Odell Isolation Ale - Odell Brewing Company

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Odell is a great brewery, and I keep trying the Isolation Ale thinking I should like it and never warm up to it completely.

Thin white head with a lace over a copper colored ale that changes from gold to amber in the bar light. Strong malt, caramel and toffee in the nose--subtle spice from the hop and a hotness from the alcohol. Newcastle like malt taste, but much hoppier and it has a mineral twang over sweet caramel and toffee. Fruity and floral hop punches through the apparent alcohol (6% accroding to BA). Good beer, well brewed--I'm just not a fan of it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2012 15:32:09 | More by FightingEntropy

isualum12

Idaho

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber.
smell is malt with hops.
Taste is clean malts with faint hop throughout.
Medium bodied. solid throughout with earth flavors.
feel was plesent with flavor lasting long after the beer was finshed.
overall nice winter beer but it didnt meet the hype of a few blog posts....

i had to edit this after i saw the bros went 100. not what i got out of this beer

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 15:24:56 | More by isualum12

quaybr

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I looks like late autumn in a pint glass - medium amber color, very clear. One finger of head that is slightly darker than just white.

Biscuity malt nose. Cereal smell begins to creep out as it warms up. Subtle aroma hops throughout.

The aroma is a definite prelude to the taste, malty. The covering malts lend to a quiet and complex spice, hop combo. Although the malts take this one home, the small amount of spices remind you of the beer's style.

This beer is carbonated so well - allows the malts to move across your tongue at the perfect rate, not too fast and not too slow. Well done here (bottles, too).

I like this beer a lot. I appreciate that Odell took the liberty of brewing a winter seasonal without dumping pounds of spices in the boil. I look forward to enjoying many more this fall and winter.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 02:05:56 | More by quaybr

jmvecchio1

Missouri

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours off the tap slightly hazy and amber in color with a thick rocky head.

The aroma was something that captivated my attention throughout the duration of the beer. Aroma hops are hinted at in the initial smell, but most prominent in the aroma were the biscuity malts. The malts aromas are sweet and buttery and reminded me of freshly baked cookies.

The buttery malt flavor is the power punch when tasting this beer. O'Dell does an truly excellent job of balancing the beer with bittering hops. The hops give this beer a very slight on the sip finish.

Overall, this is a well balanced, well flavored, and not overpowering seasonal beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 19:33:02 | More by jmvecchio1

maddog13lb

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was a good beer. I've been pleasently surprised by each beer from Odell's brewery. This one pairs well with a burger and wings.

Appearance - Copper, half finger head

Smell - Caramel, pine, hops

Taste - Tastes like it smells (caramel) with a slightly bitter aftertaste

Mouthfeel - Medium carbonation

Drinkability - Quite delicious... I often have two. Would recommend to others.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2011 11:20:24 | More by maddog13lb

zhanson88

California

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The hotel restaurant I was staying at in Minneapolis had this on tap. I had been wanting to try it and was glad to get the chance.

Appearance: Dark ruby color with less than a finger of light tan head. Results in some decent lacing.

Smell: This beer smells of caramel malts, slight spices and some resinous pine. Simple, yet still pretty appealing.

Taste: Malty, plenty of caramel, some spices, maybe a hint of roasted malts or coffee on the finish. Very solid flavor, nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: Medium body and fine, limited carbonation results in a pretty smooth feel. This is certainly a drinkable beer overall, nicely done by Odell. I'd heard good things about this beer, and I wasn't disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2010 03:22:09 | More by zhanson88

JayS2629

Alabama

4.18/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap from brewery.

A- Deepp amber with a foamy tan head and descent lacing.

S- Toasty biscuit. Complex mix of grapes , plums, and earthy hops. Hints of caramel and chocolate. Sweet malts. Cloves, and allspice. Toffee and cinnamon.

M- Medium bodied. Crisp and rich with a creamy finish. Nice alcohol tinge around the edges.

D- Delicious and complex. Easy to go down with the slightest alcohol tinge.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2010 19:39:59 | More by JayS2629

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served with a scant finger of creamy head, although stick is mighty fine. Orange color with lots of brown in the middle. Nose is mostly of the caramel malt persuasion, with a hint of slightly tropical fruits. If you consider oranges to be tropical. Enough potency here for me to appreciate it, but the aroma doesn't quite knock me off my barstool.

The flavor is quite nice, and leaves much of the overly-spiced, fruitcake-like qualities of the style out of the equation. Much appreciated, Odell. Malts provide a punchy sweetness, with plenty of complexity that doesn't require any cinnamon or cardamom. Hops shine here a little more than the nose, bringing out some flavors of grapefruit and orange. Well balanced.

Everything is just about great with this one - while not my favorite style or even my favorite example of the style, Isolation Ale manages to be a pretty great beer that I should have gotten around to long before tonight.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2010 04:46:14 | More by BretSikkink

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Consumed at Grumpy's in Roseville on Darkness Day Weekend.

Appearance -- Deep ruddy amber, almost purple with a slim beige head.

Smell -- Toasted malt, plum sweetness, brown sugar, some noticable spiciness. Not especially aromatic, but what is present is enjoyable.

Taste -- Spice cake, toasted malt, toffee, brown sugar, prune and raisin, and earthy hops throughout. Finish is spice cake and spicy hops.

Mouthfeel -- Medium to full in body with moderate creamy carbonation. Pretty satisfying.

Drinkability -- Pretty nice. Good malt profile and enough spicy malt to balance and keep things interesting. One could do worse than to be snowed in with a case of this.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2010 21:27:35 | More by yeahnatenelson

Eldalonde

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a deep amber color with a very small creamy white head which did not hang around very long.

S - There really isn't much in the way of aroma. Smells of bread and perhaps a touch of alcohol

T - There really wasn't much in the way of flavor. It was served so cold I couldn't really pick much up. Will need to revisit this beer at a later time. What I did pick up on was all rather light with very mild flavors of nuts and toffee. Really not much else going on here.

M - Decent mouthfeel, nothing too thick or too watery.

D - Since there really wasn't much going on with this beer, most people would think this to be very drinkable. However, I prefer more flavor in a beer rather than just some means to become inebriated.

Overall, this isn't really anything too exciting. Very middle of the road for craft beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2009 02:46:38 | More by Eldalonde

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a nice amber color with lots of highlights and a small white head. Nose is malty, earthy and very sweet. Taste is lots of malt, dark fruits and poerhaps some nutmeg. Mouthfeel is warming, thought the ABV was bigger than it was. tasted bigger and fuller.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2009 16:17:01 | More by barleywinefiend

Tolnik

Colorado

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Amber color with some lite lacing.

S - Smells of a caramel malt with hints of spice and citrus.

T - Taste starts with earthy tones of spice and hops. Good balance of malt and hops provides a great aftertaste that lingers for a good time.

M & D - Good carbonation and enjoyable beer for the winter time season.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2008 19:39:01 | More by Tolnik

RevDru

New Mexico

3.2/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Medium browm/bronze with light head formation. Minimal carbonation.

S - Toasted grain, flowery

T - Cereal grains prevail. Add a little milk, and you get a bowl of liquid Crispix.

M - For this style of beer, I found it to be relatively light, almost on the thin side. It doesn't cloy the palate as some others might.

D - I found this beer to be somewhat average. Nothing about it really jumped out at me. It's not a bad brew, but neither is it all that impressive.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2007 16:42:40 | More by RevDru

Oxymoron

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It’s back! Had it available on tap at Odell’s. How did I not rate this before? Pour is a darker brown color with amber hints when held up to the light. Good clarity and a mostly puffy white head.

The nose is mostly malty. A good sweetness with some toasty aromas. A light spiciness as well. The hops are subtle but noticeable with a earthy smell.

The taste has a great malt presence and good body. To start the malt is a good bready flavor with a touch of biscuit and a light roasted hint to the end. The hops are more noticeable then the smell would indicate. A great bitterness that is enhanced by a spicy finish. The spices aren’t exactly noticeable but still drink out a good finish.

The body is good with a full body feel. Not quite chewy though. I wouldn’t exactly call this a Winter Warmer as the spices are blended more then stand out but a fantastic beer to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2006 01:24:51 | More by Oxymoron

bditty187

Nebraska

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Isolation Ale is quite drinkable and quite agreeable. This beer was served to me with a thin, slightly off-white head that hung around awhile and laced very well… it was an amber-orange color. The nose wasn’t powerful but sweet malt and hops could be detected along with some spice. The flavors were a mix of hops, malt (sweet and caramel), and spice… it was simple and kind of thin. Nevertheless it was tremendously drinkable. Go ahead and try one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2002 18:50:48 | More by bditty187

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.81/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

single bottle given to me by a friend while watching a movie. no pour so no look. review from notes.

smell is sweet, but with earthy hops and grain. taste follows, with more grain and hops than expected, some sweet and roasted characteristics. take that back, it's fairly sweet, moreso as it warms.

the hops and sessionability put this one over

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 06:22:53 | More by jimmah120

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Weather finally turns summer-like and i'm cracking a winter warmer, go figure!
A - hazy burnt orange tint, one finger of head held at half a finger with some random lacing
S - hints of toffee and allspice, touch of peppery hops and mild mustiness
T - big malty start with toffee and buttery bread, then gentle hints of allspice and brown sugar, finishing with a hint of earthy hoppy goodness
M - medium body, slightly creamy, just a touch of spice tingle in the background, finishes mildly bitter
O - this beer grew on me with every sip, its somewhat unassuming which increases the drinkability while still having complex enough flavours to keep me entertained

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 03:58:09 | More by joemcgrath27

CaptCleveland

Ohio

3.66/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle poured into sifter.

Amber colored elixir, white foam rim, modest amount of sticky lacing.

Huge malt aroma, some spice and caramel.

The malt and spice predominate. A bit of hop bitterness, but the malt lingers. Sweet.

Medium body, nicely carbonated.

Fair representation of a winter warmer, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:42:19 | More by CaptCleveland

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

A - pours a cloudy yet deep amber . Has a interesting cherry wood sort of hue. Pours with just a touch of light tan foam.

S - the nose is a bit faint but pleasant. Lots of toasty grains, gingerbread, toffee and nuts. There is also a touch of carob and cinnamon spice.

T - a rich and deep malt presence up front. Notes of buttery toast and creamy toffee up front. Hints of carob and chicory as well. A light dusting of spices in the center breath a zesty character to the beer which carries on for the length of the finish.

M - creamy, buttery mouthfeel. Full bodied with high yet balanced carbonation.

O - a very good winter warmer style ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 07:39:39 | More by Teleweizen2

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

This beer poured out as a nice looking deep amber color with a foamed cream colored head on top. The lacing and retention are very good on this beer. The smell is malty, fairly sweet and warming. There is a subtle earthiness on the nose too. The taste of the beer is malty with a warming toasted caramel flavor with a very subtle spice note in the finish. The mouthfeel is smooth and very drinkable. Nice carbonation and body too. Overall it's a pretty solid brew but not as complex as I was hoping for.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 04:49:33 | More by Knapp85

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

2.68/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The beer is copper hued with a half inch of off white head. Teeming with effervescence. The aroma offers malt, grain, a hint of fruit, subtle sweetness and spice. Rather mild scent overall. The flavor is bready and sweet. Odd finish. A bit harsh and getting worse with every drink. Ut oh. Not really what comes to mind when I think of a winter warmer. Bland, unexciting, and forgetful. C'mon man.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 07:38:17 | More by Huhzubendah

Demosthenes503

Illinois

3.94/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Received via a beer trade. From a bottle into a pint glass.

A: Light amber color. Somewhat hazy. OK head retention (frothy at first, but did not last more than a minute of two)

S: Aroma includes caramelly sweetness, roasty malts and a very slight hint of alcohol

M: Quite fizzy mouthfeel. Medium-bodied thickness. Fizzyness lends itself to a frothy quality on the tongue

T: Sweet maltiness. Although some spices are present (cloves?) and there is a hint of smokiness, the malts really dominate the flavor and fill up your mouth toward the end. A hint of bitterness remains after swallowing a sip.

Overall this is quite an enjoyable beer. I feel like I could drink several in a row happily. Seems like it would pair well with a meal, but is good enough to stand on its own. Wish this was available locally to get through the colder months.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 01:04:27 | More by Demosthenes503

fmccormi

New York

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Straight pour from a 12oz pry-off bottle to my nice little Cigar City snifter; freshness date of March 29, 2013 printed clearly in white ink in a little purple rectangle near the bottom-left corner of the label, underneath the barcode (“3/29/13B”). Given a four-month freshness period for Odell, that means it was bottled on November 29, 2012, making this a day over five weeks old on the date of consumption.

Appearance (4.0): One finger light tan colored head, tight bubbles, good retention; body is a deep reddish amber, almost ruby-colored, and clear; just a slight chill haze. Excellent, excellent lacing: thick legs and evenly-spaced webbing all around the glass as the beer recedes.

Smell (4.0): The nose is dominated by toffee, candied apples, some citrus juice, butterscotch, and a little grassy character. It’s fragrant and balanced, and very good for the style—not too sweet at all.

Taste (4.0): English-feeling malts, American-feeling hops (but very balanced). The malts have restrained, but rich with fruity, earthy, and lightly toasted, bready tones layered with a toffee and caramel sweetness. The hops are dry and grassy, mostly a light bittering presence (the grassiness) with a modest dosage of citrusy American hop flavor, a bit of grapefruit flesh and peel. The malts strike a nice balance between full flavor and light feel—light enough to let some very moderate hopping add an even-handed complement to the malt.

Mouthfeel (3.5): The feel has a smooth carbonation that’s moderately soft with a nice flush of gentle foaming action; the body is rather light and finishes dry, thanks to an understated presence of hop oils that lighten the feel nicely.

Overall (4.0): This is a nice winter warmer that shows no booze and really great balance for the style. I don’t often drink winter warmers, but I can see the appeal with an example like this. It’s easy-drinking, malt-forward without being too thick or sweet, but still opens up nicely as it warms. A very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 01:13:50 | More by fmccormi

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle with a drink by Feb 13 on it

Amber reddish hue to this beer with off white 2 finger head that lasted a few minutes , nice lacing

Very enjoyable aroma to this beer, nothing really over powers anything else in the smell ,malty with a spice back ground sweet smelling also

This beer gets better to me with each drink , not that I didnt enjoy the first but the last few drinks made it one of my new favorites. First come of drinks I could taste sweet start with a dry alcohol finish but it all blended together in the end but the alcohol still kind of turned up at the end



Over all this is a great beer to me , I will be buying a couple of six packs Saturday when I go to the state line

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 00:53:22 | More by ubenumber2

NilocRellim

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer poured from the bottle with and amber/red colour. It had a sweet, malty, mellow nose with hints of vanilla, spice, and brown sugar. The ale was surprisingly hoppier than expected. It tasted briefly of malt, and then a citrus hop. There wasn't much of an after taste.

Would I buy this beer again? Probably not.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:04:32 | More by NilocRellim