Odell India Pale Ale (IPA)

Pours a hazy pale yellow color with a white head. Aroma is fruity, honey, biscuit, and grassy citrus hops. Flavor is honey, malt, biscuit, toast, and a bitter earthy citrus hop finish.

Following on the hells of O’Dell’s Cutthroat Porter and its top-notch flavor, I hit the other end of the spectrum to try O’Dell’s take on the classic IPA. The cloudy, light orange amber and the feather down white-gray fuzzy head definitely paid service to the style. The smell is filled with the scent of fresh, fresh, fresh hops, and the bitterness leans more to the "wet grain" brand than it does to grapefruit. I absolutely freshness of the aroma almost conjures the smell of cold crab and seafood fresh from the boat, but I think, again, this is more the stunning smell of "fresh" than any fish heads they might have added to the tun. The flavor is more intense than the aroma, charging with a bolstered wet grain flavor and a mature, sedate hops profile. To me this is what a straight up, balanced, good IPA should taste like. Yeah, it has a hops bite, but it doesn’t strike like a snake (quick, piercing and painful) like some pale ales do, and it doesn’t bite like a hippo (AAAAUUUGH!!!!) like other pale ales do. It’s just right - no frills, no thrills, just a good, solid, IPA. The experiment in O’Dells continues successfully.

In short: An refreshing and nourishing full-bodied grapefruity IPA
How: Bottle, 12oz, consumed fresh.
The look: Clear blonde body with a long-lasting medium rocky white head
In long: Body is well malted and pillowy. Interestingly the malt profile here does not have much toastiness, caramel or honey. Instead I was treated with a big raw cereals mash sensation. Quite doughy actually. Lots of fruity hops with focus on the lighter more refreshing fruits like grapefruits and peaches. Medium juicy bitterness. The light tartness is totally appropriate. This is a full and highly drinkable. Another solid brew from Colorado. And to think this state is full of cattle ranch with cows eating cereals that could otherwise be used to make more kick-ass brews. I say let’s make some leather jackets and more beer.

Draft at Falling Rock Tap House in Denver. Pours a dark amber with little head. Aroma is hoppy and sweet. Flavor is assertive and hoppy, with pine and grapefruit being the main players. A doughy maltiness rounds it out. Finishes hoppy and dry. Nice IPA.

12oz - thanks crosling - Very pungent hop aroma. Sour citrus and doughy malts, even a little perfumey. Pours transparent orange/brown with a medium head and great lacing. Flavor matches aroma with the citrus hops taking the lead. Palate is creamy and tart. A very tasty IPA.