Indra Kunindra - Ballast Point Brewing Company

harrymel

Washington

3/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very interesting idea...best by 02JAN13

Pours black with a edge and some etch of mocha foam. Smells like curry mix in the spice jar still - profoundly strong. Oddly, the lime comes through and actually as it warms I think the cumin is what may put this over the edge for appreciation. I love curry, and I love cumin, but a little too much here. Flavor is like biting into a cumin, kaffir, massamun curry ball with a bit of cocoa and coffee. I can't stress this enough: THE BEER NEEDS TO WARM UP SUBSTANTIALLY. Medium bodied with moderated carb and a relatively dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 04:07:26 | More by harrymel

Aleman1966

1.33/5  rDev -65%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

As a fan of Russian Imperial Stouts I had to give this a try.
VERY strong on the curry...I am not a fan of curry.
This tasted like Gandi took a dump in an Old Rasputin.
Unless you really like Indian food and the spices used in it then stay away from this poison.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 19:02:56 | More by Aleman1966

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at the brewpub a couple weeks ago. This review is from notes.

Pours ink black with a very persistent tan head. Glass gets completely coated in tan foam. The smell is instantly curry balanced out by some oily coconut and roastyness. Again, classic Indian curry takes the lead in the taste, with anise, cumin and cinnamon notes. Coconut provides a nice moderating sweetness. Roasty, chocolatey stout flavors mix with a citric hoppiness in the back. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and low in carbonation. Curry and bitterness from hops and black malt make up the finish.

This is an interesting stout. Its a little too curry dominant for my tastes. Still worth a try, made me want Lamb Vindaloo.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 22:47:30 | More by CAMRAhardliner

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown pour sits opaque black. Dense, clay colored head. Despite it's auspicious beginning, all foam is gone by the time I finish my beer.

Smells like curry and coconut shreds over a pretty good export stout.

Cocoa and chile with an odd citrus something in back at first (the kaffir lime leaves?). As the beer warms the cocoa simmers down and the vanilla-y coconut stands out more. Hot cayenne fade. Smooth mouthfeel like a baltic porter.

Good grocery list beer. Usually the adjuncts are overpowering and messy or too subtle to be worthwhile but this was a good mix.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 13:15:42 | More by donkeyrunner

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I'm usually weary of the crazy ingredient beers, but I couldn't neglect to try an Indian food stout. Plus cbutova loved it ;)

Color is pitch black, small beige head turns to a thin ring very quickly eventually dissipating to nothingness.

Coconut mostly dominates the smell, though spice comes out more with warmth. Some darker caramel malts.

Taste...wacky! Huge coconut and peppery curry spice. Some lime. Quite a bit of heat here, definitely is like a spicy Indian meal in a glass - there is kind of a milk stout vibe underneath all the madness, but not much stoutness to it.

Slick, sorta light feel with medium carbonation. Heat starts pretty intense and grows with warmth.

Wow, quite a beer...its flavor is very unique and awesome but it is also damn difficult to drink. Even splitting the bomber was kind of a chore, I would've been good with a ~4oz pour of this. Definitely worth trying, especially if you like spice/Indian food but to me it's a novelty beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 03:18:59 | More by Chico1985

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a dfh snifter

A: pours black with a bit of brown towards the head when held to the light... Little to no head after a regular pour, the head appears to be tannish, little to no lacing....

S: an interesting aroma, I get a ton of curry spice blended with cayenne along with a bit of lime, smells like a sweaty Indian guy, fresh out of the kitchen after cooking up some deliciousness in the tandor oven. I picked up on a strong whiff of coconut goodness when I opened the bottle however this seems to be lost now that its in my glass. I really don't get a lot of the typical stout aromas either... Mainly just the spice.

T: taste follows closely with the aroma, almost to a T, up front I get a light touch of chocolate then going into the curry spice and lime leaf, with the cayenne coming in strong on the finish, bringing a bit of heat to this, this is like liquid Indian food, very interesting. I do not mind the flavor, but a whole bomber may be a bit of a chore for one person.

M: medium heavy body with low/moderate carbonation... Not a bad mouthfeel. Dry w/ some cayenne heat on the finish.

O: this is a strange and interesting brew, a bit heavy on the lime for my tastes, and deffinatly heavy on the spice, like unsaid before, reminds me of a sweaty Indian guy. Glad I tried it, but I don't see myself hurrying to pick up another.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 01:08:09 | More by PeterIngemi

ThePaleRider

California

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Super dark. Can't see any light through it with a dark tan head. Big bubble disappear pretty quickly leaving little lacing on the glass.

S - Peanuts, curry, and a hint of malts.

T - Coconut curry, roasted malts, a little spice. Not as much curry flavor as I hoped for.

M - Light bodied stout that leaves a lot of curry on the palette.

O - I've had this beer on tap and it was MUCH better. It's a little too smooth out of the bottle for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 05:11:15 | More by ThePaleRider

Zorro

California

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear black colored beer with a small brown colored head.

Smell is sweet with a strong chocolate and coconut aroma with a little mint to it. Little bit of caramel only existence of hop is the mint scent.

Starts off sweet with a lot of chocolate and strong taste of cinnamon.and cardamom? What the hell is in this? Reading the label "Madras Curry and lime leaf" well that is different! I can taste the lime and the curry but that coconut really stands out. This has a little burn to it.

Mouthfeel is thick.

This a tasty and unique beer and well worth the effort to taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 04:30:32 | More by Zorro

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark brown-black with a finger of frothy tan-khaki head atop. The head fades down fairly quickly leaving behind some light lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of roasted chocolate malts with curry powder, cayenne, cumin, turmeric, kaffir lime, coconut, and a touch of cinnamon.

T - Starts off with a mix of roasted chocolate malts with some curry powder, coconut, and kaffir lime. Through the middle, the cayenne and cumin come through with some cinnamon and other spices. The finish is a mix of roasted chocolate malts, cayenne, cumin, curry powder, and kaffir lime.

M - Medium-plus bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and spicy finish.

D - Very drinkable. Very interesting blend of curry spices in the export stout. Good overall balance with great complexity.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 05:03:09 | More by ngeunit1

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Shared by BRoss242 during his own send-off party before he moves! Will miss you man! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller taster flute. Poured a massively dark brown with a half finger light tan head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, curry, Indian food, and roasted malt. The flavor was of sweet malt, spices, curry, and meat. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. I really didn’t know what to expect on this one when I first saw. Once I took my first smell of it I REALLY didn’t know what to expect. Was this dry hopped with Indian food was one of my first thoughts… I happen to like Indian food, but why does my beer smell like it? The same went on in the flavor as well as it tasted like curried meat which was quite surprising. I could see this going well with a nice dish of Indian food, but on its own, I’m not too sure about. Glad I got to experience something this strange, but doubt I will do so again.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 11:31:19 | More by thagr81us

Beerenauslese

California

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip, appearance is very dark brown, almost black, with a foamy tan head that dissipates to a ring.

Nose is sweet and smells of dark roasted malt, dark chocolate, vanilla, coconut, citrus fruit, and a little raisin.

Tastes of charred malt with touch of vanilla and coconut, followed by a citrus acidity, and a mild pepper heat that lasts into the extended finish.

Mildly carbonated and a lightish viscosity for a stout, which probably makes sense with the ingredients, particularly lime.

The pepper heat builds up on this with each sip which makes it a bit of a stretch to drink a whole bomber of. Nevertheless, it is an interesting brew that works with a food pairing. I thought it was good with a southwestern style chile. Would work even better with Indian curries. I'll try that option with one of my remaining bottles.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 04:19:52 | More by Beerenauslese

alexbnieto

1.63/5  rDev -57.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

There aren’t many things I regret in this life, but tasting this beer is one of them. Too overpowering and the aftertaste stays with you FOR-EV-ER!!! Tried chasing it down with some high quality H2O, but no luck. F- grade beer. Let's never speak of this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2012 17:31:56 | More by alexbnieto

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Ballast Point's Old Grove location. Poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours black with a finger of brown head, leaves some spotty lacing.

S- Aroma is incredible. Lots of very vibrant spices, picking up on cumin, cayenne pepper, also sweet curry and coconut. Excellent blend of spice, coconut/curry sweetness and chocolate.

T- Flavor follows pretty closely, but doesn't maintain the same level of curry and coconut awesomeness, although the cumin, cayenne and curry do come through pretty well. Has some nice chocolate flavor and lingering heat, not overly spicy though.

M- Medium-bodied, smooth feel, mild spicy burn but nothing severe.

O- An absolutely awesome chili/curry stout, I've had chili beers before, but nothing that a) also incorporated curry and coconut and b) did it very well. It was also very drinkable, I polished off an 8 oz pour with no problem at all. This beer is a real treat to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2012 02:49:00 | More by WillCarrera

FosterJM

California

4.23/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1284th Review on BA
Bottle to Pint
22oz

Thanks to GuruDel for this one.

App- A dark brown pour bordering on black with some garnet edges. A 2 finger semi brown head fell quickly and left no cling or lace behind.

Smell- Pure milk chocolate on the nose. No malty backbone just liquid diabetes. The coconut and the cumin come next. That was about it. Those flavors dominate the aromatics.

Taste- Chocolate, vanilla and coconut open this up and then oh wait hello mr. spice. My lips are now tingling from the curry and the cumin. Very well layered and balanced without the spices dominating. Alot going on in the last 1/2 of the bottle but works really well.

Mouth- A creamy medium body with a low/medium carbonation. Makes my lips tingles from the spices and the chocolate/coconut flavors remain.

Drink- Unique, layered, semi balanced. The coconut spice was a good combo for me. Very flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 23:06:43 | More by FosterJM

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a very dark brown with mahogany highlights at the edges. Half finger light brown head dissipated slowly to a ring around the glass with light lacing. Interesting aroma of sweet dark malt, coconut and pepper with hints of curry and cocoa. Flavor is also unusual; coconut is instantly obvious on the start, with sweet and roasted malt, chocolate, immediately covered with peppery spices. Finishes peppery and spicy with the heat clearly from hot pepper and not from hops. The spices definitely dominate most of the taste of this stout, but the body, while not intense, supports the spicy flavors. Medium bodied with a bit of creaminess. I like this quite a bit and enjoyed the whole bomber in one evening. Not for the hot pepper and/or coconut adverse. I would pick this up again if it was available. (Please come to Washington, Ballast Point!).

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 03:13:16 | More by LiquidAmber

arizcards

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a bomber at Holiday Wine Cellar President's Day weekend for $7.99.

Beer poured dark brown with a nice tan head.

Nose has hints of mocha, lime, and hot spices.

Taste initially is a base american stout, chocolate with a lingering heat that is pretty well crafted in.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and pretty smooth.

Overall this is well crafted recipe in which the spices are blended in well and not too overbearing but they do take the forefront and leave the base stout taste in the back seat.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 01:44:16 | More by arizcards

Florida9

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Very dark brown. Slightly translucent. Forms a small creamy brown head. Some light lacing.

S: A rather interesting blend of curry, spice, and balsa wood.

T: Starts off with a strong bitter coffee flavor then turns to dry (unsweet) coconut. Finishes with cayenne spice and even more curry.

M: Medium bodied - light for the style. Spicy in more ways than one.

O: A very interesting beer. Overall, good, but can't say I thoroughly enjoyed it. But, I will say it is very different and the blend of flavors does seem to work in a rather odd fashion.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 01:59:05 | More by Florida9

UCLABrewN84

California

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the ColLAboration beer fest at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy tan head that settles to a thin film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, coconut, curry spice, and lemongrass. Taste is very much the same with a spicy finish after each sip. Very tasty stuff. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good stout with some awesome Indian food elements added into it. A real surprise for me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 05:06:55 | More by UCLABrewN84

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Tipsy Crow, 11/8/11.

A-Pours a dark brown with a thin mocha head and good sticky lacing.

S-Chocolate malt, nice roast, bittersweet chocolate and a hint of spice.

T-Garam masala spiciness blends nicely with the sweet chocolate. Not for everyone but I love Indian food, so this is perfect.

M-Medium bodied, spices linger.

O-Interesting and different. I can't see ever ordering more than one though.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 15:08:52 | More by sholland119

PatrickSwayze

California

4.55/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A : Rich deep dark deep brown similar a baltic porter

S:  Lovely lime and light roast character with a little spazzaz from the curry.

T: Dang this is probably the most complex beer i have ever tasted. This thing hits all marks including lime, curry, roast, chocolate. Brilliantly put together.

M: More on the dry side and lingering  warmth.

O: This beer is insane on the flavors and completely worth it if you can even find it. Lucky me i have 2 more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 02:15:10 | More by PatrickSwayze

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bomber while on vacation in Escondido. The stocker of the bottle shop said it had arrived just the day before, held out until now to try it.

Poured from bomber to pint glass. Pours a thick oily black color with a small 1 finger mocha head with decent retention and lacing throughout. Very unique nose: coconut, roasted malt, curry, hints of pepper and heat. The flavor follows suit with a huge coconut flavor that mellows out into a complex blend of curry, roast, pepper, cocoa, and a bit of lime. Very unique. Finishes smooth and creamy with a medium body and mild bitterness. Overall, this is quite a unique brew! It was a pleasure to have sampled it, I can easily say I've never had anything like it. I'd recommend it if for nothing else the unique flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 13:51:49 | More by hopfacebrew

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle.

Pours opaque black with a half inch head of beige. A few whisps on the surface and elongated dots of lacing throughout the glass.

Aromatics lead off with bakers chocolate, Kahlua, espresso, coconut, and spice.
Hints of curry, mint, and peppercorns follow through. Hawaiin Tropic suntan lotion drizzeled over Oreo cookies.

Full bodied with a snappy, prickly mouthfeel.

Charred malt, dark chocolate, coffee beans, and chili peppers start the palate. Coconut shavings, spicy curry, and white pepper follow through.

Finishes with a lingering throat burn, bitter chocolate, and coconut.

Interesting beer, but definately one to split a bottle with 2-3 people.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 23:52:20 | More by brewandbbq

mdfb79

New York

3.15/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 12/18/11 notes. This one was sent to me from Nuggamooch and shared with some friends. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into my Bell's tulip.

a - Pours a dark brown color with one inch of light tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of coconut, cumin, spices, roasted malts, and toasted malts. Some light chocolate as well. Very odd mix; doesn't really do it for me.

t - Tastes strongly of curry, coconut, lime, spices, cumin, pepper, roasted malts, toasted malts, and cream. Takes like taco cookies.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall a very interesting stout. Wasn't necessarily bad, but a very weird and interesting mix that didn't do it for me. Some people really liked it as it tastes a lot like Thai style Coconut Curry, but that isn't what I really would want in a beer, and I think we all found it tough to drink 5 oz.'s. Not something I'd seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 21:19:03 | More by mdfb79

jsanford

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a Tulip Glass.

Pours a inky black with a creamy mocha-colored head that settles to a nice cap and leaves lots of streaky lacing. Fantastic nose of sweet malt, coconut, curry powder, and spices. So insane, perfectly captures a Thai curry. Taste is just as amazing, TONS of coconut, chocolate malt, curry powder, and spices with a hit of lime and a subtle chili pepper spiciness that build as the beer warms (and you drink more). Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with a medium-full body and good carbonation. Such an insane beer, and truly one of the most unique and memorable I've had!

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 16:26:37 | More by jsanford

DovaliHops

California

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown-black with a medium tannish-brown head that disappears slowly. Scent is heavy with coconut and a plethora of spices that make my nose tingle. A lot of chocolate and a little bit of lime. Taste is initially dark chocolate with just a bit of anise. I get a lot of coconut. Just a hint of curry with a ton of cayenne and cumin. The cayenne lingers on the throat and tongue with tingly spiciness. A bit of alcohol as well. As it warms...the curry comes through more. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, spicy, and tingly. Drinkability is fair. Overall, this is a unique beer, but all the spices can be a bit overwhelming. Tasty though.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 09:19:10 | More by DovaliHops