hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Ballantine India Pale Ale

Tap to rate

Ballantine India Pale Ale is a historic American IPA whose recipe originates with the Newark brewery of P. Ballantine & Sons. Brewed today in the English tradition of the pre-craft era, it pours a deep amber under a firm off-white head. The nose brings biscuit and caramel malt, joined by pine, resin and a whisper of orange from Cascade-family hops; the palate is malt-driven and full-bodied, with toffee and marmalade, before a firm, drying hop bitterness carries into a long, warming finish.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltyhoppycaramel
malty
hoppy
caramel
resinous
piney
bready
Aroma
The nose leads with biscuit and caramel malt character, grounding the beer in its malty tradition.
also:orange,citrusy
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ballantine India Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep amber pour beneath a firm, off-white head with solid retention and fine lacing. The beer presents clear to bright clarity, allowing the warm copper tones to shine through. Carbonation is moderate and even, supporting the head structure throughout the glass.

deep amberfirm white headclearmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with biscuit and caramel malt character, grounding the beer in its malty tradition. Over this foundation, Cascade-family hops contribute distinct pine resin, dried herb notes, and a subtle orange zest. The interplay avoids sharp brightness, instead offering a rounded, inviting bouquet.

biscuit maltcaramel sweetnesspine resinorange zest

◐ Taste

Entry is full-bodied and malt-forward, with toffee and marmalade notes building sweetness and complexity on the mid-palate. A firm, drying hop bitterness emerges mid-swallow, cutting through the residual sweetness without harshness. The structure balances malty richness against assertive but refined hopping.

full-bodiedtoffee marmaladedrying hop bitternessmalt-driven

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with hop bitterness persisting into a dry, lingering aftertaste. Subtle resinous notes fade gradually, leaving a clean, slightly warming sensation.

long dry finishwarming sensationpersistent bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Ballantine India Pale Ale

More from Pabst Brewing Company

Colt 45
Colt 45
Malt Liquor
5.6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
National Bohemian
National Bohemian
American Lager
4.3%·Mild
Find matches →
Old Milwaukee
Old Milwaukee
American Lager
4.6%·Mild
Find matches →
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Pabst Blue Ribbon
American Lager
4.7%·Mild
Find matches →
Pabst Blue Ribbon Non-Alcoholic
Pabst Blue Ribbon Non-Alcoholic
Alcohol-Free Lager
<0.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Rainier
Rainier
American Lager
4.6%·Mild
Find matches →
Schlitz
Schlitz
American Lager
4.7%·Mild
Find matches →
Stroh's
Stroh's
American Lager
4.6%·Mild
Find matches →

About English IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a English IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar English IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same full-bodied, malty, hoppy character as Ballantine India Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →