Odell Brewing Fort Collins: Classic Craft Meets Modern Hops

Hi there! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. In October 2025, for the 5th stop on my GABF brewery tour, I visited “Odell Brewing Company” in Fort Collins, Colorado. Here’s my report on the experience.

About Odell Brewing Company

Odell Brewing Company was founded in 1989 by Doug, Wynne, and Corkie Odell. Fort Collins is often called the “Craft Beer Capital,” home to renowned breweries like New Belgium Brewing. Among them, Odell stands as one of the original pioneers.

A defining characteristic is their employee-owned (ESOP) structure. Every staff member involved in brewing has an ownership stake, bringing a personal sense of responsibility to quality. You can taste that integrity in every glass.

Access & Basic Information

Name	Odell Brewing Company
Address	800 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Hours	Mon–Thu 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, Fri–Sat 11:00 AM–10:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (check the official website before visiting)
Access	Transfort bus or Uber recommended within Fort Collins
Website	odellbrewing.com
Instagram	@odellbrewingfortcollins

Taproom Atmosphere

What struck me immediately was the balance of cleanliness and energy. The building is modern and spacious, with wood-accented interiors creating a warm, welcoming feel. Lots of young visitors, too — it’s clear this brewery is deeply embedded in the local community.

The beer garden area is excellent, perfect for enjoying a beer outdoors on a nice day. The crowd is a mix of tourists and devoted locals, making it a prime spot to experience Fort Collins’ craft beer culture firsthand.

Beer I Had: IPA

I ordered an IPA. From the very first tilt of the glass, a sharp bitterness hit with impressive immediacy. But beneath it lay a classical malt foundation — a deep respect for years of brewing tradition.

Then came the fresh aroma of modern hops, creating what I’d call a “fusion of old-school IPA and new-school IPA” — a complex, layered drinking experience. This was a glass that made me feel “this is exactly how craft beer should be enjoyed — in a place like this, tasting like this.”

Beer Style	American IPA
Character	Sharp bitterness + modern hop aroma + classical malt foundation
First Impression	Quick-rising bitterness with excellent balance
Aftertaste	Modern hop freshness lingers pleasantly

Reviews and Reputation

Untappd	Odell IPA: 3.8/5 (many ratings), 90 Schilling: 3.7/5, plus numerous flagship beers
Google Maps	4.5/5 (2,000+ reviews) with strong local community support
RateBeer	Highly rated (ranked among Colorado’s top breweries)
Yelp	4.5/5 (taproom atmosphere and staff praised)

Awards & Recognition

Odell Brewing Company is an elder statesman of Colorado’s craft beer world with numerous accolades.

• GABF (Great American Beer Festival): Multiple medal wins. 90 Schilling (amber ale) is their iconic flagship
• World Beer Cup: Awards across multiple style categories
• BA (Brewers Association) Certified: Independent craft brewery certification
• Employee-Owned (ESOP): A rare fully employee-owned enterprise in the brewing industry

Affiliate

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Browse American craft beer & IPA on Rakuten

Overall Rating

Related Articles

For more Fort Collins brewery information, see these articles:

• Riho Brewery No.204: CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing (Fort Collins, CO)
• NYC to Albany Craft Beer Trip Report

Reference: Instagram post (2025-10-21) / Odell Brewing Company official website

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