Back in 2017 we brought you the news that Redhook was bringing back a fan favorite, and while I missed that release, I’m exciting to bring you the same beer in new packaging. Big Ballard Imperial IPA is an imperial version of Ballard Bitter, a beer that dates back to 1984! This beer was the #1 selling beer at the Redhook pub for many years so I’m excited to get a chance to try it. I’m also excited to see that “Big Ballard Just Got Bigger.”
For 2018 Redhook is updating the beer to hit a higher 70 IBU, but the beer is also getting bigger as it will now hit 12oz, 16oz and even the new 192.oz cans. You know how I feel about big IIPAs in 16oz cans, so off we go.
Redhook Big Ballard pours a bright amber-gold color with a bouquet of floral, earthy, herbal and citrus hop aromas. The biscuit and malty aromas are there and the overall nose is really enticing. The balanced flavors follow but with a really nice dank hop flavor that I really liked. The citrus and dank resinous hops linger on the tongue and there was a really nice mix of grassy hops with bready/malty flavors. At 8.6%-AbV, Big Ballard has some big boozy flavors, but overall I really liked the mix of flavors and I really enjoyed drinking my 16oz can.
Big Ballard is a really good imperial IPA with roots that date back to the 1980’s (in name and in recipe) so Id consider this a must-try beer from Redhook. Big Ballard is available now in 12oz, 16oz and even 19.2oz cans so get out there and try it for yourself…and when you do try it, be sure to let me know what YOU think.
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