Columbus Brewing Bodhi
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Tasting Notes
Bodhi pours with a dense, resinous hop aroma built around citrus peel, tropical fruit, and a distinct piney undercurrent that signals its Pacific Northwest hop heritage. On the palate, assertive bitterness anchors layers of orange, grapefruit, and mango, balanced by a solid malt backbone that keeps the beer from turning harsh. The body is full without being syrupy, and the finish is long and drying with lingering resin. At 8.5% it carries warmth without telegraphing the alcohol too loudly.
About the Brewery
Columbus Brewing is based in Columbus, Ohio, where it has operated since 1988, making it one of the older craft operations in the Midwest. The brewery built much of its reputation on hop-forward beers, with Bodhi standing as its flagship and arguably one of the most decorated Double IPAs to come out of Ohio. They operate a taproom and have maintained a strong regional footprint without chasing national distribution aggressively.
Food Pairings
The aggressive bitterness and tropical hop character here work well against rich, fatty foods that can absorb the intensity. Spicy Thai or Indian dishes find a natural partner because the fruity hop notes mirror the aromatics in those cuisines while the bitterness cuts through heat. A sharp aged cheddar or a bold blue cheese provides enough salt and fat to stand up to the resin. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions also pair well, as the char and sweetness balance the beer's drying finish.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial IPAs take the standard American IPA template and push the volume — more hops, more malt to support them, and higher alcohol, typically landing between 7.5% and 10%. The style originated in the early 2000s as American craft brewers began experimenting with extreme hop loads, with Russian River's Pliny the Elder becoming a widely cited benchmark. Unlike English barleywines that share a similar gravity range, Double IPAs prioritize hop aroma and bitterness over malt complexity, and they differ from standard IPAs primarily in intensity and weight rather than in any fundamental change of character.