Odell Isolation Ale - Odell Brewing Company

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

not your traditional winter warmer per se, more of a prewinter drink. the lighter mouthfeel gives it more of an autumnal vibe, rather than a sit in your gut freezing night beverage. pours a maple syrup colored indian red, with a half inch head that hangs out the whole time. nose is balanced caramel malts and aromatic hops. smells english in that old and dusty kind of way. taste is balanced, with a heavy malt backbone. slightly dry. at 6.1% i would not choose it to get me through the dead of february, but its perfect for november!

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 04:39:26 | More by StonedTrippin

lonestar4lunch

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A bottle from last years batch poured into my Odell glass. The color is a deep reddish brown with minimal lacing that fades quickly. The nose is of biscuit malts, light caramel and maybe a hit of dark fruit. The taste is malts, sugars and some light hop bitterness at the end. There really isn't much hop to be found except right at the last breath the drink. The finish is a soft dryness and a touch of sweetness. There isn't any spice to be found which is nice for a change. A good, almost sessionable winter warmer for me. Odell is top 5 in my book for sure.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 00:30:32 | More by lonestar4lunch

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

emmasdad

Colorado

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

One of my Christmas favorites every year. Poured a rich, dense reddish-brown color, with a generous tan head. Aromas of fruitcake, malt and earthy hops. On the palate, medium bodied, with flavors of dark fruits (fruitcake), earthy hops, sugar and malt.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 05:45:20 | More by emmasdad

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had originally intended to drink this on the longest day, but circumstances conspired against me. Still, what could be better than a winter ale at the beginning of summer?

A 12 oz bottle; there is a date of Sept 2010 on the label although I presume this is the botting date rather than the use by date? I like the stylised image on the front.

Poured into a Sam Smith's pint glass. A hazy coppery-brown with good carbonation. Produces a thick, creamy head of off-white foam that lasts for a few minutes before collapsing to a surface layer. Aroma of rich, sweet malt with hints of grain, caramel, dried fruit and a whiff of alcohol.

Tastes of sweet biscuity malt with a dry finish. Notes of grain, caramel/toffee, brown sugar, and dried fruit. A hint of alcohol in the background. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, but a bit thinner than I expected. Sweet malty aftertaste.

Pretty good, although from experience I was expecting a 'winter warmer' to be slightly spiced. A nice balance of flavours with pleasant sweetness. Could perhaps have done with some subtle roasty notes to add character. The body seemed a little thin, but a very drinkable beer nonetheless. Worth sampling....

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 00:44:22 | More by jazzyjeff13

chugalug06

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I would like to preface my review with the fact this is a "best fresh brew" that's now nine months old.... But, I would like to review it nonetheless, so I can reflect on it's abilities once aged. I also feel it's good for others to know if a brew will age well or not.

A - Pours a great, not overly aggressive, tan head. Slightly soapy at first, but settles to a foam quickly. Head reduces nicely and leaves great lacing. Brew is cloudy mahogany color with orange tannins.

S - Very malty and spicy. All normally dominating hops have died off by this point... Almost a sour scent with a kick of cinnamon.

T - Very bubbly and slightly sour (?). Great caramel taste with kick of chocolate and pine.

M - Great mouthfeel even with the strong carbonation. Light bodied and elegant feel. This one could stand to age another nine months...

D - Not quite as great aged as it is fresh, but still quite good.

Don't try it aged, unless you've had it fresh.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 00:23:19 | More by chugalug06

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks goes out to jmkratt for sending me a bottle of this as an extra in a past trade! Served from bottle into a Stone nonic. Poured red-orange with a two finger bone white head that subsided to one finger slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, nutmeg, coriander, and clove. The flavor was of sweet malt, coriander, nutmeg, and enise. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew, but was far from awe-inspiring. It was actually decent for a winter warmer but just not very memorable. The flavor was pretty heavy on the spices as one would expect, but it just didn't have any sweetness to really balance it out to the degree of the spices. Pretty much the same story for the aroma as well. Worth trying but that's about it.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 19:39:37 | More by thagr81us

weizenbob

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle received in a trade with jmkratt. Thanks for tracking this down John; it seems oddly difficult to locate winter warmers by time January rolls around (now that all of the Spring seasonals are already coming out). Enjoy by date of 3/29/11. Poured into a goblet. The pour yields almost a finger tall head that quickly recedes. The brew is a dark hazy copper hue. There is no visible carbonation. Lacing is minimal.

This beer has a really unique aroma with hints of chocolate, caramel, marshmallow and toasted coconut. The malt appears to be roasted and has a subtle earthy character. A sweet lingering alcohol scent comes on somewhat strong in the back end. It's not incredibly aromatic, but it is very interesting.

The flavor also has some interesting things going on. Though the label tells me I'm drinking ale, I could swear this is a bock. It also seems a bit out of balance, but my tongue is having fun unlocking the puzzle. It's a little watery on the front end, with a good amount of sweetness that doesn't seem to be paired with any other flavor. Slowly, subtle earthy malts emerge and build to a sweet raisin-like note. The alcohol begins to rise up, not in a boozy way, but in a "there isn't anything else going on here to cover up the alcohol" kind of way. All 29 IBUs manifest in the finish with a surprisingly bitter hop kick.

In the mouth this is neither wowing me nor offending me; it's right in the middle of the road. The body is on the low end of medium. There is a mild prickly carbonation to tickle the tongue and agitate the flavors.

All of this adds up to a beer that is pretty drinkable as it is inoffensive to the palate. But all in all it's not that memorable. It drinks really well for 6.1% ABV but I don't think I would tip them back one after another if I had other options. Still, I'm thankful that I was able to try this and to have a winter warmer to enjoy during the actual winter months.

---

The Two Schlitz Scale™: (see my profile for an explanation)
I don't really give a Schlitz about Isolation Ale. It's not bad, but there is better to be had.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 03:43:17 | More by weizenbob

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

ClarkPinnock

North Carolina

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

Thanks to Onenote81 for this bottle!

Pours a rich amber color with little to no lacing. Nose is brown sugar with a nascent form of maple.

Vestiges of malt and caramel are evinced in the slightly sugary taste. This is certainly illustrative of this winter ale style, which seems to be predicated on a robust, if somewhat spicy, flavor.

This beer makes me wish I lived closer to Colorado, very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 02:55:03 | More by ClarkPinnock

Bubba83

California

3.48/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle at around 45 degrees into a New Belgium Globe. An off-white two finger widths head tops a dark amber body. Clarity is good. The head is fluffy looking, and has good retention and lots of lacing.

Smells like an amber would, sort of a toasty bread character, along with traces of brown sugar, cinnamon, and a little bit of spruce on the tail end.

First taste I got was like panettone, a sweet, bready, dark fruit kind of experience. It's a bit watered down or something though. The flavors are there, but they need to be a little more apparent. A little bit of spice finishes things up.

The carbonation is about right, and the smoothness is nice, but the consistency is quite thin. It feels a bit watery as a result. I'm looking for a little bit more texture from a winter warmer.

Overall I liked this beer but wanted it to be a bit bolder in just about every way imaginable. A six percent winter warmer is definitely on the low alcohol side, so it drank easily, but just wasn't quite what I was expecting, I suppose.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2011 04:04:55 | More by Bubba83

gregshead

California

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

A: Pours a thick copper color w/ a half finger of head.

S: Sweet caramel malt smell w/ a nice hops smell in the background

T: Nice Caramel/Toffee sweetness with just enough bitterness in the background.

M: A little syrupy but some good/subtle carbonation

D: It comes close to knocking it out of the park for this style. A great beer for a cold night where I get snowed in. Unfortunately that doesn't happen that often here in San Diego

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2011 06:00:41 | More by gregshead

Onenote81

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle received from readbaron in a trade recently. Thanks, Baron!

12oz bottle, best by: 3/18/11, printed on the side. Poured into a chalice.

Pours a deep amber with a thin half-inch off-white head on top. Minor lace left behind. The nose is fairly sweet, with notes of apple, brown sugar, maple, and light cinnamon. Not very potent though. I've really got to swirl this one to get any nose on it.

The body is moderate. Mild crispness; easy finish. This isn't your typical Winter Warmer, though what is? I guess this is a pretty all-encompassing style. This one is sweet with hints of honey, vanilla, applesauce, mild spices, and a bready finish. This isn't what I expected, but it's good nonetheless. Glad I have a couple bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 17:34:49 | More by Onenote81

Bizz88

Colorado

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

Pours a clear amber with a light fluffy two finger tan head and alot of sticky lacing on the way out. Aromas of carmel malts and spice. Sweet malt and carmel on the palate with enough spicey goodness to make things interesing. A dry medium bodied brew with good carbonation. Exceptionally drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 20:51:43 | More by Bizz88

herman77

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Copper orange with an average off white head. Good lacing.

S: Light toasted malt, carmel, a hint of spices and pine.

T: Toasted malt, semi sweet nutty bread. Some light spices and pine hops after the initial malty flavors.

M: Medium to ligher body. Low to moderate carbonation.

D: Average at best. Not much else to say.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 23:53:52 | More by herman77

arizcards

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a sixer from Total Wine in late October for $8.49.

Beer poured an amber orange with a two fingered head that has retained nicely and is leaving some lacing behind. Bottled i believe on 10-14-10.

Nose is biscuity malts with notes of roasted nuts.

Taste is pretty well balanced between the nutty biscuity malts with just enough hop action.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty smooth.

Overall drinkability is good. I understand this is the winter seasonal but this sure drinks like a better version of a Fat Tire!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 23:52:38 | More by arizcards

zhanson88

Montana

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

drumrboy22

Colorado

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

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass. Beer was a clear, light brown color, with a two-finger, thick, foamy head. Moderate carbonation and thick lacing around the glass.

Aroma was heavy caramel, malt, peanuts, biscuit and a touch of chocolate.

Taste was malt, caramel, nuts, light spices and hops. Good balance of spices.

Pretty drinkable, nice winter time brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 03:50:24 | More by drumrboy22

Chaz

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a brilliant copper-Amber in color, topped with a frothy pale tan head and plenty of lace.

Nose offers up equal parts biscuit-y malt and yeasty tang, along with the barest hint of bitter hop.

Smooth and creamy on the first sip, with a lightly-sweet character and just a hint of alcohol -- not a very big beer for the style, mind you (at least in the contemporary American interpretation), but the alcohol is there all the same.

Biscuit malt notes -and dry, cracker-like ones at that- work their magic here and add up to a very easy drinking, almost (too-easy) session-able beer. Reminds me of the classic American mis-understanding of the ESB style . . . a little different than what I'd expect of a Winter Warmer in other words.

Unfortunately, this is only an average beer for its style, but with an excellent, smooth and creamy mouthfeel and drinkability that "goes all the way to "11", it is definitely a cut above average for an everyday sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 02:48:42 | More by Chaz

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A = Pours a red-orange-yellow mixture with a light tan finger of bubbly head. Dissipates quickly, laces well.

S - Rich and malty, with a nice milk chocolate aroma. Slightly sweet and caramel-like.

T - Malt forward, naturally, a bit of that chocolate sweetness like in the aroma. There is a hint of citrus. The finish is roasted malts.

M - On the rather high end of light in body, rather creamy. Little bit of carbonation.

D - The drink is good. Not problem having a couple.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 00:06:46 | More by EgadBananas

ebrauser

Utah

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Burnt copper w/ thin white head

Aroma: Flowery hops and sweet maltiness alongside. Slightly bready

Flavor: Dull hop bitterness moves into a semi-dry roasted malt finish. A little sweet and cidery without much malt backbone. Hop character is pronounced.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, easy to drink!

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 04:40:33 | More by ebrauser

mdwalsh

Iowa

3.2/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I don't really know what this beer is supposed to be, a Winter Warmer? Sure. I'm just going to review on how I like this.

A: Red, quite red with a three or four finger head of beige. Zero active carbonation. Very clear, and the head is attractive, but the beer itself isn't all that stunning. 4

S: Toasted nuts, nutmeg, cinnamon, crisp herb bread, and some very particular baked aroma that I just can't figure out. It's brining to mind ethnic Greek or Arabian foods. Maybe even burnt milk chocolate? Very intriguing and appetizing. 4

T: Most of the aroma follows through to the taste, but I must say I'm not a huge fan. It seems to just fall flat. There's no bite, but all the tastes going on seem like they need a bite. They form a very nice base, but there's no star. Mild bitterness, but just nothing great. 3

M: Flat, despite a nice head and nice lacing, there is no carbonation in here, and it really hurts this beer as a whole. 2.5

D: Drinkable, no, I'm not a big fan of this and I'm not sure how I'm going to get rid of five more. 3

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 17:17:32 | More by mdwalsh

StJamesGate

New York

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

Pours bright clear chestnut with creamy off white head that disappears quick but trails. Nose is big toasty malts, and baked spiced orange Lots of oaty toast with some burnt sugar malts toffee and hint of apricot with branchy (English) and orange liqueur hops. Medium, chewy, a bit of oil.

English character turned up to American volumes. Toasted malt over hops, and spicy notes are quiet enough, so I'm not sure how this is a winter warmer instead of just a bitter with American hops.

Not up to Odell's usual impeccable standards. Drinkable, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 09:58:03 | More by StJamesGate

plfahey

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance-Red-amber in color. Very clear. Moderate off-white head with moderately retention and some lacing

Aroma-Grain, toasted malts, and hints of caramel, roast, and nuttiness lay the foundation of the aroma. Moderate earthy/spicy/herbal hop aromas blend well and there's a faint whiff of alcohol in the finish

Flavor-Sweet toasted malt with light biscuity and caramel undertones is overtaken by powerful earthy/herbal hop flavors. The beer finishes with some residual sweetness, but the hop flavors have the upper hand throughout the flavor. Moderate to moderately high hop bitterness dries out the sweetness in the finish

Mouthfeel-Smooth, medium body is augmented and enhanced by moderate carbonation. Hint of alcohol warming on the palate.

Wow. While much hoppier than most examples of the style, this is extremely drinkable, yet still has enough alcohol to act as a winter warmer. I would be happy to knock back several of these.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 05:37:43 | More by plfahey

kevinconroy

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A-nice amber color; decent head

S-Very unusual smell. Smells very grassy; nice hoppy characte

T-Good taste; nice malt flavor with a grassy hop finish

M-For me this beer is very light and crisp, not a lot of foam but good amount

D-Very Drinkable beer...all night long

good winter warmer high end for style but as a beer in general one six pack a year will be all that I buy

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 01:28:07 | More by kevinconroy