Sculpin: Overrated?

Not kidding I just cracked my first Sculpin when I saw this thread, and I asked myself the same thing when I tried Pliny and Heady "Is it good?" Oh yes...quite good. "Worth the hype?" Not in my opinion. But I guess it's all preference. I'd take a Six Point Resin over any of those. I said the same thing about Pliny a couple weekends ago in front of a bunch of beer guys I didn't know. I didn't think I was going to make it home alive. Heheheh

At the same time though...I think we may build it up in our own heads. I waited MONTHS to try Founders Breakfast Stout...I built it up, and built it up. When I finally tried it I said "that's it?". For that reason I TRY not to read reviews or I try to keep an open mind about a beer before I try it.

 

Had a Sculpin, the a Pliny, then went back to a Sculpin... What is Sculpin again?


It's awesome if it is about a week old, any older than a month and it drastically changes characteristics.

The Sculpin I'm drinking was from 9/16 and you can tell it's just not there anymore. Maybe they should rethink this recipe. We're all buying it trying to remember that awesome pint. Maybe I should just not buy it anymore, now that's something.

 

I like the rip on the nerds that drain pour any IPA over 5 days old, but at the end of the day, they know what they're talking about.

 

I always thought Sculpin was great, but there was no way I was paying $65-$70 a case. (Philadelphia person here.) Beer is on par with FW UJack, Jai Alai. I've seen it rot on shelves in Philly at that price. New cases have just come in the area and I'm seeing them at $50, so I'm considering it again. Ballast Point really killed my goodwill towards them with that price.

Side note: that new Victory Dirtwolf is awesome, especially at $40-$45.

 

I had to increase my rating of Sculpin once I had out of a can.

 

Put it this way. I just got back from San Francisco on Monday. While there, I visited one of the legendary beer bars, Toronado, which by the way has been unfairly maligned for surly bartenders [the guy was real busy but still no less friendly than any other busy bartender]. To get to my point, both Sculpin and Pliny the Elder were on draft and Pliny was $1 less. Go figure. I don't think I'll ever be able to drink Sculpin again.

 

$7 for pretty fresh bombers here in Houston. Just picked up 2 on lunchbreak. have seen the sixers, but just prefer the bombers if the enjoyby date is good

 

Maybe that's a counter intuitive thing to say on a site such as this, but damn, this beer gets dissected like few other IPA's. I just pulled a bottle from the fridge. I don't even know how old. 4 weeks? 7 weeks? But Sculpin's just a very satisfying IPA. I always enjoy it whether draft, bottle or can. When I haven't had it in a while, I have the same positive reaction upon returning. And I've consumed a lot of it. Are there better beers? Yep. Better values? Sure. But it's a solid go-to beer I'm glad I have access to.

 

thread needs more controversy

 

It tastes like crap when it's out of date. Since I live in MA I have never tried it fresh, can't wait to find some. My brother bought me one that was two weeks out of date for christmas, and it was awful.

Is that controversy? Guess not. Old IPAs are bad, even Sculpin

 

I've had sculpin three times, but it seems as though my cans weren't that great...or very fresh, >3-4 weeks old. I'd like to give an honest review when I have a super fresh bottle.

 

I haven't had it yet but I will try it one day. I have had the Big Eye IPA, though, and didn't like it at all.