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Big Sky IPA
Big Sky Brewing Company
- From:
- Big Sky Brewing Company
- Montana, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #2,750 - ABV:
- 6.2%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #20,462 - Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 11.87%
- Reviews:
- 488
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 05, 2024
- Added:
- Aug 18, 2002
- Wants:
- 41
- Gots:
- 165
In Montana, many classic memories are made right after someone says, “Hold my beer and watch this.” These bold, assertive moments deserve a bold, assertive beer – Big Sky IPA. A distinct hop presence and malty backbone will leave you refreshed and ready for your moment of glory. Hang on tight and enjoy the ride.
65 IBU
65 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JamesMN:
Reviewed by JamesMN from Minnesota
3.25/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bottle dated 03/13/14. Not sure if it's 'bottled on' or 'enjoy by'.
Appearance: Standard copper colored IPA with hints of orange. Thin off-white head that has left some lacing where it has dissipated.
Aroma: Caramel and orange essence. Definitely hinting at being a balanced, if slightly malty IPA. Sort of reminiscent of a barleywine but with much less body.
Taste: The hops really surprised me here, as they dominate the flavor. The only time the crystal malt flavor comes through is for a brief moment right when it first hits the palate. Slightly dry/peppery hop bitterness quickly takes over and builds in intensity. The finish is interesting, while there is a good amount of bitterness there is also a creamy flavor from the malt that appears for a moment. The aftertaste releases some orangey hop flavor along with a lot of bitterness that slowly fades away. Even though I can't find any big flaws in the flavor, due to the one-dimensional bitterness and lack of depth it's hard to praise this one
Mouthfeel: Just below medium in body with somewhat aggressive carbonation, nothing a good swirl can't fix. Pretty easy drinking but nothing to get too excited about.
Final Thoughts: It's rare that a beer I review gets the exact same score in every category. Big Sky IPA is simply an okay beer. It's flavor fits right in with the style guidelines and it doesn't try to get any fancier than that. So while it doesn't impress me, it has my respect in a way. Would I drink it again? If I'm ever in Montana I wouldn't turn it down.
Jul 29, 2014Appearance: Standard copper colored IPA with hints of orange. Thin off-white head that has left some lacing where it has dissipated.
Aroma: Caramel and orange essence. Definitely hinting at being a balanced, if slightly malty IPA. Sort of reminiscent of a barleywine but with much less body.
Taste: The hops really surprised me here, as they dominate the flavor. The only time the crystal malt flavor comes through is for a brief moment right when it first hits the palate. Slightly dry/peppery hop bitterness quickly takes over and builds in intensity. The finish is interesting, while there is a good amount of bitterness there is also a creamy flavor from the malt that appears for a moment. The aftertaste releases some orangey hop flavor along with a lot of bitterness that slowly fades away. Even though I can't find any big flaws in the flavor, due to the one-dimensional bitterness and lack of depth it's hard to praise this one
Mouthfeel: Just below medium in body with somewhat aggressive carbonation, nothing a good swirl can't fix. Pretty easy drinking but nothing to get too excited about.
Final Thoughts: It's rare that a beer I review gets the exact same score in every category. Big Sky IPA is simply an okay beer. It's flavor fits right in with the style guidelines and it doesn't try to get any fancier than that. So while it doesn't impress me, it has my respect in a way. Would I drink it again? If I'm ever in Montana I wouldn't turn it down.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut
3.77/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear golden amber with a finger of foamy head that slowly settles to a thin cap with plenty of lacing. Aroma of caramel, orange and faint pine. Taste follows nose.
Sep 15, 2023Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington
3.76/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.76/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a Teku glass.
Look- Deep amber, mildly hazy, cream colored frothy head, above average head retention, average lacing.
Smell- Biscuit, mandarin, slight pine, between weak and medium strength of scent.
Taste- Sweet biscuit, mandarin, pine, medium strength of flavor.
Feel- Between thin and medium body, mildly dry finish, high bitterness, average carbonation.
Overall- Deep amber with above average head retention and average lacing. Bouquet was malt heavy with biscuit, mandarin and pine. Flavor profile followed true to the nose. Feel was between thin and medium body with a mildly dry finish and high bitterness. Overall this West Coast style IPA was too malt heavy for the ABV for my taste.
Jun 30, 2023Look- Deep amber, mildly hazy, cream colored frothy head, above average head retention, average lacing.
Smell- Biscuit, mandarin, slight pine, between weak and medium strength of scent.
Taste- Sweet biscuit, mandarin, pine, medium strength of flavor.
Feel- Between thin and medium body, mildly dry finish, high bitterness, average carbonation.
Overall- Deep amber with above average head retention and average lacing. Bouquet was malt heavy with biscuit, mandarin and pine. Flavor profile followed true to the nose. Feel was between thin and medium body with a mildly dry finish and high bitterness. Overall this West Coast style IPA was too malt heavy for the ABV for my taste.
Reviewed by Nvrmind16 from California
3.87/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.87/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Very good American IPA, not too bitter , but not something I would call hazy. So the taste is nice for 65 ibu. Easy to drink for an IPA, pours golden to orange.
Nov 10, 2022Reviewed by JayQue from Virginia
3.79/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Good IPA. A blend between East Coast and West Coast IPAs. Color is an interesting dark burnished gold color. Aroma and flavor include a strong citrus presence, grapefruit and orange but also a resinous piney aspect. Mouthfeel is crisp, bitter with some balancing caramel malt. I enjoyed this one!!!
Jun 05, 2021Reviewed by Mister_Faucher from Washington
3.75/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can poured in to a nonic glass, no can dating.
Look- Clear dark amber color. modest off-white head that slowly recedes to a thin cap, nice sticky lacing. moderate carbonation streams visible.
Smell- Pithy citrus (grapefruit and lemon), caramel malt, resinous pine and floral/spicy hop notes.
Taste- Similar to the aroma. Pithy citrus, resinous pine, sweet malts with an aggressive lingering hoppy bitter finish. Fairly well balanced.
Feel- Medium bodied, pretty crisp. Medium carbonation on the tongue.
O- Another middle of the pack WC style IPA, nice enough but no wow factor.
May 11, 2020Look- Clear dark amber color. modest off-white head that slowly recedes to a thin cap, nice sticky lacing. moderate carbonation streams visible.
Smell- Pithy citrus (grapefruit and lemon), caramel malt, resinous pine and floral/spicy hop notes.
Taste- Similar to the aroma. Pithy citrus, resinous pine, sweet malts with an aggressive lingering hoppy bitter finish. Fairly well balanced.
Feel- Medium bodied, pretty crisp. Medium carbonation on the tongue.
O- Another middle of the pack WC style IPA, nice enough but no wow factor.
Big Sky IPA from Big Sky Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
1223 ratings
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