I must admit, this is a beer that should have appeared in the Nib before. Years ago. I took notes from a can, found them lacking, rejected them. Same thing with the last time I had it on tap at Acadia, a year or so ago. Enough with that. Time to do it for real.
What is the meaning of Tree Shaker? Where does it come from, this desire to release the peaches from the branches, so strong is the love? Steve Miller sang of it, but he wasn't the first, was he? Googling it gives all manner of interpretations, but doesn't divine the original source. Finally, Clyde McPhatter comes along, and the Clovers. They weren't the only ones, were they? (Miller outright stole those lines, along with Lovey Dovey for The Joker.) This had to have been used by other blues/r&b musicians, but I haven't the time to do all the research. Blind Lemon Jefferson. Ma Rainey. Bessie Smith. Irving Berlin? And naturally more. I shook enough off the tree. Ella Fitzgerald, Carl Perkins....that's plenty, I want to drink!
In this case, as the label shows, it's no one lecherous doing the tree shaking, but a hungry pachyderm. Perhaps the very one who had the idea to put them in this India Pale Ale?
Odell Tree Shaker Imperial Peach IPA. 8% ABV. 48 IBU. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Clear, golden hued, long lasting ivory head atop.
In the nose: Sweetness and fruit, light bitterness. Plump and lovely.
In the mouth: full, fresh, fruity, increasing bitterness. Sweet and malty. Peach flavor rises, but is never too large, nor is ever in charge. Tasty stuff. Bitterness never outstretches the sweet, nor the other way 'round. Alcohol slowly grows.
I remember this being rather forward when it was first released. Feels smoother now, less of a brow beater. I like it this way. I can drink it, and drink it.
Tree Shaker Imperial Peach IPA has roots right here in Colorado. We balanced familiar citrusy hop notes with the subtle sweetness of local peaches. You might say we gave both the tree and the style a playful little shake.
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