Big Eye IPA - Ballast Point Brewing Company

welldigger888

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a wonderful orangish copper hue with a thick foam stand of 3+ fingers an off white caramel color.

Malty caramel goodness, and after a few pints the hop aroma is a bit muted.

A nice bitter base with lotsa maltiness bringing the heat, west coast style late hop flavor is nice. Burps very west coast as well. NICE.

Medium bodied creamcicle hop like mouthfeel has been best part.

Well, I got my growler filled for a great price and if it lasts will get more. Have had WAY better from ballast point but a good beer.

Serving type: growler

11-22-2012 01:51:33 | More by welldigger888

jvillefan

California

4.6/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: A beautiful deep golden yellow and with a decent head after storing the beer in the growler for ten days.

S: Extremely hoppy. There are a decent amount of caramel tones to the nearly perfect aroma.

T: Very bitter and maybe a little bit too bitter. Ballast Point definitely has a near perfect balance in this beer with the caramel and citrus undertones present in this beer.

M: There was excellent carbonation despite storing in a growler for 10 days. The retention could be a tiny bit heavier but it is still very good.

O: If you have the opportunity to try this definitely do. Personally, I think that this is the best IPA that Ballast Point produces, better than Sculpin IPA.

Serving type: growler

04-05-2012 03:11:18 | More by jvillefan

DaveHack

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into my RR 'tion' glass.

A- This is a dark, mahogany. Very rich looking.

S- Piney and citrusy, very aromatic....THIS is what an IPA (actually DIPAs smell like)

T- Very good hop taste, but not very bitter. There is definately some malt in there, but it is balanced well. There is a good hop resin in there as well. Damn, I love that hop oil!

M- It tastes big, yet is fairly light. Not a big chewy beer, I'm diggin' on it.

O- This beer kicks ass! I'm looking at it on here listed as an American IPA....this absolutely reminds me of a DIPA, way more flavor and smell of a DIPA than some DIPAs I've had. Homerun. Seek this out for sure!

Edit: Just had a bottle, and while great, it is definately not like freshly tapped!

Serving type: growler

08-01-2011 23:07:25 | More by DaveHack

LukeK1231

New York

4.97/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 32 oz. "Big Z" growler into a pint glass.

Appearance: Amber/golden with a 1 finger off-white head

Smell: Unbelievable!! Lots of fruit smells including pineapple, various citrus and maybe mango. Hoppy smells came thorugh almost as strong and made for a powerful yet perfect aroma.

Taste: Bitter hop taste in the beginning followed by a combination of fruits, pineapple taking the lead. Nice combination. Finish was crisp and smooth refreshing; "classic IPA" taste at the end.

Overall: A great IPA that I will make my standard until a better comes along. And at a nice strong 7% a well-rounded beer.

Serving type: growler

04-27-2011 23:00:39 | More by LukeK1231

AlvinStraight

New York

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a magnificent IPA. I never expected to end up with this, as the keg for the beer I was looking for was kicked at Bierkraft. Reluctantly I chose this, and oh what a pleasant surprise it was.

I don't have the terminology or buzzwords to write a point by point review that would pass muster around here, but I can say that I know bad beer, I know good beer, and I know excellent beer.

This beer is excellent.

Serving type: growler

03-09-2011 01:32:44 | More by AlvinStraight

unskinnyhop09

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

If you like the taste and lingering flavor of columbus and centennial bitterness and dry hopping, then this is the beer for you.

it has a perfect amber appearance with a perfect head and lacing that say: hey, i'm here to impress.

the smell is all hops...in fact, i would say it is an outstanding smell. very clean, sharp citrus--not unlike grapefruit. again, dry hop centennial with a decent malt balance.

the taste is not the best ever, but it is one that you will remember because how good it is. it compounds with the consumption of ounce after ounce.

mouthfeel is good. i personally like thick and oily. this one is a hint in that direction without being overbearing (but it might still be intimidating to some). i really like it.

the drinkability depends on the tolerance of the drinker. i could drink this all night, but one who is new to 7+abv should take heed.

big eye is a great brew.

Serving type: growler

01-27-2011 03:44:49 | More by unskinnyhop09

beer2day

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Rich golden pour with very thin head. Retains well what little it has. Very nice lace.

Strong citrus nose with lots of grapefruit. Excellent hop presence.

Hop bite right up front. Bright herbal hops. Nice hop and alcohol burn in the finish.

Feel is spot on for the style. Just the right thickness against the strong hops.

Great drinker.

Serving type: growler

10-23-2010 00:46:34 | More by beer2day

SShelly

California

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour a dark straw/light amber with big white rocky foam head, tons of lacing.

Aroma kinda took me off gaurd, smells like a 5-day unwashed hippy who has been hitting the bong a little too much (ah college memories!) or as someone else said "dirty hop-socks", and yet im enjoying it.

Flavor is fairly well balanced, assuming there is some slightly darker crystal in here as seen by the color, and it comes through in the malt, lots of hop flavor on the backend.

Not overly complex, and really not an ipa I want to drink a ton of but pretty damn tasty overall.

Serving type: growler

08-03-2010 17:29:41 | More by SShelly

mikey711

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nothing quite like a growler of a fresh IPA

A: Deep orange color with great clarity and a nice sized head that holds very well for it being a growler. Decent lacing and some nice rising carbonation.

S: Mild pine and citrus hops. very pleasant with a bit of caramel in the background. Some floral hops present as well.

T: Much maltier than i was expecting as it starts out with a nice caramel note. Herbal and floral hoppiness up front with a touch of soapiness. Some pine and a hint of grapefruit and tangerine

M: Nicely balanced between being light but still having enough body.

D: Very enjoyable IPA however i fear this one would drop off if any less than fresh which is why i feel lucky to have drank it from a growler

Serving type: growler

06-22-2010 23:15:51 | More by mikey711

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.72/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my 2nd review as the first was from a bottle, this one is a growler

A: Clear copper color with a nice off white head and moderate lacing.

S: Strong citrus hop aroma and fruity sweetness is present. Mild pine, malty underneath the hops with hints of caramel.

T&M: Medium bodied with very smooth feel. Hop bitterness with nice, mildly sweet citrus hops taste. Hop flavor leaves a nice earthy taste and dry finish.

Excellent IPA. Fresher is always better, but the bottle was very good also. This growler is definitely smoother. Taste is a bit better due to the balance of hops and malts. Great quality and I almost prefer the taste of the Big Eye to the Sculpin. I'll need to try them side by side to determine my preference. This might be a while since both may never be on tap at the same time :( At least in this area!

Serving type: growler

05-08-2010 01:45:58 | More by cdizinno

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler into Imperial pint glass on 2/4/09. Obtained via Growling at the Moon BIF courtesy of d0ggnate.

A - Poured a clear amber/orange body with tons of tiny carbonation bubbles and one finger of creamy bright white head that transformed into thin, sticky web-like lacing.

S - Pungent fume of citrus hops with a big smack of resiny pine and tree sap. Oh yeah, there's some sweet caramel malt too. This puppy is bordering on a DIPA nose!

T - Initial flavor is juicy citrus hops with predominant grapefruit character blended with a bit of pine and resin notes. This is a well-balanced IPA with a sweet caramel malt backbone.

M - Medium body with an oily texture and moderate carbonation. Finish is dry with a lingering bitterness on the palate.

D - Bold and flavorful, Big Eye is a fantastic IPA that actually is meandering into DIPA territory, in my opinion. Ballast Point makes incredible hoppy beers, and this one is no exception.

Serving type: growler

02-06-2009 03:24:09 | More by ffejherb

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Slightly dull Amber with small springs of champagne bubbles and a creamy head. Looks fantastic.

S: Pungent caramel with an almost perfumey tropical fruit smell. Mango is the closest thing.

T: Bitter, with an almost earthy quality in the first few gulps. Upfront it has a very perfumey mango marmalade flavour. When swallowing you get a tart, bitter rindiness on the back of the palate. Perfect amount of sweetness to balance the bitterness. Being pedantic, it has a slight butteriness to it.

M: Just right although it's a bit sticky. Is that such a bad thing though?

O: I find that with these marmaladey hop bombs I'm blown away by the first few gulps and then get bored before I'm halfway through. Still, it tastes like a well crafted beer. I can see why people love these American hop bombs.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 13:57:38 | More by Hoppsbabo

JG-90

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a moderate/large head that is just off-white in color. Beer is an orange/gold color with a hint of red. Head has decent retention and moderate lacing. Smells of grapefruit with a bit of orange, bready and caramel malt, and a bit of pine.

Taste starts with pine and caramel malt, then moves on to grapefruit with a bit of orange/lemon, has a resiny/bready end, with the same aftertaste as end. Has an average mouthfeel with moderate/high carbonation for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 00:29:06 | More by JG-90

delta490

Virginia

4.64/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A- deep amber/gold with a big creamy white head that lasts throughout. Big lacing.
S-big citrus, pine, and floral notes. Awesome smell.
T-similar to aroma but a little bit subdued by comparison. This isn't a bad thing. The malt backbone holds up well to the big hops.
M-smooth with just a hint of hops oily-ness.
O-awesome IPA

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2013 07:06:31 | More by delta490

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.14/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

bomber to a snifter, enjoy by 9/16 date, should be pretty fresh

Pours a very clear dark gold with a finger and a half of foam. Alright retention rate, medium carbonation nice sticky lacing. This thing looks really good

Smells of some floral and fruity hops- pine, citrus, and little bit of grapefruit. Really strong grainy malt coming through on the back with a touch of alcohol. Not the most aromatic, but pretty solid for an ipa, a lot of attention paid to the balance. Not super hoppy, not super grainy, not quite a golden mean but pretty close to the middle

Taste follows much of the same profile as the nose. Hoppy front, like the nose very floral with lots of citrus. Strong malts back everything up taking away the initial blast of hops in the middle, and ends very neutral. Like the nose, balance again seems to be the idea here, executed well

Feel is a lighter/medium body with a strong up front bitterness that gets much of it cut down as the malt sets in. Alcohol is concealed well, pretty drinkable

Overall I think this would be a good ipa for people who aren't into an over balance of hops and are looking for something more rounded and balanced. I prefer sculpin greatly over this, but that's not to say this isn't good also

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 06:22:08 | More by lordofstarside

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: It has a nice clear golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white/beige head that dies down moderately and leaves nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of strong citrus and grapefruit along with piney resins and sweet caramelly malts.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some citrus and grapefruit along with fairly strong piney resins and some sweet bready and caramelly malts.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a very nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 20:44:11 | More by SebD

da_beers

New Jersey

4.51/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Beautiful copper amber, low carbonation coming up. Nice one to two fingers of bubbly, white head.

S - Great balance of malt characters in the sweetness and hops. Nice earthyness.

T - Punchy one here. Nice initial bite from hops, then evens out with sweet malts across palate. Piney/Earthy qualities are beautiful.

M - Great snap to it. Rolls across palate with different levels of flavor. Medium bodied.

O - Great beer. Love this, more malty than the Sculpin, but great difference.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 21:11:57 | More by da_beers

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I feel like I'm in the aquatic section of a pet store when perusing the labels of these Ballast Point beers. Anyway, this stuff pours a clear sunset brass topped by a finger of dirty white foam. The nose comprises sweet biscuit, pine needle, and very light menthol. The taste brings in more of the same, without the menthol character and with a hint of lightly-spicy greens. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a nice enough IPA, nothing to exclaim about, but nothing offensive, either.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 20:51:27 | More by TMoney2591

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Ballast Point Brewing Company - Big Eye IPA - Bomber

Look - Pours a clear deep copper amber with a two finger foamy head that dissipates quickly and leaves tons of sticky lacing all over.

Smell - Rich malt with a nice tropical citrus hop balance. Absolutely phenomenal aroma, maltier than the Sculpin but just as appetizing to the nose. I was excited to take a sip.

Taste - Rich, smooth and somewhat sweet malt transition into juicy citrus hop wave and that's where it sits.

Mouthfeel - Lingering sour citrus hops are quite pleasant on the palate. Quite drinkable but the malt does make this one a little (slight bit) boozy.

Overall - Another home run by Ballast Point, this one is a bit maltier than the Sculpin. Just enough uniqueness to differentiate. I do prefer the Sculpin but I would not hesitate to purchase this in a pinch.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 15:40:57 | More by JMScowcroft

davidsumner

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

To me, this expression flirts dangerously close to a Pale Ale or an Amber. The malt is definitely present, but with a strong hop note. But I can't help to keep thinking English Pale Ale when I'm drinking this.

The look is very pleasant and the nose is good. It has a good balanced, light nose. it doesn't take effort to pick up but I wouldn't call it strong. It has a nice malt biscuity sweet caramel note backed up with the centennial? hops.

This would go well with blood sausage, shell fish, salmon and liver. But is a little too bitter/sour for steak.

The finish is dry and bitter. Over all the bitterness is the predominate character of this beer and to me is too off putting. I realize that an IPA should be bitter but, while I do like IPA's, I don't personally like the bitterness to "take over". I also don't like cotton mouth.

All in all, I would pick Sculpin over this as for Ballast point's IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 19:14:41 | More by davidsumner

HardTarget

Texas

3.96/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Picked up at my local HEB; they are going to need a Place review!
Enjoy by 7/25/13 (sampled 5/19/13)

Appearance: Deep amber glass glows a bit golden when back lit, shows off great clarity and sports a full cover of tight cream colored bubbles that lasts and laces.

Smell: Got whiffs of it at arms length; hops come through loud and clear with a slightly sweet crystal malt base. Little bit of soapy something, the hops are pine tar, mildly citric and earthy.

Taste: Sweettart Candy base tends to drown out the hop flavors at first, but there is a firm bitter slightly tonic finish that keeps things from going too far down Barleywine road. The balance swings wildly from the sweet start to the almost burning hop fueled finish. The center of the teeter is nice, but short lived.

Mouthfeel: Very dry, almost puckering finish with a heavy oily texture. Carbonation is a bit prickly, maybe a touch high?

Overall: A fun beer, loads of flavor, but not a "complete package". Someone decided to have the Crystal Malt train head on with the Centennial Hop train; it's a bit of a wreck, but there's something of a performance art quality that has me ok with getting the full 6 pack.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:49:34 | More by HardTarget

WolfsbaneBloom

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with three fingers of creamy beige foam.

Smell: A clean lemon and pine aroma cuts through a sugary, sweet citrus (orange, pineapple and grapefruit) backdrop.

Taste: Much like Sculpin, this is a bitter beast. Lots of pine, floral notes, grapefruit rind, and a bit of a soapy lemon flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, crisp and tingly carbonation that coats the tongue.

Overall, I enjoyed this quite a bit. It's definitely a bold and bitter IPA and, like Sculpin (it's bigger brother), it teeters on being unbalanced. But as intense as it is, it's also bursting with flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 03:10:59 | More by WolfsbaneBloom

joeseppy

Illinois

4.09/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish copper hue with minimal dense head and spotty lacing.

Grapefruity sweet aroma and stray hints of pine.

Grapefruit rind bitterness upfront that wanes to the back. Pine, hop leaf and floral aftertaste. This is one bitter brew.

Medium malt body and a hop drying effect. I find this easy drinking.

Pretty decent offering at the right price. A classic IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 02:35:58 | More by joeseppy

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz can poured into a shaker pint.

Appearance
Golden amber with 1/2 finger of head. Excellent clarity with low-moderate carbonation.

Nose
Candied orange, pine, lemon and papaya.

Taste
Resinous pine, orange zest, lemon rind and fruity esters. Thin caramel backbone with washes of candy sugar. Finishes with grapefruit zest with tons of spicy pine sticking around.

Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, crisp, bitter and dry.

Overall
Spicy, floral, fruity and zesty. Dry and bitter. Yeah, it's an IPA. Meh, not my favorite.

Serving type: can

05-03-2013 23:56:46 | More by justintcoons

MadCat

New Jersey

4.11/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Very clear copper color, good white head, leaving good lacing

Smell: Fruity, citrusy hops, some caramel malts show through

Taste: Hops hit first with bitterness, fruit, and citrus. Some nice malt character shows through, with some grains and caramel flavors

Mouthfeel: Medium body, good carbonation

Overall: A pretty good IPA, though a little hard to drink in quantity.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2013 05:21:01 | More by MadCat