Tag Archives: American IPA

Grapefruit Sculpin IPA – Ballast Point Brewing Company – San Diego, CA

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IMG_2730Brew:  Grapefruit Sculpin IPA

Brewer:  Ballast Point Brewing Company

Style:  American IPA  ABV 7%

Ballast Point’s Grapefruit Sculpin IPA pours an golden amber with an off-white head. The aroma is packed with grapefruit and a bouquet of tropical floral fragrance. The taste is also ruled by grapefruit and the hops are much less pronounced than in the traditional brew. The grapefruit is mouthwatering but, instead of being tart outright, it is sweet like a pomelo or a very ripe grapefruit. Sweet malty flavors and notes of caramel mingle in the background and contribute to the burst of grapefruit and tropical fruit. For lovers of the traditional Sculpin IPA this is a treat and an exploration in a new direction. Expertly infusing grapefruit flavors without too much sweetness was the perfect way to complement the original.  Because Grapefruit Sculpin was made with such care and attention to taste, beer drinkers everywhere are praising it instead of raising an eyebrow to a beer that couldn’t possibly measure up to its namesake.  Ballast Point has done it again and I am sure we haven’t seen the last experimentation with the legendary Sculpin IPA.

Seller Description:  Our award-winning IPA, with a citrus twist.  Our Grapefruit Sculpin is the latest take on our signature IPA. Some may say there are few ways to improve Sculpin’s unique flavor, but the tart freshness of grapefruit perfectly complements our IPA’s citrusy hop character. Grapefruit’s a winter fruit, but this easy-drinking ale tastes like summer.

Sculpin IPA – Ballast Point Brewing Company – San Diego, CA

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Brew:  Sculpin IPA

Brewer:  Ballast Point Brewing Company

Style:  American IPA  ABV 7%

Ballast Point Sculpin pours a light amber with a fluffy white head.  The aroma is hoppy with hints of citrus and grapefruit.  Sculpin IPA epitomizes a great IPA and is widely accepted as the quintessential American IPA.  The taste is smooth and refreshing but with a hoppy bite and floral overtones. Emanating from the hops are notes of fruit as well as a slight background maltiness. Within the fruit flavors are tastes of citrus (grapefruit, orange, and lemon), tropical fruit, and apricots.  Even with all these flavors playing a part in a symphony of taste, Sculpin IPA manages to maintain a refreshingly clean drinkability. I have had the pleasure of drinking dozens, probably hundreds of IPAs in my time and Ballast Point Sculpin has consistently made an impression as one of the best (and the one pictured that I enjoyed on El Matador beach in Malibu, CA was no different). When it comes to IPAs, we expect very high quality from well-known Californian Breweries. With Sculpin, Ballast Point goes a step further than the rest to deliver a tried and true American IPA experience. ABV: 7%

Seller Description: A trophy beer that’s a testament to our homebrew roots. Our Sculpin IPA is a great example of what got us into brewing in the first place. After years of experimenting, we knew hopping an ale at five separate stages would produce something special. The result ended up being this gold-medal winning IPA, whose inspired use of hops creates hints of apricot, peach, mango and lemon flavors, but still packs a bit of a sting, just like a Sculpin fish.

JDubs Brewing Company – UP TOP IPA – Sarasota, FL

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Brew:  UP TOP! IPA

Brewer:  JDub’s Brewing Company

Style:  American IPA  ABV 6.5%

UP TOP IPA pours an auburn orange with a white head.  The nose is piney with a floral quality and citrus undertones.  The taste is a testament to Jai Alai IPA but with character all its own.  The hops are present but not overpowering, there are notes of caramel, malt, and a melange of citrus.  This is one solid IPA, and a welcome addition to what South Florida has to offer.  JDubs has made Sarasota proud, if you have a chance visit the brewery have an UP TOP, play some cornhole, and be sure to sample their latest libation.  UP TOP has drinkability but doesn’t sacrifice flavor, body, or originality to achieve it. (ABV 6.5%)

Seller Description: A sessionable India Pale Ale that doesn’t slap you in the face with bitterness.  Negatron – this one inspires to find your closest pals or the person next to you at the bar and give ’em a big ol “UP TOP!”

Jai Alai IPA – Cigar City Brewing – Tampa, FL

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Jai AlaiJai Alai IPA pours a light amber orange with a fruity nose that has aromas of citrus.  The hopps are at the forefront of this American IPA, delivering a incredible citric flavor and west coast hop dankness.  Flavors of grapefruit, orange, and sweet tropical fruit abound while background notes of malt and caramel round out the taste.  I also noticed notes of black pepper that add a pleasant warming spice.  For IPA lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this, Jai Alai is a of exploration of everything IPAs have to offer.  Like many IPAs Jai Alai is an excellent pairing for spicy food, the hoppiness adds appropriate juxtaposition while while the peppery citrus notes add to the flavor.  This is one Kick-ass American IPA.

Seller Description:  Pours copper in color with notes of citrus and tropical fruit in the aroma. Flavor has upfront citrus bitterness with a hint of caramel and citrus and tropical fruit hop notes in the finish. ABV 7.5%