Ballast Point Sculpin IPA and Other Fish Names

Many great beers start as home brews. Sculpin IPA is no different. That's how Ballast Point's Jack White and Yuseff Cherney honed their brewing skills. Jack of course did this right before becoming a phenomenal guitarists and playing some really cool jams with his band the White Stripes....seriously...you were believing that? How could anyone be that lucky? Brew great beer and be a renowned musician loved by millions for your fretboard skills, while at the same time providing great beer to the masses? No way! Anyhow, Ballast Point Brewing Company has been brewing beer and staying classy since 1996 in sunny San Diego. They name all their beers after fish. That's right, a Sculpin is a fish. I learn something new everyday! I don't think we have any Sculpin in Ohio. Ballast Point's Sculpin IPA won a gold medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup. My only question is why blues guitarists Walter Trout doesn't have an endorsement deal yet? Maybe because he has a CD titled "No More Fish Jokes"?

First the beer specifics: 7% ABV, 70 IBUs, 22 0z Brown Bottle

Available year Round

Contains a variety of Hops

Optimum Serving Temperature 40-45 Degrees

The Sculpin has poisonous spikes on it's fins that are not used in the brewing process!

Time to get down to business! Pours into my favorite million dollar glass with a big foamy head, great retention and excellent lacing that hangs around on the sides for quite a while. Nice golden color! Very hoppy, light grainy aroma with lots of grapefruit and citrusy notes.

Now the most important part! The taste! Hints of lemon and citrus are present. If you are a tropical fruit lover you may be able to detect the sweet, slightly bitter taste of mango. My wife loves mangos and she claims she could smell the mangos but she doesn't drink. She kind of makes me mad! I am the beer master here! So I will "include" her opinion but take it with a grain of hops! I didn't catch it in the aroma but I could definitely taste it. Not overly sweet, very well balanced brew with a light body and dry finish!

Definitely an above average flavorful IPA in my book! Very refreshing and easy drinking. I would drink this while fishing for Sculpin any day! I love IPA's in the summer and this will definitely be included in my fridge rotation. Now all we need is a musical pairing for the fishing trip!

Ever wish you were a fish? A Sculpin, catfish, or maybe a trout? You know what goes well with some delicious Sculpin? How about the extraordinary blues guitarist Walter Trout? Even better, how about Walter playing "Catfish Blues" live! If you have never heard of Walter, you are missing some great blues! Walter has played with some blues greats including John Lee Hooker and Big Mama Thornton. Walter plays some blazing blues guitar and puts on an incredible live show! He also does a great John Lee Hooker impression! Check out the videos below for a little taste of Trout live. If you like blues, you will not be disappointed!