Odell Brewing Co.
Ft. Collins, CO
Available: CO, WY, KS, MO, NM, SD, NB
Three family members opened Odell Brewing Co. in 1989. Cutthroat Porter, introduced in 1993, is in the classic London porter tradition. It is brewed with 2-row barley; chocolate, crystal and amber malts; Galena hops for bittering, and English Kent and Northern Brewer for finishing hops.
Alcohol by weight: 4.2
Color: n/a
Bitterness: 43
Gravity: 1052
There’s a beautiful head here with great sound. It almost talks and certainly purrs, while the rich and invitingly dark color begs one to partake. What an invitation and the beer truly measures up to expectations as an excellent robust porter. Its sturdy malt structure contrasts nicely with an elegant hop effect to the greatness of its symmetry as a pyramid of flavor-malt-hops-invitation and beauty. I like this beer: you know it’s porter!
This beer pours black and the head is tan and rocky. The nose is full of roast character—chocolate, coffee, tobacco and a hint of smoke. On the palate, roast and hops impact together, moderate and well-intertwined, opening onto a juicy, fruity center. The finish is racy, clean and dry, signing off with a quick burst of fruit. Virtually flawless—a very fine rendition of the porter style. I could drink plenty of this, preferably with a charbroiled porterhouse steak.
Rocky head, well retained. Ebony colour. Aromas reminiscent of dark chocolate. Rich, soft, body. Velvety smoothness. Cookie-like, flavours. slightly toasty. Developing drier notes, with a hint of rye. Lovely smooth, non-astringent, roasty dryness in the finish. A beautifully balanced, complex, beer, with tightly combined flavors.
Fred Eckhardt lives, writes about and drinks beer in Portland, OR. He is the author of The Essentials of Beer Style and Saké.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
Author of Ultimate Beer, the Simon & Schuster Guide to Beer and numerous other works on drinks, Jackson has created legions of converts to fine beer.
