Sculpin
Ballast Point Brewing Company

Thick, ~4 finger fluffy flat white head from a solid can pour. Very good retention. Brew is a light gold/amber, clear, transparent. Leaves behind thick lacing like a nightmare spiderweb.

Classic citrus IPA hop aroma: ruby red grapefruit, light caramel malts with a hint of biscuit, slight honey or flowers. Slightly delicate, not overpowering, not overly complex.

Flavor follows the nose, albeit with a fairly noticeable bittering hop component. Tropical fruit and juicy grapefruit up front, an earthy hop bitterness, and citrus peel finish. All along, it floats on a noticeable but balanced caramel malt backbone.

Very little carbonation sting, but I don't get any syrupy feel to it; it's a fairly light, easy drinking IPA. Nice lingering feel, slightly sweet but almost resiny bitter aftertaste. Great balance with the malts and a huge hoppy bitterness.

Finally, I get to see what all the hoopla surrounding this beer is all about, and I can say, it's deserved. This is an excellent single IPA. It reminds me of a slightly flatter or earthier Jai Alai or Flower Power, and could easily be a daily drinking IPA.

I've enjoyed Sculpin for the past 10-15 years and have never looked back...of course I'm drinking other brews but for now it's my go-to pour.

can into glass
Really thick and rocky, off-white head. Beautiful medium orange/amber look. Light amount of sweet, medium toasted caramel malt, tangerine peel, tropical fruit and some allspice, for the aroma. Really big hop bite, then after awhile, some tangerine peel, caramel malt, and a touch of spice and tropical fruit, show up, for the taste. The bite rules the finish.

 

Pours a darker golden color with a medium creamy head that goes away quickly. Aroma is light citrus & grapefruit. Taste is citrus zest with a mildly strong bitterness that stays to the finish. Interesting beer doesn't taste like a standard IPA. BOD 8-1-2025

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I’ve had this beer numerous times. So surprised that I haven’t rated it sooner. Very solid beer with just the right amount of carbonation and hoppy aftertaste. Malt is front forward and makes the beer unique if you will. Rates world class and I agree. In my top five beers overall.

RB transfer

Light soft gold pour, thin white head. Ripe soft fruit in the nose (mango & peach) with pine wafting through the back. Pleasant, sharp bitterness. Oily and coating with light dancing malt and and hops through the middle. Creamy mouth feel at the end with a strong, but not overpowering, bitter hop finish. 7% alcohol is so well blended that it only show up now in my notes. Spend the $ and try this one.|1/30/2013

Classic style IPA done pretty well, not great. Tastes like mostly like grapefruit with some lemon and papaya, and subtle orange. Some honey sweetness and a bit of mineral character. Grapefruit pith and pine bitterness. Too bitter for me. Too much pith. An unnecessary amount of pith. But it tastes alright overall.

 

 

 

 

Deep golden colour with a creamy head. Aroma: floral hops, malt, fresh hops, caramelised orange peel, some mango.
Taste: hops, floral notes, some bitter orange peel, some grass. Quite high bitterness. Balanced. Full bodied.

 

On draught, burnt orange with a decent head and heavy substantial lacing.
Aroma and flavor are mildly tropical, light citrus dominates. Pine and resin aspects are a little subdued, mellow, enjoyable. This along with the mild bitterness and fairly dry finish make an enjoyable experience.
A well done AIPA!