Odell Brewing - Isolation Ale Review

Winter Warmer. Where the name for a robust and hearty beer came from, I don’t know, but when the skies turn slate and the leaves abandon summer green and begin to fall, we throw on our knit sweaters and walk like lovers through the beer store in search of a winter warmer. It’s a good feeling, and very romantic, but I can’t imagine a coldspell without one in the fridge.

One of the most iconic winter warmers (and possibly the source of the name) comes from one of America’s most iconic brewers. Odell out of Fort Collins, Colorado, has been ahead of the game since 1989, and they’re still pushing forward with Hazy IPAs, Imperials, and Sours of all kinds. But for winter, Odell’s not afraid to step back and relax with a classic—-Isolation Ale.

This beer is as iconic as anything, and that comes from tradition, dedication, and good ingredients, including roasted and caramel malts, Nugget hops, house yeast, and Cache la Poudre River water. These together give us 6.0% ABV and 29 IBU.

I always say, if you want a winter warmer, go to a place where winter is embraced like an old friend. That’s Colorado and, specifically, that’s Odell. Let’s stoke the fire, pull the knit sweater on, and crack a top.

First Impressions:

• On the Eyes--Copper-colored, clear, and topped with a tight, beige head.

• On the Nose--Sweet, crisp, roasted, clean, and mouth-watering—-as a winter warmer should be.

• On the Palate--Biscuity and crisp right through a dry finish. The maltiness is complex with notes from caramel to biscuit to lightly roasted. But it’s not too roasty, and the sweet caramel notes are balanced nicely by the bready, roasted notes, and then it’s all cleansed away by the slightest hoppiness. The ABV is right where it should be for a winter warmer at 6.0%, the body is full, and the malt is complex. 

Food Pairings: Odell suggests pairing Isolation Ale with cozy fireside conversations, and we couldn’t agree more. But if you’re in true isolation, try it with roast chicken and grilled veggies, or take a walk on the wildside and try it with a chocolate or carrot cake.

Final Thoughts:

There’s little more to say about such an iconic beer, but we’ll try. This was the first beer we reviewed for The Brew Adventures years ago, and we don’t always go back to beers, no matter how good they are, but we haven’t stopped coming back to this one, and each year we hoard it like squirrels preparing for winter. Now we have to ask ourselves why?

Well, there are a number of things, but the biscuit flavor and the dry finish make this one really great, and perfect for winter. And while Isolation Ale is malt forward and expresses a lot of complexity, that stroke of Nugget hops keeps it from being too sweet and makes it all the more quaffable when it cleans the palate dry. And the hype of it all only builds as it’s only available from October through December, but I think we’d drink it all year if we could.

Odell’s Isolation Ale tastes German (or at the very least European) with an American influence, but really it simply tastes unique, which is quite a feat after so many years of craft brew innovation and inundation. Get it now! I repeat, it’s only available October through December. Tell ‘em Mr. and Mrs. Brew sent you.

Cheers!

Mr. Brew

Keep the Odell love going with a look at another seasonal, Oktoberfest, or a powerful and focused IPA, Myrcenary.