The Meddler

(this is my little Meddler, Coconut!)

A couple evenings ago I went to the liquor store in search of a new delicious bomber to try. I got the privilege of trying Odell’s new beer, The Meddler, first. They had to dig it out of a box in the back for me! Sometimes I can be meddlesome J.

The Meddler:Oud Bruin Ale

The Meddler is a resurrected style of ale that hails from the Flemish region of Belgium. The ale was aged in oak barrels for about 18 months. Several generations of brown ales were blended to create this unique beer. This marks the fifth beer in Odell Brewing’s Single Serve beer series.

Beer Information

8.9% Alcohol by Volume

Bacteria: Lactobacillus and wild yeasts

Style: Oud Bruin (the Dutch name translates to “old brown”)

Odell Brewing’s word on the matter: “Hints of malty sweet chocolate and vanilla toy with a hauntingly sour finish”.

My Experience

I was immediately excited to try a new style of beer. I found The Meddler dark and bold with just a slight coffee taste. The beer is sour, and reminded me a little of New Belgium Brewing’s La Folie. Overall I found the beer delicious and powerful. Cheers!

Sweaty Betty Blonde

Today, I took my cruiser for a spin in the hot summer sun. When I returned home, sweat on my brow, I began to crave a Sweaty Betty Blonde from Boulder Beer Company!

Sweaty Betty Blonde

Boulder Brewing Company originally released this Bavarian style pale wheat ale in 2004, in a 22 ounce bomber. After receiving rave reviews they decided to move Betty into a six pack, year round!

Beer Information

5.2% Alcohol by Volume

Hops: Hallertau

Style: Bavarian Wheat Ale

Boulder Beer Company’s word on the matter (per the beer bottle label): “Irresistible. Flirtatious. Aromatic. Soft. Supple. Unavoidable.  Smooth. Exuberant. Glistening. Wild. Firm. Rare. Succulent.  Luscious. Ripe. Natural. Glowing. Curvaceous. Magical. Wheat… and the 5^th release in our Looking Glass Series of beers.”

My Experience

Sweaty Betty is a light bodied refreshing blonde that exudes notes of banana, clove and lemon. Although it is a Bavarian style pale wheat, it has similiarities to a hefeweizen. Hefeweizens also often contain notes of banana and clove.

In addition to the pleasing taste I also love the adjectives Boulder Beer uses to describe their lovely, luscious, flirty beer!

1554: Enlightened Black Ale

Hello fellow beer lovers! I am very new to blogging, so I apologize ahead of time for any blogging blips. To begin the beer journey I have chosen New Belgium Brewery's: 1554

1554: Enlightened Black Ale


In the late 90's Phil Benstein, researcher, and Peter Bouckaert, brewmaster, traveled to Belgium in search of an ancient beer recipe. Deep within a library they located what came to be 1554, named after the year the recipe was dated.

Beer Information:


5.6% Alcohol by volume
21 IBUS
Style: Black Ale
New Belgium's word on the matter: "1554 Enlightened Black Ale uses a lager yeast strain and dark chocolaty malts to redefine what dark beer can be."

My Experience


I first tried 1554 on a dark rainy day. Immediately I was impressed by how unique and light the flavor was. It was my first black ale (they are rare). Typically beers dark in color are stouts or porters which contain heavy, creamy notes. 1554 is somewhat fruity but still contains a slight bitterness. But don't take my word for  it, go try one today! You won't be disappointed.