Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (North Star)

22 oz bottle pours the clear gold with a one finger head that leaves a lot of lacing and fades to a persistent thin foam. Nose clearing aromas of grapefruit, lemon, and hop resin. A powerful amount of bitters to the taste, but surprisingly light on the tongue for the huge flavors: more citrus, a bit of mountain cedar, fine notes of clean malts way underneath. Packs as much flavor as many Imperial or double IPAs. Wow!

Here is yet another big IPA that I’ve been waiting (semi-patientingly) to sample. I finally got my chance at the Craft Ale House, and it did not disappoint. The unique trait I found with this beer was the oddly light body. I was not expecting this beer to go down so similarly like iced tea or Kool-Aid. The body was amazingly light, and was completely unexpected. That characteristic makes this IPA a little more dangerous than others. I think I could sit at the bar or at home and drink one of these right after another. And that could lead to some qusi-undesired results. The beer pours a light golden color. It sports a white head that laces around the glass the entire way down to the bottom. The nose has that West Coast IPA feeling, with lots of hops, grapefruit, pine and hop resin. The flavors are well-balanced and extremely delicious, with a ton of crisp and floral hops and notes of grass, grapefruit, lemon zest, earth, light bread and a good balance of light malt. The finish really stings the palate, with crisp hop character. This is one outstanding IPA. I wish this was more widely available here in southeastern PA. I could really use some more of it!

thanks goes out to bhensonb for this treat. poured a light gold with a white head and some spotted lace. aroma of pine, butterscotch, and florals. flavor was pine, grass, and florals. heavy body with low carbonation.

Impressive! Hazy amber color with a white soapy head. Aroma of pine, grapefruit, and hops. Flavor of pine, hops, grapefruit-just exceptionally well-balanced.

Bottle from Joey at Southbay. Poured hazy orange, with a big frothy off-white head. Aroma of fruit hops, pine, grass, and light sweet notes. Taste is really piney, with some nice citrus as well. Nice big malty caramel backbone. Very enjoyable IPA. Body is big and solid. Overall, a very good IPA. Wish this were on the shelves in GA!

22oz bottle via trade with byaeger (Brian). Thanks again buddy. Overall an exceptional beer. Medium statured light tan head, retention is good with a thin clingy lace. Hazy gold/orange appearence. Sweet aroma of fruits, grass, pine needles and hops with notes of grape fruits. Big piney hop flavors, grapefruit, grass and some earthy notes as well. Big hoppy flavors abound with maybe a touch of caramel malts shining through. Finish is big and bold, hoppy, dry with a magnificent bite. A really massive IPA, I really thought this was a IIPA. Top 3 to 5 IPA i’ve had. Thanks again Brian for this great treat.

650 mL from Southbay. HOLY $%@$!.Pours a clear, light amber with a two-finger, creamy, off-white head. Good retention and lacing. Okay lacing. Aroma is huge fresh grapefruit, tangerine, peaches and cream ice cream, huge butterscotch, caramel. Taste is fresh, citrusy, wet hops with butterscotch and a massive bitterness permeating throughout. Buttery, creamy on the palate that leaves a sort of oily mouthfeel. Wow.

Pours a nice golden amber with little lacing. The nose is strong with floral and citrus. Grapefruit and mango definately mango and a little orange peel. The hops lingers forever, I love this beer.