The French (Hop) Connection
Odell Brewing Company

Enjoyed on tap, served in a tulip. Beer is a lovely golden color with a nice white head that leaves some spotty lacing.
The aroma is grassy and farmyard funky with a touch of lemongrass.
Very tasty Saison. Pepper notes hit me first with a touch of lemon, some grassiness and a pleasant hay and funk note. A slight, almost pine bitter towards the end and a nice dry finish.
Mouthfeel is medium and well carbonated.
Overall, a tasty and (given the alcohol level, which surprised me) very drinkable, refreshing brew.

 

 

this is certainly well made beer, but to me, the idea just isnt that good. these french hop strains, as i know them, are not overly unique in mild to moderate doses, and even assuming a large dry hopping, probably not distinct enough to make a beer like this all that different in flavor. its neat to learn about them here and to use them, but the saison yeast strain is quite pungent, and it definitely contributes more flavor than the hops do. they might have been best doing a really intensely hopped session ipa or something with these french hops, although i like the idea of more traditional beer with these old world ingredients. for what it is, i thought the flavor was a little bland, more belgian than anything else. grass and hay on the hops for me, moderate bitterness, good flavor, just mild. playful carbonation keeps it easy drinking, but it benefits little from its strength. i was hopping for a much hoppier, much funkier, much more unique beer. they missed an opportunity for french saison yeast and french wine barrels. that would be more of a french connection if you ask me, but i dont make decisions for odell...

On draft at Racine's in Denver. Served in a pint glass (why?) . Yellow, cloudy haze. Aroma is mostly esters and belgian yeast. Flavor is similar, floral. Overall not my bag for a saison and it upset my stomach.

 

Dark golden pour with a small white head. Has a light hop flavor balanced by a light peppery yeast flavor.

 

Juicy, ripe, dry, hay-leaning saison with good load of hop bitters on the finish, good florality, and a buttery smoothness to its malt. A lighter-bodied, paler-colored, hoppier Domaine du Page.

This should be labeled as an ESB.

 

 

 

 

Polished deep golden... good white head, spotty lacing... pretty... Nose is light Belgian phenols that make me thing pink bubblegum and white peppercorn.. grassy hops. Hops on the palate have an almost minty/menthol character.. Nice tight saison good balanced yeast character.. medium body, could be a little lighter IMO... Still extremely drinkable.

4/3.75/4/3.75/4

 

 

A collaboration between Odell and Alamo Drafthouse, somehow we got a keg in Albuquerque despite not having an Alamo Drafthouse.

Served in a snifter at Nob Hill Bar and Grill.

Arrives with a thick foamy pale white head. A layer of thick lace remains after the head recedes. The body is perfectly transparent and dark gold approaching bronze in color. Seems dark for a saison but otherwise very nice to look at. 4.5

Floral with a biscuity malt aroma. Hints of lemon. 3.75

Flavors of lemon, candy-like sweetness and a floral finish. Hops offer a grassy, herbal and slightly piney mix of flavors. 3.75

It's medium-bodied and drinks a bit heavily.... Meaning it's not as
refreshing as I'd hope. 3.5

Not a particularly noteworthy saison to me but like most beers, it does the trick.