hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

Ballast Point Brewing
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · American IPA · One of 389 American IPAs in hopIQ

Sculpin IPA is a West Coast-style IPA featuring a bold combination of Mosaic, Citra, and Sculpin hops that deliver a complex citrus and tropical fruit character. The beer balances its assertive hoppy profile with a clean malt backbone and smooth finish, making it highly drinkable despite its robust hop presence.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
See all American IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Bone-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Sharp bitter finish.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very dry and assertively bitter.

A trim base, a hop-led finish — the classic setup for a hop-forward beer.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
tropical
piney
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

◎ Appearance

Sculpin IPA presents a bright golden-amber hue with excellent clarity and a clean, white head that demonstrates solid retention. The beer exhibits active carbonation with a lively, inviting visual presentation that promises the hop-forward experience to follow.

golden-amberclearwhite headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by a complex hop profile featuring pungent pine and resinous characteristics from the Mosaic and Sculpin varietals, layered with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from Citra hops. A crisp, clean backdrop supports the aromatic expression, with grapefruit zest and herbal resin notes adding depth and sophistication.

pineresinouscitrusgrapefruit zest

◐ Taste

Entry reveals a balanced interplay of assertive hoppy bitterness and clean malt support, while the mid-palate delivers layers of citrus, grapefruit, and tropical fruit complexity with persistent resinous notes. The bitterness is pronounced yet well-integrated, avoiding harshness and maintaining excellent drinkability throughout.

hoppycitrus-forwardresinousdry

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and clean with a lingering dry quality that invites continued sipping. Subtle citrus zest and pine resin persist pleasantly without becoming fatiguing, demonstrating excellent balance for a robust West Coast IPA.

dry finishcleancrisp
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
86
Appearance
84
Finish
85
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

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 Sculpin IPA

About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American IPA

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

Other American IPAs in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →