Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (North Star)

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
San Diego, California USA

Poured from a 22oz bomber (thanks Torry) and served in a shaker. This poured a lightly hazed amber with a foamy, beige cap that left some decent lace. The aroma consisted of strong apricot, peach, and orange. Also some pine needles. The flavor had a big hop profile, but there was also a nice toffee element. Piney and citrusy with a stiff bitterness. The mouthfeel was medium-bodied and slightly sticky. This was an insanely quaffable brew. The alcohol was well hidden but packed a good punch. A really nice IPA.

Bomber in trade with Stefanje. Nose is rich and has peaches, passionfruit, and heaps of pine sap. Body is on the light side of medium. Floral rounded hop infused malt balances easily on ones tounge. Hops are not omnipresent but certainly not wallflowers. A sweet even bosy and finish that blend into one another s well that the finish is nearly undetectable other than the lack of beer in your mouth. Very nice.

Maybe the best IPA iv’e ever had, although it feels more like a double. All the citrus you could possibly want, almost as Hopslam and Nugget Nectar had a baby. A truly fantastic beer.

bomber from south bay drugs poured into a pint glass. pours a very clean and clear golden color with a very thin white head and slight lacing. aroma was extremely fresh and clean. the nose drifted out of the glass immidiately with huge, gorgeous fruit notes of apricot, pear, peach, and grapefruit along with a fresh, floral, piney hoppiness and a touch of sweetness. flavor was outstanding and very unique. started off with a slightly spicy hop kick followed by big citrus notes of grapefruit and orange and some sweeter tropical fruit notes of pineapple and apricot. the finish had a wonderful piney and almost minty/herbal quality that i’ve not tasted in an IPA before. great bitterness but also very well balanced with light, roasted malt flavors. palate was medium bodied and extremely clean and smooth. amazing drinkability with a great long lasting, bitter finish. one of the best IPAs i’ve tasted and damn am i glad i had the chance to have this one.

Big for a straight IPA. Thanks to snojerk for sending another fine CA brew. Clear dark yellow color. Grassy citrus hop aroma. Mostly grapefruit hop flavor with a bit of green apple hiding in the back ground. Finish is a bitter metallic but pleasant. Running the gamut of hoppy goodness here.

Bomber shared by Eric, thanks again man. Pours a clear golden color with a small white head. The aroma is full of citrus hops, some lemon and grapefruit. The taste was also full of hoppy goodness; citrus flavors, some herbal goodness. This bottle was a few years old and had lost some of the aggressive hops perhaps, but is was very nice and insanely quaffable.

Scored this via trade and drank is almost side by side with Pliny the Elder. This beat out Pliny overall. Bomber pours a clear orange with a white, creamy head. Nose wasn’t nearly as nice as Pliny but still very appealing with tropical fruits, mango, citrus fruits, a touch of grapefruit and a sprinkling of sweet malt. Flavor is where Sculpin separated from Pliny, tons of sweet, sticky fruits of all shapes and sizes, sweet malts, but mostly a fruit explosion. Finish is bitter, but also clean and crisp. Really well crafted and a beer you could drink every day.

22oz. bomber, with a big thank you to stefanje! Pours a clear golden orange with a creamy one finger white head, good retention and lacing. Aroma is very nice, with island fruits, floral, citrus, pine, and light caramel. Flavor is more of the same, with a milder but enjoyable hops bite that lingers a bit. I have been looking forward to trying this one for a long time, and it lived up to expectations quite nicely. It’s right up there with some of the best IPA’s the West Coast has to offer. Thanks again Stefan!