Odell Isolation Ale
Odell Brewing Company

Odell Isolation AleOdell Isolation Ale
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From:
Odell Brewing Company
 
Colorado, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #26
ABV:
6%
Score:
88
Ranked #15,027
Avg:
3.91 | pDev: 11.25%
Reviews:
298
Ratings:
889
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 01, 2024
Added:
Jan 28, 2001
Wants:
  77
Gots:
  157
A funny thing happens here around summer’s end—our eyes start searching the skies for those first fall flakes. As we welcome autumn’s first snow, we celebrate the return of Isolation Ale—a sweet-caramel malty ale balanced by a subtle crisp hop finish. Whether you ski, shred, or shoe, it’ll inspire you to make first tracks.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bsp77:
Photo of bsp77
Reviewed by bsp77 from Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint.

Appearance: Clear reddish-brown with thin off-white head.

Smell: Rich caramel malts, very spicy English hops, and a light fruitiness. Fairly dry aroma.

Taste: Just lightly sweet malt body with caramel, dark fruit and a touch of tea. Very spicy, floral and citrusy English hops are used to great effect on the finish. While not particularly bitter, the hop profile suggests it is higher than the listed 29 IBUs.

Feel: Moderate carbonation, smooth medium to full body, very dry finish.

Drinkability: Quite simply, this is one of the best traditional English-style Ales I have had. Drinkable, full flavored and delicious.

Edit: Lowered my taste score from 4.5 to 4, as by mid-November, the hops had faded somewhat. So this so-called Winter beer is best in October.
Oct 04, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.88 by Mesaboog from Colorado

Feb 01, 2024
 
Rated: 3.5 by BlueTrain

Jan 22, 2024
Photo of vette2006c5r
Reviewed by vette2006c5r from Minnesota

3.82/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Isolation Ale pours dark amber with a big, long-lasting, tan head. The aroma is spice and heavy malty. The flavor has a big spice, rich caramel notes, dark cereal base. Good body and feel. Overall, very flavourful and perfect for a cold night.
Jun 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4.18 by Beergod420 from Michigan

Jan 31, 2023
Photo of Darkmagus82
Reviewed by Darkmagus82 from Texas

3.72/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a dark amber caramel color with a small head of off-white foam. The head fades rather fast leaving a light level of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma is rather strong of a caramel malt and toasty brown bread. Along with these aromas comes some smells of toffee and a little bit of a spice.
Taste – The taste begins with a lightly toasted bready malt flavor that is mixed with flavors of caramel and toffee. These are the base flavors of the brew and last throughout the taste profile. There is a little bit of a grainy taste that develops as the taste moves forward. Along with these flavors there is a little bit of a spice and some light herbal and pine hops, which develop as well, leaving one with a rather malty, but overall balanced taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is slightly more thick and chewy for the abv, with a carbonation level that is on the lower side. For the more malty nature of the brew the feel is good and makes for a rather easy sipper.
Overall – A rather decent winter ale. Good and malty with an overall balanced taste.
Dec 10, 2022
 
Rated: 3.19 by J_Brew_99 from Colorado

Nov 09, 2022
Photo of ZebulonXZogg
Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois

3.77/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear bright copper an off white head and sme spotty lacing. Nose gets some caramel and bread, taste buds get that also. A bit on the thin side, continously rising carbonation. Nice beer.
Mar 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.5 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Feb 08, 2022
 
Rated: 3.7 by wisegreensoul from Idaho

Dec 27, 2021
Photo of beergoot
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

4.23/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Gorgeous dark amber body; fine carbonation bubbles, gently rising; thick and frothy head, bordering on creamy in texture; patchy flecks of foam dot the glass. Very nice earthy sweetness; toasted caramel. Toasted bread crust flavor; mild to moderate hop bitterness. Heavy body; excellent residual sugar mouthfeel; warm and sticky on the palate; dry feel overall

This is a very nice winter warmer. I've understood others have felt this was a tad too sweet, yet I find the sweetness to be very subdued. Where other winter / holiday beers go for the seasonal spice notes, this beer goes for the bare-bone basics - malt and hops. The ABV fits in nicely with the malt-forward flavor, not too strong or overwhelming. Balanced and quite enjoyable.

Pouring temperature: 51 °F; canning data: 02/22/22 (assumed BBF date)
Dec 17, 2021
 
Rated: 3.89 by jchanley from Illinois

Dec 17, 2021
 
Rated: 3.87 by dt_gbpackersfan from Missouri

Dec 13, 2021
Photo of JZH1000
Reviewed by JZH1000 from Colorado

4.16/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
12oz can
On the pour, very rocky thick head that simmers down to a coating over the top in a minute or two, but clings to the sides of the glass before I even touch it. Looks highly carbonated and is a brownish dark red.

Smell is sweet and malty, maybe a bit more yeast than I was expecting, and a slight hint of alcohol with a fruity note. Smells line some of the german styles I've been drinking recently.

Taste is similar to an altbier I had recently, more mild finish though. Hops are present but mostly for bitterness. Not a lot of sweetness coming through but quite malty as it fades. On the front there is a dryness to it. Quite nice with the flavor up front but the slow fade into a mild malty finish that doesnt overstay its welcome.

The feel is very nice there is enough alcohol present for there to be that alcohol warming effect even at only 6% it is true to its name for being a winter warmer. Has a thicker mouth feel bit not from head, the fluid itself has a syrupy smooth texture compared to plain water but in a good way.

Overall quite nice, not for everyone with the yeastiness at the front but quite nice and the malts really shine in this one.
Dec 08, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by hester7 from Texas

Dec 05, 2021
 
Rated: 3.94 by RPBeerdude from Colorado

Nov 30, 2021
Photo of Iamaskier
Reviewed by Iamaskier from Idaho

3.67/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Reddish brown body, only a trace head. Smell is sweet and dry- caramel, figs, a hint of spice, some sort of candy I can’t put my finger on. Taste is caramelized figs, dark bread, bitter pine hops, and more hints of spice. That piney, slightly citrusy bitterness lingers. Feel is smooth and wet, with moderately high carbonation. It’s pretty good, nothing spectacular. I wish it was a bit sweeter. If I wanted a winter seasonal style I’d probably look for something else.
Nov 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by uncleotis from Illinois

Nov 14, 2021
Photo of turfy
Reviewed by turfy from Texas

3.91/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured an amber color with an off white/ touch of tan healthy head, which slowly receded to a light film throughout the drink. Very nice clinging. Great looking beer! Smell is typical for the style, a somewhat subdued malty breadiness with perhaps a touch of spice and sweetness. Taste follows the nose. Mouthfeel is medium body with slightly less than medium carbonation. Overall a very nice winter warmer that shows quality brewing. Very apt for fall/ winter enjoyment.
Oct 15, 2021
Odell Isolation Ale from Odell Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 889 ratings