Beer Review – Ballast Point Brewing Company – Grapefruit Sculpin

Since arriving in Michigan about a year ago, Ballast Point has made a splash on my local beer store shelves. I decided to try one of their signature blends to see what all the hullabaloo was about.

Pretty solid color. Nice foamy head and a very.. Um… IPA smell? I am not smelling much citrus/grapefruit which makes me a bit nervous for the taste. It has a pleasant smell though.

I am sorry to report, grapefruit lovers, that this beer will disappoint. IPA lovers on the other hand will find much to celebrate. While there are very minimal citrus notes, especially of the grapefruit variety this is an incredibly solid IPA. There is a great spicy-sweet punch followed by a nice and smooth finish. I drank the whole beer quickly and happily. Nice and bitter but not overpoweringly so. I would say this is a great beer for IPA lovers because you will enjoy some solid hop action without overpowering bitterness. My mouth is very happy with this beer.

I feel guilty not giving this beer a nine as I’d like to but I really do wish there was a little more grapefruit. I feel a little betrayed when a beer is not flavored as advertised. This is a VERY solid IPA and I highly recommend it to IPA fans but I personally just wanted a bit more grapefruit. I want to feel like I want to eat this beer with a tiny, tiny spoon.

Addendum: You can take this news however you’d like but I will say that there is a stronger grapefruit taste in your beer burps than in the initial drinking. Just an FYI, use this information as you will.