Pygmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA
Big Sky Brewing Company

Pygmy Owl Itty Bitty IPAPygmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA
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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:
168
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 16, 2019
Added:
Mar 15, 2014
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  29
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
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by 303beer:
Photo of 303beer
Rated by 303beer from Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
You can buy this beer at mollys in denver colorado. Pours a nice yellow. Good amount of carbonation. I get a smooth grapefruit flavor.
May 13, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of rodbeermunch
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
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, 2019
Photo of dcotom
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa

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
 
Rated: 3.25 by robebo44 from Virginia

Aug 09, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Lelampp from Ohio

Jun 09, 2017
 
Rated: 3.49 by Coldfire_2112 from Montana

May 23, 2017
Photo of MinerBob
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
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: 3.54 by blissfulNemo from Michigan

Feb 24, 2017
Photo of DucksFan16
Rated by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

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
 
Rated: 3.73 by mistahmojoryan from Canada (SK)

Dec 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by ncherf from Washington

Nov 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.2 by Lingenbrau from Oregon

Nov 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Oct 27, 2016
Photo of Impetuous
Reviewed by Impetuous from Montana

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, 2016
 
Rated: 3.1 by B_B from California

Aug 21, 2016
Photo of SeanMNCraftBeerLover
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
Easy drinker, Bu average IPA. Nothing to write home about here.
Jul 02, 2016
 
Rated: 2.73 by Gerred from Missouri

Jun 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by Sleeb from Arizona

Jun 04, 2016
Photo of colts9016
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
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, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by psoriasaurus from Thailand

May 31, 2016
Pygmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA from Big Sky Brewing Company
Beer rating: 79 out of 100 with 168 ratings