Hazed and Infused

The Boulder Beer Company turns 30 this year and what better way to celebrate the birthday of one of the oldest micro-breweries in America than to get thrashed on a few of its signature products. Started in 1979 by two physics professors at the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Boulder Beer Company was the first of many micro-breweries to tap the Rockies and begin an American craft beer revolution. This cloudy, dry-hopped ale isn’t just a good beer; it’s the spirit of American craft brewing in a bottle. Unfiltered, full flavored, and so delicious you’ll drink all six in one sitting.

The “hazed” refers to the cloudiness of the beer, a result of an unfiltered brew, meaning there is still dissolved yeast in the brew you’re drinking. That yeast contains a B vitamin that alcohol depletes from your system when you are drunk, so drinking unfiltered beer (I’m looking at you, homebrewers) is technically better for you. The “infused” part of the name signifies the dry-hopping process. Hops are usually added to the “wort” or , not yet alcoholic beer, during boiling, before fermentation, and then strained off. During dry-hopping, hops are steeped in the wort during fermentation producing a strongly scented and flavored brew.

Citrusy and floral, this beer smells like fresh oranges and a field of hops. Hop heads will enjoy the restrained boldness and refreshingly high carbonation. A little malty and not too heavy on the tongue, this is a testament to the American craft beer.

With just one sip, you can taste the years of practice and history of brewing that this beer celebrates. The award winning signature brew in the Looking Glass Series that includes an IPA and two summer seasonals, Hazed & Infused is a beer deserving of its own category of delicious. Ordering it at the bar will never steer you wrong and if you pick up a six-pack you may just be liable to down them all in one night.