Odell Double Pilsner

Brewed by Odell Brewing Company
Style: European Strong Lager
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

12oz bottle from Crosling, drunk on 1/25/07, thanks Nick!
Hell of an appearance on this one! A huge, fairly dense cream-colored head rises up quickly atop a mostly clear (beer is bottle conditioned) maize-golden body with ample, tiny-bubbled carbonation. Head recedes slowly, never falling below cover, though, and leaving profuse amounts of webby lacing.
Wow, a lot going on in the nose. All at once, you’re hit with distinctly authentic European lager yeast (czech pils at least if not another) which produces crisp apples and other minerals. True-to-style European hops are well-integrated, adding bright acidity and plenty of raw, aromatic, wet, green grass. Strong herbal notes arise as well and sink slowly and evenly in to an assertive, but not dominant or brash maltiness that is full of honey, warm sourdough baguette and a touch of dry biscuits. Smells absolutely delicious, but rather strong as well (not surprisingly). Warming releases more and more yeast notes, light apple and mineral notes are omnipresent but the dry, herbal hops remain somewhat stronger than the yeast. A fair amount of acidity seems to perk up on the finish, as well. No alcohol vapors, very clean, which is a great thing about strong lagers vs. strong ales (when they’re done correctly). Medium-high to high aroma strength and very sniffable.
Sumptuous pils malt mixes with crisp, grassy and surprisingly quite bitter hoppiness to provide stunning balance. Yeast is very crisp on the end, biting even, as it should be, with sourish grains and moderate doughiness setting in on to the palate as it progresses. Maybe a bit too much sourness/acidity builds up and there are some rough, biscuity/grainy edges, but for a lager of this strength, I’ve shocked by its drinkability. Contributing to this most primarily are its wonderful attenuation and natural carbonation which is highly tolerable and engaging. Knock out some of the excessive sourdough notes and maybe even take it a little more dry (it can never be too dry!). Substantial texture, but light enough to keep with a drinkable nature. Alcohol very well masked. Great intro to this brewery!

Tasted on tap at the 2006 Pizza Port Strong Ale Fest. This Imperial Pilsner (?) pours a light gold color. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is cereal and grainy, a touch fruity and sweet. A medium to full bodied pilsner. Malts are fruity and sweet, with a touch of cereal and grain. Hops are slightly and a touch earthy. Nice pilsner, lots of body and mouthfeel, crisp and clean. A touch sweet, but only at the finish. Hides the alcohol very well. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Poured a clear golden yellow with a small white head. Sweet malty aroma with biscut and cereal notes. Light floral hop was mixed in as well as a hint of alcohol. The flavor was malty and sweet with a yeasty spice and bitter hop finish.

Grassy and tart, this is a tasty lager. Clear golden pour with moderate white head. Malty nose with notes of straw, grass and a slight acrid aroma. Sweet flavor (pineapple) with distinct notes straw and dough. Tart at the end. Clean palate, moderate carbonation, medium body. Smooth feel.

Clear lemony gold pour with an airy, pure white head. Lots of grassy, piney hops are met with a layer of funk in the nose. I’m not sure if it is yeast funk or Bavarian hops though - it’s earthy and acidic, reminding me like a very mild Brett. Lush, creamy mouthfeel is met with another round of sharp hoppiness as well as a great honey malt middle. The finish peters off into a dry, champagne like oblivion. I wish this had a little more substantial hoppiness to match the assertive nose. Ethery notes in the finish as well. Otherwise, good stuff.

This brew poured clear, bright gold, almost tinted green, with a thin, quickly dissipating off white head. Aromas of alcohol, sweet and yeasty; lightly spicey hops and heavy bread notes. The palate is medium to syrupy. Delicious flavor or sweet malts and a bit of pepper. Very warming.

Pour is clear yellow with a thin white head...smell is grassy and grainy...nice earthy flavor with a residual sweetness...no hint of alcohol at all...

Bottle, 8.1%. Clear, shiny yellow colour. Very small head. Quite malty, slightly bonbony, nice and peppery. Low to medium bitterness. Slightly sweet. Very nice and soft.