Big Eye IPA - Ballast Point Brewing Company

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

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

gabedivision

New York

4.34/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle (best by 4-21-13) to a tulip glass

A- pours a crystal clear ruby red with a 1 finger tight bubbled frothy head, classic ipa look

S- a musty sweet malt on the front of the nose, followed by a pungent grapefruit citrus, lemons, sugary orange juice, and fresh bud

T- toffee malts, pine, grapefruit, orange, lemon zest. Just huge citrus hops, bready malt backbone, and a bitter finish

M- medium bodied, medium carbonation, sweet, citrusy, dry and bitter

O- classic west coast ipa, huge citrus hops, great malt backbone, amazing balance. Sculpin may get most of the allcolaydes, but Big Eye in IMO is a bit more balanced, and just as tasty

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 04:41:15 | More by gabedivision

Florida_SC_Trojan

Florida

4.46/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Another great beer by Ballast Point. Pours a hazey golden amber with a decent one finger head. The nose is lots of grapefruit/citrus and hops. Lots of hop flavor and good bitterness. Very flavorful and drinkable. I can easily drink alot of these. Ballast Point is easily becoming a favorite brewery of mine. Would give any of their beers a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 20:58:37 | More by Florida_SC_Trojan

paulytasker

New York

3.89/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Serving Type- 12oz. Bottle with a best by date of 5/17/13 poured into a pint glass

A- Pours a pretty much crystal clear medium golden-amber colour. 1/2 Inch of beige head that tapers off quickly. Fair amount of lacing as I continue to sip.

S- Picking up on a lot of pale malts here. The malts are accompanied by a nice shot of citrus hops, a touch of grapefruit. I thought I had detected a little caramel, but not sure. Very pleasing to the nose!

T/M- Fairly slick and creamy mouthfeel. Body is a little bigger than i had expected. The caramel that i thought i had smelled was more aparent on the pallate. IMO the malts are at the forefront and are strongarmed away by a big blast of fruity hops. One of the creamier IPA's I have had in awhile. My favorie thing here is the clean, dry finish that leaves a nice bitterness lingering for a good while.

O- This was my 1st time experiencing Ballast Point and i'm satisfied. Truly a solid representation of a West Coast IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 00:49:03 | More by paulytasker

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Pours a clear copper with a foamy beige head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, citrus zest, and grapefruit juice. Taste is much the same with a citrus zest flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 09:03:07 | More by UCLABrewN84

SmashPants

Australia

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

Bottle: solid brown 355mL bottle with a cool label.

Appearance: mid orange-amber in colour with moderate-to-higher carbonation streaming from the bottom. A big, frothy head drops to a thin cap fairly quickly with limited lacing.

Aroma: a very strong smelling IPA, per the American style. As usual there are some flavour notes coming across - particularly citric hops - but is drowned by the hop bitterness.

Taste: a big and powerful AIPA, with those citric hops up front and some pine backing up.

Aftertaste: lingers quite nicely, without the harsh bitterness that can affect the aftertaste on so many AIPAs. The flavours are actually distinguishable with Big Eye as opposed to simply puckering the mouth, which impresses.

Mouth feel: some weight behind it, but it feels medium bodied. The steady carbonation carries the flavour well.

Overall: if you want a big American IPA, this is a good one to choose. Reasonably priced and with a good combination of different hops, it's a good choice.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 04:20:16 | More by SmashPants

Pinknuggets

Vermont

3.73/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

bottle to HFS sniffer

A: Golden to brown honey colored with some thin white head that leaves a thick white lacing. It is almost completely clear translucent as much as an ipa can be.

S: There are definitely hops in there, but there seems to be a lot more mal then i expected comparing this to the scalpen this is much less balanced smelling as the sweetness of the malt is much more powerful and the dominant smell in this case.

T: follows the nose in terms of the malt the taste is almost completely malt dominant not what I was I what expecting at all as I always look for hops in a IPA and here they are almost non existent with a little bit of bitterness in the finish though other then that nothing there. i really do not think I will ever understand the malt forward ipa. it really isn't that bad just not to style in my opinion at all.

M:The feel is really oily to the point were it almost slides down your throat, but smooth is not a word that I would use to describe it. There is a little carbonation but not much as well as a little bit of resin but not enough to hang around to complement the bitterness.

O: This is a decent malt forward ipa, I hate malt forward IPAs that being said I did not hate this beer but it definitely was not my favorite. If malty ipas are your thing then give it a try but if you have some dick throw in two big eye's in your scalapen six pack without you noticing before you got home you have the right to be pissed off.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 02:44:00 | More by Pinknuggets

kojevergas

California

3.2/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Bet before 05/17/13. Acquired as part of a six pack at a local Von's grocery store. 7.0% ABV confirmed. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Expectations are high given the brewery, whose Sculpin IPA I hugely respect. Reviewed live.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a one finger beige colour head of nice cream, decent thickness, and above average (~3 minute) retention for the above average ABV. Body colour is a clear translucent pale copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Standard fare for the style; there's nothing unique or special here. But there are no overt flaws either.

Sm: Oily piney hops, heavy floral hops, pale malts, messy grapefruit citrus zest, mango and more tropical notes, pineapple, and light nectar hops. Something's off; it doesn't come off fresh or refreshing. It's messy and the flavour profile isn't what I like and expect from a great IPA. Still, it's clean and more complex than most other IPA aromas. Not at all too hoppy, though some hop bitterness is evident. An above average strength aroma.

T: Lots of juicy crisp fruity hops, redolent especially of tropical fruit like mango and pineapple. Pale malts form the clean somewhat refreshing foundation. Unfortunately, hop bitterness does creep out on the climax and in the finish - a severe flaw. Floral hops. Light hop nectar. It's not the oily hop extract core of an IPA like Lagunitas; the profile is much more tropical than most IPAs. Anyone who claims this is exactly like Sculpin is out of their gourd. It's clean and pleasant but lacks the body and complexity of a superior IPA (like Sculpin). Not too hoppy at all. I kind of like that though; it's not trying to be a double IPA. No malty sweetness or backbone; it's more cut and dry hoppy. Fairly balanced but lacking the complexity and subtlety it needs. I like it, but it's far from fantastic. No yeast character or alcohol comes through.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Too thin and weak, lacking body and presence. Carbonation is slightly overdone. Suits the flavour profile generally well, but doesn't feel custom tailored to it.

Dr: A pretty good IPA that hides its ABV well, but it's nothing to write home about. $11 in a grocery store feels rather steep. I wouldn't get it again with Lagunitas' offerings next to it on the shelf, but it's a passable beer for the style. Ballast Point does far better. I don't understand the comparisons to Sculpin; this don't hold a candle. Still, it's worth looking into for fans of the style. It's quite drinkable; I'll have no trouble polishing off the six pack I picked up.

C+

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 05:08:08 | More by kojevergas

CloudStrife

New York

4.26/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a tulip. Best before 05/17/13.

A: Pours a clear golden amber with a 1.5 finger dense white head. A good amount of visible carbonation. No real lacing. Head remains as a thin covering.

S: First aroma on the nose is a grapefruity/citrus hop with a sweet malt backing. Pretty good earthiness to it.

T: Good bitterness in this IPA. Much more focused on the hops as opposed to the malts. Booze is well hidden.

M: Medium body with average carbonation. Perhaps a little thin but not too much so but not as nectary as others.

Overall a real tasty IPA. Love the full on hop approach. Not as full bodied or balanced as the Sculpin but I am certainly still a fan.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 00:30:08 | More by CloudStrife

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.01/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, label says enjoy before 2/12/13 so I know it has some age on it. Served in a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass, the beer pours an orange/amber color with a half inch off-white head that stayed around for a while. There's also a good amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells mostly like citrusy hops (grapefruit, mango, tropical fruit), along with some bready malt. It tastes mostly like citrusy and pine hops, and a bit of bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a little coating with moderate carbonation. It's also smooth and easy to drink. I think this is a good IPA, it's definitely worth trying!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 01:06:32 | More by bluejacket74

obrike

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally got Ballast Point in Texas...was eager to try this one. Got a 6 pack at Round Rock Specs for just under 10 bucks.

Poured a golden amber. A decent light khaki head...some sticky lacing. I like.

Smell is very good, very citrusy, mostly tangerine and grapefruit. Seem to be picking up some spices as well. Nice.

Taste is juicy orange/tangerine. A bit of spice as well. Very flavorful. An easy drinking IPA with a medium body with good carbonation. Almost DIPA like on the flavor, but lacks the sweet malt kick at the end.

I'm a fan. Still have not tried Sculpin but I'm sure I will soon. Price point on this one pulled me in first. Happy to have another go to IPA at my fingertips when I get the itch.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 01:43:55 | More by obrike

gtermi

Texas

4.48/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer pours a dark golden body with a thin white head that quickly fades away and leaves a decent amount of lacing on the glass.

S: Oh yeah! Tons of citrus hops and a little bit of sweet malt that mixes perfectly together.

T: Now this is how IPAs should taste! it tastes super fresh and has a lot of citrus hops that are perfect with the sweetness of the beer. As the beer lingers, the hops become a tad bit spicier.

M: The beer has a decent amount of crispness on the back of the throat and as it goes down. It is for sure super easy to drink too.

O: This is one of the greatest IPAs that I have ever tasted. Thank god Ballast Point has finally started to ship to Texas. I freaking love everything that they make.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 07:19:35 | More by gtermi

MacQ32

South Carolina

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

A - Pours a hazy golden/light amber color with a solid finger of cream colored head. Decent retention, a full layer remains across the surface about 5 minutes later. Very nice lacing.

S - Lots and lots of citrusy hops. Grapefruit, mango, and passion fruit. Slightly tart and bready. Citrus really dominates the nose.

T - Bitter, sweet, and citrusy. The hops have a nice resinous quality to them. Citrus is still very much present but is less aggressive in the taste. Dry and bitter initially; grapefruit, resin, and a mild but welcome alcohol burn take over through the finish which is mostly dry/bitter/alcohol.

M - Medium bodied, appropriate carbonation. Rather refreshing as I find most dry & hoppy beers

O - Very good, kind of one dimensional, but its a very good dimension.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 23:29:40 | More by MacQ32

RockyRaku

Arizona

2.93/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The appealing coopery color poured with a thin creamy head at first with nice lacing. The head diminished. The aroma hit me with a sweet estery (more sweet than spicey) aroma, slightly bready. Overall appealing nose. The taste was piney..earthy bitter on the back of the tongue that seemed to sustain itself between swigs. Light-medium body with light and crisp carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 18:58:35 | More by RockyRaku

Climber9

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

a: Amber color, excellent clarity. Head comprised of fine white bubbles that drop away quickly.

s: Citrusy hop aroma dominates with some light sweet malt in the background. Diacetyl noticeable. No esters or fusels.

t: Big citrus hops on top of caramel pale malt. Diacetyl is present but hiding behind the big hops. Clean fermentation profile otherwise (no clove, pepper, smoke, etc). Finishes with a flourish of citrusy hop bitterness and flavor, with some slight caramel malt in the background as the finish fades out.

o: Aside from the excessive diacetyl in this sample, the beer is very tasty and within style for an American IPA. This sample was poured from hotel tap system in San Diego, and I have no idea how their lines or kegs are treated. Usually, diacetyl is a fermentation byproduct (not enough yeast pitched, or the beer removed from the yeast too soon). In any case, I will give this another shot and would recommend trying this if you're into big citrus hops and a not-so-dry finish.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2012 07:02:23 | More by Climber9

DrLasers

California

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

This is a very popular beer in San Diego and for a good reason. It embodies what I (and many other locals) consider to be a West Coast IPA. It hits all the marks expected without going overboard in one certain area. In 2012 alone I added 3, 1/6 barrels to my kegerator rotation and it was exceptional every time.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 06:46:01 | More by DrLasers

GPHarris

Alabama

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

a - poured a one finger thick light tan head into a snifter that left a thin ring that left some good lacing. the body was a bright amber color.
s - very bready with a light hop aroma.
t - big piney hops with a nice bready and caramel backbone. balanced.
m - medium thickness and lively carbonation.
o - another solid IPA from BP.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 18:51:29 | More by GPHarris

wspscott

Kentucky

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

12oz bottle in Sam Adams glass
best by 12/21/12

A: Looks like an IPA, crystal clear, copper color with a 1 finger white head, lots of lace.
S: Relatively muted nose, pine, a little sweetness, and a hint of flowers.
T: Definitely American hops (lots of pine with a hint of citrus, a little bit a medium caramel malt and a grainy dryness. I just looked at the website, it mentions Columbus and Centennial hops which fit with what I am tasting, no mention of a grain bill.
M: Very crisp, highly attenuated, goes down very smooth
O: An excellent example of an American IPA, I would not necessarily seek it out again, but I am glad JC picked up a sixer for me and I would happily drink this if I found it in a KY bar. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 00:40:06 | More by wspscott

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

fredmugs

Indiana

2.1/5  rDev -48.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This is my first Ballast Point beer and it is horrible. I don't know if it went bad somehow. It has a date of Dec 5, 2012 and I bought it from Halftime but all of the other beers I have drank from there are great.

The beer has no hop smell at all. I detect and taste the maltiness but that's not doing much for me either. Very disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 00:25:36 | More by fredmugs