Fat Head's Head Hunter IPA - Fat Heads Brewery & Saloon

fastsrt

New York

4.2/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

16 ounce draft

A: light gold, slightly hazy, stiff white head,

S: lots of hops, floral, citrus,

T: nice I like the way the hops work together, awsome ipa from a great small brewery,

M: lots of carbonation, dry.

D: I like this one its only a half hour from where I grew up so I like the fact that I feel as if it can stand up to some of the best Ipa's i have had

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 23:50:16 | More by fastsrt

HosP

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got a bottle thanks to thebouch. 12 oz. bottle poured into HBG pint glass.

A- Pours slightly hazy orange color. Thin head with little lacing on glass.

S- Lots of fruits in the nose of this. Piney, citrusy aroma in the middle. Can't detect really any malts, just fruity, hoppy goodness.

T- Juicy fruit flavor up front. Grapefruit flavor, maybe some mango. Caramel malts come through more in the flavor than the nose. Piney, resin taste follows behind everything leaving some bitterness at the end.

M- Medium body, moderate carbonation.

D- Wasn't expecting that much flavor coming out of this IPA. Great balance of flavors all the way through. One of the better regular IPA's I've had. Thanks for this treat!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 08:01:50 | More by HosP

CaptCleveland

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pint draft at North Olmsted brewery.

Thick white head atop yellow-orange elixir, belgian lace throughout.

Fruity, floral scent at first wiff, then over powered by dank, resinous, piney hops.

Smooth, buttery, bitter hops from front to back. Subtle malt backbone gives it up to a lingering bitter end. Overall nicely balanced.

Easy to down a few and an nice representation of the West Coast style IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 03:20:10 | More by CaptCleveland

donManguno

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed blind. Sent to me by Sitarist, and I wasn't even his target! Thanks Sitarist!

A: Clear coppery yellow, a vigorous pour into my Sam Adams perfect pint glass produces a one finger head that subsides rather quickly leaving a single ring where it crested. Very little lacing as the glass empties.

S: When I opened this bottle I was blasted by a very fresh hop smell, and it brought a wide smile to my face. Fresh citrusy hops, grapefruit and orange with some pine in the background. Sweet malt body, surprisingly strong for such a pale beer. This is an IPA for sure, could it be a double?

T: Piney hops on a sweet malt base. Some citrus here, but pine dominates in the hop flavor profile. Long lasting residual bitterness keeps drawing me in for another sip. and another. This one is flirting with the the IPA/DIPA line.

M: Medium bodied, and the carbonation is just enough to excite the palate without being distracting.

D: This is wonderful, just my kind of IPA. A huge hop blast with enough malt to back it up! I could toss back quite a few of these without thinking twice.

The reveal: Fat Head's Head Hunter IPA! Damn, at 7.5% this beer could be trouble! I don't think this was a want, but it should have been!

Bottled: Feb. 24, 2011
Reviewed: March 3, 2011

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 23:51:10 | More by donManguno

kzoobrew

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks again to brew3crew and urbancaver for the bottle.

No date information available. 7.5% 87 IBUs

Clear yellow orange body leans towards the lighter side of the style but that cannot be held against it.Three finger soft frothy head works its way back slowly. Very solid lacing coats the walls of the glass.

The aroma is pleasant though I find myself slightly disappointed. There is a nice blend of resinous pine and citrus aromas though the intensity is lacking.

The flavor is very much hop forward. Juicy grapefruit, citrus pith and pine coat the tongue. The sweet and bitter hop flavors are presented with a fair amount of balance. The pithy flavor does become a bit much though not overpowering. The malt profile is sturdy but subtle providing an excellent base to layer the hops upon. Slight caramel flavor provides some sweetness underneath, thankfully it is held in check.

Medium bodied IPA. Carobnation levels are spot on for an IPA. The finish is not quite as dry as I would prefer but still with in the acceptable range for the style.

Nice IPA, certainly glad to have had the opportunity to enjoy. While the aroma certainly put me off slightly the only other complaints I have are simply personal preference. Rather easy drinking, would no be opposed to having this available to me as an everyday option. Good IPA that falls just short of the next level.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 00:43:26 | More by kzoobrew

kaseydad

California

3.15/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Yellow, golden pour with a bright white head that clings to the glass. Minor grapefruit smell with malt in the background. I'm also getting an old sock type smell. Hmmm. Unusual bitter taste which doesn't improve much at all. Metallic tasting. Not too pleasant. Very thin mouthfeel. This wasn't the greatest beer but it was unusual for an IPA. If you're looking for a different experience in an IPA...this is your huckleberry.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 21:26:25 | More by kaseydad

buschbeer

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle
Served in a nonic glass

A - It pours a clear amber color. A half inch of off-white head is perched on top.

S - I get some citrus aroma with a hint of caramel malt in there.

T - It has a more pine than citrus taste, but the citrus comes through. It actually makes a nice balance between the two flavors.

M - Perfect for the style

D - My buddy gave me a 12 pack when I visited him. Let's just say that it didn't last long. This and Columbus IPA are the two best Ohio IPA's that I have had.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 00:32:14 | More by buschbeer

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Fat Heads in Cleveland.

Pours a nice gold to light copper color with a nice white head and a good amount of lacing. Nice retention as well. The nose brought forward a large amount of hops ranging from citrus to floral to tropical. Altogether a really nice package from a mixed back of hops. I can't recall them at the moment, but there was a sign on the wall that seemed to indicate the hops used in this one. The flavor hit the spot as well with a nice hop character coming through as the dominant character and a good, brisk finish. A bit of alcohol in the finish, though not too much. Terribly drinkable. I wish this were available locally and weren't quite as high in ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 14:46:55 | More by Thorpe429

womencantsail

California

3.93/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks for sharing this one, Bobby.

A: The beer pours a clear golden-orange color with a nice big white head and some moderate lacing.

S: Smells really quite nice. Plenty of pine that is very resinous along with a big grapefruit aroma and plenty of citrus in general. There's a touch of grassy hop smell and not really much malt at all.

T: Unfortunately, the flavor falls off a little bit. Certainly a lot of pine and grapefruit, as well as a solid bitterness. There's more malt presence on the palate and just a bit of a step backward in terms of the hop intensity.

M: The body is medium with a lively carbonation and a nice dry and slightly bitter finish.

D: I really want to give this beer a better score, but the flavor just let me down after what was a very nice nose.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2011 05:25:09 | More by womencantsail

NorCalYeti

California

3.23/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

interesting copper-pink color, sulfur smell in the nose, clear color, little to no lace, short finish, metallic taste, stinky, short medium-length finish, little less than average overall finish. wouldn't seek out this beer, there are much better examples to choose from.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2011 05:17:03 | More by NorCalYeti

alkemy

Ohio

4.72/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Out of the 12oz. bottle...

A - Cloudy yellow pour with a few chunks...I think I "disturbed" the yeast on the bottom a bit too much. Nice fluffy white head doesn't hold up real well.

S - Grassy and doughy. Quite a bit of lemon and a touch of pineapple. There seems to be a cheesy sharpness to the aroma.

T - Apples and white grapes first, then that cheese note that I can't really place comes in. A hint of bubblegum before you really get hit with pepper towards the back end.

M - Lightish medium body with a good deal of carbonation. Really matched the flavor well and was probably my favorite part of the beer.

D - Pretty easy to drink. The lively feel really helps here. Alcohol wore on me a bit as I got through this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 18:07:01 | More by alkemy

jale

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Turd fergison(Eric the great) for not one but a 4-pack of this fine brew.

A: Pours a honey color with a finger of white head.

S: initial pine hop aroma followed by nice citrus hops. Just a hint of malt.

T: WOW.. A nano second of sweet malt followed by pine, some tangerine then grapefruit in the finish. The smell leads you to think this is just huge hops, yet the flavor is much more complex.

M: Medium body with perfect carbonation.

D: Will drink several more.

Thanks again Eric. I owe you.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 00:51:15 | More by jale

injuredreserve

Louisiana

4.33/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to thegrogbog for this awesome beer

A: Golden Copper with nice fizzy small bubble head.

S: Very Piney hop notes up front with citrus undertones. Oranges??

T: Caramel malt, citrus/orange hops with nice bitter linger.

M: medium body with moderate carbonation.

D: Goes down easy, and leaves you wanting for more.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 01:08:07 | More by injuredreserve

brew3crew

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-almost a pale yellow orange with white lacing
S-piney and citrus hops straight away. Not much else in the nose.
T-tastes a lot like it smells. nice mix of pine and citrus hops
M-medium body with a nice hops aftertaste
D-nicely drinkable. Very smooth and nixe

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 02:57:48 | More by brew3crew

Urbancaver

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crisp yellowish orange. Sme nice solid head tht dissipates quickly. Nice lacing. Smells great. Lots of piney hops on the nose. Taste is a bit overly bitter. The mouthfeel is a bit lacking due to the bitterness but the drinkability is decent for how hoppy it is. Overall, worth trying but i wouldn't drink it regularly

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 02:48:26 | More by Urbancaver

Mississipping

Mississippi

4.35/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Split a bottle at the Jackie O's release, and then ended up with a couple bottles afterwards ... thanks Paul! Back at home ... time for a proper review. 12oz bottle poured into a Jackie O's snifter.

A: Pours a completely clear, bright orangish-copper color with a very small eggshell head that recedes quickly, leaving a thick ring and decent lacing.

S: WOW! Piney, citrusy, hoppy, grassy. Grapefruit dominates with sweet mandarin and apricot just behind. Hops are a little subdued, making them equally as present as the other characteristics, with a slight grassy touch in background, which is very nice. This smells fantastic and really packs a punch!

T: Much like this smell, citrusy up front with an initial bite from the grapefruit, then sweeter fruit sneaks in perfectly. Quite hoppy and piney on the finish, which really lingers. Just a bit of booze, but it's not overwhelming and creates a nice complementary warmth that adds to the beer well.

M: Medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Bubbly on the tongue with a subtle drying effect. The mouthfeel is pretty spot on, like the rest of this beer.

D: Despite the 7.5%, this is very, very drinkable. Well balanced, flavorful, delicious. This is up there on my all time favorite IPA's, and I really hope I have a chance to try this again. If you have the opportunity to pick up a bottle or two, definitely do ... this can certainly compete with the more hyped DIPAs. Very highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 02:20:33 | More by Mississipping

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance -- Pours a faintly hazed orange hue with a slim but stiff beige head. Moderate lacing.

Smell -- Lots of juicy citrus evoking tangerines, grapefruit, and apricot, along with pine resin and dank, leafy vegetation. Caramel baseline really makes those juicy citron notes sing.

Taste -- Again, massive fruity/juicy hop notes propelled by a gentle caramel malt base in the forefront. Toward mid-palate the resinous hops crescendos. Lingering flavor of caramel and resin.

Mouthfeel -- Medium-bodied, mild prickly carbonation. Feels pretty damn good.

Drinkability -- I had heard good things about Head Hunter, but this really exceeded my hopes. Bright juicy notes and caramel malting paired with resounding pine bitterness. I'd put this up against any of the top-rated IPA's. Good show, Fat Heads!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 03:37:41 | More by yeahnatenelson

Hophead101

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

blind beer #1 from sitarist in round 4 of Blind Beer BIF

an aggressive pour into my chalice glass produced a gorgeous, super clear light orange colored beer. golden highlights made the color of this beer truly appealing. it also produced a great frothy off white head which seemed to last forever. once it did dissipate, it left a nice collar of froth.

bringing the glass to my nose provided an instant burst of hops, hops and more hops. almost resiny hop oil smell. mostly pine in scent, but some citrus is hidden in the background as well.

taste is really nice - really nice. blast of hops (kind of assumed that would be the case). hoppy bitterness was abundant. there was some lingering citrus but mostly pine in the hops. there is some nice malty earthiness hanging in the background as well, giving it a nice balance, but this beer is all about hops.

nice mouthfeel - a bit light in body at first sip, but quickly transitioned into a nice medium body. this beer is very drinkable as well.

I am psyched to have tried this beer - didn't realize they had this in bottles. GREAT first beer to start round 4.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 03:19:14 | More by Hophead101

fastpass17

New York

4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz Bottle Thanks, Mike.

A: Amber to light orange, nice two finger head, carbonation is firm it coats the glass.

S: Hop dominates, with citrus, pine, grapefruit, nice malt sweetness near the end.

T: Starts with a sharp hop bite that opens towards the middle of the drink, clean malt, wonderful bouquet of hops, very tasty.

M: Stings at first sip then opens, refreshing, and zesty.

D: One or two glasses with spicy food or sharp cheese would be really nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2011 03:30:27 | More by fastpass17

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Really psyched to try this in bottle since I have it pretty much every other week on tap. New bottles purchased in the Pittsburgh store. 12 oz. bottle poured into a Founder's pint glass....

A - Pours a pretty clear golden-yellow color. A nice fizzy eggshell white head forms, about 1 finger thick and quickly recedes to a top of the same color. Slight yeast spots here and there. Really nice lacing.

S - Good. Lord. DANK! Just a wallop of hops right in your face. Pineapple, grapefruit, some tangerine too. Really very nice. Slight piney-ness in there as well.

T - Wish this got to more people because I think this would very quickly climb the ranks of amazing IPA's. Just a TKO of hops, piney and citrusy, up front. Some grapefruit, melon, tangerine and some other juicy fruits. Actually juicy really is a perfect word for this one.

M - Light, medium-light if that is such a thing. Nice bite from the carbonation adds nicely to the overall feel. Oily and ever so slightly resiny at the end of the palate.

D - Just a great beer and a near perfect example of the American IPA. Really hope this one gets out to more people so they get to experience it.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2011 00:47:40 | More by KAP1356

mistakebythelake

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a couple four packs while up visiting the old stomping grounds on the westside of Cleveland.

Pours a beautiful golden orange into my Bell's tulip. A lot of nice lacing and head on this beauty. A true pine smell to his West Coast style IPA. I also get a light citrus smell after the pine has dissipated. A crisp and mildly bitter hop bomb with a great finish. Not too malty and and not too sweet. A highly drinkable IPA and now I know why it has been receiving the numerous awards and recognitions.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 02:46:58 | More by mistakebythelake

btorsdog

Ohio

5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Very Proud to have this as a "Homer"beer!Totally awesome brew from a totally awesome facility!
Golden/Orange clear and beautiful,with a smaller cottontop head and beautiful lacing
Smelled of excellence,nice citrusy,fruity,flowery goodness happening!
taste is as good as it can be for a single IPA, similar to the nose but abitter/smooth thing going on at the same time,a hop head's dream!
mouth is clean and crisp,with an o so pleasant lingering Hoppy aftertaste,very nice!
dinkability is out fuc%in standing, not real heavy and the aftertaste leaves you NEEDING another brew,Totally AWESOME!

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 22:25:23 | More by btorsdog

rhinos00

Colorado

4.72/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to my pops for hooking me up some serious bottles from Cleveland. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A- Pours a light golden color. Perfect clarity with a fingers with of foamy white head. Reduced to a thin layer throughout consumption. Decent lacing for an IPA.

S- Holy dankness!!! I feel like I just woke up from a deep slumber and found myself in forest surrounded by pine trees. Pine, pine, pine upfront. Underneath there is a subtle amount of tropical aromas that are able to come through.

T- Can hardly find the words to describe this. Amazing perhaps??? Bitter, crisp, piney hops assault the palate. Just a great beginning to set the mood. Midway through the flavors open up and a wealth grapefruit and pineapple flavors pour in. Really gives the beer an added dimension. Finishes with a perfect blend of tropical sweetness and pine bitterness.

M- Well carbonated, light bodied and very crisp on the palate. Leaves a bitter residue after consumption.

D- This beer is so drinkable that it's dangerous! At 7.5% abv you really have to watch out.

So silver medal at the 2010 GABF, 1st place at National IPA Championship 2010, gold medal West Coast IPA Fest 2009, and top 25 beers in the world 2009 from Draft magazine...

This beer is worth every accolade it has ever received and more. Easily one of the best, if not the best, IPA I have ever had. This beer was so dank and delicious that drinking this beer was actually an experience in itself. If you have a bottle...drink it NOW!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 06:03:47 | More by rhinos00

Stigs

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

4th of the 4 sources of Head Hunter. Fat Head's: if you ever nitro this, I will destroy you.

12oz bottle from the Pittsburgh location. Served in a 12oz tulip glass.

A - poured with moderate aggression yielding almost half an inch of loose yet dense, fluffy slightly off-white foam. the beer itself is crystal clear, dark gold (bordering copper) in color. thin and wet, yet solid lacing left behind around the glass.

S - very rich, dank...Simcoe hops bring their distinctive "cattyness" and spice, dominating the nose. other notes of pineapple, tangerine, and grapefruit mesh nicely with just a bit of wet pine. malt? sweetness? nowhere to be found. good.

T - bitter, hop explosion from the first sip. tropical fruits...melon, grapefruit, and tangerine run rampant. Simcoe slowly creeps in, with tastes of earthy spice, wet pine needles, and a slight addition toward the citrus (more orange rind) fruits. malts add just the slightest bit of slightly burnt caramel, but this is all about the hops.

M - light, to medium-light body...slightly punchy carbonation, not overdone. oily going down with a lightly dry and sticky finish. long, drawn out bitter hoppy finish.

D - great beer all around. the latest batches (these bottles, growler, and some recent tap pours) seem a bit more Simcoe heavy than what I was used to. again, straight from the West Coast via Ohio. wonderful to see this in bottles and at a decent price (~$2.50 apiece).

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 01:42:49 | More by Stigs

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this beer numerous times on draft at Fathead's under circumstances not conducive for reviewing (but hella fun). I believe this bottle is the first batch of Headhunter ever bottled, and I also believe it's relatively fresh. I've always been very impressed by this as a draft, so I'm excited to see how this bottle goes.

A: Nice, thick, frothy, 1 finger head sits on top of a light colored translucent golden beer. Carbonation appears appropriate.

S: Big huge smell of grapefruit, and maybe a hint of mango or pineapple.

T: Huge bitter flavor of grapefruit just overwhelms. It's simultaneously light, smooth, and refreshing, and yet full of delightfully bitter grapefruit hops, and I'm still picking up on some hints of mango or maybe pineapple. I don't think I've ever picked up on that mango/pineapple nuance on draft at the Saloon. Only here in the bottle, and it really adds another level of character to this brew. This beer starts purely bitter before those grapefruit/citrus flavors rush in at the middle and carry this beer to the finish line.

This beer is ferociously dank. Probably my favorite beer of all beers. Probably.

M: Light and smooth with perfect carbonation, this beer then finishes with a perfect punch of hop citrus that coats the tongue very well.

D: This beer is delightfully hoppy. By far and away the best IPA I've come across East of Michigan. This is a great beer. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 03:18:32 | More by psuKinger