It’s been a pretty good week, with two iconic, standard bearing West Coast US IPA’s from San Diego gracing the lips. Firstly Stone IPA and now Ballast Point ‘Big Eye’ India Pale Ale. The Big Eye is a little more fruit driven, the Stone drier. Both are delicious and right up there in terms of my favourite IPA’s.

Can. Pours a clear amber with a distinct orange tinge, along with a generous frothy white head and medium-heavy lacing. Immediate aromas of passionfruit and grapefruit, followed by pine needles and a solid caramel jersey backing. Grapefruit, lemon, orange and resinous pine flavours dominate, with a delicious caramel backbone to keep the hop bitterness at a perfect level. It’s perfectly balanced, with all the attractive West Coast IPA flavours without cloying bitterness.

Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 8/10
Flavour: 9/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 16/20