Ballantine IPA in Bottles

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by norcalhophead, Jun 11, 2015.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. norcalhophead

    norcalhophead Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Wisconsin

    A few months back I posted my experience of tasting the re-introduction of America's first IPA, Ballantine IPA, on draft at a craft beer bar in Milwaukee. Being informed that the beer was being brewed in Cold Spring, MN by Pabst, my expectations could not have been lower. But, I was blown away on how good that beer was. The beer was wonderfully complex and well-balanced, with the hops and caramel undertones done almost to perfection. It was a little oily with a slightly bitter finish, but so drinkable. I couldn't wait to try it in bottles.

    Well, after several months of hoping it would arrive in WI, I was able to buy a 6-pack at Discount Liquor in Milwaukee yesterday. The beer was bottled on 5/29/15 and it is fantastic! All of the characteristics of the draft version are there. If you love IPA's than this is a must purchase.

    For a detailed history on how this IPA first brewed in 1878, has been revived, check out this great article:

    www.allaboutbeer.com/ballantine-ipa/
     
    #1 norcalhophead, Jun 11, 2015
  2. BrewlsRules

    BrewlsRules Initiate (0) Mar 24, 2015 Wisconsin

    what'd you pay?
     
    #2 BrewlsRules, Jun 11, 2015
  3. AstraXtreme

    AstraXtreme Zealot (539) Mar 21, 2014 Wisconsin

    I had it on tap at Nomad on Brady a while back and picked up a single bottle at the Malt Shoppe a few days ago.
    It's a lot better than I expected, but it's still sort of a novelty.
     
    #3 AstraXtreme, Jun 11, 2015
  4. norcalhophead

    norcalhophead Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Wisconsin

    $8.99 6-pk
     
    #4 norcalhophead, Jun 11, 2015
  5. norcalhophead

    norcalhophead Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Wisconsin

    I think if you read the article on how it is formulated, the ingredients being used, and put aside that it is being done by Pabst, you may change your mind. Good beer is good beer.
     
    #5 norcalhophead, Jun 11, 2015
  6. Hendrick24

    Hendrick24 Pooh-Bah (1,949) Sep 6, 2013 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I saw it at Discount Waukesha. May need to grab it to try.
     
    #6 Hendrick24, Jun 11, 2015
  7. AstraXtreme

    AstraXtreme Zealot (539) Mar 21, 2014 Wisconsin

    I never said it was bad. It's good, but not exceptional compared to the hundreds of other IPAs that it competes with. Pabst markets this is a novelty, and that's probably how it will gain most of it's buyers. Put it head-to-head with similarly priced IPAs such as Two Hearted and Lagunitas IPA, and it's just not as good.
     
    #7 AstraXtreme, Jun 11, 2015
  8. norcalhophead

    norcalhophead Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Wisconsin

    Two Hearted is my favorite beer, the Ballantine IPA is completely different (hops, malt, the use of hop oil), but I feel it holds up against all of the top IPA's. The one thing I am sure about - it's the first time in my experience that a macro has made a top-notch IPA.
     
    #8 norcalhophead, Jun 11, 2015
    beergurujr likes this.
  9. AstraXtreme

    AstraXtreme Zealot (539) Mar 21, 2014 Wisconsin

    Hop oil is just a cheap way to get IBUs without actually using hops. :wink:
    That's just a legacy thing for Ballantine though.
     
    #9 AstraXtreme, Jun 11, 2015
  10. blackhusky

    blackhusky Initiate (0) May 16, 2011 Wisconsin

    I think Pliny has hop oil in it along with maaaaany other beers. I think its cheating just for the record
     
    #10 blackhusky, Jun 11, 2015
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.