Review - Boulder Beer Company's Flashback Brown Ale
"Flashback Anniversary Ale is an India Brown Ale with 6.8% ABV. This is the first beer we’ve made here that uses one single hop variety (Cascade) in the recipe in five separate additions. The fresh Cascade hop aroma and flavor is perfectly balanced with the dark roasted grains, making Flashback a very unique beer. We’re calling it an India Brown Ale to help illustrate its flavor to the consumer. It’s hoppy like an IPA but dark and roasty like a Brown Ale. Put them together and voila! Flashback at its finest! " -- Boulder Beer
Pours a medium amber color with a tan-colored frothy head with good retention. Body clarity is brilliant. Lacing is thin and watery. Little to no carbonation. Initially a moderate level of malts escaped from the bottle. The malt body consisted of a sweet caramel like presence, accompanied by a light toffee malts. The hop presence consisted of soft earthy tones with bits of perfume. The alcohol presence was noticeable and slightly reminiscent of rubbing alcohol. Initial taste is malt forward but with a well-rounded hop bitterness that cuts through. Caramel flavors pervade with the wonderful citrus characteristics of Cascade shining through. The finish goes slightly to the hoppy side but remains very well balanced. The Flashback India Brown is light in body and watery with semi active carbonation. Our mouths were slick with oily film and became increasingly dry over a long duration. A soft alcohol burn was noted, but it was not harsh. The Flashback is remarkable thin bodied with a malt forward profile that allows the hops to come through. There is a slight nuttiness in the flavor as well. The standard for this style would be the Dogfish Head India Brown Ale, and this brew wouldn't stand up next to that. However, it is highly drinkable and enjoyable.
Reviewed on December 21st, 2010.
