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Juicy Big Ballard

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Carrying the Big Ballard name, a nod to Redhook's original Ballard home, this Imperial IPA reaches 9.5 % ABV at 30 IBU. Big, juicy tropical flavors come from citrusy and tropical hops, and a sweetness lingers. The body is remarkably light and crisp. Citra and Azacca are the hops, Two Row and Wheat the malts.

ABV
9.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber9
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicaljuicycitrusy
tropical
juicy
citrusy
hoppy
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from the Citra and Azacca hops—orange zest, grapefruit, and pineapple dominate.
not found:piney,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Juicy Big Ballard

◎ Appearance

Golden amber hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. A dense, creamy white head forms readily and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving distinct lacing with each sip. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a fine mousse.

golden amberexcellent claritydense headcrisp carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from the Citra and Azacca hops—orange zest, grapefruit, and pineapple dominate. Beneath sits a subtle sweetness from the Two Row and Wheat malts, adding a soft, grainy undertone without heaviness. Hop character is forward but balanced, with no aggressive green or resinous edge.

citrus, tropical fruitorange, pineapplesubtle grain sweetnessclean hop profile

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and juicy, with tropical and citrus flavors unfolding across the mid-palate. A gentle sweetness persists throughout, providing counterpoint to the restrained 30 IBU bitterness, which arrives as a soft finish note rather than a punch. The body remains remarkably light and refreshing despite the 9.5% ABV, with no warming alcohol burn.

juicy tropical, citruslight bodyrestrained bitternesssweet finish note

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and quick-fading, with lingering citrus and a subtle sweetness on the back of the palate. Drying is gradual and pleasant, leaving no harsh residue.

clean, short finishcitrus aftertastegentle dry
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
80
Appearance
84
Finish
76
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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Juicy Big Ballard

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About Imperial IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial 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 Imperial IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tropical, juicy, crisp character as Juicy Big Ballard will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Imperial IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →