Ball & Chain IPA
The Blue Ridge Brewing Co.

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From:
The Blue Ridge Brewing Co.
 
South Carolina, United States
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
6.2%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.72 | pDev: 13.44%
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
14
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 03, 2013
Added:
Jul 19, 2006
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MSchae1017:
Photo of MSchae1017
Reviewed by MSchae1017 from Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This beer was tasted in a pint glass from the growler that I picked up last night at the brewpub.

This beer's color is between that of an amber and a pale ale with a frothy white head that leaved a nice film, lacing down the glass. The smell is full of hops and a slight sweetness from the malts. The taste is very bitter with a strong citrusy hop taste. There is also a clean subtle sweet taste. THe mouthfeel is dry and crisp with subtle carbonation. Overall a good IPA. One of the best beers to get in South Carolina.
Feb 05, 2007
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3 by harpus from Alabama

Jan 03, 2013
Photo of kimcgolf
Reviewed by kimcgolf from Georgia

2.97/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
This was not nearly as good as the Ball N Chain DIPA.Poured a reddish orange with very little head or lacing. While there was a hint of citrusy hops in the nose, this was mostly drowned out by the graininess that dominated. Mouthfeel was thin and tingly, and the initial flavor was sour fruit, which was fine, but then it too was quickly overtaken by the taste of grains. Dry, uneventful finish. I'sd save the money and just drink a BMC before hitting this one again.
Mar 29, 2009
Photo of MuddyFeet
Reviewed by MuddyFeet from North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I recently enjoyed a growler that my brother brought me recently. Cloudy copper color with a white head that would quickly dissolve.

Solid all around IP though. Nothing outstanding but nothing deficient. Solid malt base with a hop backbone that resonated a pine-yness that really stands out on the tongue. Medium body that was a bit cloying. Would definitely enjoy this beer again.
Jan 31, 2009
Photo of xfactor9600
Reviewed by xfactor9600 from Indiana

2.8/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had on tap at Blue Ridge

Clear copper color with a decent amount of head.

A faint hoppy smell but with some pronounced thickness.

A somewhat off citrus flavor, perhaps the Double is better.

I will go back and try the Double next time.

Serving type: on-tap
Dec 21, 2008
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sampled from Growler courtesy of Josh.

Poured a medium and cloudy amber color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of skunky pot, floral, earthy, caramel, trace of citrus, and a wet pile of leaves. As soon as we opened the Growler, the skunky pot aroma hit me. I should soak some wrapping paper in this and smoke it to see what happens! Tastes of earth, citrus, and a trace of caramel. Earthy all the way around. Lightly bitter on the Hopdog bitterness scale.

Notes from 2/16/07
Dec 17, 2008
Photo of unionturf
Reviewed by unionturf from North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at Blue Ridge as both a sample and then ordered as a pint.

Clear copper color and good head and lacing. Not as hoppy smell as I expected (was hoping for something like Seeing Double IPA from their sister brewery Foothills)....

A citrus and pine smell and taste was good and overall and average for a tap IPA, would LOVE to try the double version of this.

On another note the food at Blue Ridge was excellent for a brewpub, the Brewpub Steak was GREAT!!
Aug 26, 2008
Photo of Georgiabeer
Reviewed by Georgiabeer from Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured a slightly cloudy amber with a good head. The smell is a little sweet and grainy, and there is a tea like aroma with some noticeable tannins as well. A little unusual, but not bad. The taste is a little sweet and grainy as well, but nice complex hop bitterness helps balance this. Grapefuit and slightly piney hops. There is again a slight sweet tea finish. Mouthfeel is decent to support the flavors, but the heavy graininess makes the beer a little chewy and lowers the drinkability a bit. Not bad at all, if a bit unusual. Not my favorite regional ipa, but I'd drink it again.
Jul 06, 2007
Photo of DrJay
Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Growler provided by derrickt007 as part of Double Trouble GIF.
The beer pours a coppery colour with a long lasting, off-white head. Lots of lacing covered the glass. Fair hop aroma, a little on the mild side, with grapefruit and pine notes. There's also some caramel maltiness. Solid bitterness throughout, without being overwhelming or out of balance. It starts out with some caramel and light breadiness, but this quickly gives way to citrus and pine. Hops gain prominence into the finish, where bitterness lingers for quite some time. Medium bodied, medium/light carbonation with a slightly creamy texture. No hint of alcohol Overall, a well made IPA that's very tasty. I'm glad I have a full growler of this. Thanks Derrick!
Feb 16, 2007
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.27/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Brought it home from Blue Ridge tonight. Very nice clear amber with a white head the fizzes out quickly leaving a decent lace down the glass. Smell is suprisingly sweet malts, caramel flavors with a hint of the hops to come. The taste is very nice, definate hops, but more of an english hoppiness as it is extremely well balanced, can't say that enough. Very smooth going down, I could drink this all night, awesome brew. I have to echo goindownsouth on this one, has to be the finest craft brew in the upstate right now, superb!
Feb 04, 2007
Photo of goindownsouth
Reviewed by goindownsouth from New Jersey

4.12/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Consumed vom Fass at Blue Ridge Brewing Company...

Rich and copper in its appearance, this brew has solid head retention with a lace that lingers along the side of the pint glass in a sticky kind of way. Aromas of citrusy hop goodness with a well-balanced malt backbone. Jay, the brewer at Blue Ridge, told me this IPA has five different kinds of hops, and he may experiment with different kinds of hops going forward. That said, his keen ability to find the balance between the malty goodness and hoppy twang on the palate is uncanny. Smooth and relatively clean on the finish, this is one brew that could be had on a session basis, for sure.

Arguably the best craft brewed Bier available in the Greenville area.

Leiben ist gut!
Feb 03, 2007
Photo of IntriqKen
Reviewed by IntriqKen from California

4.2/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Many thanks to Mikesgroove for the opportunity to review this.
Pours only slightly hazy medium golden orange with a nice half finger white head that melts quickly.
Aroma is an unusual fresh, citrus and piney hops with a hint of smokiness on the backend.
Taste fresh green hops with nice grapefruit peel bitterness and a very clean, bright finish.
Mouthfeel is comfortable...neither thick and cloying, nor thin and watery.
A very refreshing IPA that can be sessioned if you can handle the alcohol...don't worry, you won't taste the ABV.
Nice.
Jan 27, 2007
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Reviewed by GCBrewingCo from North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The beer arrived on the table crystal clear copper with a persistent, white, long lasting head which laced the glass from top to bottom.

The aroma was light caramel with a low hop presence.

The flavor was nicely done with caramel and well achieved bittering (though nowhere near the 84 IBU's stated on the beer menu). The hops were citrusy with a lightly piney character.

The finish was dry wtih a lasting slight hop presence into the aftertaste. The body was medium with a creamy mouthfeel. A nice IPA with no appreciable alcohol presence.

6.2% AVV, 84 IBU.
Aug 04, 2006
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.09/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a clear copper color but lacks a decent head and fails to provide much lacing

Smell: Nice piney aroma

Taste: Malt backbones introduces a nice piney sweetness

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

Drinkabilty: An excellent mainstream IPA; well done
Jul 19, 2006
Ball & Chain IPA from The Blue Ridge Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 14 ratings