So here we are with round two of “Hops Week” on The Hopry. This time we are headed to California — or as the Governator likes to say — Kahlee-fornya. It’s probably no secret by now, but California is known for having some of the absolute best IPAs in the country. In fact, many beer advocates just refer to them as the “West Coast IPAs.” Today we will be focusing on one of them: Ballast Point’s Sculpin IPA. Not only does this beer come from California but it comes from SOUTHERN California. I’d say that gives it a pretty good head start already. And I can tell you that it’s every bit as tasty as you’d expect. There are tons of nice citrusy and piny hops that blaze up out of the glass into your nose hairs. The taste is about the same: remarkable. In terms of comparison, this one situates itself in a “trilogy of hops” in my compartmentalized brain with Firestone Walker’s Union Jack and Hair of the Dog’s Blue Dot (which is coming up on Friday). All three share that left coast “beautifully dank” characteristic that just makes me so damn happy to be alive. Now, if only I could convince my wife that we need to move to San Diego I’d really be in business. I’d definitely buy the hell out of this beer for my fridge. And then I could really “FRIDGE THE HOPS!”
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: The Decemberists “Shiny”
Brewery: Ballast Point
Beer: Sculpin
Style: India Pale Ale
Location: San Diego, California
ABV: 7%
Rating: 94/100
Posted by theReaper16 on April 28, 2010 at 9:49 AM
I’ve had 3 bottes of Sculpin. Two were pretty ‘meh;’ travel and age can be too much for a hoppy beer sometimes. The other bottle, my first, was the best single IPA I’ve ever had. I’ll be chasing that dragon forever.
Posted by thehopry on April 28, 2010 at 10:11 AM
This one was mailed directly from San Diego and enjoyed pretty fresh. I’d say it was much better that meh, but not the best I’ve ever had.
Posted by Jamison Moeckel on April 28, 2010 at 10:58 AM
you sure do find the good ones! I have not tried this one yet, not been able to find it. I do love the Big Eye IPA they make. Avery makes a fantastic imperial IPA too The Maharaja check it out if you can find it.
Posted by thehopry on April 28, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Yep, Maharaja is a monster and very good. I’ve had it numerous times. And when fresh it will rock your world. I’ve seen them around town lately, but been overwhelmed by all the beer in my fridge before buying / trading for more.
Posted by builderofcoalitions on April 28, 2010 at 1:02 PM
We (http://columbiabeerenthusiasts.ning.com) tried the Sculpin at a tasting where we gathered beers from the BA top-100. This beer really stood out, at least among the IPA’s/DIPA’s. I’d love to get a hold of some more.
Maharaja is a great beer. Several of us have compared the batch 9 to 10 and really feel – even with its advanced age – the 9 is superior. I can’t wait for #11 to hit town.
All this IPA/DIPA talk is making me want to forgo the Supplication I have on deck for this evening and just open another hoppy, dank monster.
Posted by kelly on April 28, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Damn, this sounds like a damn good beer. I wish I could get it up here in MN!
Surly just came out with the Abrasive Ale Double IPA and it is unbelievable!!!
I should start to work you another care package!
Website rocks!
Posted by thehopry on April 28, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Thank you Kelly. That’s very nice. I’ve actually had the Abrasive Ale when I was in Chicago last Easter Sunday. I think they were calling it 16-Grit then. But I remember being blown away by the beer. Surly is definitely rocking out some good beer these days. Must be nice to have such a great local brewery…
Posted by Jon on April 28, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Glad you enjoyed another one of my favorite IPAs. And yes, the head on the Sculpin is a thing of wonder. It is almost as if they put a little dish soap in each bottle.
Posted by thehopry on April 28, 2010 at 7:59 PM
Thank you very much for including this bottle. I enjoyed it a lot.
Posted by Jay on May 5, 2010 at 8:20 PM
I just went on a beer trip to San Diego two weeks ago. The first brewery we went to was Ballast Point. They didn’t have Sculpin on tap but we tasted all the other beers and left with four bombers of Sculpin for the hotel fridge. We also hit Stone, Lost Abbey, Green Flash and Pizza Port. Green Flash and Lost Abbey both have some ex Boulevard talent working there. They took great care of us! The Lost Abbey tap handle looks great on my kegerator. Am I crazy for wanting to move to San Diego for the beer alone? Well the weather is nice too.
Posted by thehopry on May 6, 2010 at 7:27 AM
I think amazing beer and even better weather is a perfect reason to want to move there. I’d follow you if I could…
Posted by Kelly on July 17, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Hey Mark!
I drinking this beer right now and I must say that it is one of my favorite IPA’s! Holy crap, this thing is very citrusy and the head is crazy for the amount of hops in this thing! GREAT beer!