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Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

Ballast Point Brewing
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🌍 United States · Fruit IPA · One of 1 Fruit IPAs in hopIQ

Fresh grapefruit added to the Sculpin base. The citrus intensifies the hop character and adds a tart, refreshing quality. One of America's most successful fruit IPAs — a rare case where the addition genuinely improves the original.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The grain stays in the background so every note the beer offers can come from the hops.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Fruit IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
orange
piney
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
tart
clean
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

Appearance

Brilliant pale golden color with exceptional clarity and a bright, white head that demonstrates good retention. The beer displays vibrant carbonation with fine, persistent bubbles that contribute to its refreshing visual appeal.

pale goldenbrilliant claritywhite headeffervescent

Aroma

The nose is dominated by bright, fresh grapefruit notes that immediately leap from the glass, complemented by classic Sculpin citrus hop character. Underneath lies a subtle spicy hop complexity and clean malt foundation that supports without overwhelming the fruit-forward aromatics.

fresh grapefruitcitrus hopsspicyclean malt

Taste

The palate opens with vibrant grapefruit tartness that integrates seamlessly with the underlying hop bitterness at 70 IBUs. Mid-palate reveals crisp citrus notes and a light, clean body that maintains excellent drinkability, while the spicy hop character provides complexity without harshness.

tart grapefruitcrisp citrushoppy bitelight-bodied

Finish

A remarkably clean finish with lingering grapefruit and citrus notes that fade gracefully into a dry, refreshing aftertaste. The bitterness resolves quickly, leaving the palate ready for the next sip.

clean finishdryrefreshing
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
88
Appearance
85
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

About Fruit IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Fruit 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 Fruit IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, tart character as Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

WHERE TO BUY

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