Odell Woodcut No. 05
Barrel-aged beers are currently one of the hottest trends in American craft brewing. Many breweries are experimenting with the unique aromas and flavors that extended oak aging can contribute to a beer — Odell is no exception. In 2007, Odell began producing their Woodcut Series, a limited release selection of powerful, creatively crafted, barrel-aged beers. New American oak, known for its aggressive character, gives these beers prominent vanilla and wood notes, which are an integral part of the flavor profile of each Woodcut release. Following aging, multiple barrels are blended to achieve a consistent product. The final product is then bottle conditioned to carbonate, and finished with a cork and cage.
The fifth offering in the Woodcut Series is Odell’s interpretation of a Belgian Quadrupel Ale. Brewed with special B malt and fermented with a blend of Belgian ale yeast and Odell’s proprietary yeast, this beer finishes at a hefty 11.3% ABV. Woodcut No. 5 pours a hazy, amber-cherry color with hardly a trace of carbonation. The aroma overwhelms with wave after wave of malt, dried fruit and alcohol complexity. Golden raisins, figs, cherries, roses, and rummy brown sugar are enhanced by smooth, vanilla and oak notes. The palate opens with molasses and dates and finishes with smooth alcohol, light tannic oak, and abundant dried apricots. As expected from the appearance, the carbonation level is exceptionally low, giving barely a tickle on the tongue and not doing much to enliven or lift the flavors on the palate. A heady beverage by anyone’s standards — be sure to share with friends as the high alcohol content can quickly sneak up on you.
Enjoyed young, this beer is good. However, given time in the bottle, this beer will likely be exceptional. A few years at cellar temperature should allow the yeast to give the beer a more robust carbonation. Time will also allow the flavors to mellow and integrate. Given the price and the packaging, this is definitely a celebration beer — best saved for a special occasion. Right now, it’s a little rough around the edges, but in 2-3 years this beer will be worth every penny.
-Pat Fahey — Certified Cicerone
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