Big Eye IPA - Ballast Point Brewing Company

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured out as a light hazy yellow color with a creamy white colored head on top. The lacing wasn't too bad but could have been a little better I thought. The smell of the hops came through pretty well but were a bit muted I think. The taste wasn't too bad. The hops were softer than expected but I feel that this happens to most IPA's from a cask. The mouthfeel was soft and had a light creaminess to it. Overall this beer was pretty good, I have a feeling that it would be better on regular draft.

Serving type: cask

10-28-2011 20:18:58 | More by Knapp85

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Transcribed from notes dated Sa, 26 June 2010 at TJ's in Paoli.

Not just cask, but a gravity pour. My notes mention that it was Simcoe dry-hopped.

It arrived with a finger of soapy light-tan head that was already working to create some nice lacing. Nose was like standing in a pine forest and taking a deep whiff. Color was a slightly hazy orangish-amber. Mouthfeel was silky smooth with a great pine-hops bite that really got my attention. It was like having the dentist grab my tongue with pliers and then get at it with a scrub brush. One new palate later, the finish left me gasping for breath. Zounds!

Serving type: cask

12-12-2010 12:40:08 | More by woodychandler

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on cask at Al's of Hampden into a nonic pint.

A - Pours a clear, dark, amber with a solid one finger head that leaves thick lacing down the entire glass.

S - Lots of tropical hops in this one. Lots of mango, grapefruit, and tangerine flavors. Some sweetness from the malt and a bit of bready yeast at the end. Seems very similar to normal sculpin but still a very nice nose.

T - Strong, sweet, malt profile up front quickly giving way to a strong citrus hop presence. Flavors are similar to the nose. Fairly well balanced once all the flavors blend together. A very nice cask IPA.

M - Medium body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Fairly bitter finish lingers on the pallet for some time.

D - I enjoyed this one quite a bit but I think even with all the additions they made it is still only on par with the regular version of sculpin.

Serving type: cask

11-17-2010 21:01:10 | More by orangesol

StJamesGate

New York

3.6/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On cask at the GBBF.

Dry-hopped with Palisades for the Great British Beer Festival.

Pours lemony amber with speckles of lace. Ruby red grapefruit nose with underlying ginger cakes. Caramel malts with branch and mulch cut by orange Angostura bitters hops with fruit candy notes. Searing IBU finish and astringent linger. Some burn, medium, chewy.

What the heck are Palisades? They seem to have ruined what I've heard is a great beer.

Bitterness over hop flavor and the malts are there, so it's not a question of balance. I know SDPAs bring the pain, but I get none of the fruit that should come from dry-hopping.

Disappointing.

Serving type: cask

08-05-2010 22:53:16 | More by StJamesGate

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a firkin at Tj's the other day. This was the Big Eye with simcoe hops version (thought there might be a separate entry, but I don't see one).

The beer pours a copper amber color with good head retention and lacing. The simcoe hops really sing on the nose with this one, resulting in a spicer, hoppier version of this beer (IMHO). Otherwise, I get some pepper, dank earth and light pine. This smells as if it will be on the dry side. Flavors on the palate generally replicate the nose, though I don't get the earthiness I got on the nose. Also, this IPA is no more than moderately hoppy, and I don't think the simcoe adds a whole lot to the flavor profile. The beer has a medium bodied mouthfeel with a fairly long, lightly bitter finish. Drinkability is pretty good, with the alcohol well integrated and barely noticeable.

Nothing extraordinairy here. Just a good, solid west coast IPA (light sweet malt is well balanced by the hoppy bitterness, making for a very dry IPA). Carbonation was surprisingly lively I thought for a beer from a firkin. Cask conditioning didn't hurt this IPA at all.

Serving type: cask

06-27-2010 17:38:47 | More by johnmichaelsen

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On cask with Simcoe hops, served at TJ's yesterday.

Hazy amber with a dense, off-white head with great retention and lacing, this looks *very* good. The nose is big and bright, with the Simcoe hops really shining. Mango and papaya are present by the bucketful, with the Centennial backbone shining through with citrus and floral character. Malt is non-existent, though there is a touch of fruity sweetness. Very perfumey too, once it warms up.

The palate opens big and hoppy with a moderate bitterness and LOTS of hop flavor. Plenty of tropical fruit with the Simcoe overpowering the strong floral and citrus hop character.The palate is medium--light and while the carbonation is low, it also feels a little too smooth and slick. Drying and hoppy on the finish, this is very nice.

Serving type: cask

06-27-2010 12:01:39 | More by DefenCorps

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On cask at Rattle n' Hum, NYC.

Poured a medium amber hue with one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and good lacing.

The smell featured earthy and citric hops with a solid caramel malt.

The taste was well balanced and tilted toward the earthy and herbal hop.

The mouthfeel typical of the style on cask with a dry finish.

Overall a tasty and quaffable IPA.

Serving type: cask

06-16-2009 17:02:43 | More by plaid75

Stoneman78

California

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On CASK at O'Brien's

Appearance is a murky amber-orange hue, thin layer of bubbles and no lacing (cask)

Smell is fresh green hops, heavy orange/citrus emphasis, some raw pale malts, honey sweetness rounds it out

Taste is a perfect mix of malts and orange-forward hops, some sour grapefruit and cotton candy in the middle, finishes smooth and bitter

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, watery-to-slick texture, mild carbonation (cask)

Drinkability is good, a nice and sweet IPA that hold up well in the cask version, low alcohol presence in the session range, the hops shine through but there is great balance here

Serving type: cask

02-02-2008 19:28:21 | More by Stoneman78

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

ikantspel

California

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams lager glass
Best by of 8.15.13

Pours a clean clear copper color with a tan bubbly head

Lemon city's zest, heavy hop aroma, bubblegum in the nose

Earth and pine in the taste, with some grapefruit and pineapple.

Super balanced, not an overpowering ipa for the amount of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 03:00:17 | More by ikantspel

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.84/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Appearance - uncapped, it begins bubble formation and starts creeping up the neck. Very fluffy into the glass, lots of bubbles clinging to the glass. A thick finger of manila foam, very sticky.

Aroma - pineapple, mango, pine, sweet citrus. Smells outstanding.

Taste - caramel malts, to the sweet side for sure. Lots of orange and lemon, some dry pininess in the background. Lots of citrus up front, drying in the swallow and aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - heavier than average, very carbonated but it doesn't come across as much during drinking.

Overall - one of the most enjoyable IPAs I've had in a while. Short list for max sessionability.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 02:00:29 | More by brewdlyhooked13

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.99/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into pint

A: Very nice golden amber with a decent head retention that stays for quite a bit.

S: A very delicate, citrus floral smell that is quite faint. One of the more faint smelling IPAs I have had, but that is not a bad thing, it just shows the complexity and the floral nature of it. With a bit of pine at the end. Quite unique scent actually.

T: Lots of pine coming through, especially in the aftertaste.

M: Excellent strong mouthfeel that just has a good balance and texture to it.

O: A solid IPA, which is interesting in contrast with their other IPA offering, Sculpin. I would like to try them blind. Sculpin has an excellent IPA brother in Big Eye. Great price and availability. Can't go wrong here.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 02:48:00 | More by gillagorilla

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a tulip glass) best by 1/3/13
A- This beer pours a slightly deep copper color with a sticky light beige head and a gentle carbonation gliding to the surface.

S- This beer has a green woody hop aroma that is mellow.

T- The sweet caramel malt has a strange pungent hop flavor with some bright pungent hop flavor in the finish.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a tight fizz in the finish

O- The hops had a nice aroma but a bit mellow especially for the big caramel malt flavor. I drank this beer on 1/3/13 but it is the freshest Ballast Point I have found even though it was at the end of its date.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 13:58:58 | More by rhoadsrage

FlyingBull

California

4.44/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Had this beer many times; this time from a 22 oz bomber. This is following a Port Wipe Out IPA to compare.

This beer was poured into a glass from Gordon Biersch that held almost all 22 oz! Medium amber color; clear, 1" light tan head that was persistent throughout the drink with lacing on the sides. Has a lightly resinous aroma with a light citrus aroma but I find a the dominant aroma to be cotton candy-like. There is some caramel and malt aroma too. The mouth feel is medium to medium full bodied; normal carbonation. The initial or front taste is sweet malt with candy hops quickly followed by resinous hops followed by citrus - grapefruit mostly to me. My better half says it's very floral - very flowery overall. :-) The back end is a mild nice lingering bitterness.

This beer is totally different from Wipe Out IPA. Although this beer is also 7%, there are NO alcohol flavors. it's also not as spicy as Wipe Out - doesn't have that Amarillo hop spice in it. It's more typical "West Coast" but it's very good - very solid. I like it and will drink it again...and again.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 04:06:51 | More by FlyingBull

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.21/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We pour a brew of deep golden orange. It holds a two finger head of big off-white bubbles, leaving chunky patterns of lacing around the glass. This retains very well. No haze or sediment is noted, and carbonation appears minimal. The aroma gives milky lactics, fresh grapefruit hops, pale and faintly caramel malts, sticky strawberry sugars, herbal freshness, black pepper and cinnamon spice, and bubblegum esters. Our first impression is that the flavoring is nicely fresh, bitter, and clean. As we sip, the flavoring opens with fresh herbal and citric hop bitterness, pale malt wash, mineral, pineapple juiciness, and lactic creaminess. These blend to the peak where the sweetness and fruitiness of the hops shine through, along with wet yeasty breadiness, cheesy musk, and light bubblegum esters. At the tail end of the swallow comes a puckering, bittering hop that pulls to the finish, helping to cut the coolness and evenness of pale, metallic malts. Otherwise the finish is characterized by peppery alcohol, citric hops, vegetable acidity, juicy pineapple and passion fruit, herbal grassiness, warm nuttiness, and more sustained yeast. The aftertaste breathes of pale and metallic grain, booze, big grapefruit hops, bubblegum sugars, lactics, and fresh dill. The body is medium but thick, and the carbonation is medium. There is excellent slurp, cream, froth, smack, sip, and glug. The mouth is initially coated with soft foam, but ends up astringently dried through the citrus and the booze. The abv is fine, and the beer drinks easily.

Overall, the best thing about this beer was the massive aroma. This was inclusive of the hearty grain bill, phenols, and booze, but left plenty of room for the hops to come in and balance in full force. This gave a high level of complexity, but with refreshing crispness and cleanliness in the end. The flavoring followed nicely, giving an equally as complex flavoring that fought between juiciness and dryness as it rode down the gullet. Sometimes the bitterness muddles the cleanliness of flavoring, as it sticks true to the west coast style, but the ultimate blend makes for a tasty, reliable, reproducible experience of intrigue.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 04:11:23 | More by TheBrewo

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Though it says: "Enjoy by Jan 23, 2013," let me review this and to the reader who reads the entire review, you`ll understand why:

Into a pint glass:

A: golden body yields a one finger white foamy head, foamy lacing slides down the sides of the glass

S: superior combination of sweet malts to hops, subdued caramel comes out strong as the beer warms

T: sweet and bitter at different times, caramel makes its presence known

M: light, closer to watery, (more so my fault for having it now), sticky sweet finish

O: other than the mouthfeel, this was a very good West Coast style AIPA, but the date that is on the bottle tells me that though I liked this very much, I wonder how good this stuff is fresh ... will definitely have again and will pay better attention to bottle dates

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 00:24:52 | More by kangarooAdam59

BurpingtonDC

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Darn! These folks make some mighty fine IPA. As Big Eye is the little brother to the EXCEPTIONAL Sculpin.

A - Orange/Golden color with a small creamy head. A delicate lacing hangs on the edge of the glass like a jumper having second thoughts.

S - Malty sweet scent with slight pine notes.

T - Sweet malt with a bitter hoppy flavor and orange or apricot notes,

M - Surprisingly clean and refreshing for a brew with such malty profile.

O - Very good IPA, better than average, but one can't help but compare it to Sculpin which is one of the best IPA's going, so it takes a hit on that account--but it's a pretty good IPA on its on merits.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 02:14:50 | More by BurpingtonDC

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.69/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle, best before March 27, 2013, approx 3 months old. Served at around 40F.

Pours lightly hazy amber with a two finger off-white head that leaves nice drippy rings of lacing and settles to a foamy island and ring.

Aroma is kind of muted, but features some fruity hops, citrus, caramel malt, hints of apricot and bread. Moderate strength.

Flavor is more bold and features nice citrusy and fruity hops, decent bit of caramel malt, moderate sweetness in the middle, good bitterness on the finish. Light alcohol at the end.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, oily, somewhat creamy, good carbonation.

Nice IPA, holding up OK, but can tell the aroma has fallen off some and the caramel has moved forward in the flavor. Got this via mail order which can be a crapshoot as far as freshness goes, but at least I’m happy that it was within the Best By range.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 01:11:22 | More by elgiacomo

Dcmpres

California

4.16/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Clear amber with fluffy off-white head that dissipates to a thin sheen.

S: Lots of sweet citrus, apricot along with some grassy notes.

T: A smooth on the entry with crisp citrus, caramel and piney bitterness that builds in intensity to a lingering finish.

M: Nice viscosity that builds on the palate, yet is balanced by the carbonation.

O: This is a very solid offering for the more restrained hophead, I prefer this brew to their Sculpin.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 01:01:14 | More by Dcmpres

brewdude1982

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

This was a 12 oz bottle poured into a tulip.

This beer pours orange/amber with a small head and mild retention. It smells like malts, sweet fruit, and piney hops. It tastes like sweet grapefruit and finishes with a slight hop taste that is pleasing. Decent body and good carbonation. A good beer but I prefer the sculpin. I would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 23:44:14 | More by brewdude1982

BreweryRun

California

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours lightly yellow with a small amount of head. A classic west coast IPA. Great hop forward taste that finishes with more hops without being too powerful. Mostly bitter/piny hop character with almost no fruitiness. Very clean and crisp, doesn't leave a super bitter hop flavor on your tongue like some powerfully hoppy IPAs. A stand by.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 05:06:46 | More by BreweryRun