Beers in Nelson – Gulpin’ a Sculpin

Here’s one man in Nelson that knows his beers, it’s Dynamite Denis Cooper with this week’s blog article!

IPAs are the beers that instigated the worldwide craft beer craze.

The IPA style has more hops than a Brodie Retallick goos-step. Although the line between IPA and a pale ale can be as blurry as the eyesight of a semi-final referee, IPA should be all about the hops. Not only do hops give beer bitterness, they also impart aromas and flavours – similar to walking through the Fresh Choice fruit department! It’s all these flavours that are the game changers.

At the pinnacle of IPA brewing is a group of San Diegoans who call themselves Ballast Point. They brew the hugely successful Sculpin IPA, which has become a cult craft beer. It\’s the one which all other brewers try to emulate. A Sculpin is a fish with poisonous spikes on its fins that can give a strong sting. The beer is similar, full of melonicious apricots and peaches; culminating into a long, lingering bitterness.

Riding their wave of success, Ballast Point now brews a school of Sculpins.

• Pineapple Sculpin: Though the label says pineapple, it\’s pineapple and more. A well-balanced IPA with all the Sculpin qualities, plus piney hops and a wisp of pineapple coming through at the bitter end.
• Grapefruit Sculpin: Rated 100 out of 100 for style on Ratebeer, this one is a no-brainer. It\’s the easiest drinking 7% fizzy pink grapefruit juice you\’ll ever have. Say no more.
• Habanero Sculpin: A love or hate beer. It has the Sculpin aroma and front of mouth hoppiness, then whammo – hotter than Pokemon Go – incinerates you for hours. The heat is accentuated by the coolness of the liquid, then lingers making you thirsty as hell. If you do manage the heat, the signature Sculpin flavours can be found lurking quietly beneath.

Every Friday evening at Fresh Choice in Nelson, when we\’re tasting craft beers, someone will say ‘Is that beer? I never knew a beer could taste like that!’… And chances are they’ll be sampling an IPA.

So for all you Corona cupcakes and Heineken hoons… Want some flavour? Try gulpin’ a Sculpin!