Evolution Pine'Hop'Le: How does it compare to Pineapple Sculpin?

by Ryan Gerstel

Evolution versus Ballast Point is the craft beer equivalent to David versus Goliath. Ballast Point has been an esteemed, highly rated San Diego brewery purchased in November by Constellation Brands (aka Corona) for a ridiculous $1 billion. They are best known for brewing the double IPA Sculpin (and more recently its variants) that at one time in craft beer history was as revered and anticipated as Hop Slam.  Evolution on the other hand is a smaller, somewhat local (Salisbury, MD) brewery completely "unburdened" by a large infusion of corporate moola.  Evolution however does brew some excellent beers including Lot #3, their single, west coast style IPA, and Lot #6, their double IPA.

The newest addition to Evolution's year-round lineup is a pineapple twist on their Lot #3, which is cleverly dubbed, "Pine'Hop'Le."


While the timing suggests that Evolution copied Ballast Point's so far successful formula of infusing pineapple into their already wildly popular Sculpin, the quality is far from a cheap gimmick.

In fact, if you asked me which beer I prefer, I'd be inclined to say Pine'Hop'Le.

Overview: 

Availability: Year-round
ABV: 7%
IBUs: 70
Beer Advocate Score: 88

Availability: Rotating
ABV: 6.8% 
IBUs: 65
Beer Advocate Score: N/A





 Let the battle begin

I'll compare these two brews by describing at their pours, aromas and tastes to show which beer does each better. Whatever beer wins each category will earn one point. At the end, I'll add up the points and declare a winner.

1.) Pour

Pineapple Sculpin:  Ballast Point's product pours a clear and crisp golden color with a razor thin foam head that dissipates rapidly shortly after pouring.

Pine'Hop'Le: Evolution's product pours a similar golden amber with a flurry of bubbles rushing towards the head. It's a bit cloudier than Sculpin, but it delivers a delectable, cloud-like two-inch foam head that remains even minutes after pouring.

Winner: Pine'Hop'Le

While it's hard to judge pour, it really comes down to which beer looks more inviting and delicious. For me, Pine'Hop'Le's bubbles and thick foam head had my mouth watering before I drunk a single drop. While Pineapple Sculpin's pour was nice it lacked the effervescence of the Pine'Hop'Le and also had a slightly thinner head.

2.) Aroma

Pineapple Sculpin: One word sums up this brew's aroma: wow. Ballast Point really nailed the pineapple scent in this brew. The fruit presence is pungent and sweet without going completely over the top.

Pine'Hop'Le: Unfortunately, Evolution fails to deliver the same sweet pineapple aroma as Ballast Point. Not to say the aroma isn't sufficient, but it's disappointing to not pick up any hints of pineapple, especially in a brew dubbed "Pine'Hop'Le." In place of pineapple are pleasant hints of citrus, grapefruit and berry.

Winner: Pineapple Sculpin

Ballast Point comes out on top in the aroma category. The mouth-watering sweet pineapple scent was excellent, and Evolution's inability to present any hints of pineapple made this an easy decision.

3.) Taste

Pineapple Sculpin: While Ballast Point was able to present a bright pineapple scent in their aroma, the pineapple, unfortunately, doesn't translate to the flavor as I would've hoped. Initially, there is a sweet malt presence with hints of pineapple, but it's quickly overpowered by the beer's bitter, yet juicy, hop flavor. Like the original Sculpin, the finish is quite dry.

Pine'Hop'Le: What Evolution lacks in its aroma it makes up with its flavor. From start to finish, pineapple is the dominant flavor, and it's incredibly balanced and smooth. While Sculpin's finish is a little too dry, Pine'Hop'Le's finish is dry, but a lot crisper and smoother. Props to Evolution as they walk the thin line between sweet and too sweet to perfection. 

Winner: Pine'Hop'Le

To me, Pine'Hop'Le's flavor is what Pineapple Sculpin's should've been. The pineapple is nicely rounded without ever crossing the line into too sweet, and the finish is dry, but again, not too dry. Props to Evolution on this finely crafted, well balanced pineapple IPA.

Results:  With two out of three wins, Evolution's Pine'Hop'Le pulls off the upset over Ballast Point's Pineapple Sculpin. While Ballast Point ran away with the aroma category, Evolution managed to overtake Ballast Point in look, and blow them away in taste.

Pineapple Sculpin: 1 
Pine'Hop'Le: 2

Of course, this is just one man's opinion. Please, go out and try these beers for yourself and form your own opinion so you can either tell me how wrong or right I am!