Ballast Point Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) has officially announced that Aloha Sculpin Hazy IPA is now available nationally as a Limited Release offering.

Arriving as the newest member of the Sculpin IPA family, Aloha Sculpin is a hazy, tropically-themed India Pale Ale that obtains its juicy fruit flavors from a somewhat surprising source.  Instead of relying on fruit additions of any kind, the brewers at Ballast Point turned Aloha Sculpin (7% ABV, 70 IBUS) into “a tropical oasis with aromas and flavors of guava, mango, and pineapple” by using a “distinct yeast strain known as Saccharomyces “Bruxellensis” Trois, or Brux Trois.”  Able to do more than just cultivate these tropical notes, this yeast strain “also adds a slight haze to the beer, creating a smooth mouthfeel to round out its juicy character.”

“We’re always experimenting with new ingredients and methods,” said James Murray, vice president of brewing at Ballast Point. “Most brewers tend to experiment with hops for flavor and aroma. But when we tasted the guava, mango and pineapple notes from this yeast in other R&D recipes we brewed, we knew it would really enhance the bright, tropical fruit characteristics already present in Sculpin IPA.”

Aloha Sculpin IPA is rolling out now and has plans to hang around through the months of spring and summer.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia, and throughout the rest of Ballast Point’s nationwide distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Aloha Sculpin Hazy IPA from Ballast Point Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Seasonal, Spring/Summer 2018
Style – Hazy India Pale Ale
ABV – 7%
IBUs – 70
Yeast – Saccharomyces Bruxellensis Trois
Suggested Food Pairings – “Crab, Macadamia Nut and Papaya Salad, Chicken Katsu, Hawaiian Huapia Coconut Pudding”
Fun Fact – On the history of Sculpin IPA: “The original Sculpin IPA launched in 2005 and has since become the hallmark of the west coast-style IPA, winning gold medals at the World Beer Cup (2010, 2014) and European Beer Star (2010, 2011). Years later, the Sculpin family has expanded to include Grapefruit, Pineapple, Habanero, Unfiltered – and now Aloha Sculpin.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft