Best known for surfing and sunshine, San Diego has the reputation as the "India Pale Ale Capital of the USA." Ballast Point Brewing Company certainly reinforces that moniker by offering a wide array of hop-centric ales. Starting as a tiny brewery in the back of a homebrew supply shop, Ballast Point has grown steadily since their meager beginnings. Their most popular offering among hopheads is the Sculpin IPA, which won a gold medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup.
Sculpin pours a dark straw in color with crackling effervescence. Fairly light-bodied for the style, Sculpin possesses tropical fruit aromas of mango and papaya. Flavors of peach, apricot and lemon linger on the long, hoppy finish. It would be a perfect match for blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon. A new arrival to the central Ohio market, the Sculpin IPA currently available in 22oz bottles and retails for around nine dollars.
