BY MATT STEVENS for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 9/11/2026
This fine week I moseyed down to Odd Otter in downtown, partially to escape the sudden rainstorms that snuck in to end our summer.
Also, I wanted to check in with the brewers at Odd Otter to see when they are going to be releasing their Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers: mid-September for the Oktoberfest beers and mid-October for the pumpkin beers. I’m hoping to do a pumpkin taste-off so we’ll see if we can round up several of them for a tasting.
Today, I pulled the Blood Orange Wit. I tried to escape the lovely smell of a fresh brew day inside the brewery by going outside and sitting on the front patio area. While I was able to capture some lovely rainwater on the screen of my laptop, I escaped neither the smell of a lovely mash nor the sounds of construction next door at the next phase of Wooden City. But I can verify they are working hard.
Turning back to the beer, I find that it pours a beautiful straw yellow, maybe slightly clearer than guidelines would target, but the large white foam on the top sets it apart. And the foam has staying power, fighting off a couple of raindrops as I set it too close to the edge of the patio and almost in the rain.
For its nose, this beer has a lot going on, but it is subtle. The grease of the street, the rain in the air, and the exhaust of the delivery trucks are fighting me on it. There are grainy, spicy wheat aromatics. I would describe the spices as a mix of pepper and citrus orange blossom zestiness. The pepper seems to be the most reliable flavor, as the citrus or honey will rise to the front, and then the pepper comes back. The blood orange is there, but it’s not as strong as the black pepper. It is a great start to this beer.
Style guidelines call for this beer to taste “zesty” with an “orange citrusy fruitiness,” and this absolutely nails that. The blood orange was less prominent in the nose, but it comes out swinging in the tasting. It pairs so well with the peppery zest of the yeast and with the residual sweetness of the wheat in the malt bill. The beer is light and fun and easy to drink. Even on a chilly, rainy day in September, it makes me think of beautiful wheat fields in Belgium.
As I get more into it, the mouthfeel does get slightly more tart, but in a good way, right within style guidelines. The zestiness and effervescence shine in this beer. It’s a beer that is easy to drink and very enjoyable.
Overall, it’s a solid beer and nails the style profile. The blood orange goes so well with the other wit flavors. This makes this a great beer. I hope you make it down to Odd Otter downtown to get a wit.
And expect further details on the Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers.
