All through the month of March we’re featuring beer from Odell Brewing out of Fort Collins, Colorado. When evaluating a brewery I take a few factors into account: quality, consistency, versatility of styles, package design/branding, and company culture. Odell manages the rare feat of performing at a very high level across the board, and I’m always excited to feature their beer and introduce it to a few new fans.

Odell Brewing was started by Doug Odell in 1989 with the help of his wife and sister. Doug had previously worked at Anchor Brewing in San Francisco as well as being a homebrewer, and like many upstart American craft brewers in the 70’s and 80’s, he was inspired by the complexity and variety of beer available while traveling in Europe, and he wanted to bring those brewing practices home. The first official Odell beer made was called “Odell’s Golden Ale”, followed shortly thereafter by 90 Shilling Ale, the latter of which is still available today in 6-packs and is their #1 selling beer.  Today Odell is the 34^th largest craft brewery in America, sold in 11 states throughout the Midwest and the Rockies.

Following are a few write-ups for some of their year-round beers, all of which are priced incredibly low throughout the rest of the month. Take advantage and enjoy one of the finest craft breweries in the country!

Odell IPA – This well-balanced IPA is a staple in my fridge. Using nine different American hop varieties, its stellar aromatic profile is fruity but not overly tropical, featuring notes of grapefruit, lemon, and peach. Some Vienna malts add just the right amount of depth and sweetness, and it finishes incredibly clean with lingering hop vapors.

90 Shilling Ale – 90 Shilling is a toned-down version of an American-style Scotch Ale. It displays a complex yet not-too-intense malt profile balanced by slight hop bitterness. Overall it’s a little rustic and earthy, but also refreshing and easy to drink. This is a very food-friendly beer, with caramelized flavors melding perfectly with grilled meats, bread, and nutty cheeses. Pair it up with a mushroom and Swiss cheese burger.

Cutthroat Porter – Named after Colorado’s state fish, Cutthroat is a decidedly British-style porter that delivers notes of bitter dark chocolate and coffee. Weighing in at 5.1% ABV, it’s an easy-drinking dark beer that delivers all of the robust, roasted malt flavors you could want without knocking you out. It’s a great patio beer on a chilly early-Spring day.

Myrcenary – This sought-after Double IPA is unabashedly hoppy and intense. It has a huge hop profile that’s resinous and tropical with pineapple-like aromas. For as bold as Myrcenary is, it avoids unpleasant bitterness and finishes quickly and cleanly. Be careful, at 9.3% ABV it can be easy to overindulge in this gorgeous beer.

-Shaughn