Sculpin IPA - Ballast Point Brewing Company

jbphoto88

Texas

4.05/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Right away I am digging the style of this beer. It is crystal clear and the color of a dirty blondes silky beautiful hair. The head is aggressive and firm (that's what she said) with pillowy fluff and tons of lacing. This is a pretty brew.

The nose is right up there in points with the look, having gobs of hop character manifesting in citrus, pine and tropical fruits. Behind that hop smack to the nostrils is a warm caramelized grain scent. This one smells like a IIPA, If it tastes even half as good I am in for a brewing treat.

The taste is good but not as great as the nose. Most of the same flavors parallel the scent but in a lesser way. The hops still dominate with their pine resin and citrus but much closer now is the roasted caramelized grains. The malted fresh crush taste helps beat the hops in the distance and sculpt the finish.

Here in the mouthfeel and finish is where things get slightly tricky. The warm malty aftertaste is balance nicely with a firm hop bitterness but there is a confusing lack of carbonation. Surprising because of the aggressive head but not so much so when I feel the hop oils on my teeth. All of this leads to a smooth, extmely drinkable character with a sharp bite. This IPA was a pleasant surprise and one I will continue to buy. If you see it, get it. I put it on almost the same level as the Majaraja by Avery, which is one of my favorites and a double IPA. Consider that hop heads!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 01:27:52 | More by jbphoto88

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4/5  rDev -9.7%

06-19-2013 19:17:35 | More by ubenumber2

eagle55

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-19-2013 17:43:41 | More by eagle55

soldat329x

Illinois

5/5  rDev +12.9%

06-19-2013 17:32:17 | More by soldat329x

StlHopHead77

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-19-2013 14:36:42 | More by StlHopHead77

JasonFromLA

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-19-2013 07:13:14 | More by JasonFromLA

ChrisYager39

Indiana

5/5  rDev +12.9%

06-19-2013 03:06:14 | More by ChrisYager39

Rosanne

California

3.5/5  rDev -21%

06-19-2013 03:01:52 | More by Rosanne

slatetupelo

Mississippi

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-19-2013 02:08:42 | More by slatetupelo

Lorihall1

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +12.9%

06-19-2013 01:54:28 | More by Lorihall1

Bubba569

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

06-18-2013 23:24:42 | More by Bubba569

taylor714914

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.7%

06-18-2013 23:06:06 | More by taylor714914

WhiteSoxWynn

Nevada

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

06-18-2013 22:00:16 | More by WhiteSoxWynn

Mountainmanjl

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

06-18-2013 19:21:31 | More by Mountainmanjl

InvalidPacket

Florida

5/5  rDev +12.9%

06-18-2013 19:01:29 | More by InvalidPacket

jbar920

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +12.9%

06-18-2013 17:07:54 | More by jbar920

Flightoficarus

Washington

4.41/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Finally! Ballast Point is available in WA! More San Diego beer goodness for me to get my hands on. Been wanting to try this one for awhile now.

A - Pours a slightly hazy gold/light orange hue, with a nice single finger head that quickly recedes to a thick, but not creamy lace retention.

S - This is one of the finest, if not the best IPA scents I have ever come across - Lots of fruits on the nose (mango, pineapple, orange, lemon), balanced in perfect harmony with a subtle, piney/herbal hop aroma, and a biscuity malt background.

T - Taste is of the aforementioned fruits found in the aroma, with grassy notes, and a light, biscuit-y malt profile (pale malts? I'm not tasting much caramel that I often find in IPAs). The hops are on the herbal/grassy side, and are moderately potent, but far from rip-your-tongue out brutal. Leaves a lingering bitterness on the tongue. Insanely refreshing, and not cloying in any way.

M - Mouthfeel is sublimely smooth. Body is on the medium side, carbonation is spot on, and silky, but with pep, for lack of a better way to put it. Makes this stuff too easy to drink for 7%

O - An outstanding IPA for sure. Glad I finally got to try it, and will be happy to enjoy some more in the future!

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 16:35:04 | More by Flightoficarus

RyV

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-18-2013 06:00:51 | More by RyV

Fuzzy1179

Hawaii

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-18-2013 04:35:14 | More by Fuzzy1179

BlakeAM

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

06-18-2013 02:25:05 | More by BlakeAM

Jpirkle2715

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-18-2013 01:54:37 | More by Jpirkle2715

GratefulNole

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

06-17-2013 21:12:00 | More by GratefulNole

Andreias21

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

06-17-2013 17:08:45 | More by Andreias21

alelover

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

06-17-2013 13:56:22 | More by alelover

spw109

New York

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

06-17-2013 07:26:30 | More by spw109