Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

February 25th, 2013 by Scott in Other Beer Reviews

Ballast Point’s beer is fairly new to Texas but has been brewing in San Diego for over 15 years. In 1992, Jack White opened Home Brew Mart in San Diego which provided brewing supplies to the homebrewing community in San Diego. By 1996, he and co-founder Yuseff Cherney started brewing Ballast Point beer in the back of Home Brew Mart. All the beers are named after fish, and the one I’m drinking tonight is Sculpin IPA.

The Sculpin is a testament to our humble beginnings as Home Brew Mart. It showcases bright flavors and aromas of apricot, peach, mango & lemon. The lighter body also brings out the crispness of the hops.

This delicious Ballast Point Ale won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup 2010 in the International Pale Ale category. The Sculpin fish has poisonous spikes on it’s fins that can give a strong sting.

Ironically, the meat from a Sculpin is considered some of the tastiest. Something that has a sting but tastes great, sounds like a Ballast Point India Pale Ale.

Sculpin is a clear orange liquid with a small, thin white head that dissipates quickly. Scents of peaches and tropical fruit fill the nose along with some hops. The taste follows the scent; peach and lemon flavors that fill the palate along with a prickly bitterness that lingers on the palate for some time. This is a fairly light-bodied beer with light carbonation as well. It’s smooth drinking and 7% ABV, so it will sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention.

This isn’t an in-your-face hop bomb. Instead, it’s well balanced, easy to drink, and overall a well-made beer. Ballast Point beers are distributed in Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, and other states. Keep an eye out for a bottle with a fish on it for a delicious IPA.