Odyssey Imperial IPA - Sly Fox Brewing Company

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

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

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours with an ever so lightly hazy, rich amber hue that shows bright, reddish copper color when held up to the light. The head starts out a fat-two-fingers in height, is fairly dense in consistency and is a light tan color. Quite hoppy in the nose, there is a nice mix of fruity notes (definitely the dominant character with sweet citrus and apricot notes) and sharper pine-like / herbal notes. Underneath this though is a nice, low level of malt character; while rooting around in the nose, malt aromatics of toasted grain, caramelized malt sugars and biscuit malt can at times play quite a substantial role in the aroma. Interestingly enough the fruity hop character that was so noticeable at first becomes washed out quite quickly; only bits of the vibrant hoppiness that was in this beer soon after popping the cap are left. Faint notes of butterscotch are also found in the nose.

Sharply bitter up front, with a continued hop bitterness through to a biting finish. The bitterness in the finish actually becomes more aggressive and sharp after the beer has completely left the mouth, it even picks up astringent menthol-like flavors. A hint of diacetyl seems to be noticeable, though at a very low level. The hop character leans more towards the bitter, astringent side of things, but there is a low level of tangerine, lychee and sweet orange peel flavors here. This has a reasonably substantial body to it, and some definite malt backbone in the form of sweetness, so I am a bit surprised that the fruity side of the hops are not more apparent here. There is lots of malt though; flavors of soda crackers, biscuits, fresh bread crust and some caramelized grain character.

This is certainly a substantially hoppy beer, unfortunately (for me at least) it is show casing the harsh, astringent side of the hop. This really needs at the very least a lot more citrus type hops in the recipe. It would seriously help to bring balance to the hop focus of this brew. I do like the substantial, yet clearly secondary, malt character here, which would again really help to showcase some of those great citrus type hops if those were added to the bill. A decent beer, but I find it is even a bit too unbalanced for my hop head side.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 01:45:00 | More by Gueuzedude

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

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

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

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

DefenCorps

Oregon

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

22oz bottle received via trade with dashirey. Poured into my spanking new Urthel glass

A: Clear reddish copper with steady carbonation and a dense, frothy two finger white head. Sticky lacing as the head recedes.

S: Pine and grapefruit hops up front with a solid malt backbone featuring caramel. There's a slight fruitiness as it warms up.

T: A good dose of bitter up front - sharp and moderately astringent. The malts start to peep through but disappear pretty fast with a long, moderately dry and bitter finish.

M: A very pleasantly carbonated beer, nice body, pleasant finish. Definitely good

D: Oh boy, is this easy to drink!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2008 02:57:25 | More by DefenCorps

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

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

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.38/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 06/13/2009. Bottle. Pours a hazy deep orange with a thick off-white head. Aroma of citrus hops, caramel malt, floral hops, and light fruits. Flavor is very malt-forward with a bitter hoppy finish. Decent IIPA, but it's a little heavy in the palate.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2009 17:34:00 | More by LilBeerDoctor

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.22/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber, served in a standard pint glass.

Clear, amber color with a foamy white head, that thinned to a light layer, leaving good sticky lacing.
Sweet malty aroma with a faint odor of piney hops.
Sweet malty taste on the initial sip, then the bitterness of the hops kicks in hard, very good overall flavor.
Medium bodied with just the right amount of carbonation.
Good drinking beer, I could enjoy a few of these over the course of an evening.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2009 20:40:41 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

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

srandycarter

California

3.25/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A -.25 inch head, bright but murky orange color.

S - Major citrus hops surrounding small malt profile.

T - Not much malt, but tons of citrus hop. Malt makes a sneaky appearance towards the end of the sip. Not balanced for me.

M - Average.

D - Too one dimensional and bitter for all night interest.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2009 05:36:36 | More by srandycarter

Boto

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draught @ Sly Fox: This one is a clear, dark golden color. Maybe a tinge of orange in there also. There is a strong white head with lots of lacing. There is a pronounced hop aroma. What was strange that even while the aroma was potent, only a bit of pininess stood out of the aroma. The taste is very hoppy, with no traces of maltiness at all. Fairly well balanced. Nice.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2004 20:37:53 | More by Boto

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

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Surprised to see this retired. I just bought a bottle in Rochester 1 month ago.
The beer pours a clear amber color with fluffy eggshell white head of 3 cm foaming up easily and fading slowly.
Aroma is mild pine sap and some caramel mixing almost indeterminably. Sweet and sticky nose, if scents can have a texture.
First sip reveals an average body with very fine and gentle carbonation. Slight syrupy texture and a fine sticky coating on lips after each sip.
Flavor is caramel and toffee then rolling to pine sap and bitey hops that linger long after each swallow. Some grapefruit hits the sides of my tongue as well.
The ABV is hidden pretty well and the beer is dangerously easy to drink considering the 8.4%.
I like this beer and find it to be a nice drinkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2007 03:21:21 | More by sulldaddy

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Via German flip top growler filled Dec. 15, 2004 at the Drafting Room in Exton, PA and enjoyed Dec. 17, 2004.

Deep orange amber sunset crystal clear filtered hues with a sticky antique white ¼ “ settled sudsy head cap met with a stream of champagne bubbles sporadically escaping. Spotty lattice lace left in the glass.

Exquisite hops heaven bouquet of eight varietal hops combined. My nose tells me that Amarillo is the most prominent of the hops. Overall a welcome assault of hops and pine resin delight rounding out with grapefruit rind.

First Swigs: Cut grass fresh pine resin. Hops blast indahouse with some familiar recognizable SlyFox house flavors that most like derive from the yeast(?) A cornicopia of mixed fruit blends of peach, grapefruit wedges, citrous lemon peel and peppery zest. Some candied fruit and vanilla ice cream malt background eventually peeks out. (Yes, there are also malts in there.) Pine needle and full fledged hop cone essence. Lingering aftertaste of rock candy and grassy pine.

Medium bodied without being too overly American 2IPA thick. Crisp tight carbonation and sticky acidic sizzle.

Last swigs: Sticky clean hop soup! Odyssey cleverly blends eight varietal hops into one massive hops giant. Some English and some American mixed well, almost too well. Maybe my greedy tongue needed a bit more of my favorite Simcoe or Amarillo hops. Odyssey overwhelmed all in its accomplishment, but fails a nip short of being an upper echelon 2IPA. After the huge hype and my immense anticipation, this is good but not great. The reason for saying so is that the Simcoe and Amarillo (didn’t review) were better. My opinion is that Brian O’Reilly has brewing talents which are not 100% harnessed in this 2IPA…or maybe this just needs a higher ABV percentage. Just kidding! Seriously, too refined and thus restrained.

Beer is good, Happy hoppy local fresh brewing.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2004 07:33:19 | More by blitheringidiot

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.13/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Got this at De Bierkoning in Amsterdam.

From a bomber into a snifter.

APPEARANCE: Pours a 1 ½ finger thinner looking off-white / tan head with good retention with medium carbonation evident. Color is somewhere between clear burnt umber and sienna brown. Head slowly fades to a thin film. A wisp and ring remains 'til the end and leaves some good lacing down the side. Average for the style.

SMELL: Toasted and pale malt for sure with hints of caramel malt as well. Some hints of grapefruit and some earthiness as well. Not as powerful a grapefruit / pine punch as some other DIPA's. Some nice floral notes show through too. Mild but fine, and a more malty than average nose for the style.

TASTE: Toasted and pale malt again with lots of citrus and grapefruit hops. Floral through the middle and finishes with pine notes and spiciness at the end. More flavor than the nose had indicated, especially on the hop end. Strong bitterness at the end and a stronger and longer lasting bitter piney and floral aftertaste just keeps lingering and lingering. Maybe a bit too much of an aftertaste, but I certainly enjoyed it.

PALATE: Medium-thin body, not quite as creamy as hoped, and only somewhat smooth on the palate. Goes down fine with no bite, alcohol well hidden, and finishes drier on the palate. A bit of an astringent ending on this one. Certainly below par for the style.

OVERALL: Pretty decent. Enjoyed it, though the palate was a little weak and the head a little unimpressive. A decent beer with an interesting taste profile non-the-less; one I could drink a few of.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 16:03:03 | More by Jeffo

bort11

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Vermonthiker for this one.

22 oz bomber poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Thick head that stands a fingers width. Great retention. Lacing clings to the glass and creates an awesome webbing. Color is a darker amber orange with red hughes when held to the light.

Smell is a sharp hops bitterness. Piney, herbal, and citrusy. Taste is very complex, with the flavors changing as it rolls back. Sharp and piney up front and smoothes out to fairly sweet and fruity in the back. Noticeable malt balance. Mouthfeel has a solid medium body.

This is the first Sly Fox beer I've had, and I'm impressed. I hope Odyssey comes out of retirement.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2008 12:37:53 | More by bort11

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

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

pezoids

Pennsylvania

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

This beer was enjoyed at the Grey Lodge Pub in Philly. Poured a clear and golden amber orange with a thin head on top. Juicy bits of delicate lacing left on the glass. The aroma yields a light and bitter maltiness. The taste is bitter and full of musty hops. The bitter qualities build as you consume more with tannic fermented fruits taking over the palate. Although the bitterness is very assertive, this remains quite drinkable. Medium to full bodied. The body is smooth with a nice creaminess and a nutty bitters. Largely drinkable for a “middle of the road” strong beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2005 19:41:49 | More by pezoids

t0rin0

California

4.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This came as a bonus in a trade with jtrockchalk
a couple weeks ago. I always love trying things from around the country that we can't get in Ca. I'm a little confused about the "American IPA" description of this beer, as its got the abv and the hop flavor to qualify as a DIPA.

The beer poured a deep red/amber color that was nice and clear. The head was sticky and offwhite and really laced the glass well.

The smell was very piney and fruity. I smelled some citrus smells coming out with an underlying IPA sweetness that can only come from a ton of base malts. I had a bit of a stuffy nose that day and we had just finished doing a 5 year bigfoot vertical tasting but I still noticed the hops. Very nice and strong.

The taste was well balanced. There was a fair amount of malt flavor to balance the huge amount of hops. The piney flavors were stronger here in the initial taste and the citrus flavors were noticeable more in the aftertaste. This beer had a large amount of bitterness for a DIPA or atleast for the ABV. I guess this is why someone thought to call this an IPA instead of a DIPA?

The body was good and heavy but the bitterness was a tad distracting as it became more difficult to fully appreciate the complexity of the brew. Very drinkable if you're a hop head but it might be intimidating if you're just getting into IPAs.

On a side note, I looked at the sly fox website and it lists this beer as a Seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 07:34:03 | More by t0rin0