Many craft beer lovers have their go-to beer or favorite for a particular style. You know, beers that taste just as great now as they did when first experienced, no matter how many other examples of that style a beer drinker has tried in between. For me and my fondness for big hop-forward beers, that beer is Myrcenary Double India Pale Ale by Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Myrcenary was first released in early 2011 as a year-round offering. At the time, fewer breweries than today were brewing double/imperial IPAs or variations of very hop-centric ales. The double IPA style, which is a distinctly American craft brewing style, has surged in popularity in the past several years. Some of the most sought after and highly rated American craft beers fall into this category, including Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing, Heady Topper from The Alchemist brewery, and Hopslam from Bell's Brewery.
I picked up a 4-pack of Myrcenary the week it was released in 2011, and was blown away by the intense bright flavors and its amazingly smooth drinkability. More than three years later, and having tried quite a few double IPAs since, I still claim Myrcenary as a favorite, perhaps my number one. The name is a play on the word Myrcene, which is a component of oils in the hop flower. Myrcenary is brewed with varieties of hops that contain the highest levels of Myrcene. It's a very well-balanced ale that delivers huge citrus and tropical fruit flavors, along with some floral and pine notes. The malt presence adds a touch of sweetness to the aroma and flavor. The finish is crisp and refreshing, lacking much of the aggressive bitterness that accompanies some double IPAs.
Surprisingly, Myrcenary seems to fly under the radar in terms of national renown. But for those who have tried this well-crafted hop bomb, there's no denying that it measures up to the best of them. With year-round availability at a reasonable price, Myrcenary is one of Colorado's finest.
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