Odell Brewing Co. most recently brewed a collaboration beer with Cave Creek Coffee Company (C4) in Arizona. The beer, “1st Crack” Espresso Porter marked the first time Odell collaborated with an Arizona Craft Business and the first time they collaborated with a craft coffee roaster. This offering, which checks in at 7% ABV will debut at the Arizona Strong Beer Fest on February 19th.
Brewbound caught up with Odell Head Brewer Joe Mohrfeld via email to ask some questions about the new brew!
Brewbound: Where did the idea for this beer originate?
Joe Mohrfeld: Our Arizona Brewery Representative JR Wheeler and Sales and Marketing Manager Eric Smith were invited down by Cave Creek Coffee Company to take a tour and check the artisanal roasting process at C4. After the tour few Odell Bourbon Barrel Stouts were had and the idea was born to collaborate on a pilot beer.
BB: How did you choose Cave Creek?
JM: Along with being a great coffee roaster C4 has an excellent selection of craft beer. C4 has been serving our beer since we released into Arizona and we have received great support from them for our limited single serve releases.
BB: What kinds of coffee beans were used?
JM: We used an Espresso Roast from C4. We had them do a coarse crack and added 6lbs of beans for a 5BBL brew during the boil. The flavor of the coffee compliments the rich chocolate characteristics of this porter.
BB: Will it be available in bottles?
JM: Like all of our pilot beers they are of very limited draft only release. We brew so little of each, only 5BBLs, in comparison to our normal production batch that we prefer to sell it draft only in our taproom and at select accounts. Our pilot beers are our way to show off our creativity and constant experimentation with new styles of beer.
I really enjoyed collaborating on the beer with C4,” Mohrfeld said. “It is always great to work with fellow craftspeople and integrate their artisanal offerings into our hand crafted beers.”