 GAManiac (168), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Apr 29, 2008 Updated: May 16, 2008
Pours a bright golden amber with a dense head that shows very good retention and excellent lacing. Hops, hops, and more hops. Initial blast of resiny hops with major citrus aromas of grapefruit and lemon. This is what an IPA should smell like. Resiny, piny hop bitterness is the dominant taste with a definite lemony, grapefruit flavor. I get only the slightest bready malt flavor but enough to balance the massive hoppiness. Medium mouthfeel with a nice carbonation that shows up prickly on the tongue with the hop bitterness. Goes down smooth with the right balance of bitterness. For me, this is what all West Coast IPAs should aspire to be and is one of the most drinkable IPAs I’ve tasted. I would go well out of my way to get a hold of this one.
thickfreakness (2), Austin, Texas, USA
does not count  Jul 3, 2008 Ordered this beer from South Bay Drugs and Liquor. Thanks Joey!
This is probably my favorite IPA and I’ve only had it twice. It poured a nice thick off white head and it has a beautiful golden color. The smell is just exceptional, above and beyond any other IPA I have ever had. Smells floral, grassy, piney, grapefruit, pineapple, and mango. Just all sorts of things going on in the smell and this translates directly into the taste. It tastes nice and hoppy, similar to the smell, and it also has a nice malty sweetness then a lingering, pleasant bitterness at the end. The mouthfeel is pretty good and the drinkability is amazing. This is really the best IPA I have had to date and I will definitely try to get some more in the future. Highly recommended!
HopHeadinAZ (106), USA
Jun 30, 2008 22oz Bottle: Pours a clear bright orange with a thin white head. Big aromas of citrus! Hops dominate the taste with pine and orange coming through the best. It’s such an in your face experience that also delivers bits of tropical fruit. The body seemed medium to lighter but it could be the carbonation. This has become one of my favorites IPAs. Too bad we won’t see it for a while.
madsberg (4358), Bangalore, India
Jun 27, 2008 Bottled at Papsoes Blind tasting 19th. June 2008 no 27: Pine, herbs, flowers and citrus in the aroma. Flavour is sweet, herbal, has light caramel, flowers and pine. Meidum to full bodied. Dry. Medium to strong bitterness in the end. Is quite balanced. High drinkability.
sloth (1475), Ceciltucky, Co., Maryland, USA
Jun 25, 2008 Medium statured light tan head, retention is good with a thin clingy lace. Hazy gold/orange appearence. Nose is fine with notes of pine, fruit, melon, some tropical aromas maybe some mango and a hint of pencil shavings, large and lucious. Body is medium with a prickly carbonation and some gentle resiny notes, lightly acidic and somewhat oily. 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, right up my alley! Many thanks to SDbruboy for the bomber. Thanks Cliff! Mucho grassyass bro !!
paytoplay (8), , California, USA
does not count Jun 25, 2008 Overall an exceptional beer. Very unassuming given the competition out there in CA and this style. Really seaking out more and more of the Ballast Point seasonal / rare beers has become an addiction. This was widely available, but very very quickly dissapeared, though lost forever. Very lucky that a friend had some extra bottles that got "lost" for me to have the opportunity to purchase again. Will drink 1 more soon, and keep the other 2 for the next several years.
Has more oil and orange flavors than other IPA’s. Complexity of hops thru the finish is what makes this stand out. I can now see why you would ever want to buy a case of a craft beer after this experience. Usually you want to move onto the next one, here you want to come back again and again.
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