Big Sky IPA

Brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Missoula, Montana USA

It could be said we all live under the big sky, but this is never more evident than in the wide state of Montana where rolling hills of green and endless skies of azure stretch out as far as the eyes and imagination can envision. Montana may not be first on the list of one’s beer travels, but I have learned to not doubt the universal appeal of good beer no matter whom, when, and where. Aptly named Big Sky Brewing and located in Missoula, Montana, their first offering is an IPA of hopefully equally enthralling beauty.

The sun must be setting because my glass glows with rich hues of dusk; blood red-orange and deep aged coppers under earthly coppery clouds. Chunky and rocky, much like the mountains of Montana herself, her head fades in patches, leaving clumps clinging desperately to the sides of my glass. Free-climbing, anyone? Equally big is her vibrant nose bursting with fresh hops of the deliciously green variety: pine, fir, grass, a touch of green veggies. Sticky, hop oils abound for a wet sappy presence that belies an interesting undercurrent of mashed sour green apples. Sprinkled on top is powdered cumin and ginger with orange pith drying in the background. There is a crisp fresh snap to the Big Sky IPA nose which pairs well with its big, wet, sticky, sloppy nose and without further ado, I dive deep into her inviting blood red-orange depths. A clean mouthfeel, her body is a bit thinner than I was expecting in comparison. The front is mild; the middle and end of her palate is where she shines best. Like walking into an untouched forest of pine, fir, and fresh hop vines damp with dew and glistening in the summer sun, the air exudes hop cones, oils, pine needles, fir, and a wisp of dry bark. Riding through is a river of fresh honey and caramelized nectarines. Bitterness provides balance with orange pith, orange skin, and dry hop resins. Each quaff coats my lips which I in turn lick in smacking satisfaction. Complexity need not apply here; all I need which the Big Sky IPA provides is fresh piney hoppy IPA quaffing satisfaction. Ginger and cumin pepper my breath as even more fresh pine needles, fir, and hop cones are crushed underneath mindful feet as I wander amidst her bountiful forest. Tasty.

Well played and extremely drinkable, I can easily imagine the blissful satisfaction of supping on a Big Sky IPA while relaxing under the big skies of Montana. Pint in hand, the sun kisses your cheek just as a gentle breeze teases the grass and ruffles my clothes. My glass empty, the remedy is but a hands-reach away as I grab another bottle from my slightly chilled cooler. With a pop of the cap and a gentle pour, I am set once more to continue to enjoy Nature’s embrace.

Bottled. Pours clear amber with minimal cream colored head. Smells of spruce, evergreen, grapefruit and hay. Tastes the same finishes long with pine notes that linger. it’s a thin beer that is slick on the tongue. Recommended.

Pours orange and has an off white head, aroma full of citrus and floral hops, with a nice malt backbone. Taste is similar, a little weak but overall tastes of thick hops at the beginning with a slight caramel middle with a rather nice bitter finish. Nice IPA.

Pours a nice burnt orange with a big foam. Citrus and hops in the aroma. Grapefruit and hops on the palate. A ton of hops actually. Much more than I expected. The grapefruit peeling taste goes well with the hops bitterness. A very tasty IPA. Good job Big sky!!!!!!!!

Pours a cloudy ruby orange with about a finger of lingering foamy white head. Sweet grapefruit and hoppy aroma. Nice mouthfeel, starts off mild but then gradually builds with a nice heavy sweetness and mild citrus notes in the final bitter aftertaste. This is tasty.

Bottle (very fresh). Pours with a clear amber and orange body with a large off-white head. Very nice retention. Aroma is delicious simcoe, pine, herbal, fruity, mango and light, dry caramel. Flavor is very strong of pine up front with decent bitterness. Some lingering bitter orange citrus and papaya as well from the hops. Some hard caramel candy notes in the finish. Dry finish, medium bubbles. Really a tasty IPA.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with this one. I bought a 6 pack of these and I’m glad I did. A fairly standard IPA, but above run of the mill. Pretty fucking tasty actually.

Pours slightly hazy dark copper color. Average head but retains well. Very aromatic. Reminds me of fancy orange sherbert at nice Italian restaurants as a kid. Very fresh, clean citrusy taste. Palate is less in your face than most American IPA’s. Quite balanced in fact - the malt holds up but still allows for the hops to have center stage. Again citrusy, towards orange and maybe a tad of creaminess too. Perhaps a dessert IPA?