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Pygmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA
Big Sky Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Big Sky Brewing Company
- Montana, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
- ABV:
- 4.2%
- Score:
- 79
- Avg:
- 3.46 | pDev: 12.43%
- Reviews:
- 41
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 16, 2019
- Added:
- Mar 15, 2014
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 29
SCORE
79
Okay
79
Okay
Notes:
On a classic Montana summer day last June, our head of maintenance at the brewery, Gus (that’s ‘Mr. Magic Fingers’ to us), was on his way to a fishing excursion on the Clark Fork River. He came around the corner and saw something he had never seen before, a very young pygmy owl, approximately an inch in height. The tiny critter sat on the side of the trail with a fly on its head, and stared at Gus. As Gus stared back, he took out his cell phone and snapped a couple of shots.
The next day at the brewery, Gus shared the photos of his new friend. We all thought this “itty bitty” owl was pretty cool. So cool in fact, that we decided to post a shot on Facebook and see if the little guy was worthy of having a beer named after him. Based on the comments and likes, the overwhelming response was YES. Seven months later, we’re happy to announce the arrival of Pygmy Owl “Itty Bitty” IPA.
Pygmy Owl is an IPA with full fledged hop taste and aroma, yet is remarkably low in alcohol. In fact, it clocks in at only 4.2% ABV. An IPA with full flavor, but without the harsh bitterness. And the best part, you can have more than one without getting that drunkied up feeling.
IBU’s 30
Malts: Pale,Cara Pils
Hops: El Dorado, Mosaic
The next day at the brewery, Gus shared the photos of his new friend. We all thought this “itty bitty” owl was pretty cool. So cool in fact, that we decided to post a shot on Facebook and see if the little guy was worthy of having a beer named after him. Based on the comments and likes, the overwhelming response was YES. Seven months later, we’re happy to announce the arrival of Pygmy Owl “Itty Bitty” IPA.
Pygmy Owl is an IPA with full fledged hop taste and aroma, yet is remarkably low in alcohol. In fact, it clocks in at only 4.2% ABV. An IPA with full flavor, but without the harsh bitterness. And the best part, you can have more than one without getting that drunkied up feeling.
IBU’s 30
Malts: Pale,Cara Pils
Hops: El Dorado, Mosaic
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.86/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.86/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another review fashioned from that March 2014 haul pic. Got a 6 pack of this, liked it and then it seemingly disappeared from shelves.
Pours a light yellow with 1/3" white head, average retention. Aroma had a tropical fruit and lemon like hop, but it was way better than Sorachi. Looks like a mix of Mosaic and El Dorado, gotta be the El Dorado giving that lemon aspect. Smelled nice.
Taste was easy going, they didn't over do it with the El Dorado for bittering I presume, was nice and complimentary to the late stage Mosaic use. Really was light bodied, well carbonated and full flavored. Checks all the boxes for what I want in a session ipa. I'm really surprised the score here is this low, gonna be a rare positive rate deviation for me. Sure, there are "better" session ipas, but those are still like $4/pint or whatnot, whereas these are $1.50 a piece. Would bang again if I see it.
Nov 16, 2019Pours a light yellow with 1/3" white head, average retention. Aroma had a tropical fruit and lemon like hop, but it was way better than Sorachi. Looks like a mix of Mosaic and El Dorado, gotta be the El Dorado giving that lemon aspect. Smelled nice.
Taste was easy going, they didn't over do it with the El Dorado for bittering I presume, was nice and complimentary to the late stage Mosaic use. Really was light bodied, well carbonated and full flavored. Checks all the boxes for what I want in a session ipa. I'm really surprised the score here is this low, gonna be a rare positive rate deviation for me. Sure, there are "better" session ipas, but those are still like $4/pint or whatnot, whereas these are $1.50 a piece. Would bang again if I see it.
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa
4/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Everything about this screams hoppy pilsner, and that is by no means a bad thing. The sample was poured from a 12-ounce bottle into a glass goblet. Clear, light golden in color, with a two-finger soft white head that settled into a 3-mm white cap leaving scads of lacing. Loads of bubbles stream constantly from the bottom of the glass. Big aromas of crackery malt, with a grassy and slightly floral undertone. The flavor profile is similar in character, with a nice hop bite, a little lemony citrus, and a nice lingering bitterness. Medium mouthfeel, with a rather crisp finish. This is better than the ratings seem to indicate, but approach it with an open mind.
Jan 20, 2018
Reviewed by MinerBob from Oklahoma
3.35/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.35/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Let me preface my review with I'm not a fan of IPA'S but this one isn't bad. Never thought I'd say that. Pours a clear golden color with a lot of head. Hoppy smell of a strong IPA but a smooth flavor and easy swallow. Probably the best IPA I've ever had.
Mar 05, 2017
Rated by DucksFan16 from Tennessee
3.73/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Canned 04/05/2016. Enjoyed on 01/14/2017.
Jan 14, 2017
Reviewed by Impetuous from Montana
3.55/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.55/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The kids call this a session ipa
It is thoroughly sessionable. Had four last night in short order and no hangover whatsoever. So it succeeds in that regard. There is no metric for this apart from overall. Hence the bump.
Taste is pine throughout with malt backbone fading until lingering pine is left.
Quite carbonated leading to robust mouthfeel
Recommended.
Aug 24, 2016It is thoroughly sessionable. Had four last night in short order and no hangover whatsoever. So it succeeds in that regard. There is no metric for this apart from overall. Hence the bump.
Taste is pine throughout with malt backbone fading until lingering pine is left.
Quite carbonated leading to robust mouthfeel
Recommended.
Rated by SeanMNCraftBeerLover from Minnesota
3.5/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Easy drinker, Bu average IPA. Nothing to write home about here.
Jul 02, 2016
Reviewed by colts9016 from Idaho
3.34/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.34/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Poured into a pint glass. A nice one finger head white head that has some retention. The color of the beer is a pale yellow color with a slightly haziness.
The aroma of the beer is grassy, grainy, citrus, and floral
The taste is grassy, pine, citrus, and perfume.
The mouth feel of the beer is slightly carbonated.
For a session IPA this is spot on, the taste does wane a bit.
Jun 02, 2016The aroma of the beer is grassy, grainy, citrus, and floral
The taste is grassy, pine, citrus, and perfume.
The mouth feel of the beer is slightly carbonated.
For a session IPA this is spot on, the taste does wane a bit.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.31/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours like a lager, clean and crisp and clear, light head. Light hop aroma. Initial taste smacks of grains, but hops come in on the finish, and dries it out. This is a great session beer and would be great on a hot day.
Jan 15, 2016
Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania
3.26/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.26/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of citrus hops. Taste is mild, citrus, touch of pine, no real malts to speak of, and minimal bitterness. Feels medium/light in the mouth and overall, while refreshing, it lacks the oomph I expect in an IPA.
Jan 04, 2016
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
3.85/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 oz. Bottle
Best Before: 08/07/15
Pours a nice clean/clear golden yellow color, nice carbonation, with a nice small fizzy white head, with some nice sticky lacing. The nose is hoppy, with a nice malt note, some citrus. The taste is hoppy, slightly malty, with some citrus notes. Medium body. Overall, not a bad brew for the ABV.
Oct 20, 2015Best Before: 08/07/15
Pours a nice clean/clear golden yellow color, nice carbonation, with a nice small fizzy white head, with some nice sticky lacing. The nose is hoppy, with a nice malt note, some citrus. The taste is hoppy, slightly malty, with some citrus notes. Medium body. Overall, not a bad brew for the ABV.
Pygmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA from Big Sky Brewing Company
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
168 ratings
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