Big Sky IPA - Big Sky Brewing Company

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Re-post from my hacked "jmkratt" account :(...

look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from brown 12oz bottle to pint glass.

A - The beer pours a translucent dark copper color with a 1 finger white head. Decent retention and lacing throughout.

S - A citrus hops aroma: orange and grapefruit. A tad bit of earthy/nutty character as well.

T/M - The beer starts with a grainy/bread character. The bitter hop character soon invades the palette with a citrus and herbal character. Medium bitterness. There are caramel toasted grains prevalent in the middle. The beer finishes dry with a mild hop flavor on the tongue and a bit of bread. Lighter side of medium bodied with decent carbonation. Pretty average for an American IPA.

D - Pretty good.

Overall, this is a good brew. I don't think it's outstanding in any of its attributes but easy to put a few back. I'd drink more.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 02-16-2011 16:38:44

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 14:14:09 | More by hopfacebrew

Huffaroma

Montana

4.9/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured this into my beer stein so the most description that I would explain would be the aroma and the taste. As I am a hop head and very biased towards my home town beers, anyway the pour was great a nice golden copper pour. The head was a great build nice and fluffy. Like I was saying before though the aroma is what really caught me from the this beer much like the taste. It was such a great grapefruit/piney smell and the hops just bring back so much flavor while drinking it from a stein.

Taste-It is truly a wonderfully hopped beer that it stayed through the beginning and finished very clean. This could be partly because the water in Montana is some of the best tasting clean water and Big Sky brews their beer with great integrity.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 04:40:38 | More by Huffaroma

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass. This big, rich IPA features Simcoe hops which give it both a fruity, piney hop nose and a clean, ringing bitterness. IN-between, the malt flavor is slightly caramel for a touch of malt sweetness. This IPA is well-balanced and very expressive with hops.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 15:57:57 | More by CuriousMonk

kojevergas

California

2.88/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into an imperial pint glass in high altitude Castle Rock, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are low given beers from this style are usually brewed without balance in mind in my experience. No best before date on the bottle, but I consumed it the day I bought the variety pack it was part of to minimize the potential of hop decay.

A: Pours a three finger head of no cream, bad thickness, and good retention. Colour is a clear light copper.

Sm: As expected, the only detectable note is hops. I'd guess cascade. A moderately strong aroma.

T: A hoppy flavour profile with too much bitterness plaguing the third act. Some light malts try to aid the balance but fail. An imbalanced IPA that is nevertheless somewhat pleasant to drink. It's built with an emphasis on hops without regard for balance; this may please fans of the style but I don't find it appealing.

Mf: Smooth and wet, suiting the floral notes of the body.

Dr: Drinkable but lacking balance. The cost is okay. It hides its ABV well, but the quality just isn't there to justify another purchase.

I suspect it would pair really well with a spicy food. Maybe chicken wings?

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 03:57:38 | More by kojevergas

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a pint glass - part of my Montana mixer driven back to CT from Chicago.

Medium colorful amber with thick creamy foam. Long lasting. Grapefruit/pine smell. Aromatic. Light malty, heavy hop taste. Lasting bitter. Grapefruit in the taste as well.

Pretty darn tasty, but powerful bitter. Good IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 11:45:49 | More by KTCamm

rcfunk

Texas

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer was well carbonated with a solid head that lingered with healthy lacing for quite a while. Amber in color. Piney hop aroma and taste. Good body. Pleasantly lingering bitterness. Overall, I'd say this is a great American IPA

I really liked this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 00:35:34 | More by rcfunk

D11

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from bottle into tulip

A- i really enjoyed the appearance. pours a dark amber orange. with a two finger head that lasts somewhat.

S- mostly nice roasted malt. with some hops and a little caramel.

T- the roasted malt dominates the hops pretty much but not in a bad way. also maybe a little caramel.

M- had a great mouthfeel. carbonated just right. not too thin and not dry.

O- i really enjoyed this beer. i thought the dark amber orange was sexy for an ipa. i usually prefer a lot of hops in my beer, but the malt in this was delicious and made up for it not being too hoppy. all around, a very well balanced beer and definately worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 22:01:56 | More by D11

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

S- Light floral, citrusy hop aromas up front, caramel sweetness in the back.

A- Deep translucent and clear amber pour. Small, sticky white head with good retention and lacing

Flavor- A citrus punch in the front, lemons, grapefruit, a resinous character resembling a mild barleywine. Balance is firmly bitter. Finish is clean. Aftertaste lingers with hop resin bitterness.

Feel- Light bodied with spiky carbonation. Hint of warmth.

I like it, drink it a little warmer for those who enjoy caramel and vinous characteristics in there IPA's. Solid rep of the style

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 00:20:59 | More by JoeAmerican77

18alpha

Montana

4.9/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Love this beer! There is a lot of art in this IPA.

It has enough IBUs to be a solid IPA but it doesn't beat you to death with the hops. The malty quality takes the edge off of the bitterness. I love hoppy beers but I don't claim to be a hop head. I think this is a beer most hop heads will enjoy but if you are looking for maxed out IBU, you'll probably be disappointed. Still, this is a pretty big beer.

The finish is the key. It brings you right up to the edge where a lot of IPAs lose it. Rather than the ragged bitter finish you get with most American IPAs, Big Sky takes you right to the edge and then eases you into their signature clean finish.

If you are looking for a big, clumsy beer this ain't it. If you are looking for an IPA that cuts lines like a figure skater, you might want to give this one a try.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 23:36:42 | More by 18alpha

mulder1010

Australia

3.1/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured in to a tulip

A-- darker clear shade of orange amber color on pouring. One finger quick fading dirty white head. Much better looking on swirling. Though fades pretty fast. Good ring of lacing on the side of the glass once head faded.

S-- Carmel biscuit nose first, followed by orange, grapefruit, and some lemon peel. Much more about the malts than the hops in this. Gives a good, balanced smell.

T-- Lots of carmel biscuit. Pungent orange taste with backing of lemon and lime. Not a lot of up front bitterness. Pretty balanced really.

M-- Medium body and medium light carbonation. Carmel, orange and lemon really dominate the mid and back palate. Not overly bitter or hoppy. Just balanced. One negative, slightly sweet and syrupy.

O-- Good, easy to drink IPA. A little more obvious Malt backbone than other IPA's but a very solid IPA. Not all that bitter but that is ok. has enough to carry the beer. The sweetness is the biggest issue to the beer but not a bad IPA.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 14:18:07 | More by mulder1010

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed 10/15/11

Appearance: A nice orange-amber color, little white head that is retained pretty well, some nice lacing, mostly clear

Smell: Very malt-forward, biscuity, with some pine and citrus - some floral notes, smells nicely balanced

Taste: Interesting - malts are mostly pale, but also slightly caramel and amber - an unexpected level of malt sweetness and breadiness - very biscuity - nicely balanced by hops, which are remarkably piney - some citrus, too, of course, mostly pith - impressively balanced, not too extreme

Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation, nicely dry and somewhat smooth

Overall: A solid IPA

So far this is the best thing I've tasted from Big Sky Brewing. It's a nicely balanced IPA thanks to some interesting malts and interesting hops. I would probably drink a lot of this if I was in the distribution area. If I had to compare it to something, I'd say it reminds me of Dark Horse Crooked Tree. Except it's not as good as Crooked Tree. And Crooked Tree isn't as good as Bell's Two Hearted. So it goes.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 06:10:35 | More by angrybabboon

minterro

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Montana mixer

A & S: earthy hops, citrus, and ‘maltyness’. Large fizzy-foam off-white head. Leaves specks of lacing. The beer is a light mostly transparent copper color

T & M: floral hops and bready malts sums up the taste pretty well, its not super complex. On the low side of medium for body, and medium carbonation.

O: good but nothing special

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 03:07:43 | More by minterro

dansmcd

Australia

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Golden amber, crystal clear and fizzy, a fat finger of dirty white head perched on top.

S - Typical IPA aromas of tropical fruit and pine. Simcoe hops are prominant. Moderate malt profile.

T - Clean flavours of grass, pine and citrus. Some caramel sweetness.

M - Medium in body, oily. Well carbonated. Dry finish.

O - Another excellent American IPA. Well balanced between expressive hops and malt flavour.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 03:07:29 | More by dansmcd

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

amber color with a touch of gold highlights was well carbonated. Nice head of white pops up quickly and leaves a good bit of side glass lacing as it works its way down. Light pine and orange peel are mixed in with a very bready, biscuit like aroma, though it could have been a bit stronger. Smooth, bit heavier body here, but well carbonated took a bit away from the crispness of it and the bready flavor really seemed to take control of it mid way through. Light dry finish

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 03:10:53 | More by mikesgroove

pBRale

Iowa

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From tasting notes on 9-11-11

Appearance: Beautiful amber color, big frothy off white head that settles fairly quickly and leaves a moderately heavy lace.

Smell: A bouquet of hoppy aromas: grapefruit, other citrus, and flowery hop scents, and a sweet hint of malts.

Taste: Taste is of grapefruit, decent malts to balance, bitter crisp hoppy finish--grassy hops with an earthy and piney twinge.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation, crisp, refreshing. Super drinkable.

Overall: Great smelling and tasting beer. Very tasty indeed.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 03:03:47 | More by pBRale

RunForYourBeer

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark orange with a medium off white head.

S: Lemony citrus with some piney hops and light, bready malt.

T: Lots of citrus and pine hop with some grapefruit. Light bread malt in the finish.

M: Light with some carbonation.

O: Good IPA. Wish it was easier to get.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 00:03:56 | More by RunForYourBeer

ADZA

Australia

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a translucent deep copper hue which leaves creamy two finger head and heaps of lacing,the smell is a mix of sweet toffee malts and piney hops but mainly sweet with also a mix of citrus,the mouthfeel is just over light bodied and very sessionable with tastes of sweet toffee,piney hops,pineapple,paw-paw and finished with a bittersweet citrus hit and overall im glad ive tried and like most AIPA's we get these days from the USA its definately above average and would buy again cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 10:14:18 | More by ADZA

setexascustoms

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle into a pint glass

A- A deep clear copper, one finger of off white foamy head and nice lacing.

S- Aromatic with citric and pineapple. Herbal hops and a slight malty sweetnes.

T- Citrus rind and zest, some pine and a nice balanced malt sweetness. A little dry and slight bitterness stays till the next sip.

M- On the lighter side with an astringent dryness. Pleasant but different.

O- A lovely IPA, among my favorites. Very balanced and refreshing, I could definitely enjoy more than one and would recommend it without hesitation.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 23:09:30 | More by setexascustoms

AllHatDavidson

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a sort of ruby orange color with pretty big long standing froth beige head. Smells of sweet nectary hops, notes of pound cake and berries. Hops are more citrusy in the flavor, notes of lemon and honey, with a cakey, malty backbone, leaving a bitterness on the finish. This is indeed balanced for an IPA, with the hops prominent but definite malt presence too. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 20:07:27 | More by AllHatDavidson

lstokes

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Deep hazy orange. Smells and tastes tropical and grapefruit and pine--oh hell, lots and lots of hops with a big stingingly crisp mouthfeel. Some malt backbone but really this is about the Simcoe hops. A nice aggressive American IPA which is priced wonderfully here in Chicago... will be buying again!

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 03:29:57 | More by lstokes

richalexander78

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Heard this one was pretty good. It was! Fantastic aroma of hops and citrus. Both are very well balanced and combine to have a nice soft bitter finish without a funky after tast. I would really like to try this fresh on draft. Well done inexpensive ipa.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 21:13:17 | More by richalexander78

mattcrill

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Light floral and citrus-like hop aromas up front. Mild background caramel sweetness. Clean fermentation character.

Appearance: Deep amber pour that is nearly clear. Small, sticky white head with good retention.

Flavor: More citrus punch up front followed by some gentle background caramel sweetness that is punched out by more hop resiny bitterness. Balance is firmly bitter. Finish is clean. Aftertaste lingers with hop resin bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with high carbonation. No alcohol heat.

Overall impression: A big citrusy American IPA. I love the orange and lemon zest flavors as well as hints of malt here and there to keep it interesting. It's wonderfully dry which makes for easy quaffing. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 20:01:10 | More by mattcrill

clint1019

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance-Deep Amber in color with a thick cream colored head.

Smell-Has a strong floral aroma and a slight caramelly sweetness

Taste-Has a malty/caramelly sweetness balance by a nice hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel-Medium Bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall-I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. I did not expect a beer from a brewing in Montana would taste this good. Definately one of the better IPA's I've tasted.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 02:08:30 | More by clint1019

coldriver

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a gateway beer for me - the first IPA that I really liked and my absolute favorite beer a few years back. The thing that really caught my attention was the wonderful piney-tangerine aroma which of course I now recognize as dry hopping. Decent head and lacing. This is still a favorite wonderfully balanced IPA that I still turn to for the incredible nose-hit experience.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 18:06:37 | More by coldriver

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this beer from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This AIPA poured a nice white head and it had excellent head retention. Lacing was above average. The beer poured a dark copper color. The aroma was filled with malt, orange citrus and hop aroma. The taste of the AIPA had a nice sweet malt flavor, notes of citrus and oily hops. Medium in body, very smooth. Slightly dry finish. Very nice hop flavor, not overly aggressive- easy to drink. Very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 02:53:57 | More by GossageBrewery