Grunion Pale Ale
Ballast Point Brewing Company
- From:
- Ballast Point Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Pale Ale
Ranked #96 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #10,018 - Avg:
- 4.06 | pDev: 9.36%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 274
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 17, 2026
- Added:
- Oct 02, 2013
- Wants:
- 89
- Gots:
- 485
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Our Grunion Pale Ale wasn’t born on a beach, but in a backyard. Originating from an employee-only home brew contest, this award-winning hoppy pale ale is named after the tiny local fish known for late night frolics on shore. A pair of new hop varieties lend strong yet balanced summer melon aromas and herbal flavors, while a soft caramel malt sweetness holds it all together.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Wasatch:
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
4.36/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.36/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
12 oz. Bottle
Pours a very nice clean/clear dark golden yellow color, nice carbonation, with a almost one-finger creamy off-white head, which leaves some sticky lacing behind. The nose is really hoppy, with some very nice citrus notes. The taste is pretty tasty, hoppy, slightly sweet, with alot of citrus. Medium body, with a very nice dry/bitter finish. Overall, this is one very tasty PA, especially for the ABV.
Oct 07, 2015Pours a very nice clean/clear dark golden yellow color, nice carbonation, with a almost one-finger creamy off-white head, which leaves some sticky lacing behind. The nose is really hoppy, with some very nice citrus notes. The taste is pretty tasty, hoppy, slightly sweet, with alot of citrus. Medium body, with a very nice dry/bitter finish. Overall, this is one very tasty PA, especially for the ABV.
More User Ratings:
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.96/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
RB transfer
Aug 28, 2025
Rated by Sinfull from New York
3.77/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear, amber color. Big, white head. Pine and tropical fruits in aroma. Hoppy bitterness dominates in taste. Malty background. Easy drinkable
Jan 16, 2025
Reviewed by Strid from Sweden
2.95/5 rDev -27.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.95/5 rDev -27.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Tastes like a thousand other IPAs, does not stand out very much. Very bitter. Lots of hops. But quite well-balanced to be of this kind of more "heavy" IPA that I am not super fond of. Not one to drink several of exactly. Wouldn't be my first choice if I bought an IPA, but it's not a bad beer either.
Feb 26, 2022
Reviewed by JamFuel from Sweden
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a fairly clear amber with fine head.
Smell is fruity with notes of citrus, nectarine, pine, melon and tea.
Taste is fruity and citrusy with notes of pine, papaya, peach and some herbal hints. Moderate bitterness.
Mothfeel is medium, well carbonated.
Overall, a very nice, easy to drink APA/IPA.
Feb 19, 2022Smell is fruity with notes of citrus, nectarine, pine, melon and tea.
Taste is fruity and citrusy with notes of pine, papaya, peach and some herbal hints. Moderate bitterness.
Mothfeel is medium, well carbonated.
Overall, a very nice, easy to drink APA/IPA.
Reviewed by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
3.93/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass.
L---Lightly cloudy, rich golden color. Puffy, white head with good retention and ok lacing.
S---A little bit of pine. Some bitter citrus rinds.
T---Stronger than the nose, fortunately. Orange, grapefruit, malty.
F---Medium plus mouthfeel. Good carbonation. Easy drinking.
O---A very nice pale ale. Very flavorful. I'll take another, please.
Mar 01, 2021L---Lightly cloudy, rich golden color. Puffy, white head with good retention and ok lacing.
S---A little bit of pine. Some bitter citrus rinds.
T---Stronger than the nose, fortunately. Orange, grapefruit, malty.
F---Medium plus mouthfeel. Good carbonation. Easy drinking.
O---A very nice pale ale. Very flavorful. I'll take another, please.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.46/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.46/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
355 ml can, as Ballast Point Grunion IPA, from Vinmonopolet Kvadrat. ABV is 5.5%. Slightly gushing can. Slightly hazy orange colour, large white head. The aroma has distinct notes of pine, also notes of grapefruit. Pine / resin and grapefruit in the flavour too, a sharp bitterness in the finish. A slight sweetness of crystal malts.
Dec 14, 2020
Rated by crazyspicychef from Pennsylvania
4.28/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Great representation of the style.
Well made, on point with no off flavors.
Oct 21, 2019Well made, on point with no off flavors.
Reviewed by Smurfman584 from Texas
4.32/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.32/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a can into a taster glass. Beer has yeast sediments and looks unfiltered. I like that. Golden color. Minimal pacing. Smell is unique, probably from the lesser used Calypso hops. Smooth taste, slightly sweet, dry finish. Medium carbonation. Not as polished as the few other great pale ales, but very good nonetheless.
May 02, 2019
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