New Belgium, Odell introduce new year-round beers

New Belgium Brewing and Odell Brewing recently unveiled additions to their year-round beer lineups.

Fort Collins' two largest craft breweries stuck to their strengths with the new releases — New Belgium with a sour saison and Odell with a hop-forward ale called Rupture. Both beers have hit the market across the country.

New Belgium has one of the country's oldest sour programs at more than 20 years old, yet the new sour saison is the brewery's first year-round sour release. The 7 percent ABV beer is aged in French oak barrels.

The beer is available in 12-ounce bottles, 22-ounce bombers and on draft. It's the first release of New Belgium's new Belgian Reserve series.

“Our goal was to create a timeless beer," New Belgium research and development brewer Ross Koenigs said in a press release. "Something that represented our world-class sour program as well as our passion for Belgian-style beer."

More:Beer, bikes and big changes: 3 things to know about Tour de Fat

New Belgium also recently released a new fall seasonal called Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin Ale. The 6.4 percent ABV beer is brewed with pumpkin, Saigon cinnamon and habanero peppers.

Atomic Pumpkin Ale is scheduled to stay in the market through October and replaces New Belgium's previous fall seasonal pumpkin ale called Pumpkick.

New Belgium, considered the country's fourth largest craft brewery, distributes to all 50 states.

Odell, well-regarded for its hoppy beers, is taking a new approach to hops with Rupture.

The brewery is using a custom-built mill to grind whole flower hops for the 6 percent ABV beer.

“It’s no secret that we love hops," Odell COO Brendan McGivney said in a press release. “By grinding the hops, we unlock an unparalleled amount of hop aroma. We built the recipe around highlighting that aroma, letting the hops take center stage without overwhelming bitterness.”

More:Bike to New Belgium for 'La La Land' screening

The grinding process isn't as efficient as using hop pellets, which is how most commercial beers are made.

"But once we tried the test batches, we knew it was worth the effort,” Odell Brewing manager Bill Beymer said in the press release. "There’s a bit of a ticking clock that starts as soon as you rupture the lupulin. To get the hops at their peak, you need to move fast."

Odell, considered the country's 27th largest craft brewery, distributes to 15 states.

Follow Jacob Laxen on Twitter and Instagram @jacoblaxen.

More:Your guide to Oktoberfest in Northern Colorado