Ballast Point Manta Ray 6Pk is a year-round American Double India Pale Ale from San Diego's Ballast Point Brewing Company, sold in a six-pack at 8.5% ABV. This hop-forward DIPA earned a Gold Medal at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival in the Imperial IPA category, along with a 2016 Euro Beer Star Gold Medal — serious international recognition that validates its place among elite double IPAs. Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5% | Origin: San Diego, California | Style: American Double IPA | IBUs: 70 | Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company Production & Heritage Ballast Point Brewing Company has been a cornerstone of San Diego's craft beer scene since its founding in 1996, growing from a small homebrew supply shop into one of California's most recognized breweries. Manta Ray began life under the working names "The Landlord" and "Roots to Boots Double IPA" as part of Ballast Point's research and development program before earning its promotion to a year-round packaged release. Brewed with filtered water, malted barley, hops, carbon dioxide, and yeast, the recipe leans into aggressive hop intensity while maintaining enough malt backbone to keep its 8.5% ABV dangerously drinkable for the style. At 70 IBUs, it sits firmly in the upper range of bitterness, channeled through layers of tropical and resinous hop character. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with bright tropical fruit — pineapple and orange leading the charge — followed by bursts of grapefruit and resinous pine. A subtle malt sweetness lingers beneath the hop aromatics, adding depth without competing. Taste: The palate hits immediately with a punch of grapefruit and pine resin, establishing the beer's aggressive hop identity. A cracker-like malt character emerges at mid-palate, providing brief relief before the intense pithy grapefruit bitterness reasserts itself. Tropical fruit flavors weave throughout, but the hops dominate from start to finish. Finish: The finish is dry and persistent, with peppery and herbal hop notes extending well beyond the last sip. There is a lingering resinous quality paired with citrus pith that keeps the palate engaged and invites the next pour. How to Drink Manta Ray Pour Manta Ray into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to allow the hop aromatics to bloom fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the tropical nose considerably. Its high hop intensity and dry finish make it a natural standalone sipper, but it also holds its own in beer-forward mixed drinks. A Hop Shandy — combining Manta Ray with fresh lemonade — tames the bitterness while amplifying citrus character. A Boilermaker paired with a clean blanco tequila creates an interesting agave-tropical interplay. A Michelada built on Manta Ray's grapefruit intensity delivers a spicier, more complex version of the classic. Best For Hop-obsessed IPA drinkers looking for a year-round double IPA with proven credentials Backyard barbecues and cookouts where bold-flavored beer stands up to grilled and smoked meats Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast familiar with Ballast Point's Sculpin lineup Game-day gatherings where a higher-ABV beer with serious flavor outperforms standard lagers Frequently Asked Questions What does Manta Ray taste like? Manta Ray delivers an intense combination of grapefruit, pineapple, and pine resin up front, followed by a cracker malt sweetness and a dry, peppery, herbal hop finish. The overall impression is aggressively hoppy with tropical fruit layered throughout. How does Manta Ray compare to Ballast Point Sculpin IPA? Sculpin is a standard-strength IPA at 7% ABV with a more balanced hop-to-malt ratio, while Manta Ray pushes to 8.5% ABV with noticeably higher hop intensity and a drier finish. Manta Ray is the bigger, bolder choice for drinkers who find Sculpin's bitterness approachable and want to step up. Is Manta Ray good for hop lovers? Manta Ray is built specifically for aggressive hop fans, with 70 IBUs and layered tropical and resinous hop character that dominates from aroma through finish. Its GABF Gold Medal in the Imperial IPA category confirms it delivers at the top of the style. Where is Manta Ray made? Manta Ray is brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego, California, one of the most celebrated craft beer regions in the United States. The brewery was founded in 1996 and has been a defining force in San Diego's hop-centric brewing culture. What foods pair well with Manta Ray? Spicy Thai curry works well, as the hop bitterness cuts through coconut-rich sauces. Grilled carne asada benefits from the beer's citrus intensity. Sharp aged cheddar mirrors the dry, pithy finish. Barbecue ribs with a sweet glaze create a compelling bitter-sweet contrast. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw echo the tropical hop character naturally. What sizes does Manta Ray come in? Manta Ray is commonly available in a six-pack format, typically consisting of 12 oz cans. Is Manta Ray worth the price? Manta Ray positions as a mid-range craft double IPA, and with two international gold medals — including the 2017 GABF Imperial IPA Gold — it delivers strong value relative to its pedigree. For the style and ABV, it sits competitively among year-round DIPAs from major craft producers. Why Manta Ray? Manta Ray's dual gold-medal wins at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival and 2016 Euro Beer Star set it apart from the crowded double IPA field with internationally validated quality. Its origin in Ballast Point's R&D program — where it was refined under working names before earning year-round status — reflects a beer that was brewed, tested, and iterated until it met a high internal standard. At 8.5% ABV and 70 IBUs, it hits the sweet spot for the Imperial IPA style: bold enough to satisfy hop chasers, structured enough to remain drinkable. For anyone who considers Sculpin a starting point rather than a destination, Manta Ray is the logical next step within the Ballast Point portfolio.
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