Odell Wolf Picker Experimental IPA

The name Wolf Picker comes from a harvesting rig, not from somebody who picked at wolves, or a judge in a wolf beauty contest, or someone who does wolf tattoos. Apparently every year the Wolf Picker features a different strain of hops. 

Wolf Picker IPA pours a slightly hazy golden hue, with a towering four-finger head. Although the IBU count is a conservative 41, it tastes like it should be higher. Interesting mixture of grapefruit and pine notes. Other than those two, there are hints of lemon grass, coriander, and some floral & tropical fruit notes, all very subdued. This is what you want - nothing overwhelming anything else, no added fruit flavors - everything that you taste coming from the hops and the malt. I'd seriously recommend if you like to be able to taste your IPAs and not be drowned in bitterness. 
 

Odell 90 Shilling Amber Ale

 I picked up an Odell's variety 12 pack today, it looks like I may have had, once upon a time, three of the four, but I'm going to review them again since it's been over 10 years. 

90 Shilling is an amber ale. Amber ales are kind of the middle-of-the-road work horses of the ale world, nothing fancy, no crazy flavorings or over-the-moon hoppiness. 90 Shilling pours a clear copper hue, with a thin beige head that dissipates pretty quickly. The ABV is 5.3%, which means it's not going to kill you, with 32 IBUs, which means you'll still have enamel on your teeth after a can or two. At one time Odell's called it a Scottish Ale, but in my view, amber ale describes it better, as Scottish Ales tend to be heavier with a smoky quality that this beer lacks. 

Caramel and pumpernickel bread are the prevailing flavors, yet they don't overwhelm. I think I'm detecting teeny bit of coriander and honey as well. Pretty decent ale, especially if you like to keep it simple.