Big Eye
Ballast Point Brewing Company

Sigmund from Norway

2.95/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

355 ml bottle, from Fakta Hirtshals. BB date is hard to read, but probably 25.03.2014. Slightly hazy deep golden to amber colour, moderate to low head, slightly off-white. Strong and unpleasant aroma of stale orange marmalade and rotting fruits and vegetables. Distinctly hoppy and resinous flavour, better than the aroma, not too sweet, with a solid bitterness in the finish.

Dec 12, 2020

AleManDan from California

4.21/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This beer changed my palate! I was drinking a lot of Sculpin and maltier IPAs and then this...that dank, garlicky, something different.

Yes, Big Eye brings big IPA flavor to the table and is bold and different. If you like IPAs try this one. It’s got a big dark malt backbone but then citrus and danky, earthy hop bittnerness battles against that malt and...yeah. I get excited about this one but to me it’s a late night beer..even a sort of winter IPA.

Jul 17, 2018

cyclonece09 from Wisconsin

4.21/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a pint glass from a bottle. Smells of citrus and earthy hops, nice and full. Tastes of citrus hops with just enough earthiness and sweet grain to compliment. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation, crisp and refreshing. Overall, a very good beer.

Jul 03, 2018

stevoj from Idaho

3.91/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Some of the smoother, lighter hops but still robust enough to tingle the taste buds. Orange copper body with small creamy head. Overall citrusy nature, but allowing the malts to shine through. All around great IPA

Jun 20, 2018

Jesterr44 from Canada (ON)

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Had this after finishing an Unfiltered Sculpin. Seemed a little darker, although I didn't look at them side by side. Similar look; fine sediment makes an otherwise almost transparent beer look slightly cloudy. More active carbonation in this one, tall fluffy off-white head which leaves significant lacing. Again, the taste is very hop forward with smooth piney citrus and has some of the same flavours as the Sculpin; again there is no astringent bitterness but the taste ends with a mild earthy spiciness. Quite similar to the Sculpin really, with the difference being slightly more warmth from the alcohol & that spiciness in the taste. Another quality IPA from Ballast Point.

Sep 13, 2017

IPAExpert69 from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Been a big fan of Ballast Point since I tried my first Sculpin, so I wanted to give this beer a go. Cheap for Ballast Point, bought a 6 pack of bottles and poured my first into a glass.

L: Dark Amber, especially compared to the Unfiltered Sculpin I poured previously, really clean pour with mid level carbonation.
S: Metallicy with a piney orange zest kinda vibe. Compares most to a Two Hearted Ale
T: Definitely not for the casual IPA fan, stronger taste for sure, but lacking in that bitter kick i want in an IPA. A good beer for sure, but lacks something unique.
F: Easy to drink, definitely could see pounding a few of these out on the lake or on the beach.
O: 4.169, definitely a good, tasty, strong yet easy drinking ipa. Lacks something special, but a serviceable beer for sure

Aug 07, 2017

lbond from California

3.3/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

https://i.imgur.com/EHnL9GT.jpg

7% ABV

Not the beer I would give a new IPA drinker, this has all the tenants of an IPA that an IPA lover will enjoy. This beer is very unapologetic about the hops, it is the type of IPA that celebrates the hops itself, rather than focusing on hiding a multitude of subtle flavors under the hops (while those flavors are still there). The angle that I would describe the flavors as is earthy, with a nice welcoming, musky scent as you go to drink.

Aug 04, 2017

Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.99/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The appearance was always a nice somewhat hazy golden transparent color with a decent one and a half fingered white foamy head that dissipated at a nice pace and left some nice somewhat foamy clingy lacing. The smell was a bit earthy and dry bitter to sweet citrus hops. Honestly, I kinda thought it was somewhat like those sweet citrusy hops were covered by malts and combined in the boil. Still, I liked it for the most part. The taste was balanced through the hops and malts adequately and showed a decent bitter to sweet aftertaste that lead into a somewhat dry finish. On the palate, it sat about a light to medium with a nice sessionable aspect leading my taste buds onward and enthused to try a bit more of this wonderful brew coating my mouth and tongue. Overall, very nicely done AIPA that I would love to come back to.

Jul 16, 2017

Hackattack from Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pretty close in flavor to this brewery's Sculpin but not quite as good. It ranks up there with it but the price is 3-4 bucks a six cheaper. I wonder why that is? ****Update: I am drinking one now and decided to increase my rating by .25.

Jul 04, 2017

patre_tim from Thailand

3.81/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Dark amber, with moderate but fast rising carbonation in the middle, like a cyclone. Topped with 3 fingers of yellowish, fluffy head.

Smells of dark toffee, caramel, garlic, onion, pineapple, and tropical fruit.

Tastes of dark, toasted notes, garlic, onion, chives, caramel, hard water, tropical fruit, and a big but dull bitterness.

Medium, slightly syrupy body with medium low, spritey carbonation.

Got and drank in Chiang Mai, having it June 11th, 2017. Well done brew by a great brewery.

Jun 11, 2017

Everydayoff from Thailand

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355ml bottle poured into a pint glass.

Mildly hazed at first but turn to be clear thereafter with an amber orange showcase and thick creamy off-white head, the head stays with good retention before slowly subsiding to a long-lasting bubble sheet on the surface and leaving lots of lacing here and there.

Intense hop in the aroma, it is led by citrus, pine, and lemon rind, then floral and slight herbal. The said hop characters are back up by malt that provides notes of bread and cracker.

The taste is dominated by hop of course with its citrus, pine, lemon rind, floral, herbal, and persistent bitterness that is covering and coating through the taste buds. Malt is in the supporting with its bread and cracker. The end and aftertaste is lasting with piney and herbal hop bitterness.

Medium body with smooth mouthfeel from its quite lively carbonation, the feeling is crisp and refreshing with a very dry finish.

With bold suggestion of Centennial, this one is more citrusy, piney, and lemony comparing to, its counterpart, Sculpin but with less balance and mellowness. Still a good take for IPA anyway.

May 23, 2017

andrewh995 from Arizona

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear orange gold with a white head. Smells of hops and sweet citrus. Tastes slightly bitter with hops, citrus, and a little sweetness. Medium mouthfeel with medium carbonation. Overall a great IPA. I slightly prefer this to Sculpin actually.

May 04, 2017

tucson_brewson from Arizona

4.48/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought a 12 oz can as part of a mix-a-six. Poured into pint glass.

L - Pours a clean, clear, copper color. Almost like an amber ale. An inch of hazy, off-white head sits at the top. Good retention and lacing that sticks throughout the pint.

S - Metallic hops, pine, floral, citrus zest, slightly sweet and caramel-y

T - For an IPA (American) this had some roasted malt and brown sugar sweetness to balance out the bitter grapefruit rind and citrus zest that hits up front. A very nice balance of bittersweet flavors.

F - Medium-bodied, light to moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a slightly dry finish.

O - A very good representation of an American IPA. Glad I spotted this one in the IPA section. Hop-heads and non-hop heads alike will enjoy this one as it provides a nice balance of citrus, pine, and malty sweetness.

Apr 14, 2017

Tone from Missouri

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a hazy copper color. 1/4 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of strong spicy hops, piney hops, sweet malt, tea, and a hint of alcohol. Fits the style of an American IPA. Mouth feel is sharp and clean, with an average carbonation level. There is also a noticeable dryness. Tastes of strong spicy hops, piney hops, sweet malt, tea, hint of earthiness, and a hint of alcohol. Overall, good appearance, average aroma and feel, but the body is hurt by the earthiness and tea dominance.

Apr 11, 2017

digboy from New Hampshire

3.83/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Purchased one bottle here on the east coast - not sure how old it is but likely over 3 months

Pours an outstanding slightly hazy copper color with a one finger pillowy head. Fantastic lacing. Very appealing look.

Aroma has a pleasant malt characteristic. This follows through to the flavor which is malt forward. The hops lend more to the bitter which is on the heavy side of moderate and there is a bright, slightly citrusy hop flavor, possibly a hint of fruity coming through too. Feel is a little sticky, effervescent and clean feeling. Overall this is a great standard IPA. Tastes full bodied but not overwhelming with the malt. Bitterness is up at a good level too.

Apr 08, 2017

haines710 from Delaware

4.42/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased bottle from grocery and poured into pint glass. Beautiful copper color and very large head. Lacing all the way to the bottom of the glass. This beer is very hoppy and dry. Fruit smell and taste is way in the background. I enjoyed this beer, but not my favorite to have with food due to it being so dry. I will definitely have it again.

Mar 25, 2017

josanguapo from Spain

4.73/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

From Beergium. In Teku glass. Playing The Last Door Season 2. Resinous, with a very tasty orange/grapefruit profile. Very refreshing and really moreish. Would be great to have easy access to it.

Feb 08, 2017

kitch from Hong Kong

3.76/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A 12 fl oz bottle with a Julian bottled on date of 16327, meaning it was bottled on 22nd November 2016. Poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.

Appearance: A clear copper colour with a big three finger off white head that had decent retention and eventually settled to a fluffy layer while leaving nice lacing.

Aroma: Pine, grapefruit zest and orange with touches of caramel malt.

Taste: Bitter grapefruit zest, orange rind and pine balanced with some lightly sweet biscuit and caramel malt.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate to light carbonation.

Overall: A nice and balanced IPA that I wouldn’t mind drinking more of.

Feb 06, 2017

mothmanscott from Georgia

4.09/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a bright, clear, medium amber producing almost 3 fingers of foamy, moderately lasting, beige head that leaves a webby coating of lace. Aroma is hoppy tropical fruit forward with hop hints of orange, tangerine, citrus pith, peach & faint pine all mixed in a sweet caramel background. Taste is a fruity mix of orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, peach, & some pine resin sitting on top of sweet, bready dough (peach cobbler like) & caramel. Bittersweet up front but transitioning to sweet before mid-sip into the finish where is rapidly gravitates to bitter producing a very lasting, bitter citrus & pine aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium-high carbonation, slick & wet in the mouth but drying after the swallow.

Jan 16, 2017

Red5StandingBy from Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from 12oz bottle without freshness or bottle date into standard pint glass.

L: Slightly hazy copper color with thick two finger off-white head that recedes slowly into a fluffy blanket under a finger thick. Great lacing.

S: Citrus, pine and floral hops with a good malt backbone.

T: Citrus and pine hops at the forefront with a hint of floral. Good fruitiness to this beer. Toasted biscuits and caramel in the malt range that has to fight a little to be shown.

F: Medium body, prickly carbonation and a slightly dry finish.

O: A really solid beer overall and another job well done by Ballast Point.

Dec 20, 2016

GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Unknown vintage; drank 10/18/15 @ the Yarchives.

Poured from the bottle into a glass.

See-through dark orange appearance.

A rough pour yielded a HUGE eggnog head; a frothy curtain of lace.

Orange citrus, pine needle & dry grapefruit notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Orange citrus flavor up front; dry pine & grapefruit notes on the finish. A nice nose, but this is too dry for me to love. Certainly drinkable though.

Nov 29, 2016

GreatHammerhead from Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Chunky two finger head that clings to the glass and lasts the whole beer through.

Smell: Big piney smell.

Taste: Well balanced, bitter but not as much as some.

Feel: Medium body, tangy.

Overall: Very good representation of the style

Oct 14, 2016

jonwiseman from Florida

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Look is Amber. Ample lacing! Smooth mouthfeel. Adequate carbonation. Smell is sweet citrus. Taste is chestnut initially and finishes oaky. Different for an IPA but very good beer. Worthy of its 91 rating.

Oct 12, 2016

HoppyBastard from Nebraska

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Shaker pint glass, there is no "best by" date that I can find.

APPEARANCE: pours a clear, copper color with one-finger off-white head, excellent retention, eventually settled to a thin, unbroken layer of small bubbles, significant lacing, medium carbonation.

SMELL: brown sugar, bread and faint pine notes.

TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet brown sugar and bread then a pine resin hop profile that lingered around for a while.

PALATE: medium body and somewhat creamy.

OVERALL: this is a fine IPA that is very well balanced, I have enjoyed every beer I tried from this brewer and they are now one of my favorites right up there with Sierra Nevada and Deschutes, I will buy this again and would recommend to anyone that enjoys IPA.

Sep 25, 2016

LampertLand from Canada (BC)

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Ballast Point Brewing 'Big Eye IPA' @ 6.8% , served from a 650 ml bottle purchased for $8
A-pour is a light gold from the bottle to a orange/gold in the glass with a medium size off-white head leaving a spotty lace along the pint
S-pine/malt with a decent amount of columbus/centennial hops
T-clean tasting IPA , malty dry swallow
MF-ok carbonation , feels full bodied , dryness lingers on the swallow
Ov-good IPA
prost LampertLand

Sep 04, 2016