Blue Ridge (SC) Ball n Chain IPA

This was not nearly as good as the Ball N Chain DIPA.Poured a reddish orange with very little head or lacing. While there was a hint of citrusy hops in the nose, this was mostly drowned out by the graininess that dominated. Mouthfeel was thin and tingly, and the initial flavor was sour fruit, which was fine, but then it too was quickly overtaken by the taste of grains. Dry, uneventful finish. I’sd save the money and just drink a BMC before hitting this one again.

Sampled at the pub. Pours an orange-copper color with a thin off-white head. Probably not massive in your face aggressive hops but this was nicely hopped, as were all of Blue Ridge’s beers. The hops obviously were the main player and they were mostly grapefruit flavor. A long-lasting bitter, dry finish. Good beer. This and their Pale Ale were my two favorites.

Pint at the brewpub. Pours super cloudy with thick lacing and a tall white head. It’s a really nice looking IPA and raises my expectations a bit. Unfortunately, the hop aroma is fairly weak. Some grapefruit and woody bitterness arises along with hints at apples. The flavor is humbly bitter, solid, but not in my face. Everything does meld together cleanly and nicely, but I’d like to see more hop individuality. This seems like a British/American hybrid. It’s drinkable for sure.

Had at brewgrass. Poured a copper color with a frothy head. Had a sweet hop taste and aroma. Kind of light and some fruits detected. Finished refreshing and crisp.

Not a bad IPA. Pours out a golden color with a nice head. Aroma is grassy with notes of citrus and hops. Flavor very much the same, but the finish was very thin. I liked this one though. it was a nice IPA

this was good, brewgrass festival, and the ole Ball and Chain herself poured it for me, you can’t beat that!!, pours a clear copper with white fluffy head, smooth crisp, light hoppy aroma. smooth, lightly hoppy middle to crisp finish. good sessionable, fun.

Pours a clear gold color with a thick white head. Smells of spicy hops, some grapefruit citrus, and mild malts. The flavor has some of that grapefruit citrus from the hops, which made for a slightly bitter finish and lingering aftertaste. Pretty crisp on the palate, with a clean finish. Not a bad little IPA. Very drinkable and refreshing.

Date: 09/22/2006
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

Appearance: hazy amber, thin fine beige head, lots of lace,
Aroma: light sweet carmel malt aroma with light citrus hops,
Body: very creamy body,
Flavor: lots of nice hop flavor blending into a long mellow bitter finish, just enough carmel sweetness to add some balance and complexity, very nice, the bitterness grows a bit to the point of distraction in the full pint
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Date: 03/30/2007
Mode: draft
Source: brewpub
Score: 3.3 to 3.4

same as before except instead of the bitterness growing the sweet fruity citrus character grows,
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Date: 04/13/2008
Mode: draft
Source: brewpub

Aroma: touch of fresh sourdough bread in the aroma,
Flavor: crystal malt flavor has a touch of the fruity sweetness but is well balanced by the citrus and earthy hops, hop flavor and bitterness stay in balance throughout the pint allowing the fruityness to grow, nice lasting bitter finish,
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Date: 05/17/2008
Mode: draft
Source: brewpub

more of the citrus and fruity character coming out, lighter on the bitterness to allow the malt and hops to come forward,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **+/4