Oddjob (Imperial IPA)
An Imperial IPA, our bravely hopped Oddjob is brimming with Galaxy, Simcoe and Mosaic hops, reverberating with notes of pine, resin, blood orange and ruby red grapefruit. Aha!
Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Chief Science Officer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.
Malts: 2-row, Wheat, Flaked Rye
Hops: Galaxy, Mosaic, Simcoe
Oddjob is an Imperial IPA with a terrific trio of hops. Talk about the interplay between those varietals and what they each lend to the beer.
Galaxy hops are one of our favorites from down under, it is quite stone fruit (peach) forward with some piney and resiny undertones. Simcoe and Mosaic are related to one another, with Simcoe having a unique character to them and Mosaic being a bit brighter, tropical fruit and an herbal note to them. Each hop seems to bring the best qualities of the other hops forward in this beer.
Oddjob has an interesting history, coming from the same batch of experiments that led to Knowledge, and now appearing in cans. Could you walk us through that journey?
We love experimenting here at Rhinegeist, and the DIPA Experimental series was a fun project that we were going through up until last year. We teamed a bunch of different hops up together in a, “heavyweight bout,” if you will…the results afforded a DIPA that is part of the specialty portfolio. And one even made it to the regular lineup (Knowledge).
What are the notable characteristics of this beer?
Layers and layers of fruit, high hop aroma, well-disguised alcohol.
What are your go-to Imperial IPAs?
The very first one I ever tried was I2PA from Rogue, and I remember that experience very well to this day. Stone Ruination and Pliny the Elder are also excellent Imperial IPAs.
Appearance: Gold in color with some haze. Medium carbonation. Moderate white head.
Aroma: High hop aroma with notes of peach, pear, berry and grapefruit. Low malt aroma, low fruity esters.
Taste: Medium high hop aroma, very peach forward with some hints of herbs, light grass, grapefruit and a light melon character. Low malt flavor. Dry finish, medium-high hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Medium light body, light hop astringency, low alcohol warmth.
Overall: An Imperial IPA that is very fruit forward that is enticing and easy to drink.
What foods would pair well with Oddjob?
Black bean chile relleno or Thai Red curry with beef.
Ideal glassware for Oddjob?
14 oz tulip/snifter glass.