hope (grapefruit stands out in particular). There is a very slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light-bodied and very creamy and smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a slight amount of dryness in the finish.
O: This beer is very easy to drink given its light-bodied nature, especially when it’s on a nitro-tap.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-25-2012 23:01:43 | More by metter98

msh4k3

Michigan

2.9/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle severed in chalice
best before july 3rd 2012

a. Dark ruby red, with a 1 finger head which fades to a little lacing on side and soapy top.

s. Smelly like caramel malts and citrus piney notes. Also little nuttyness

t. Bitterness from the hops then rushes a little nutyness and then lemony notes from the hops. Not sure how much i enjoy lemon and nuttyness :\.

m. pretty pretty smooth like a water beer. not as creamy as you would expect.

o. Its alright, but not sure how the lemon and nutty flavors contast. Its definitely a different spin on a nut brown ale. Not sure if would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 05:17:49 | More by msh4k3

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear ruby, with a finger of foamy off-white head. This holds tight with a ½ finger of froth when swirled that whips up a rich cascade of patchy lace onto the sides of the glass. The aroma smells leafy, citric, and a little spicy, with an underlying sticky mix of caramel and roast that picks up a little twang from the citrus.

The taste has a green and leafy citric bite that intertwines with some herbal tones, while that roasty sweetness of the malts from the nose is pushed much more towards the back here. The malts do gain a little strength as this warms but this is pretty hop forward overall, with this finishing dry, bitter, and a touch spicy. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a firm and sharp feel up front. Luckily things smooth out a bit more across the back.

This was just OK. The aroma presented a nice mix of hops and malt but the taste relayed a bit much on the hops in my opinion, with a raw and pity finish that didn’t leave a favorable impression on me and really took me out of this at times. I probably wouldn’t pick this up again.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 20:01:16 | More by Kegatron

hosehead83

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Clear copper/amber in color,with a moderate head of off-white foam.
Aroma-Caramel, faint piney citrus
Taste-Toasted malt, caramel, citrus hops, burnt toast finish. Overall, not a bad tasting little Brown.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 18:45:57 | More by hosehead83

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Brown ale, thin off white head, that lasts mediocrely with some lacing.
S- The aroma has a good hoppiness, but it's very one dimensional. The grapefruit and citrus hops overwhelm what little caramel malt comes through.
T- It's kinda sweet up front, with a toasted bread flavor, but again the hops kinda overwhelm any malt flavor that I'm getting. Assertive bitter citrus in the finish.
M- Decently full body, low carbonation. Pretty smooth.
O- It's a decent beer, but too one note for me to be too interested in for a regular beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 03:00:45 | More by jsprain1

BCraig

Nebraska

3.83/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a English Pub style glass a month and one-half from the 'Enjoy by' date.

A - pours a shade darker than a burnt amber; fluffy head colored sandy cream

S - grapefruit dominates the initial smells with a bit of caramel malt underneath, other citruses come through after a few minutes

T - malt upfront which is quickly whisked away by a well balanced grapefruit/citrus hoppy back end.

M - smooth feel with a bit of effervescent bubbly feel as the hops and carbonation hit you.

O - Fits well within the style, nicely balanced. I don't sense the dark or chocolate malts listed on the bottle and which other reviewers are noticing, but the caramel is coming through nicely. Who doesn't like a crisp American Hop aroma in the Craft beer? The Cascade hops are the hero of this beer, without them it'd be just another Brown Ale.

I like the stuff they're making at Boulder Brewery; Happy to see this 6pk sell for under 7 bucks.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 21:32:26 | More by BCraig

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a pure caramel-copper color. A thick, foamy head sits on top for a while with a hard pour. Nice sticky lacing. The beer smells of sharp citrus and hops, faint roasted malts. The beer tastes sharp with the bite of hops up front. Before the finish, the roasted malts and biscuit nuttiness weave their way into your taste buds. Finishes dry. The mouthfeel is medium bodied.

Overall, a mixed bag for me here. I'm starting to really appreciate brown ales, but this one is too strong. The 6.88% ABV makes itself known. Not a good session beer, and the overload of hops makes me not want to drink this again. But having said all of that, this is a well-made beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 18:05:39 | More by JuicesFlowing

hopfacebrew

Colorado

2.88/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Poured from 12 oz bottle to Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A - Beer pours a deep dark copper color and it perfectly translucent. Nice 1.5 finger creamy head with nice lacing.

S - Sweetness from the malts upfront. Hints of warm alcohol but not much in terms of hop aroma.

T - Continuing with the sweetness from the malts and an almost sour tone. Slight fruit present. Bitterness finishes. Not much in terms of hop characteristics at all aside from the stong bitterness. No citrus or pine, etc.

M - Decently carbonated though very thin mouthfeel comes across almost metallic.

D - The beer is drinkable though I was glad when I had finished it.

Overall, I found myself a little disappointed in this beer. After reading the reviews and recommendations from fellow beer drinkers I trust deeply I wonder if the bottle I tried wasn't properly cared for or was exposed to the elements? For a American Black Ale I expected more hop presence, there was almost none. As I find myself favoring this style of beer I suppose I would give it another chance but it's certainly not near the top of my list.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 01-15-2011 16:33:37

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 17:38:39 | More by hopfacebrew

mattcrill

Ohio

2.33/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Aroma: Tea-like and tobacco-like hop aroma. A little metallic notes which is kind of scary.

Appearance: Brick red pour with amber highlights. Moderate white head that retains well.

Flavor: Caramel and low roasty notes with earthy and tea-like hop bitterness. Balance is nearly even with caramel and roasted notes pushing it more to the malty end of the spectrum. Finish is slightly sweet.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation. No astringency or alcohol heat.

Overall impression: Seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. Tastes like an American Amber with elements of a sweet American Brown. Kind of a muddled mess. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 19:29:20 | More by mattcrill

BigCheese

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle from mix pack. 2 months from enjoy by date, not ideal, atleast its not a dipa.

A: A Mohagany brown with a reddish hue, very thin head, dissipates quickly does leave a tad of lacing.

S: Some dark coco maltiness, some piney hop smell too. Intruiging.

T: Definitely some chocolate and brown bread, not roasted dark flavor though. Hops are well represented too, a mix of lemon/orange citrus and a bit pine-y/lime too. Very well balanced, hops and malts battle for supremacy, winner undecided.

M: Medium carbonation, abv matches the flavor, I could easily enjoy a 6 pack while chilling. Big body. Nice.

O: Great beer, perfect cold weather beer for a hop head, a true india brown ale, reminds me of a black ipa but not as roasted. Awesome value, will look for this in the future, hopefully fresher for more hops!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 01:06:23 | More by BigCheese

shanblur

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on April 25, 2011. Purchased locally in Evansville, IN. Poured from 12oz bottle into a snifter.

A - Hazy amber color, not like other brown ales. Robust white head leaves extensive lacing.

S - Rich roasted malt combines with a prominent spicy and citrus style hops.

T - The taste is more reminiscent of other brown ales. Rich malts combine beautifully with the hops.

M - Medium bodied and smooth with a gentle carbonation.

An excellent beer in appearance, smell and taste. Will have to pick up more. Highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 00:04:45 | More by shanblur

allforbetterbeer

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter.

One finger of light tan head that laces well forms with a gentle pour. The body is clear and shows a striking and beautiful dark crimson with hints of jet. Very good clarity.

Smells of medium toasted malts (maybe a very slight touch of chocolate malt) and some citrus-tinged hops. The hops are prominent but not over-bearing.

The flavor is on the bitter side with a high dose of hoppiness. I wouldn't place this in the brown ale category based on flavor. There is a malt presence but it takes the back seat. As in the nose a tiny tinge of dark malts (chocolate most likely) shows up in the aftertaste, but this is faint.

The mouthfeel is medium and a nice bit of complexity. Carbonation is average and reminds me of a typical IPA.

Conclusion: Tasty and well done. I would call this a hoppy amber or even a "black IPA", but not a brown ale. Whatever. It is tasty and if you love hops this would be right up your alley.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 18:48:57 | More by allforbetterbeer

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a chestnut color with an off white head. the head is tall and leaves good lacing.
Brilliantly clear and with good carbonation.
Aroma is bascially malt driven with very little in way of hoppiness..
Quite malty with some hop bitterness.
Soft and smooth this medium weigh ale feels.
Good? yes but off the mark.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 14:25:07 | More by micromaniac129