REVIEW: Drumroll Pale Ale From Odell Brewing Co.

Warmer weather is slowly making some inroads here in Northern New Mexico. It seems to be struggling more than in other years though.

Last weekend we got a foot of snow; one last hurrah for the cold weather, maybe. It was a day that called for some sort of libational darkness, and though I’d have been most happy with a barleywine or some other higher alcohol warming friendliness, I settled, and was quite happy with a Porter.

The following day opened with zero clouds and a bright, well-rested sun and, by lunch, my thoughts had turned to thirst quenching summertime brews. I opened up my cabinet to see what I had in stock… drumroll please! (okay, lame joke, but you can’t fault a guy for trying.)

Odell’s Drumroll was sitting there staring back at me and looking darn tasty.

Drumroll is an unfiltered American Pale Ale and Odell’s first year-round release in over 2 years, which is quite a feat if you think about how many craft brewers have, at least, one change to their core offerings every year. It is also Odell’s first release that is exclusively canned.

Possibly because of its can-only release it has been dubbed, “The-go-to, that goes with.” Catchy, don’t you think?

It also plays to the idea of Drumroll being the perfect beer for all those leave-your-house summer fun activities.

The hops used in Drumroll are a combination of the most popular and best yields of any given season, meaning the amounts and types of hops will change at least slightly, season to season. The use of the same base grain bill, but varying the selected hops is becoming a popular concept among craft brewers. The same sort of thing can be seen in Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion and Deschutes Armory XPA.

One more thing, I always have to mention Odell’s product art. Often it reminds me of old woodblock art. The Drumroll can is another great creation, fitting perfectly into the rest of their line. Perfect summer sky, lazy river, with a centered snare drum and crossed drumsticks (each ending in a hop cone) wreathed by a hop bine. Just looking at the picture makes me want to crack the can, so….

THE TASTING

Below are the tasting notes I took while drinking Odell’s Drumroll. If you tasted this beer, please share your thoughts with me in the comments below.

Pour and Aroma:

Drumroll falls into the glass a hazy golden color, like sunshine through smoke. A white head billows up covering the surface in a 2 finger blanket of fluffy bubbles.

The smell hit as soon as I popped the can’s tab; big, fresh, and substantial. It includes notes of ripe mango and nectarine, with the slight tang of tangerine, grapefruit, and pineapple just below. Only whispered signs of the crackery malt.

Mouthfeel and Taste:

Body is medium-full with a smooth, slightly crisp mouthfeel. There is noticeable astringency across the palate.

There’s fruitiness at the front. A light biscuity sweetness, but the malt perception is mostly of dry crackers. There is more citrus in the taste then in the nose; bright orange, lemon zest, tangy grapefruit. Some tropical fruits make a play along the edges. Mid-palate brings flavors of duffy pine and light tinges of onion along with an assertive, but not overwhelming, bitterness that plays through to the lightly crisp finish. Aftertaste is a mixed reminder of the hops.

FINISHING THOUGHTS

This is a drumroll into summer fun for sure; refreshing, lively, and juicy. The fruitiness displayed here is broad and pleasant with the interesting counterpoint of the almost tortilla-like malt.

Keep in mind though; it doesn’t have quite the malt background you’d expect from a pale ale, making it slightly crisper, than other examples of the style. The dryness pushes the perceived bitterness up above what might be anticipated too; a possible concern if you like pale ales, but don’t venture into the realm of IPAs.

If you’re thinking about hitting your favorite fishing spot this summer, headed for a few nights of camping, or a cookout under the stars this might just become your “go-to, that goes with.”

Cheers!