OB-1 Certified Organic Ale - Snake River Brewing Company & Brewpub

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine June 2007.

We really dig that more and more brewers are jumping on the organic bandwagon; but we're still waiting for the day that someone comes out with an organic Russian Imperial Stout. Here's Snake River's first organic beer (note: OB-1), brewed with organic Hallertau hops, and organic Pale, Vienna, Munich and Caramel malts.

Pours dark amber, nearly brown, topped with a creamy lace. Fairly clean in the nose, with toasted brown bread and herbal notes emerging as the beer warms. Firm, consistent malty body. Hops are in the front, with a quick and gentle splash to get the taste buds going. Sweet but not overpowering, as toast and caramel meld with an herbal edge to create a tea-like flavor. Some leafy herbal notes. Bready finish, with a lingering sweetness and more toasty notes. Bone-dry and very clean.

A damn tasty organic offering that's practically a Brown Ale and would be a good call for a session beer. Pair this one with grilled and barbecued items this summer.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2010 19:02:19 | More by BeerAdvocate

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a very lightly hazy medium brown in color with some moderate amounts of visible carbonation (made up of some large bubbles) and some reddish brown highlights. The beer has a half finger tall foamy off-white head that reduces to a medium sized patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of caramel malts with just a light hint of light fruits and some grassy hops. Very light hints of nuts in the back ground.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of caramel malts with just a hint of light fruit (pear/apple) and some nuts. Light flavors of grassy hops that give it a light amount of bitterness that fades pretty quickly.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drink and enjoyable - there is a good balance between the sweetness of the malts and the bitterness of the hops without losing the flavor of either.

Serving type: can

05-13-2013 22:31:48 | More by dbrauneis

Thomasschi9296

Idaho

4.64/5  rDev +29.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Hello All, I want to state that i live about 45 miles from the Brewery on the snake river watershed. My family has been here for 4 generations since 1892. I have seen many good reviews and i am not as refined a beer drinker as some of you all. But i will state this, I live on the Tetons Aquifer, i drink 'city' water all day long and it tastes better then any 'spring' water you would buy from the store. It is a hard water, (i am sure they soften it in the brewery) that has a great flavor and comes out the tap at Ice cold Temps. I can say definitively that this is the best water i have ever encountered and i have lived all over the North West. This combined with excellent organic ingredients leaves a beer that tastes so well and sets extremely well in the stomach. I gladly pay the price of 8.99 per 6 pack, i have no idea what it runs in other parts of the country but since finding it i have switched from my typical Belgium brewing to Snake river beers. I know perhaps i am biased as to my location but i am very thankful that a brewery in my area offers such a quality product. I will also put in a good word for a local micro called Wildlife brewing, they make a brown ale called Mighty Bison, but that is for another time. Looking forward to any responses and hope to hear more good things about this beverage.

Serving type: can

05-03-2013 18:33:53 | More by Thomasschi9296

Hairrrrrrrr

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

03-24-2013 15:26:12 | More by Hairrrrrrrr

Butchnasty

Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev +25.3%

03-05-2013 07:39:27 | More by Butchnasty

JizackFH

New York

3.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Sunswick 35/35 in Astoria, NY in Feb '13.

Review taken from notes.

This beer pours a nice deep brown color with some red hues. There is a little more than a finger of fluffy white head resting on top. The head has good retention, and it leaves some nice lace behind on the glass. The nose has a nice amount of roasted malt aromas. I am getting a little bit of fruit, chocolate, and some hops, but it's all pretty faint, maybe it is a little too cold. The taste starts off with a good amount of toasted malt, and some chocolate. I am also getting some nuttiness, fruit, and a bit of hop flavor. The finish leaves some lingering roasted and hop bitterness behind on the palate, as well as a little bit of chocolate. This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a nice smooth feel to it. There is a little bit of roasted malt and hop bitterness that lingers a little into the finish. This has good drinkability. It goes down easy and has nice flavor. Overall, I think this is a pretty nice beer. Easy to drink, and I'd have no problem polishing off a few pints. I would buy this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 04:53:13 | More by JizackFH

JRod1969

New York

4/5  rDev +11.4%

01-23-2013 23:36:23 | More by JRod1969

outoffocus

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -16.4%

12-24-2012 00:58:56 | More by outoffocus

casapy

Idaho

2.75/5  rDev -23.4%

12-04-2012 03:46:14 | More by casapy

ucsbmullet

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +25.3%

10-25-2012 02:52:33 | More by ucsbmullet

cleonile2000

Indiana

3/5  rDev -16.4%

10-11-2012 01:18:30 | More by cleonile2000

Siriusfisherman

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Like alot of Snake River beers I have had, the quality of ingredients is stellar. But also like alot of Snake River beers, it's a little restrained for my tastes. It starts off with a small hop bite and a nice roasty malt flavor that turns into a slightly sweet malty glow. Some nice herbal hop flavor is also present and some fruity yeast flavors are noticable but very mild. I will have no problem finishing my growler, this is a tasty brew, but I must say there are better alternatives out there.

Serving type: growler

10-10-2012 17:36:56 | More by Siriusfisherman

cosmicevan

New York

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

as my tour through the snake river line-up continues, sending out more good vibes and thanks to pokesbeerdude for sending the snake river love my way! enjoyed from my urthel tulip.

a - poured a deep luscious brown with a fairly generous foamy head that coated the glass with lacing in massive milkshake like chunks...reminiscent of the vienna lager.

s - sweet brown sugar and malty goodness. some nutmeg. love me a brown ale...and this one smells great.

t - tastes like the tetons!!! well, at least how i imagine the tetons to taste. refreshing and crisp. a bit of a malty bite on the finish. the maltiness is there, but the sweet brown sugar in the nose is a bit subdued in the flavor. pretty earthy and a bit molasses.

m - crisp and refreshing...a bit thin.

o - overall, this tour of snake river has affirmed my long time love affair with jackson hole wyoming...a place that i have only visited in my mind (but thanks to author, tim sandlin will always love). i love me a brown ale and love the organic concept of this beer. it is pretty solid, but not the best brown ale to pass through these lips.

Serving type: can

08-23-2012 01:17:40 | More by cosmicevan

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sixer from Northridge in Laramie, can't remember the price. Into a SA Perfect Pint.

A: Nice red/brown in color with a tan head that bubbles up to about a quarter of an inch and quickly recedes to a thin layer of bubbles.

S: Caramel, toffee, slightly bready and not much else. Pretty nice for what it is.

T: Follows the nose nicely, caramel and toffee a slightly sweet honey profile finds its way in there as well. Slightly fruity English yeast profile and a hint of bitterness on the finish. Very tasty.

M: Light, carbonation is touch towards the high side of the spectrum, finish is dry and clean with very few lingering flavors.

O: Solid beer, nothing else to say here. Just a well done brown ale, definitely something to give to the fans of Newcastle Brown Ale in an effort to geth them to try something a little different.

Serving type: can

07-18-2012 01:04:13 | More by pokesbeerdude

BurghFanSC

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%

06-25-2012 14:56:22 | More by BurghFanSC

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from undated can to pint glass the beer arrives a deep brown color with an amber edging in the light, a one finger tannish head with some retention and lacing. A rather mild toffee, caramel, toasted barley in the nose. The flavor is the same with a mild bitterness, medium body, and slight dry nut flavor. Finishes smooth and creamy. Overall, I wasn't thrilled to try and organic brown, but this was much better than anticipated. Easy drinking and everyone seems to enjoy putting them down.

Serving type: can

05-30-2012 13:26:38 | More by hopfacebrew

JVoyager

Michigan

3/5  rDev -16.4%

05-16-2012 23:50:13 | More by JVoyager

whahappened27

Washington

4/5  rDev +11.4%

03-01-2012 06:41:47 | More by whahappened27

tronester

Oklahoma

3.48/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a clear brown with a creamy tan head. Smells of freshly milled grain. Taste is a bit of dark toffee up front followed by a tart earthy middle and finish. Mouthfeel is a bit watery, high carbonation for the style. Overall a pretty good beer though.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 02:10:51 | More by tronester

July2Nov

Hawaii

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Nice burnt brown with a darker brown color in the middle with a ruby tint around that middle area. One finger width of head that settles down to a lasting lacing.

Smell: Buttery bread scent with some roasted toffee/caramel bits.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Mmmm. Medium to lighter in body with a light bit of carbonation and a good, dry roasted nut flavor, along with the sweetness of the toffee flavor. Very drinkable. Leaves the mouth with a slight cottonmouth feel.

Overall: Have to admit that I was hesitant when the word, "Organic" was on the bottle, but all that faded away once I had a sip. Of the variety pack that I got, this is one of my faves. As pleasant as they come.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 01:12:16 | More by July2Nov

Phocion

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a 6-pack driving through Casper, wanting to get a taste of a Wyoming beer.

Pours into a shaker a deep brown, with just a slight reddish hue. Thick but not particularly resilient almost-white head with generous, but not sticky lacing.

Aroma is primarily doughy with toasted grains and a slight noble-like hoppiness. Hint of caramel and even a little bit of coffee. Definitely more on the malty end.

Flavor is mildly sweet. Bready with a light nuttiness and a very crisp finish. Slight floral flavor, but once again the malts overpower.

Decently carbonated and a light/medium body.

Light and sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. Actually fairly complex considering. This thing would be easily sessionable, although not particularly memorable. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 22:26:39 | More by Phocion

dirtylou

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on-cask at the brewpub in Jackson Hole

from notes

appearance: served in a shaker pint - light brown body, amber hues, creamy beige lace

smell: light and roasty, caramel, some chocolate, herbal hops

taste: i enjoyed this cask offering - smooth and simple with some nice light malty notes, herbal green hops, caramel, toffee and chocolate.

mouthfeel: smooth and creamy

overall: pretty nice

Serving type: cask

07-07-2011 18:15:06 | More by dirtylou

ThreeWiseMen

California

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ordered this at Calico Italian Restaurant in Wilson, WY last night. Following review composed from notes.

Served in a 20oz. imperial pint glass.

Appearance: Brown body shines crimson when held to light and displays crystal clarity. An off-white crown sits atop and retains nicely. Web-like lace dots the glass walls.

Smell: Sweet crystal and Munich malts, along with leafy, vegetal notes, come to mind first. Closer examination reveals breakfast pastries and nuts. Very mild overall, though I didn't get any off-notes.

Taste: Vienna, Munich, pale and crystal malts all shine through and meld together nicely, creating a pleasant mix of cracker and bread notes. Sweet, leafy hops come through at the end of each sip, yielding a clean, crisp finish. Well balanced and enjoyable.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, easy, and clean. Carbonated is fine and moderate in strength. Doesn't get much smoother.

Overall: Delicate and smooth, but also forgettable. As with Snake River Pale Ale, this one's well-crafted (I don't get any off-flavors), but it's also just sort of boring.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2011 17:05:04 | More by ThreeWiseMen

Bierlerner

Oklahoma

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours dark brown. Small bubbly head. Lacing in lots of layers

S- Kind of herbal. Definitely a toasted biscuity caramel nose. Light and just right.

T- Little hop presence. Sweet, but not dominating. Black tea or sweet tea, caramel, honey, etc. Pretty great balance. Sweetness lingers in the mouth.

M- Good. Medium mouthfeel. Creamy, prickly, and a good dry finish.

O- Good session beer. Nice all around brew and its organic. Great job.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 23:48:18 | More by Bierlerner

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The beer opened with a general malt aroma.
Poured a dark red with a light tasting body and some notes of chocolate.
There was little to no hops flavor with little to no aftertaste.
I was overall not that impressed with the beer even though it would probably rank high for a brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 18:24:06 | More by LeeryLeprechaun