90 Shillings by O’Dell Brewing Co.
I first heard about O’Dell during a ski trip to Colorado. I stopped by New Belgium for a tour and they told me it would be a 3 hour wait but I should check out another brewery in the time being down the street. This was in 2009 and their brewery was small.
Only a year later in 2010, I returned to O’Dell. Wow! They grew a lot and expanded their brewery a great deal. Time to take them seriously I thought. And so should you.
90 Shillings
Placed in the ‘Classics’ category of their beer, 90 Shillings is a year round craftbrew from O’Dell Brewing Co.
It reminds me of Sierra Nevada. It is to Colorado what Sierra Nevada is to California. You can count on this beer being a tap at almost any bar in Colorado. But like Sierra Nevada, this isn’t a beer to be mocked.
This classic beer from O’Dell Brewing pours a clear amber, copper color. The lace holds its own on the side of the glass but doesn’t last too long on top.
I get a mint and evergreen smell with malt included. Fruit and citric hops stand out. It is very moderate body with equally moderate carbonation. I think this makes it very drinkable. The hops and malt are equal parts; they come and go alternating as the beer passes down your throat. The citrus hops are very noticeable. Kind of goes from sweet to dry in the end.
I would not say this beer is anything to go crazy about. I would probably only get this beer if I plan on having large amounts of guests over to my house or its the best choice on tap and the local dive bar. 90 Shillings has another category that stands out if you are interested in having more experimental beers. However, it is crafted for maximum drinkability. It is a ‘classic’ example of an American Amber ale.
At 5.3% this is a great beer to put down at your favorite bar during a Sunday football game. Just do not expect to be wowed by anything but the game.
O’Dell’s Description of 90 Shillings
We introduced 90 Shilling, our flagship beer, at our opening party in 1989. For a while, we’d been wondering what would happen if we lightened up the traditional Scottish ale? The result is an irresistibly smooth and delicious medium-bodied amber ale. The name 90 Shilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.
5.3% Alc. By Vol.
27 IBUs