Strong Ale Fest 2015

Odell is pretty plain Jane to me. Every time I convince myself to visit the brewery they literally have nothing on tap I can't buy in a store. Probably won't even give the brewery a chance next time in Fort Collins.

Glad I didn't pony up for a ticket this year...yawn. But Sour Fest is around the corner!

 

This is just not true. They have had a pilot system in place for a while now and they always have different beers on at the brewery that aren't packaged in stores.

 

Sorry homie but I'm with Steve - Odell's pilot system always has something new each week, they update it on their Twitter feed. Also, if Odell is plain jane, then I must be too cause their shit is always fantastic.

If solid beers well done are cool, consider me Miles Davis!

 

I've found the pilot system beers to be forgettable. That's just like, my opinion man, but it is my opinion. There are a bunch of other spots in the Fort I'd rather frequent. Hell, even Horse & Dragon.

And...I do appreciate a good Billy Madison quote.

 

Yeah I can dig that. But "they have nothing I can't buy in stores" isn't exactly correct, that's all. The experimental pales I'ev had were pretty awesome, plus I had Dr Acula on that pilot system first. I'd rather go to Odell over New Belgium 100 times out of 100 though. Can't take that crowded-ass, terribly run tap room anymore, and that's a shame cause I used to love going there in college!

 

Yeah, I should've said that better...maybe I just need to revisit!

 

Odell's Pilot has some homeruns every now and then. I had their How Gose It with blackberry recently and it was smash-tastic, if Lilikoi wasn't a thing that existed I'd drink it all summer long.

 

I've had some awesome pilot beers from Odell, have had a lot of decent pilot beers from Odell, and I have had a couple drain pours from their pilot system.

 

Just heard from a buddy who is rep for a big brewery (not in Colorado), but who has taken part in many of Avery's festivals in the past (including Strong Ale). Keep in mind - this is all according to him, and I'm just reporting on what I heard.

Generally, there's not a lot of incentive for other breweries to bring beers to Avery's festivals. Other breweries just aren't getting anything in return. In the past, they've given as many as four free entries, encouraging reps to actually go and pour beers, and have a great time. I guess that's not happening anymore, and he (and others) don't see any upside to personally attending and bringing the goods.

Don't kill the messenger...

 

I will be there and will have a great time but agree the list I saw was not the greatest. Last time I went I think was 2012 ans there were some really nice ofderings.

 

Was anyone else blown away by Averys LaStarya? Best beer of the day for me. It was like a perfected tweak. Love love loved it!

 

LaStarya was a standout for me, too. I hope we see it in the taproom again -- or in bottles. Bottles would be good. I can see it being a fan favorite, for sure.