Odell 90 Shilling 12Pk

Odell 90 Shilling 12-Pack is a Scottish-style amber ale brewed by Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, at 5.3% ABV. This flagship expression earned a Bronze medal at the 1991 Great American Beer Festival in the American Amber Ale category, establishing its reputation early in Colorado's craft beer movement.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.3%  |  Origin: Fort Collins, Colorado  |  Style: Scottish-Style Amber Ale  |  Brewery: Odell Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Odell Brewing Company was founded in 1989 in Fort Collins, Colorado, making it one of the state's pioneering craft breweries. The 90 Shilling is built on a grain bill of Pale, British Crystal, and Chocolate malts, hopped with Northern Brewer, Cascade, Perle, and Nugget varieties. The name references the Scottish method of taxing beer by quality — only the finest ales warranted a 90-shilling designation — and Odell's version lightens the traditionally heavy Scottish ale profile into a medium-bodied, approachable amber.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted, bready malts lead the nose, followed by brown sugar sweetness and a subtle herbal, lemon-tinged hop character. Hints of apple peel and raisin emerge as the beer warms slightly.

Taste: The entry is dominated by sweet malt and biscuit, with a smooth, medium body that avoids heaviness. Mid-palate, brown sugar and roasted grain deepen the flavor, while restrained hop spice provides balance. Ripe apple and dark fruit notes surface toward the peak.

Finish: A light, dry caramel character closes the sip, with smoky malt and apple peel lingering gently. The finish is clean and moderate in length, encouraging another pull.

How to Drink 90 Shilling

90 Shilling is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a pint glass or English-style tulip to let the malt aromatics open up. A Boilermaker pairs it naturally with a pour of bourbon, where the caramel malt echoes the whiskey's sweetness. A Shandy made with fresh lemonade lightens the roasted malt into an easy warm-weather drink. For a hearty twist, use 90 Shilling in a Beer Cheese recipe — its biscuity maltiness melts beautifully into sharp cheddar.

Best For

• Introducing a lager drinker to craft amber ales without overwhelming hop bitterness
• Stocking a tailgate or backyard cookout cooler with a crowd-pleasing Colorado classic
• Pairing with hearty fall and winter comfort food dinners
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates malt-forward styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 90 Shilling taste like? Odell 90 Shilling delivers a sweet, biscuity malt profile with roasted grain, brown sugar, and subtle dark fruit notes like apple and raisin. Hop bitterness stays restrained, allowing the caramel malt character to dominate.

How does 90 Shilling compare to Samuel Adams Boston Lager? Both are malt-forward, approachable craft flagships, but 90 Shilling leans into roasted and caramel malt sweetness from its British Crystal and Chocolate malts, while Boston Lager features a crisper, more hop-balanced Vienna lager profile. 90 Shilling carries a slightly fuller body and more pronounced biscuit character.

Is 90 Shilling good for beginners? Absolutely — its smooth, medium body and low hop bitterness make it one of the most approachable amber ales available, ideal for anyone transitioning from mainstream lagers to craft beer.

Where is 90 Shilling made? 90 Shilling is brewed at Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, a city recognized as one of the country's leading craft beer destinations. Odell has brewed there since the company's founding in 1989.

What foods pair well with 90 Shilling? Grilled burgers benefit from the ale's smoky malt backbone. Roast chicken mirrors its bready, toasty qualities. Sharp cheddar cheese echoes the caramel sweetness. Smoked sausages complement the subtle Chocolate malt depth. Apple pie or apple tarts harmonize with the beer's natural fruit character.

What sizes does 90 Shilling come in? The 12-pack is among the most common formats, typically containing 12-ounce cans; Odell also distributes 90 Shilling in six-packs and on draft.

Is 90 Shilling worth the price? 90 Shilling positions as an everyday craft amber ale — accessible in price and widely available. For a GABF-medaled flagship with over three decades of production history, it represents strong value within the amber ale category.

Why 90 Shilling?

Few amber ales have sustained the kind of loyalty that 90 Shilling has earned since its debut in the early days of Colorado craft brewing. Its 1991 GABF Bronze and subsequent Colorado Brewers Cup Bronze medal demonstrate consistent quality across decades of production. The grain bill — anchored by British Crystal and Chocolate malts and balanced by a four-hop blend — delivers a distinctly malt-driven experience that stands apart from the hop-heavy tendency of many American craft beers. With an 87 score on BeerAdvocate and enduring popularity among malt-forward ale drinkers, 90 Shilling remains a benchmark for the Scottish-style amber category in American craft brewing.