India Pale Ale, Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins

Style: India Pale Ale

ABV: 7 percent

Serving Type: 12-ounce bottle

Malty? Hoppy? A hefty dose of aromatic hops and a hint of malt.

Reviewed: June 2012

How’s this for an endorsement? We friggin’ love this beer.

Odell‘s take on this classic style is just right. The hop aroma is bright, floral, and citrus-y—a smell fit for an air freshener, or a candle, or something. (What do you think, Odell? New merchandise option?) The brew is bitter, but not enough to blow out your taste buds, and the citrus flavor—grapefruit, perhaps—is prominent. There’s plenty of pine, as well.

The beer finishes crisp and dry. This is the most balanced IPA we’ve had, making it the perfect version to try out on your friend who “doesn’t like hoppy beers.” We can’t guarantee they’ll like it, but they should.

Would we buy it again? A pregnant 5280 editor has declared it will be her first alcoholic beverage after giving birth. It’s that good, particularly during the summer: Pick up our 5280 Summer Six Pack and get one Odell IPA and five of our other favorite Colorado beers for the summer.