ABV: 7.0% (Alcohol By Volume)
IBU: ?? (International Bitterness Unit)
Well guys (not that there are any.. "guys" but I gotta start somewhere), I decided to try and start writing on this thing again. I've since moved back from Dallas, TX to San Diego... thank God! I loved Dallas while I was there, the bars were fertile and provided me with libation a plenty. For that I am greatful! Now, it is back to the wonderful world of whiney actress-wannabe waitresses trying to 'make it' and 71 degree and sunny weather round the clock. I love the out doors - thank you surfing, mountain biking, motorcycle riding, hiking, running, and general activity for making my state of mind a little bit more sound. I would also like to thank Southern California for the liberal use of hops in their beer. Good Lord, I had been sitting on a gold mine of craft beer that I didn't even know about.Let me start. This week (or today) I have an AMAZING IPA. Sculpin is a limited release from Ballast Point brewing company right here in San Diego.
See wikipedia --> A Sculpin is a fish that belongs to the Order Scorpaeniformes, Suborder Cottoidei and Superfamily Cottoidea that contains 11 families, 149 genera, and 756 species according to though these totals will likely change as more molecular work is done. The vast majority of these species live in salt water; only the Abyssocottids, Comephorids, and a few species of Cottids living in fresh water. These bottom feeders are generally not considered good to eat, and have sharp spines rather than scales. Sculpin can live for several hours out of water if kept moist. They use their large pectoral fins to stabilize themselves on the floor of flowing creeks and rivers.
Let me get to business. Sculpin pours a golden slightly copper color. It is crisp and clean looking framed with a two fingered creamy colored head. It is a gorgeous beer that looks refreshing... thankfully it is here during the late spring/early summer. As it is consumed the head leaves thick heavy lace on the walls of the glass. Wonderful!
The aroma is VERY hoppy! I would put it in between a typical IPA and an Imperial IPA. More noticeably are the strength and dominance of the other odors - sweet citrus and cloves. It smells fantastic and is seemingly very unique and unusual. I can certainly see why BP keeps this as a limited release... it is really deserving of special treatment.
The flavor is amazing! Probably one fo the best IPA's I have ever had. It is sweet, citrusy, with a big hop bang. Each of these seem to compliment each other to give a truly unique experience. It is definitely shocking as this beer seems to necessitate a beer style all on it's own.
The finish is wet yet refreshing. The mouth feel is rich and full and leaves a cool clean palate yearning for more. Definitely an awesome beer! AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!
Let me leave you with a quick soliloquy about why I hate Ballast Point! I've bought a majority of my homebrew equipment from Ballast Point's HomebrewMart. The guys who run the specialty location and Homebrewmart on Linda Vista Road are a bunch of a-holes. The minute you start asking detailed question in hopes to get some good advice about brewing from the pros they view you as a threat/potential competitor that is suddenly not cool enough to deserve their beer. Upon speaking to several co-workers and friends who have had similar run-in with the aforementioned staff of Ballast Point I decided that it was time to move along. A week ago I bought three 22 oz bombers of Sculpin to commemorate my final business transaction with this brewery. With this review I declare my boycotting of this brewery. It truly is a shame because they make delicious beer (Sculpin IPA, Dorado IIPA, Seamonster Stout), but they do not follow or foster the ideals of the recent craft brewing boom... those being "passion, collaboration, sharing, fun, and the persuit of better beer."
Thanks for reading, folks!
DRU: 95/100 (Dan's Rating Unit)
