From the Brewery: 

“The beer that helped put San Diego IPA’s on the map.
Our Big Eye IPA is a big hoppy brew, thanks to the abundance of American Columbus and Centennial varieties we use to flavor and dry hop. While the English originally added extra hops to preserve their beers for sea travel, we do it for the love of all that bold, intense flavor that makes India Pale Ale one of our favorite styles.” 7.0% ABV American IPA

Purchased from BevMo in Clovis, California.

The Pour: 

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into my Spiegelau IPA glass. The body is moderately hazy (as expected for an ample dry-hopped IPA), coppery-orange in color. A large, fluffy off-white head is poured, which leaves good lacing and has solid retention. Plenty of carbonation is visible climbing up the glass.

The Nose: 

Big grapefruit citrus hops dominate the aromas. Similar tropical fruits and a bit of piney resin hop character are also present, as well as some sweetness from the base malt. My bottle is just a few weeks old, and the huge dry hop aromas are mouthwatering.

The Mouth: 

Big Eye is medium-bodied with a moderately light/soft mouthfeel, finishing with decent carbonation harshness and a good bit of tongue-biting bitterness. The flavors abound in the big grapefruit hops from the nose, but the malt base becomes a bit more pronounced as the beer warms. It finishes a bit dry, with a touch a caramel malt being introduced in the aftertaste of lingering hop flavor and bitterness.

Final Thoughts: 

Coming in just as described, this is the epitome of a West Coast/San Diego IPA. Great aromas and great flavors blend together beautifully. It is one of the best “regular” (ie-not imperial/double) IPA’s I’ve had to date. I’m very happy I picked up a bottle. 9/10!

Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits – San Diego, California