Odyssey Imperial IPA - Sly Fox Brewing Company

francisweizen

Australia

4.15/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A nice light orange/amber colour mostly clear with a nice white collar of thick foam. Lacing is decent as well. I had this one on tap and I remember it being better that way, but alas, I have lost my notes for that one, and so I will enter in a review for the cask-conditioned version of this much heralded, and highly anticipated brew from the end of last year. The aromas are very bready and malty, with a nice hop integration that lets the malts shine hand in hand with the 8 different hop varities used. Unfortunately the aroma is not very hoppy, and for me the taste follows suit. Sure this is a hoppy beer, but the hops seem so muddled in comparison to the wonderful single-hopped IPA's that this place cranked out over the past year. This is one-dimensional for a DIPA in my book, but the creamy cask mouthfeeel and drinkability remain very very inspired. Don't get me wrong, this is very balance and well integrated in its flavors, but I just expected a more raw, in your face IBU monster. Maybe the 2005 odyssey will be more to my liking. Still, as this is it's still very good and interesting.

Serving type: cask

03-03-2005 20:24:55 | More by francisweizen

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.76/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a crystal clear bright orange to copper in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some deep amber highlights. The beer has a three finger tall pillowy light beige head that slowly reduces to mottled thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, a couple of medium patches of thick film, and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of caramel malts with a touch of light fruits upfront. Moderate aromas of citrus/orange/tangerine and pine hops.

T: Upfront there are light to moderate flavors of caramel malts that imparts very little sweetness to the overall flavor of the beer. There are moderate to strong flavors of citrus/orange/tangerine and pine hops which impart a moderate to heavy amount of bitterness which lingers for a long time.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Relatively smooth.

O: This beer has quite a bit of lingering bitterness but is still pretty enjoyable. Not the easiest beer to drink because of the intensity of the bitterness but there are some nice hop flavors in it.

Serving type: can

05-03-2013 01:51:43 | More by dbrauneis

TimUF1

Alabama

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from a can with best by date of 5/3/13 stamped on it

A sessionable IIPA? Its flavors are not as much of a hop battering ram as most American IIPA's.

Good two finger head, fair lacing, a bit hazy light copper color.

Lots of floral notes in the scent, rose, orange blossom, some hay or clover honey.
The flavor follows this, where a lot of citrusy iipa's tend towards grapfruit, this seems more like clementines, sweeter, less tart. Finishes with a lot more of the bitterness of the tart grapefruit flavors, almost metallic, and a bit astringent. The IBUs are definitely back loaded on the finish.

Serving type: can

04-02-2013 01:36:52 | More by TimUF1

mikem0487

Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

12oz can with a drink by date of 5/03/13

A-Nice frothy lighly colored beige head. About a fingers width. The body is copper in color and looks to be a pretty hazy beer.

S-The nose is filled with dank earthy pine notes. Citrus hops are there but seem to take a step back and allow those pine notes to shine through. Next in line comes the malt bill. You can smell those caramel/caramelized sugars. Intriguing nose.

T-Pretty well balanced except for at the end where the hop character really comes in. Leaves a very bitter lingering taste that gets even mildly metallic in character. For the initial taste I get a resiny dank grass, pine needles and rind off of a dull tasting orange. Enjoyable no doubt and hides the abv well.

M-Medium bodied that finishes on the dry side. Good carbonation.

O-A good beer which I believe from experience taste better off of draft. The finish is the one thing that is taking away from this beer.

Serving type: can

03-22-2013 11:19:11 | More by mikem0487

linkmon

New York

1.11/5  rDev -69.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

This "Brewery" should be closed!! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!! Tastes like absolute crap!! Stay FAR FAR FAR FAR AWAY!!

I am not sure what they were going for, but this is BY FAR, the WORST IPA of any kind, I have ever had, and I have drank over 100 of them now!! GROSS!!!

Serving type: can

02-27-2013 04:11:50 | More by linkmon

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.64/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Deep copper orange in color with just a touch of chill haze. Poured with a dense with foam that alowly reduced to a thick cap that ledt sheets of sticky, soapy lacing on the glass. This is undeniably a malt forward DIPA. Toasted and caramel malt aromas up front with floral hop buttery notes. Light resinous pine hop aromas in the background. Slightly heavier than medium bodied with a buttery feel and light carbonation. Toasted and caramel malt flavofs up fron followed by floral and then intense hop bitterness to the end. Finishes with a slighlty boozy lingering pine hop bitterness. Love the DIPA in the can !

Serving type: can

01-31-2013 00:05:33 | More by IronLover

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

3.96/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. can poured into a standard pint glass. I think they use a best by code, but I can't find it on the can. Oh, well.

A - Foams up a bit on the pop of the awesome looking can. Pours a tangerine color with a one inch pillow of white carbonation sitting on top. Good retention and near-perfect lacing.

S - Floral hops give this a pleasant, delicate hop aroma. Some brown sugar malts contribute sweetness. There is a buttery quality to the aroma as well. Complex.

T - Starts a little bit sweet with some tangy citrus and caramel. An interesting blend of hops follow with citrus, pine, and floral all getting involved. Pine resin on the finish with a slightly astringent linger.

M - Medium bodied with good carbonation. Just a hint of alcohol.

O - I have had this on tap, and while the canned version doesn't quit live up, it is pretty good. The aroma is mellow and enjoyable. A complexity of hops makes for a unique flavor profile. The cans are a nice touch, somewhat rare for the style (outside of HT, OB, and Abrasive). This is a great value at $10/six pack, but I will probably stick with some of the other IPAs available to me in my area.

Serving type: can

01-30-2013 02:03:13 | More by NoLeafClover44

gabedivision

New York

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz can to a Tulip glass

A- Pours a crystal clear burnt orange, light ruby red, with a 2 finger head with decent retention, nice stickiness lacing the glass.

S- A nice tangerine/ orange juice, citrus peel zest in there. Buttery malt on the finish, with hints of caramel and toffee.

T- Up front has the flavor of biting a fresh pineapple, mixed with some grapefruit and orange that is smoothered with sugar, sweet malts pop up all throughout the sip, alcohol warms towards the end and finishes very bitter. A weird funk occurs somewhere mid sip, cant quite put my finger on it, but its holding me back from really liking this brew, there is also a slightly metalic taste i would assume is coming from the can.

M- Medium bodied, decent amount of carbonation, very sweet, finishes dry and bitter.

O- Decent DIPA, if you like balance, you might enjoy this. Its not a hop lovers dream nor a malt cravers dream, just a happy medium, and if it werent for a taste i couldnt get out of my mouth i may have enjoyed this a little more.

Serving type: can

01-27-2013 02:01:40 | More by gabedivision

jifigz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can poured into a pint glass.

The beer pours a nice and rich deep amber orange color with a head that lingers for quite a while and dies very slowly. The receding head and the beer while being consumed left a little bit of lacing on the glass. The aroma is boozy, malty, and a decent amount hoppy. The aroma a bit more defined smells of slight toffee, a nice hop bitter aroma, and a little bit of coffee-rather interesting for an Imperial IPA. The flavor is deep and nicely balanced between a strong malt body (even with some good roasty notes) and a good bitterness. The flavor isn't extremely powerful, but it is very enjoyable. The initial flavor starts out mild and fruity and then gives way to a powerful bitter note. The MF is rather light and soapy.

This is an interesting beer. It tastes different than most Imperial IPA's, but I can't really pinpoint what the flavors are...A good brew nonetheless.

Serving type: can

01-03-2013 15:33:23 | More by jifigz

plaid75

New York

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a clear copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a flowery hop, rose petals and a touch of mint.

The taste presented a sharp, yet light caramel malt accented by waves upon waves of hops taking the form of dry flowers, mint and tea leaves.

The mouthfeel was light and vlean with a lingering bitterness.

Overall a very tasty and uniquely hopped ale.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 23:30:06 | More by plaid75

57md

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Light copper in appearance with little head but some lacing left behind. There is a mild floral nose and the malt and hops blend very well in the taste. There is a spicy hop finish which is the highlight of this offering. A very good effort even if it fell a bit short of a top tier DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 05:45:20 | More by 57md

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

bomber into nonic pint. date on the bottle says 12/2/12, which im assuming is a best before considering that date has not yet happened and i doubt this was bottled in the future.

A: very clear. orange hue. head is bubbly. retention is good, not great. lacing is thick.

S: OJ. pine. slightly subdued american hops in my opinion. a little funfetti cake. i like more of an aroma overload.

T: fruity. cantalope. orange slices. the hopes are definitely balanced with a hefty grain bill. grain gets chewy and a little munich-like. finish is bitter. remains long after the sip is gone.

M: moderate carbonation on a medium mouthfeel.

D: good DIPA, but in a field with plenty-a-standout, this one is slightly pedestrian. no real complaints, just not over the top, in your face, lights out.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 02:35:17 | More by Jimmys

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

From TJs on 1/5. Reviewed from notes.

Deep amber in color, Odyssey has a sticky and fluffy marshmallow-like head. It produces thick and sticky spiderweb lacing. This is a good looking beer.

The aroma is odd...grassy and earthy hops with bready and caramel malt presence, along with a little bit of alcohol. The flavor is similar, as the bready and caramel malts pretty much crush everything out but the alcohol. Some caramel and sugars are also evident.

The feel is thick but lacks that sticky hop character that I really think makes some of the best DIPAs what they are. A little bit disappointed by this one. I was expecting better.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 14:15:05 | More by NittanyBeerFan

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

hazy bright orange with a big billowing white pillow like head and a slow fade leaving a nice lace down the sides. Smel was sweet, with a big citrus hop presence. Lots of orange, pineapple and tangerine flavors, balanced nicely with hints of carameled sugar and a touch of alcohol. The taste was very nice, warm, with lots of hoppy bite. Very smooth, and no real hint of alcohol whatsoever. This was very nice and a definate keepe

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 02:49:48 | More by mikesgroove

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber purchased at The Hop Shop in State College, PA.
Poured in to Duvel tulip.

A - Medium amber colour with an orange glow around the edges. Half a finger of cream coloured head that quickly disappeared.

S - Pine, herbal and light citrus notes with a noticeable malt backbone. Not an overly bitter nose for a DIPA.

T - Piney hops up front with a good bitterness. Light citrus notes. The bitterness is somewhat dry with some orange zest coming through along with some floral/herbal notes. Some sweet caramel in the backbone.

M - Medium body with a nice chew; light to moderate carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 03:56:55 | More by TheSevenDuffs

skratchx

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Let me start off by saying I'm a huge fan if imbalanced pale ales that assault you with hops. Just a disclaimer so that you can understand where I'm coming from.

I poured into a half liter Oktoberfest mug from a 22 oz. bottle.

Appearance: Poured a copper color with a short but thick head which dissipated into moderate to high lacing rather quickly (could be that I just washed the mug with soap).

Smell: Gentle hoppy smell. No outstanding characteristics of flowers or fruit.

Taste: The first sip is an almost toasty malt character on the front with crisp but gentle hops rolling in and finishing off the swig. Successive sips are dominated by the hops which have a subtle grapefruity character but not much up front, as opposed to more aggressive hop varieties like chinook.

Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated. Medium body, on the heavier side.

Drinkability: As far as imperial IPA's are concerned, this guy is pretty drinkable. Not something you put down in one go, but you could have a few of these in a night. The 8.4% ABV (advertised on Sly Fox's website) is well hidden though, so don't plan on driving if you're going out for a couple of these!

Note: It's my understanding that this beer is different every year, so it is probably unwise to look at reviews from previous years to figure out what you'll get in the present.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 23:22:05 | More by skratchx

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A nice looking beer with a color of amber with orange high lights. Poured into a glass it produces a dense thick head but fades quickly. Well carbonated and a tad hazy probably some cold chill. Good lacing.

Aroma is light with a pretty balanced bouquet. Hops have a pineapple and citrus smell while the malts are light and sweet.

A lackluster taste here. The beer is bitter and tart and does not complement the apperance and aroma.
Malts are pale in taste but are muted from the extreme bitterness. Hop flavor is absent.

Bitter and tart and a bit harsh. Could use some flavorful hops to balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 14:12:22 | More by micromaniac129

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This Imperial IPA pours out as a golden color with a white soapy head that doesn't stick around that much. The aromas are hoppy not too much else coming through. The taste is surprisingly bland I thought for an imperial IPA. Rather disappointing brew in my opinion. The mouthfeel could have been a little thicker I think, some more hop oil would have been nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 02:07:23 | More by Knapp85

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Copper colored and clear. Ample lace left on the glass. The head is near perfect in size and settles to a thin layer of minuscule bubbles.

Pleasant floral aroma of fresh hop is the first impression to the nose. Light grapefruit and paler malts. Attractive

Pale malt base is overwhelmed by a bittering hop. Yet, this is not an extreme beer. Although unbalanced, it is not one-dimensional. The body is lighter than I would like for the style--moderately distracting. The higher carbonation adds to this effect. The aftertaste is an extension of the smell, plenty of grapefruit with a modest level of peppery spice.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 02:13:38 | More by smcolw

prg1976

Pennsylvania

2.25/5  rDev -38.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Dark amber colored, white head. Some lacing and head retention.

Smell is malty, some pine hops in the background.

Taste is a sweet malty mess with dry hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel and drinkability....yeah, it doesn't really matter, there's got to be something wrong with this bottle. It's dated 12/8/11 (best by, I assume) so it can't be that old. Last year's version was a lot better than this. I'm not impressed.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 01:10:38 | More by prg1976

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish color with a white head. In the aroma, hops, big piney hops. In the taste, dry piney hops and a small sweetness via the malt. A small bitter and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry pine hop in the aftertaste. Big piney hops, yet somewhat thinner and watery than expected.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2010 13:31:16 | More by OWSLEY069

womencantsail

California

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Deuane for this one.

A: The pour is an amber color with a moderately sized off-white head and some nice lacing.

S: The nose is citrusy, offering up lots of grapefruit with more caramel malt than I'd like, but still not sweet.

T: The flavor had a pleasant bitter grapefruit flavor along with a hint of pine. The sweetness was not as pronounced as I was expecting, but did provide balance to the beer.

M: The body is medium with a moderate carbonation and a crisp, bitter, and refreshing finish.

D: A pretty nice DIPA. Not my favorite of the style, but a bit of a surprise and some good flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2010 02:14:34 | More by womencantsail

tpd975

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another beer I have had several times without giving it a rate.

A: Pours a very clear amberish orange hue. Nice tall creamy head. Rocky on top. Insane retention with HUGE chunks of lace.

S: Wonderful aromas. Light caramel, with huge hints of citrus and fresh cut grass.

T: Very well balanced. Nice sweet candy malt backbone plays well off the bold citrus hops. The finish has a nice blast of bitter herbal grassy hops.

M: On the fuller side of medium, rather full bodied for the style.

D: Good I really do like this beer. One of the best offerings i have ever had from Slyfox.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2010 20:21:24 | More by tpd975

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Odyssey Imperial IPA, found on tap. Pours light orange, the bartender did not leave much room for head, but lacing goes all the way down the glass.

Big aroma of citrusy hop, floral notes are there as well. Flavor follows the nose with a enamel stripping bitterness. Malt is overwhelmed by the hops but in a good way. Resiny, grapefruit, lemon and very bitter. Drinkability is limited due to the strength and bitterness. A good night cap beer and a palate wrecker. All in all, I thought this is a pretty strong example of the style, and a must for hop heads.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2010 15:28:25 | More by Stinkypuss

cyprest

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours light amber with clean filtering. Slight lacing on pint glass.

High presence of citrus and pine hops with a bit of dinginess.

Hop flavor only somewhat higher than that you would expect from a standard IPA, but unfocused. Prob from the mixing of various "leftover" hops from their IPA- project.

Nice mouthfeel and easy drinkability. The alcohol is masked appropriately for it's imperial status.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2010 20:48:05 | More by cyprest