Odell Brewing Company

Odell Brewing Company
Industry Craft Beer and Brewing
Founded 1989 (1989)
Founder Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell
Headquarters Fort Collins, Colorado
Number of employees
108
Website http://odellbrewing.com/

Odell Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado.

History

Odell was founded in 1989 by Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell in a converted 1915 grain elevator located on the outskirts of downtown Fort Collins.[1] It was the second packaging craft brewery to open in Colorado, and the first in Fort Collins.

Starting in his kitchen in Seattle, Doug Odell had spent ten years refining recipes and playing with brewing processes until he settled on the brewery's first two recipes, although not yet the names – 90 Shilling and Easy Street Wheat. After brewing and kegging his beer, Odell would deliver it, pick up empties, and make sales calls out of his old mustard-colored Datsun pickup.

In 1994 the brewery constructed a 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) building and brewed 8,300 barrels of beer.[2] In 1996, Odell Brewing amended its draft-only commitment and added a bottling line to start packaging six packs.[2] Numerous small expansions ensued. In 2009, the brewery again expanded, doubling its plant size to 45,000 square feet (4,200 m2) and increasing its beer sold to 45,000 barrels. In 2013, a new brew house was added, and the taproom and patio were remodeled. Odell Brewing is projected to sell 100,000 barrels in 2014, with the capacity to brew more than 300,000 barrels a year.[2] Currently, eight 400-barrel fermentation tanks are being added to the existing brewery.[3]

In 2014, Odell Brewing Co. celebrated 25 years as a craft brewery.[4] Week-long festivities included a Silver Lining Soiree, Oktoberfest celebration, and Cellar Series release of 180 Shilling. Odell Brewing also teamed up with Boulevard Brewing Company to release Silver Anniversary Ale, a collaboration commemorating both brewery's 25th anniversaries, just one day apart.

In late 2014, Odell Brewing Co. employed 108 co-workers and distributes in 11 states and the UK. In 2013, it was ranked the 34th largest U.S. craft brewing company by the Brewers Association (based on 2013 beer sales volume), and ranked the 44th largest overall U.S. brewing company.[5]

Distribution

Tasting flights

Odell beer is found in the following states:[6]

Odell Beer is also exported to Great Britain and Ireland.

Philanthropy

Odell Brewing Company regularly contributes to charitable programs in the serving area, and engages co-workers in philanthropic efforts. The charitable program is managed by a co-worker team that meets quarterly to choose which agencies to support. Odell Outreach is an extension of the brewery’s charitable giving program that enlists co-workers, family and friends to participate in volunteer activities throughout the community.[7]

The Charity of the Month program allocates a percentage of taproom proceeds to non-profit organizations serving environmental, educational or humanitarian causes.[8] The Tasting Room donation averages $1,200 each month to the chosen charity. Charities are chosen by an employee-led charitable committee, which oversees the disbursement of all charitable contributions and beer donations. In recognition of its continued community contributions, Odell Brewing was awarded the Outstanding Small Business Philanthropy award from the State of Colorado in 2004.[9]

Sustainability

Outdoor tasting area

Sustainability plays a critical role in the Odell culture. In 2014, the brewery employed a full-time sustainability coordinator to work with the city of Fort Collins and continue the goal of making Odell Brewing Co. a zero-landfill brewery by 2020.[10] Recycling/compost bins/diversion stations are located throughout the brewery, and all spent grain, hops and yeast feed local dairy cows. The sustainability coordinator is currently working with the City of Fort Collins Wastewater Treatment Plant to see if spent yeast and hops can be used to treat municipality water without using chemicals. The brewery was awarded the Fort Collins Chamber Small Business Sustainability Award in 2009 and 2013.[11]

Awards

90 Shilling

Easy Street Wheat

5 Barrel Pale Ale

Cutthroat Porter

IPA

Irish Red

Levity Amber Ale

Friek

"Extra Special Red"

"Curmudgeons Nip"

References

  1. "Best Companies to Work For in Colorado". Colorado Biz. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Happy 25th Anniversary, Odell Brewing". Craft Beer & Brewing. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  3. "Odell Brews New Expansion Plans". The Coloradoan. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  4. "Odell Brewing Turns 25 This Month". The Full Pint. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  5. "Brewers Association Top 50 Breweries" (PDF). Brewers Association. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. "Odell Brewing to Distribute Statewide in Texas". Brewbound. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  7. "How Small Companies Should Give to Charities". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  8. "Odell Brewing: Good Beer, Good People". Craft Beer. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  9. "Colorado Celebrates 17th Annual National Philanthropy Day". Blacktie Colorado. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  10. "Corey Odell, Sustainability Coordinator, Odell Brewing Company". Great American Beer Festival. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  11. "Green Awards Program". Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "GABF Winners". Great American Beer Festival. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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