Odell IPA - Odell Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Exactly midway between ripe pumpkin and harvest gold. Multiple streams of lazily rising bubbles plink into the underside of a wonderful looking crown of manila colored foam. A great deal of stickiness leads to loads of lace that resembles spray-on snow on a winter windowpane.

The nose is rife with all sorts of tropical fruits. I've heard that Columbus is one member of the closely guarded hop bill. Simcoe has to be another. Specifics include ganja, pineapple, grapefruit and pine. A hint of toasted-earthy malt comes close to putting a damper on the olfactory hoedown.

The exact same thing is noted on the palate. Odell needs to either move the mall bill in a more pale direction or needs to add caramel malt (think Celebration Ale) rather than the Munich-like malts that I'm guessing are present. That's strictly personal preference, but then this is my review.

Despite 70 IBUs and a best-by date that's still more than four months into the future, this isn't a hop monster by any means. Yeah, it's definitely snappy for the style, but my socks are still firmly in place. Flavor pretty much mirrors aroma, so I won't run through the list again.

The body/mouthfeel easily keeps pace with the rest of the attributes. It's IPA-medium and has a soft and smooth quality right out of the gate. Ideal carbonation is the likely reason why.

It's hard to believe that it took me this long to taste one of Colorado's most heralded IPAs. Thank you GilGarp. Even though it doesn't quite measure up to my (possibly unfairly) high expectations, Odell IPA is quality beer that is a pleasure to drink. A beer advocate can't ask for much more than that.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2009 14:29:00 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Now I got to say that this one turned out to be quite a shock to me. I was expecting just a rather normal IPA, nothing special but I was totally blow away by this one. The pour was gentle, resulting in a very bright amber, hazy and amply carbonated liquid which sat in its glass covered with a monster of a three inch or more head. This rested gently down and left behind generous amounts of side glass clingy and sticky lace, that are in all likelihood still there the next day. Just a great overall look, damn perfect for the style. The aroma coming off this knocked me back off of my feet for a good minute. Huge floral hop presence, I mean huge. Tons of citrus flavors, orange, tangerine, and very sweet as well. There was just a really fresh aroma coming off of it. It was literally dripping fresh. The taste was enormous. I had a hop profile that made you go nuts. Lots of orange and pineapple mixed in with a ton of sweetness, it was just heaven. A big resin, bitter dry finish was superb. Great smooth and light feel was no match for the huge flavor in here. This was really fantastic I could have had this all night, if only I had some more of it. This was far and away one of the best IPA's I have ever had. It was just unreal fresh and hopped to a level I very rarely see. I can find no fault in it at all, so it gets my second ever rating of a perfect five. To say I was surprised by what came out of this bottle was an understatement. This was a perfect IPA, I mean perfect. Maybe it was the bottle, hopefully this is the way they all are and if so this is a testament to something I never heard of before. Must Get More of this as fast as possible, it was that good.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2007 01:08:00 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes. On tap at the brewery in August 2009.

Pours an somewhat-dark orange color with a white head. The nose brings some strong notes of citrus rind and resinous pine. Really nice and hoppy, just like it should be. Taste cuts back on the flavor but still provides a nice dose of bitterness. Good semi-dry finish with nice carbonation. Drinks quite well, at least enough so that I bought a t-shirt with this beer's logo on it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2010 01:28:57 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear golden color with a whipped egg white head that just won't quit; lacing galore

Smell: Lots of citrusy hops; pink grapefruit juice

Taste: The hops are front and center, with grapefruit at the outset; there is some malty sweetness that develops to balance but this is all about the grapefruit

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate, but prickly carbonation

Drinkability: Right up there with the folks from San Diego; outstanding; very citrusy, but not overly bitter

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2009 00:48:13 | More by brentk56

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.47/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

GABF Weekend '08

I'm very impressed with this beer, as I was their porter. Balance being the key, this beer strikes a major mark with a very well attenuated malty character with low lying sweetness (caramel and breadiness), which allows the hops to shine. An agressive hop blend of grapefruit, orange rind, pine, and a boquet of flowery, perfumy hops particularly in the nose. No apparent harshness or agression in the mouthfeel despite such boldness in the taste (Two Hearted Ale does this as well), allowing the beer to be supremely drinkable. Finishes with a crisp, cracker-like dryness and a riding orange rind note. I'm not sure if IPA's get any better.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2008 18:47:33 | More by BEERchitect

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ride 'em, Pachederm!

Hazy orange appearance, fulsome, fresh white head.

Fresh, vibrant, floral aroma...lively...orange, tangerine, mango....abso-lovely.

Tastin'...more of the same. Fresh, delicious, fruit aplenty. There's some mango in there, with the orange and grapefruit,
just gorgeous.

Very even-keeled, despite it's 7% abv,...no, wait, maybe not....but it's still smooth, and tasty, and memorable.
An ideal IPA. I could grab this in a pinch with nary a quarrel.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2008 11:02:39 | More by feloniousmonk

drabmuh

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer sent to me in a trade by mizzouguy, thanks! FINALLY, I've been wanting this beer for over a year. At the time of this review, this is the #30 top American IPA on beeradvocate.com. Served from a bottle into a New Belgium globe glass.

Beer is orange / amber and pretty hazy, almost read, nice white head of small bubbles lots of lacing and moderate carbonation.

Aroma is CTZ and pine all the way, hints of malt sneak through.

Beer is medium in body and a little malty on the lead off but that gives way to a nice earthy and piny hop presence on the forward late palate. The finish is a little heavy, could have been made dryer so that the bitterness is accented more but I like it a lot. Overall this is a very good IPA, at the end once it warmed up some of the hop charm wears off and you are left with a relatively heavy single IPA but I thoroughly enjoyed it, would have it again and am looking forward to the second bottle mizzouguy included in the box, thanks again.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 02:07:45 | More by drabmuh

zeff80

Missouri

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an orange/amber color with a pillowy, white, two-finger head. Left good lace: nice layers.

S - It smelled of hops, grass, malt and orange.

T - It tasted very hoppy! It also had a good maltiness with a hint of citrus. Also, a nice bitter bite.

M - It was crisp and dry. A medium-bodied beer.

D - I was really impressed with this IPA. It is very hoppy and quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2007 01:31:00 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Acquired via trade from Wasatch, so a big “Thank you” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light amber color, with a thin white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of fruity citrus, caramelized malts and a decent amount of hops.

T: The taste starts with a combination of pale hops bitterness and citrus & caramel sweetness. In most beers American IPA’s that I’ve had the latter fades before the former, but in this case it’s the other way around. There’s a good malt character that doesn’t make its presence known right away. The after-taste is sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a decent even if it may not be the absolute best IPA that I’ve had. I could drink a few of them but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 02:02:15 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to GHB for sending this one to me. The beer poured out as a pretty clear looking golden yellow color with a nice fluffy white head on top. The retention is great and the lacing is sticky as hell. Looks really nice all around. The smell of the beer is hoppy, and has a subtle sweetness to it as well, very pleasant aroma on this. The taste of the beer is very good too. There is a beautiful kick of mild citrus a floral hops that lingers long into the aftertaste. There is a subtle malt sweetness in there for a very nice balance. The mouthfeel is soft, very smooth and dangerously drinkable. Overall it's a great IPA. Really glad I finally got a hold of this one. Looking forward to having the other bottles of it that I received.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 02:52:36 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A composite of my first review & second, grown to like this one more & more as time has passed, 2nd review 05-20-09

BBD 06/22/07 Pours bronze/copper with 3+ fingers of fluffy offwhite head. Insane lacing & very good head retention

S: Grapefruit & breadyness

T: Citrus hops on your face, then some pineyness, leafy hops & a hint of fruittyness. Some breaydness intertwines with lemony & piney hops. Finishes crisp, dry & but a bit too much leafy hops for me

MF: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, nice balanace & smoothness

Drinks very easy, a bit too assertive grapefruit hop-wise for totally fall in love, but a real hophead's delight. So happy I can get this in mizzou & KS!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2007 02:43:46 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

November 2009 bottle date; Sampled August 2009
A solid pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip produces a fat two-finger thick, light tan colored head. The beer is a pretty red tinged, copper color that shows a brilliantly clear, bright copper color when held up to the light. The aroma smells of pungeant hops; a mix of fruity, citrusy components and slightly dank, herbal hop notes that mix together quite well. Up front there are abundant notes of lychee, grapefruit skin oil, concentrated apricot and bright bergamot notes while the middle and finish of the aroma is more dominated by dirty hemp oil notes, herbal pine needle aromatics and really just a nice, dank hop character.

Lightly sweet malt up front almost gets stripped away by the aggressive hops in the middle, but peaks out towards the finish again just before a linger, biting, herbal bitterness cleanses the palate of all malt character. There is enough malt here to carry the hops, and in fact you can actually taste some of the malt notes underneath the hop onslaught; a touch of biscuit malt character, some light caramel as well as a touch of toasted grain cracker flavors join the fleeting, clean malt sweetness. This is actually quite light bodied; in fact it almost doesn't have enough texture to carry the hop flavors as it can seem a bit on the thin side at times. A lot of the juicy hop fruit notes of the aroma are muted here in the flavor (not enough residual malt character to accentuate these notes); these notes are still here, and they are quite noticeable though with flavors of lychee, herbal grapefruit zest notes and tangerine zest flavors. The harder hop flavors are quite evident with ample notes of pine sap, hemp oil as well as just a solid dank herbal hop component.

The aroma of this beer is just sticky with hop lupulin, unfortunately there is not quite enough body and structure to this beer so that the flavor is just a bit too unbalanced. In fact this is one of those beers that would have actually carried the hop character better if it had just a touch more residual malt character left to it. Don't get me wrong, this beer is pretty tasty, but it is quite easy to see how I would like to improve it.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2009 03:06:15 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes. Forgot to record the best by date, but it was a few months before the expiration.

Fair golden color, plenty of visible carbonation, chunky sheets of lacing, medium clarity - slightly hazy. Malty almost peanut butter smell, grassy and nondescript. Dry malty notes, mild grapefruit hop bitterness, nothing shocking. Even, creamy carbonation. This was more on the malty side, leading me to believe the hops had faded some. Pretty standard IPA. I'd try it again if I had a fresher bottle. Single from Lukas in Overland Park, KS.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 02:46:01 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

4.47/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours amber with a soft finger of white head, good lace.

S: Grapefruit, some orange rind, lemon, lots of floral citrus from the hops.

T: I get a lot of orange, sweet orange, tangerine upfront with a hint of pine and cedar bark. Interesting flavour, it's got a step in the pine, the citrus and the tropical but doesn't stay in each category for long. Just a tad maltier than most San Diego IPAs, but I'm fine with that here. I'm on the verge of giving this a 5, but I've had Duet so I'll hold back.

M: Medium-bodied, firm carbonation, dry, nice aftertaste.

D: This is just a damn good IPA. Shame I only have the one bottle, I'd love to have it again. Any hophead would clearly enjoy a bottle of this. Drinkability is off the charts.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2010 00:38:50 | More by Halcyondays

jwc215

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours golden yellow with a thick head that slowly descends to a thin cover. Some lacing sticks to glass.

The smell is of grapefruit, lemon, orange, some pine. Very hoppy and robust. Some breadiness in the back - way in the back.

The taste is citric - lemon, orange, grapefruit. Some tea-like leafiness. Hops are all over the place, but there is just enough sweet malt in the back to hold this hop-bomb together. Floral notes in the finish - nice profile. The supporting malt works well together with it, too. Alcohol pretty well-covered for abv level, with just a hint in the finish.

The feel is chewy and incredibly smooth. Medium bodied. Citrus taste hangs on.

Thanks to bitterbill for this hoppy treat!

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2007 17:52:33 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a bottle after dinner. It poured clear amber with a tall white head and a bit of lacing. This is one fine IPA. Like my favorites in the style, it picks a few big bold notes to build the character around instead having a big blend. Here I'm hit with a resinous floral perfume and then a candied grapefruit aroma. Both of these carry over into the flavor, making a bitter beer that has a great mix of clean citrus fruit and earthy hop spice. It's a delicious contrast. The beer is a bit strong for my liking, but damn it's tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2010 00:54:47 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to mmtmatrix for this twelve oz. bottle.

A: The IPA pours with a pale amber color, a bright sun-like color when light is focused on it. The ale is brilliantly clear with no sign of any imperfection. A touch of head laced around the mouth of the glass before disappearing.

S: The nose is a blast of citrus aroma, practically dripping with hop juices. The aromas are so strong and concentrated that it is easy to forget that this is an IPA without the big D.

T: The mouth retains the piquant hop aromas, flicking their hop-devilish flames on the tastebuds. Herbs and grassy flavors add a natural floral taste to the body, creating a green onion-like spiciness. Citrusy grapefruit and oily pine flavors become apparent mid-sip, replacing the floral herbs. Malts know their place and keep a caramel flavor subtly in the background. The one drawback is that alcohol is reasonably warm on the tongue, making itself known throughout the sip.

M: The hoppiness is intense from the first sip to the last. The array of floral, fruit and herbal hop flavors will keep you coming back.

D: The hop bitterness may overpower the tastebuds quickly, so a bottle or two will be enough.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2008 02:19:05 | More by akorsak

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy orange toned gold with a creme head. Nose is tight citrus. Seems like pineapple juice. Flair is acrid, bitter, and slightly salty. Citrus tones are well in the back as an almost afterthought. Feel is smooth on liquid with a just as smooth carbonation. Pretty nice IPA. A bit rough though and might overpower some peoples interest.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2009 05:29:11 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a pale golden color and cloudy at that. Very small whitehead. Smells wonderful. Pine, citrus, flower and hints of malt. Taste is smooth, bitey, flavorful. Very solid IPA, not over-hopped, just right. Citrus and green pine mix well. Makes for good drinking. Could used a bit more crispness at the end. Malt comes back toward the finish. Very solid IPA!

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2008 23:05:26 | More by barleywinefiend

Wasatch

Utah

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to jhammerly and Bitterbill for this brew.

Pours a nice slighlty cloudy golden orange color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger plus creamy off-white head, tons of nice sticky lacing to follow. The nose is hoppy, citrusy, piney, and some caramel. The taste is very hoppy, nice grapefruit flavor, and a little bit of pines to throw in, also some caramel. The finish is slightly bitter and dry. Medium body. Very drinkable, this is a fine example of a IPA, way to go Odell, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2007 01:44:28 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Light pale copperish color with diamond clear color (as brilliantly clear as you can find) with light but good head

N: Nose has lots of piney hops centennial, horizon or simcoe

T: Taste also starts with piney hops and some strange malts, starts very soft and light but spreads over the tongue, its got a nice crystal malt

M: It coats the tongue with a dry but frothy mouth feel

F: Finish is bitter and has that plasticy simcoe taste, its pretty dry and evaporates off the tongue easily, some spicey hops also dazzle the tongue on the finish

Final thoughts: This is a really great IPA and quickly became one of my favorite IPAs, just wish I could get it easily around here.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2009 22:25:02 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 6/5/10 notes. Had at SAVOR in DC.

a - Pours a golden color with an inch of white head.

s - Smells of citrus hops, fruit, and pine hops.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, pine hops, and some bready malts late in the taste. A decent amount of bitterness.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - A decent IPA. Would try again.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2010 04:05:07 | More by mdfb79

Billolick

New York

4.22/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle, has some numbers stamped onto the label, but no clue how to figure out there meaning. Pours clear, typical lighter amber, with bubbles rising to the top and capped with a lovely, frothy just off white head, tha leaves great streaks and wildly patterened lace. NIce looking beer. The nose is equally exemplary, with fresh hop notessticking out so that even my low skilled sniffer can revel in the freshness. I get notes of fresh fruits, apricots and perhaps mangoes as another reviewer mentioned. Plenty of more smooth and tasty hop notes, citrus and grainy goodness. High quality, complex and thoroughly enjoyable Colorado IPA, seek it out and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2009 05:18:23 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle obtained via SS09 from vasdef42. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" off-white head above the clear golden amber brew. Head recedes gradually, with stocky sheeting lace. Aroma is dominated by pungeant fresh hops, green and piney. Taste starts moderately sweet, goes piney bitter in the middle, and carries through the close to the aftertaste. Tons of hop flavor, not total bitter face. Mouthfeel is very soft and smooth, and drinkability is awesome. Get you some.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 21:58:56 | More by ppoitras

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a crystal clear golden copper, with a finger of foamy eggshell white colored head. Retains with a thick layer of creamy froth, which leaves a strong looking latticework of lacing behind. The aroma is smooth and sweet in the nose, with robust tropical accents of mango, apricot, and oranges, mixing with bready malts. All of that big sweetness is wrapped up in additional notes of floral spice and some gentle warmth.

The taste matches the aroma, with a silky sweet backbone of toasted malts and tropical fruits. There is a modererately biting spicy bitterness to this, that adds a dry zippy flush to the profile. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a softer carbonation that is propped up by a thicker feel underneath. This stays nicely quaffable despite the 7% ABV as well.

I liked this for the most part. Overall very sweet, with lots of tropical character to this, but a bit more strength in the hop departmnet would have really made this pop. Not sure what the freshness was of this bottle but I'd be willing to check out another down the road.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2009 16:55:03 | More by Kegatron