The Beer

Sculpin IPA is Ballast Point Brewing Company's signature IPA - arguably their flagship beer. Crafted in the 'beer capital' of the world - San Diego - Sculpin IPA is a testament to humble beginnings and clever experimentation. It's a home-brew that's been both locally recognized and internationally awarded (It's won 22 awards including World Beer Cup’s Gold Medal for Best International IPA in 2010 and 2014).

The Design

As you peer at the bottle you see the image of a bright orange fish with spikes on it and you may wonder, “Why is this beer named after a Sculpin?” Well, it's an ocean fish with poisonous fins that pack a strong sting to anyone, or anything, that dares to challenge it. Sure, the beer is bold, and packs a good punch for those unfamiliar to bitter IPAs. But the Sculpin fish also has some of the tastiest fillets known to mankind. It's an appropriate analogy, for a perfect seaside brew.

The Experience

This beer such as other IPA’s is best to served into a tulip glass - this will enhance the experience. The shape of such a cup will let you smell all of the Sculpin's aromatic greatness, as your nose will sit right over the beverage as you consume it.

The beer has clear amber-orange color with crisp white head, and it's filled with apricot, lemon, peach accents and flavors. It's flavor profile is creative, and the quality is prime. “Hopped” at five different stages, the beer has a unique taste that goes unrivaled by any other challenger IPAs.* As you drink the beer the tropical flavors stand out, but wait a little bit and the Sculpin will “sting” you as it rolls down your drinking pipes. This beer is a perfect beer for a warm summer night, coming in strong at 7% ABV and tasty-bitterness of 70 IBU’s.

Varieties

Also I would like Ballast Point as some unique twist on this flagship brew with the Grapefruit Sculpin and Habanero Sculpin. The Grapefruit Sculpin has a lighter fresher taste, and the Habanero is like drinking fire mixed with an IPA. Give these beers a try, for what is life without experiencing, and the Ballast Point Sculpin is a must-try for all lovers of great beer.

*Hopping refers to adding of hops to the brew batch throughout the brewing process. This helps enhance the bitter taste of the beer - most commonly found in IPA’s- to mask the sweet malty taste of barley, and pungent smell to the beverage.

by Michael Tucker