Sculpin Standout | How Ballast Point Crafted an IPA That Stands the Test of Time

March 19, 2018 | Taylor Laabs

I remember sitting on the patio of Ballast Point’s Little Italy taproom in San Diego a few years ago sipping on a fresh Grapefruit Sculpin. At the time, I marveled at how impressive that beer tasted – the combination of mellow bitterness and fruity overtones came together in perfect harmony. It was one of the best beers I’ve ever tasted, and it’s still a beer I weigh other fruited IPAs against. Introduced in 2005, Ballast Point’s Sculpin IPA has become a pace setter in the American craft beer scene — especially for West Coast IPAs.
Read More

Ballast Point Brewing Co. | Grapefruit Sculpin IPA

June 2, 2015 | Josh Buchanan

American IPA
San Diego, CA
ABV: 7.0% | IBU: 70
Availability: Year-round in 12oz. Bottles, 12oz. Cans & Draft

In the world of IPA’s, leave it to the west coast to remind us what flavors we didn’t quite realize we were missing, or flavors that were better left in the cupboards. For the ever popular Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego, California, pushing the envelope isn’t new territory. Just this past weekend, I was able to experience the strange and not quite so enjoyable Habanero Sculpin. This beer most definitely plays in a league of its own and even now, I am not sure what those rules are.

Read More

Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale

October 4, 2013 | Erin Petrey

Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale

ABV: 7%

IBU: 70

My usual process of discovering a new beer to review generally involves perusing through the beer aisles of my favorite stores and picking out new, interesting brews (confession: I’m a sucker for fancy labels). I also tend to gravitate toward more local brands (which for me is the DMV area). Tonight, however, was an exception. My roommate, who has not yet developed the taste for beer (the cause is not yet lost! I will be victorious!), picked up a bottle of Ballast Point Sculpin IPA out of San Diego, CA from the Whole Foods shelf and brought it home. Another confession: I had already enjoyed a glass of red wine before delving into the Sculpin. Though I doubt this ruined my palate, I feel full-disclosure is called for.

Read More