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BOULDER, Colo. -

I was hooked after the first sip.

The malt flavors and aromas were incredibly rich and complex, making me think of freshly baked bread, molasses, brown sugar, roasted nuts and chocolate-covered toffee.

And to think, I almost missed out on this fantastic limited-release beer because I was too busy climbing in the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes my hobbies conflict with one another.

Luckily, after finally hearing about it (almost a month and a half after it was released), I hunted around and found a bottle in the corner of a reach-in cooler at one of the finer liquor stores in the area.

On June 6, Great Divide Brewing Co. turned 15. To celebrate, 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA was created, which is described as a celebration of everything Great Divide does best, with plenty of malty sweetness providing a backdrop for earthy, floral English and American hops, while French and American oak round off the edges and provide a touch of vanilla.

"We really think this beer sums up everything we've come to be known for over the past 15 years," says Brian Dunn, founder of Great Divide Brewing Co. "Like all of our beers, it's assertive and flavorful but also balanced and drinkable, and it's a combination of classic elements with more innovative touches."

The beer pours with a bright apple hue and a fluffy, off-white head. It smells like candy and it has a wonderful, creamy, milkshake-like texture.

The malt side of the beer is so full and rich that you won't feel overwhelmed by the beer's whopping 90 International Bittering Units (IBUs). The big malts may get most of the attention, but the piney, flowery hops complement well and they contribute to the beer's balance by cleaving off some of the sweetness.

Countless aromas such as oak, peanuts, whiskey, vanilla and resinous spruce tips swirl around in the background, adding depth.

The 10-percent alcohol by volume (ABV) is warming, yet not as noticeable as you would think. In other words, it's hidden well behind a cornucopia of flavors and aromas.

This full-flavored elixir was a pleasure to drink, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to try it.

If you hurry, you just might find a bottle for yourself.

But don't fret if you can't find one. If previous years are any indication, there will be many more great-tasting seasonals and limited-release beers to come from Great Divide.