Beer Review: Extra Special Red

Hey everyone, and welcome to the first edition of the CSU-Pueblo Today Weekly Beer Review. My name is Eric, and it’s my duty as a student to focus my full attention on drinking all kinds of beer and then telling you if it’s any good or not. Believe me when I say I’m totally dedicated to this job.

The first beer we will be reviewing is Extra Special Red, produced by the Odell Brewing Co. which is based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. You might think it’s a strange choice to start off the feature with, what with all the other more popular brews out there, but let’s be honest. Chances are you’ve already tried those beers, and many, many times at that. You know they’re good. My job is to tell you about the brews you look at when you’re grabbing your Keystone Light at the liquor store, wondering if that beer with the fish on the label is any good or not. Plus, Extra Special Red is a single batch series, meaning it may only be produced this one time! That and it had a camel on the label, and I smoke camel cigarettes. That’s fate there, buddy. I had no choice.

Yes, yes, but is it any good, you ask. When poured, Extra Special Red is really more of a copper color with a foamy tan head. It has a sweet, citrusy smell, vaguely familiar to grapefruit. It tastes very much like it smells, with a bittersweet hops kick, balanced out with a malty, slightly citrus aftertaste. As an 8.0% brew, I was expecting it to go down a little rough, but it was surprisingly smooth. You’ll have to be careful with this one, people. Extra Special Red will sweet talk you all night long then leave you sleeping in the street.

According to the label, Extra Special Red is based off of an ancient Egyptian beer recipe that was colored with red ochre to pacify an angry goddess and save the world from destruction. I don’t know why, but the idea of thousands of Egyptians getting hammered to save the planet appeals to me. The good folks at Odell’s must have thought the same, for they’ve decided to give the recipe a shot, but like stated earlier, this may be your only chance to try it out, so be sure to pick up a six-pack before the end of December. Be a hero!

All in all, I give Extra Special Red a 4 out of 5. I’d consider it an acquired taste, considering my first drink reminded me of a dirty dish rag, but it grows on you quick. At roughly $7.99 (you know how liquor stores are) a six pack, it’s a bit pricey, but I recommend it to anyone wanting to try something new.

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