Odell Curmudgeons Nip

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Courtesy of markwise, now I can pull yet another very long time ‘want’ off my list, thanks. This 1997 vintage pours clear copper with thin off white head. The aroma is musty malts, smooth blunted pine hops, some caramel candy, a bit of oxidation and thick and tacky summer pavement burned malt syrup. The taste is smooth and yummy goodness with caramel candy, sticky malt sweetness and smooth blunted rolling waving pine hops. Into the finish a bit of dark fruity esters come to the surface and sort of seem like aged pine hop infused brown sugar coated prunes. I think the word “yum” is required here.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

The Curmudgeon's Nip poured a clear mahongany with a smallish, creamy light brown head that quickly went to a collar and left a little lacing. It smells of molasses, tart fig and alcohol. It's pretty full-bodied, and very sticky/syrupy and almost cloyingly sweet. It's taste is sweet toffee and caramel initially, with an earthy, hoppy bitter finish that is kind of acidic. You can definitely notice an alcoholic warming effect right off the bat. I didn't think the sweetness and bitterness was very well balanced - way too sweet. I was pretty disapointed by this beer compared to the rest of Odell's offerings.