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GABF 25th Year Beer
Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub
- From:
- Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
- ABV:
- Not listed
- Score:
- 84
- Avg:
- 3.71 | pDev: 11.59%
- Reviews:
- 86
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Sep 01, 2014
- Added:
- Aug 26, 2006
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 2
An ESB (as stated by the brewery) brewed by Charlie Papazian at Boulder Beer to celebrate 25 years of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF).
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by melitameister:
Reviewed by melitameister from New York
4.35/5 rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.35/5 rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Just consumed one of three remaining 22 oz. bottles of case of GABF 25th Year Beer. Cellared for over five years, this strong bitter is still delicious.
Nice American hops and fruit aroma with no off fumes coming off clear amber brew in special glass with a perfect dense, creamy head with plenty of nice, sticky lace. Complex flavors closer to a fine American IPA than a British style bitter.
Can't wait to suck down the last two.
Aug 29, 2011Nice American hops and fruit aroma with no off fumes coming off clear amber brew in special glass with a perfect dense, creamy head with plenty of nice, sticky lace. Complex flavors closer to a fine American IPA than a British style bitter.
Can't wait to suck down the last two.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland
3.53/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks Dan, served in a Bruery tulip. Not bad for an old ESB. Beer is copper and clear with a thin off white head of small and medium bubbles, some lacing.
Aroma is sweet, mildly hoppy, mostly malty.
Beer is medium in body and sweet with this sulfur grindiness to it that fills out the palate nicely. It is strong but not overwhelming and the finish is nice. I enjoyed it somewhat, not my favorite or favorite style though.
Oct 04, 2011Aroma is sweet, mildly hoppy, mostly malty.
Beer is medium in body and sweet with this sulfur grindiness to it that fills out the palate nicely. It is strong but not overwhelming and the finish is nice. I enjoyed it somewhat, not my favorite or favorite style though.
Reviewed by mdfb79 from New York
2.69/5 rDev -27.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
2.69/5 rDev -27.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
From 10/02/11 notes. Shared with some friends, poured from a 22 oz. bottle into my Bell's tulip.
a - Pours a dark orange-copper color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.
s - Smells of bready malts and caramel malts, and lightly musty notes.
t - Tastes of bready malts, caramel malts, light hops. Lightly musty again.
m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation.
o - Overall it has held up decently, but seems a bit faded. Lots of bready and caramel malts. Wouldn't seek it out again.
Oct 03, 2011a - Pours a dark orange-copper color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.
s - Smells of bready malts and caramel malts, and lightly musty notes.
t - Tastes of bready malts, caramel malts, light hops. Lightly musty again.
m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation.
o - Overall it has held up decently, but seems a bit faded. Lots of bready and caramel malts. Wouldn't seek it out again.
Reviewed by Thorpe429 from Illinois
3.58/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle courtesy of mdbf79. Served in a Bruery tulip.
Pours a fairly-clear golden-copper color with a small white head. Touch of lacing and a bit of a collar. The nose has a bit of bready malt and light caramel with some earthy hops. Hops to the flavor with a good bitterness and light bread. Medium body and good carbonation. Dry finish. Good.
Oct 02, 2011Pours a fairly-clear golden-copper color with a small white head. Touch of lacing and a bit of a collar. The nose has a bit of bready malt and light caramel with some earthy hops. Hops to the flavor with a good bitterness and light bread. Medium body and good carbonation. Dry finish. Good.
Reviewed by LordAdmNelson from Ohio
3.92/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A- Apple cider brown, moderately turbid, some off-white head with little retention/lacing.
S- Hoppy--some citrus and some pine. One-dimensional, but enjoyable.
T- Nice balance of bittering hops and caramel malt. Maybe a little coffee in there too. Definitely a good bitter. Nice balance here. Simple, but good.
M- Creamy, thick. Sticky finish.
D- Good stuff here. I'm glad to try it and it's definitely a big beer with some good flavor. Goes down well.
Jun 22, 2009S- Hoppy--some citrus and some pine. One-dimensional, but enjoyable.
T- Nice balance of bittering hops and caramel malt. Maybe a little coffee in there too. Definitely a good bitter. Nice balance here. Simple, but good.
M- Creamy, thick. Sticky finish.
D- Good stuff here. I'm glad to try it and it's definitely a big beer with some good flavor. Goes down well.
Reviewed by kinger from Ohio
3.8/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Discounted bomber for $2 I eagerly grabbed it and am glad that I did. Good hoppy aroma with ample scents of grapefruit and oranges. Copper pour with an orange tint. Medium fluffy white head with medium lacing along the glass. Bitter on the palate and oh so refreshing. There is a medium fullness to this with an easy finish. Outstanding taste, the citrus hop flavors are more dominant here compared to the nice aroma. Hearty malts mixed in creates a nice tangy taste of grapefruit and pine.
Nov 12, 2008Reviewed by kkosmoski from New York
3.77/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.77/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served into a tulip glass after pulling out of the fridge and sitting at room temperature in the bottle for about 45 minutes. Beer temperature at time of review is 56F. After some reading up on this beer, it looks to be around 2 years old, which could be a positive or a negative - I'm about to find out. Appeared burnt golden/light amber in the glass with a miniscule head that formed a small ring around the outside. I was hoping for a more substantial head. There is an ever so slight haze to the beer. Aromas are of light toast, orange zest, and biscuit. Flavor starts off fruity and eases into a toasted, slightly oxidized malt profile. The finish has a lingering British malt character coupled with some fruity bittering. The mouthfeel is very crisp and powdery with a dry finish. The carbonation is prickly but not out of control. This is a very smooth drinking beer with some nice British characteristics. It does feel a bit heavier than a normal strength ale, but I found it very drinkable. I think I held on to this a bit too long and tasted it past its prime. Though it still displayed some very nice qualities, it tasted very similar to some imported ales that have sat on the shelves probably a bit too long. It is probably the most authentic English tasting ale brewed in America that I have ever had. Overall, I did enjoy this beer, though I'm sure it was much better as a youngster.
Aug 26, 2008Reviewed by beerthulhu from New Jersey
3.85/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.85/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured a dark, coppery orange with a thick lustrious foamy white head that had very good retention and left a nice sheet lacing.
S: an assertive hoppiness, citrus, fresh pine and floral notes along with a lingering maltiness.
T: A nice bountiful boutique of floral hopping starts things off with some spicy saaz adding some spiciness and highlights. A nice malty backbone gives this some substance while some grapefruit and pine lingered on the finish.
M: light-medium, moderate with a decent carbonation. Leaves a nice hop tang afterbite.
D: Good drinkability, smooth, wont blow you away but enjoyable.
Aug 20, 2008S: an assertive hoppiness, citrus, fresh pine and floral notes along with a lingering maltiness.
T: A nice bountiful boutique of floral hopping starts things off with some spicy saaz adding some spiciness and highlights. A nice malty backbone gives this some substance while some grapefruit and pine lingered on the finish.
M: light-medium, moderate with a decent carbonation. Leaves a nice hop tang afterbite.
D: Good drinkability, smooth, wont blow you away but enjoyable.
Reviewed by dsa7783 from New Jersey
3.45/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Single bottle purchased from Super Saver in Somerville for $2.99... "Limited Edition Single-Batch Brew" on the front logo sticker...
Pours a bright-orange, nectaringe color with no head at all and no lacing either...
Strong, citrus aroma with noticeable hops and vanilla...
Taste resembled the smell, with a nice suggestion of hops, caramel, vanilla, florals, and tangerines...
Watery, loose, light, subtle mouthfeel with not much going on... Easy drinkability with no alcohol detectable at all...
Mar 21, 2008Pours a bright-orange, nectaringe color with no head at all and no lacing either...
Strong, citrus aroma with noticeable hops and vanilla...
Taste resembled the smell, with a nice suggestion of hops, caramel, vanilla, florals, and tangerines...
Watery, loose, light, subtle mouthfeel with not much going on... Easy drinkability with no alcohol detectable at all...
Reviewed by Lupe from New York
3.88/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a bright golden orange with a bit of haze. Big dense white head that has good retention, and leaves nice rings of lace.
Hoppy aroma of citus, pine, and floral notes. Bready malt is also present with a hint of spice.
Starts off with lots of citrus and floral hop flavors. Toasted grain and bready malt comes on to balance things out and adds a touch of sweetness. A light fruitiness is also present.
Light to medium in body, crisp and refreshing. Finishes clean. Easy drinking and smooth. Tasted a bit off when it warmed up a bit, by a solid brew overall.
Nov 16, 2007Hoppy aroma of citus, pine, and floral notes. Bready malt is also present with a hint of spice.
Starts off with lots of citrus and floral hop flavors. Toasted grain and bready malt comes on to balance things out and adds a touch of sweetness. A light fruitiness is also present.
Light to medium in body, crisp and refreshing. Finishes clean. Easy drinking and smooth. Tasted a bit off when it warmed up a bit, by a solid brew overall.
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
3.5/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a cloudy golden orange color, nice carbonation, fizzy little off-white head, some sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is malty, slightly spicy, and a good dose of caramel. The taste is malty, bitter, spicy, and some caramel. The finish is dry/bitter. Medium body. Drinkable, not a bad brew, but hard to compare this to a Fullers.
Oct 16, 2007Reviewed by hero27 from Minnesota
3.45/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22 oz bottle.
Limited Edition, brewed to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival. Says on the label that Boulder Beer Co. was one of only 22 breweries at the first GABF.
Pours a slightly hazy orange/amber...modest head of off-white foam.
The majority of the aroma is hops with a slight acidic, citric twinge.
Dusty, toasted pale malts carry the majority of the flavor and add a good amount of sweetness, but the Saaz hops are not ignored and relay a nice floral hop taste.
Not sure what the alcohol of this baby is, but it can't be much more than 6% I wouldn't imagine. Slides down pretty easily even with the grainy malt texture. The light-medium body makes this one a pretty drinkable beer.
At $3.50 for a 22oz bottle of a limited-edition brew, I couldn't turn it down. Nothing spectacular for a one-off, but a decent ESB nonetheless.
Sep 12, 2007Limited Edition, brewed to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival. Says on the label that Boulder Beer Co. was one of only 22 breweries at the first GABF.
Pours a slightly hazy orange/amber...modest head of off-white foam.
The majority of the aroma is hops with a slight acidic, citric twinge.
Dusty, toasted pale malts carry the majority of the flavor and add a good amount of sweetness, but the Saaz hops are not ignored and relay a nice floral hop taste.
Not sure what the alcohol of this baby is, but it can't be much more than 6% I wouldn't imagine. Slides down pretty easily even with the grainy malt texture. The light-medium body makes this one a pretty drinkable beer.
At $3.50 for a 22oz bottle of a limited-edition brew, I couldn't turn it down. Nothing spectacular for a one-off, but a decent ESB nonetheless.
Reviewed by LeftyBWS from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.1/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz. brown bomber into a shaker pint glass.
A: Glowing dark orange in color with some amber hues. Low carbonation visible. One inch of smooth head, light tan in color. Lacing is a light coat that slides slowly down the glass.
S: Overtones at first of earthy sugars and honey, perhaps some spiciness like ginger. Light notes of oranges and citrusy hops that linger a bit.
T: A crispy citrus hop flavor leads the way and remains throughout. Some sugars kick in towards the middle but fade before the finish. The finish is buttery and toasty, smooth and malty, but a tiny kick of the citrus hops is present in the aftertaste, too.
M: Mildly crisp throughout, with little alcohol presence. Bubbly finish, but the overall feeling is fairly dryish.
D: Quite good. I felt like I could go for more after this bomber, and the minimization of alcohol presence was much appreciated.
Overall, a solid beer. I would have had trouble classifying this by taste, but I see that this has been labeled as an ESB. To me it seemed like a cross between a bitter and an amber/brown ale. Certainly a unique brew, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have no idea about its availability, so I'd say if you see it, buy it!
Sep 01, 2007A: Glowing dark orange in color with some amber hues. Low carbonation visible. One inch of smooth head, light tan in color. Lacing is a light coat that slides slowly down the glass.
S: Overtones at first of earthy sugars and honey, perhaps some spiciness like ginger. Light notes of oranges and citrusy hops that linger a bit.
T: A crispy citrus hop flavor leads the way and remains throughout. Some sugars kick in towards the middle but fade before the finish. The finish is buttery and toasty, smooth and malty, but a tiny kick of the citrus hops is present in the aftertaste, too.
M: Mildly crisp throughout, with little alcohol presence. Bubbly finish, but the overall feeling is fairly dryish.
D: Quite good. I felt like I could go for more after this bomber, and the minimization of alcohol presence was much appreciated.
Overall, a solid beer. I would have had trouble classifying this by taste, but I see that this has been labeled as an ESB. To me it seemed like a cross between a bitter and an amber/brown ale. Certainly a unique brew, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have no idea about its availability, so I'd say if you see it, buy it!
Reviewed by udubdawg from Kansas
3.8/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz bomber - Realized yesterday I had never tried this...probably too late to experience the beer as intended, but we'll give it a shot.
Pours a hazy coppery color, especially the second glass when I was only partially successful at keeping out the sediment. Head is off-white and foamy and lacing is spotting parts of the glass. Aroma is a bit subdued, but I suspect the age has something to do with this. Floral and citrus hop notes aren't bad, just muted after this long.
Flavor likewise suffers from subdued hops but is really quite good. Quite a bit of sweet biscuity malt here underlying the lemony flavors. No alcohol noted anywhere. Bitterness is quite light at first sip but seemed to build nicely as got into it. Body is a bit thin, and carbonation is very low - too low by the time I'm on the 2nd glass. Still, this a pretty tasty, drinkable beverage.
I suspect that I missed out on a pretty darn good beer, but what is left is still worth trying. It remains a good effort, and has lasted nicely for a 12-month old beverage. I might have to go get another before this is gone.
(I don't like reviewing a beer that wasn't as intended, but figured this might be helpful for those finding a dusty bottle or two on a shelf for the first time)
Aug 19, 2007Pours a hazy coppery color, especially the second glass when I was only partially successful at keeping out the sediment. Head is off-white and foamy and lacing is spotting parts of the glass. Aroma is a bit subdued, but I suspect the age has something to do with this. Floral and citrus hop notes aren't bad, just muted after this long.
Flavor likewise suffers from subdued hops but is really quite good. Quite a bit of sweet biscuity malt here underlying the lemony flavors. No alcohol noted anywhere. Bitterness is quite light at first sip but seemed to build nicely as got into it. Body is a bit thin, and carbonation is very low - too low by the time I'm on the 2nd glass. Still, this a pretty tasty, drinkable beverage.
I suspect that I missed out on a pretty darn good beer, but what is left is still worth trying. It remains a good effort, and has lasted nicely for a 12-month old beverage. I might have to go get another before this is gone.
(I don't like reviewing a beer that wasn't as intended, but figured this might be helpful for those finding a dusty bottle or two on a shelf for the first time)
Reviewed by umustdrink from Minnesota
4.13/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.13/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - Bubble amber or light mahogany color. Head is rocky and bright white colored. Strong lacing, sticking in thick sheets.
S - Sweet and bitter piny hops balanced nicely with malts, mildly caramely and kind of smoky.
T/M - Smooth and creamy texture, flavor starts with sweet and peppery malts, piny and citrusy hops, very bitter. Carbonation is minimal but there are some very nice hoppy bites in there. Finish leaves a nice lasting bitterness, which is slightly sweet.
D - Very easy drinking stuff with some nice intriguing flavors that will to keep you drinking. Pick it up if you can still find it.
Aug 18, 2007S - Sweet and bitter piny hops balanced nicely with malts, mildly caramely and kind of smoky.
T/M - Smooth and creamy texture, flavor starts with sweet and peppery malts, piny and citrusy hops, very bitter. Carbonation is minimal but there are some very nice hoppy bites in there. Finish leaves a nice lasting bitterness, which is slightly sweet.
D - Very easy drinking stuff with some nice intriguing flavors that will to keep you drinking. Pick it up if you can still find it.
GABF 25th Year Beer from Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
91 ratings
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