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

FosterJM

California

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

1463rd Review on BA
Bottle to Tulip
12oz

2012 Bottling

CA Gang Bang BIF

App- This poured out with high hopes for me. I watched it settle to a golden orange with a good amount of clarity and filtration. A 1/2 finger pure white head formed and was gone. No lace stuck around. No cling either.

Smell- Its your typical hop/malt bomb. Its got the best of both worlds in the glass and needs a bit more to it. Opens with thick full hops and then a bombardment of pine on the 2nd pull. A bit of orange zest and grapefruit zest battle it out on this.

Taste- I will say this profile is not my favorite with the duality of the bitter and the piney. This was a good beer with nice citrus and hops and somewhat tepidly balanced out by a little piney note as it warmed. The 7% was very well hidden on this as well.

Mouth- A lighter medium body with a medium carbonation level. Wouldve liked to see this one more bubbly and light. A bit too much residual pine.

Drink- It was pretty good. I am not sure I would award a medal to it. But being from CA we are spoiled by IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 21:32:44 | More by FosterJM

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear orange/amber color with about an inch off-white head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is mostly pine and citrusy (grapefruit, citrus peel, tropical fruit) hops, along with a little bit of caramel malt. I think the taste follows the aroma, it tastes mostly like pine and citrusy hops, with a teeny bit of caramel malt noticeable. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy and oily with a moderate amount of carbonation. It's nice to see this brew in bottles, I've heard about it for a while now but finally was able to try it today and it didn't disappoint! It's certainly one of the best Ohio IPA's (and IPA's in general) along with White Rajah and Columbus IPA. Definitely worth trying if you have a chance to get it!

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 22:03:23 | More by bluejacket74

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

a very very good ipa. clear and quite pale in color, a little darker than golden, call it bronze, with an inch or so of white suds. the nose is very fruity hops, citra maybe, pineapple and lemon attack the nostrils. flavor is more grapefruit than lemon, with equal parts tropical fruit. the hops taste just picked to me, full of resins and oils that i just love in an ipa. alcohol is strong, and can be tasted a bit in the finish, my only real critique of an otherwise near flawless brew. nice lighter medium body keeps it sessionable, and the carbonation is very bright, aiding in a clean crisp finish that gets more and more bitter as the beer warms up. perfect with a chilli chese burger stacked hugh with frito chips. god i want another. one of the more fruity and citrusy india pales in recent memory. this should make its way out to colorado, id be a regular on it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 23:46:37 | More by StonedTrippin

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

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

I got this beer from Auslander, Thanks Chris!

12oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - hazed bright copper color with a white head that thinned leaving some thin streaks of lacing.

S - blast of tropical fruit.

T - tropical fruit and then a strong citrus bitterness kicks in before a hint of tropical fruit comes back on the lips.

F - medium bodied, dry and bitter with mild carbonation.

O - a fine example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 23:53:25 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

ABV was listed as 7.2%

A - A nice clear copper color with a half of of head. Looks pleasant.

S - Wow what a hoppy bastard. Notes of pine and citrus hops with very little malt background. Hope it's good.

T - Taste is of bitter pine then citrus pine followed by very little hop balance. After a while I can detect a slight bit of malt but I swear this is Ruination.

M - Light to medium. drinks rather well.

Overall for the price ($5.50 a pint GTFO!) and the bitterness I will look elsewhere for a smooth IPA

And when the hell will Pittsburgh get the 4 bottles for 9.95? Man it's been like a 2 month wait!

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2011 04:13:29 | More by DrDemento456

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon on 8/10/09.

A - Clear amber/orange body with slim, creamy off-white head that disolved into a patchy film and left thin strands of lace around the glass.

S - Very similar hop character as the S.P.A. byt with more of a pronounced citrus oomph. Some piney accents also join the party. Hops are balanced by a sweet caramel malt backbone.

T - Opens with an assertive hop bite right off the bat with equal parts juicy citrus fruit and sharp, pungent pine notes. Sweet caramel malt evens the playing field a bit, but ultimately the hops dominate the flavor.

M - Medium bodied with an oily texture and lots of residual hop oils resulting in a mild syrupy mouthfeel overall. Finishes with an assertive hop bite that lingers for a while on the palate.

D - Solid IPA with plenty of hop character. This one features a nice hop profile ncluding Simcoe, Cascade and Columbus varieties. Nice, although I liked the Pack-a-Wallop S.P.A. better.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2009 02:18:02 | More by ffejherb

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.41/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Served in a bottle at Lola Bistro in Cleveland, OH

A: Pours a very slightly hazy golden orange in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some bright orange and yellow highlights. The beer has a finger tall dense foamy off-white head that slowly reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Strong aromas of citrus/grapefruit hops with some much lighter notes of pine/resin hops and tropical/pineapple hops. There is a very light hint of caramel malts as well.

T: Upfront there is a light amount of caramel malts with some light to moderate amounts of sweetness which is quickly overtaken by the strong hop presence - citrus/grapefruit dominates with some much lighter notes of tropical/pineapple and just a touch of pine. Moderate to heavy amounts of bitterness which linger for quite a while.

M: Medium bodied with slightly more than moderate amounts of carbonation. Moderate amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This is a very enjoyable American IPA (possibly just on the edge of being a DIPA in my opinion) with very pleasant and strong grapefruit/citrus hops, which is a hop aroma/flavor profile that I like. I found the alcohol to be well hidden and this to be a pretty easy beer to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 04:29:58 | More by dbrauneis

oline73

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a two finger fluffy white head. The head fades to a layer on top of the pour that sticks around while you sip.

Smell: Sweet with tons of citrus peel notes. Juicy fruit notes with some grain, but I'm really excited by the hop notes that I'm picking up.

Taste: I would put this up against many of the top west coast IPAs. Citrus peel hops dominate with just a hint of pine and enough sweetness to balance things out. The finish is bitter and hoppy. Really nice.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with constantly tingly carbonation and a very dry finish.

Overall: Fantastic IPA. The hop profile is spot on. I will definitely have another given the chance.

Serving type: growler

04-02-2012 02:38:36 | More by oline73

billab914

Virginia

4.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tasting glass. It poured clear and amber orange in color with a pillowy white head filling one inch of the glass.

The aroma is very juicy with pineapple, peach and mango all coming out. It has a little bitter grapefruit and citrus rind presence to it as well. Very nice bright and hoppy aroma to it.

Taste shows more of the pineapple and tropical fruits at first but the finish shows a little More dry, resiny, grapefruit bitterness. I love the tropical fruit notes to it.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. I thought it was a great beer overall. It was a very flavorful and easy drinking beer of the style with some excellent bright, fruity, fresh hoppy flavors to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 18:27:33 | More by billab914

superspak

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, no bottle dating. Pours hazy golden orange color with a nice 2 finger dense off white head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some thick soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of huge grapefruit, orange zest, pine, pineapple, floral, mango, grass, and herbal spiciness. Fantastic aromas with great balance and hop complexity. Taste of huge grapefruit, orange zest, pineapple, pine, floral, caramel, grass, and herbal spiciness. Nice amount of piney bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, pine, pineapple, floral, caramel, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance and complexity of hop flavors; with just enough malt balance to not make the bitterness overpowering. Almost no cloying bitterness on the finish. Medium carbontion and body; with a lightly creamy and very crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an amazing IPA as expected. Awesome hop complexity and balance; very crisp and smooth to sip on. Outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 03:28:12 | More by superspak

DavoleBomb

Ohio

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

Had this beauty in a mug at Fat Head's in Pittsburgh.

Hazy orange color with a healthy creamy white head. Average retention and minimal lacing. Smelled chock full of herbal and floral hops and the woodiness coming from a cask ale. Taste was quite hoppy with a strong oakiness. Very good. Creamy and smooth. Wanted more, but there were others to try.

4.0 A
4.0 S
4.5 T
4.5 M
4.5 D

Serving type: cask

09-02-2009 02:50:19 | More by DavoleBomb

maximum12

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to CaptCleveland for sending me *fresh* bottles of this brew that's been on my wants list for a while. Some other traders could learn things from Mr. Cleveland & sending fresh IPAs in trades...you know who you are. 12 oz. bottle.

Pour is orange with plenty of ozone in the sunset, not clear, but uniformly hazy. Industrial-scale tropical fruits split the fifth sense; terrifyingly sweet. And by terrifying I mean lovely, since I love sweet. Citrus trickles underneath.

Head Hunter is a fascinating IPA. Huge notes of orange, mango, grapefruit run full-speed into an iron wall of citrus, pine, & resiny bitterness. Though it's hard to concentrate with all the pleasure coursing through my veins, bits of caramel & herbs nips here & there. The fruity notes keep the bitterness from peaking too far, but at the same time, the hops hang around for overtime. Damn. Slurp. Slurp. Ahhh.

I am glad to have finally found out what the fuss is about, because this is a straight-up excellent IPA. Thanks again, Dan, happy to have a few more of these around. For a very short period of time.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 02:35:38 | More by maximum12

ArrogantB

Colorado

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

Big thanks to CruisaC for sending me this one. Orange-yellow color with the slightest haze, good thick foam of a head. Smells like resiny hops, a little . Flavor is super hoppy, very bitter finish, slight bit of malt holding it all together. Whew, this is very bitter. Overall a good IPA and it is what the label says but this can't touch the west coast. Maybe I need one straight off the bottling line.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 04:53:52 | More by ArrogantB

ehammond1

California

4.25/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for opening this with me, MarkIntihar!

Gold and light amber in color with a moderately sized off-white head that leaves good amounts of lace behind.

The aroma is fantastic. There were tons of citrus, floral, earthy, and pine notes erupting from the glass. Very expressive and very bright aroma. Incredibly nice.

The flavor isn't quite as nice, with some of the bitterness getting in the way of the expressive citrus and passion fruit flavors, but all in all, this is still excellent.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Fantastic! ISO!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 19:41:30 | More by ehammond1

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Headhunter IPA has a cloudy orange body with a soapy white head. Retention is OK and a few scraps of lacing stay behind on the glass.

The aroma is intense. It's absolutely packed with hops. Lots of grapefruit, some tropical fruit and loads of pine. A slight note of floral or earthy hops lingers in the background also. I don't really notice any malt, but I don't care because the powerful and complex hop profile in the aroma of this one is fantastic.

The flavor of Headhunter IPA isn't disappointing even when compared to the ridiculously good aroma. A ton of grapefruit and pine resin provide a good punch of bitterness. The initial sip I took of this actually reminded me a bit of grapefruit juice. The hops bring some good tropical fruit characteristics too, specifically a good amount of pineapple flavor. All together, Headhunter's hop profile provides a wonderful blast of fruity hop juice that has a moderate amount of bitterness. Underneath all those hops is a touch of a pale malt to provide a little bit of balance, but only a little bit. The finish is pretty bitter and a bit dry. Great IPA.

Headhunter's body is medium with some pretty lively carbonation. It's a little bit oily on the tongue, like a good hop bomb should be.

It seems like every time I stop at fat head's the Headhunter has just kicked. Not this time, and I'm really happy about that. Anytime I see this is still on tap, I will definitely be ordering it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2010 16:25:16 | More by Hojaminbag

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received in trade from cpetrone84, thanks for the opportunity.
Pours a clear deep golden color with a decent white head that slowly dissipates to a ring on top. Smells of citrus, pine, resin, dankness, and a hint of green onion with a solid bread and light caramel to back it up. The flavor sweet enough to remind you that this is beer with hints of brown bread and light sugar and a boatload of dank hoppy goodness. Resinous pine with hints of garlic and green onion and a light bit of citrus with a moderate level of hop bitterness. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet resinous mouthfeel. This is a really nice IPA, I'm glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 00:49:15 | More by johnnnniee

mdaschaf

Washington

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

Had on tap at Fat Heads. Review from notes.

A: The beer is clear copper with a small white head on top, about an inch in height with decent retention and thin lacing down the sides.

S: Lots of pine mixed with citrus fruit on the aroma, some grapefruit and orange zest with a faint caramel. malt undertone.

T: Very piney on the flavor profile, but it isn't really coupled with the amount of bitterness I was expecting, certainly helping with the drinkability. Some tropical fruit is mixed in, mostly grapefruit and orange.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Slightly bitter finish, but rather light for a big IPA like this.

O: Very good, deserving of praise for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 00:38:06 | More by mdaschaf

flexabull

California

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

Bottle courtesy of maximum12, thanks again.

Pours a light and bright gold color, clear, with a pretty nice white head.

Aromas are quite nice. Strong notes of tropical fruits, mostly mangos, also some citrus, oranges, and grapefruit. There is also resin and sugar as well.

Taste is fruity, lightly sweet and bitter up front. Notes of grapefruit, oranges, cream, and hard candies. Finish is very dry, crisp and bitter.

Mouthfeel is good. Crisp, with snappy carbonation, gets a touch thin on the finish.

Overall, a very nice example of the style. As noted, this is dry and bitter. I just wish it had a touch more body and malt flavors. Still, a very solid offering.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:54:48 | More by flexabull

prototypic

Ohio

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

Head Hunter pours a really attractive gold color. It’s mostly clear. Backlighting gives it a slight orange tint. It’s capped with an off-white head that rises to about a finger in height. It holds steady for quite a while before falling to a surface covering. Lacing was rather sticky and thick. Looks good!

The nose is very impressive! Strong citric hop notes roll right out of the glass. They smell like grapefruit, light, orange, and pineapple. Smells delicious! There are some light malty notes in the background. Smells like a mix of caramel and toasted malts. They’re very much a secondary factor though. Hops are very much front and center in this one. It smells a little sweet and sugary. Alcohol is there, but doesn’t come through too strong. Excellent!

The flavor is very impressive, but is a step below the nose. The malt base is a mix of toasted and caramel varieties. The caramel, while sweet, isn’t too much of a factor. The toasted malts seem a tad strong for my taste though. Small gripe. The hops are definitely strong and full of citrus deliciousness. Grapefruit, orange, and pineapple flavors are all noted. It’s definitely bitter, but doesn’t completely wreck the palate. Alcohol is blended well and isn’t all that noticeable. Finishes with a really nice mix of citrus flavors and light bitterness.

The body is on the lighter side of medium. Carbonation is light and soft. It’s smooth and feels nice for the style. It goes down easy, that’s for sure. I could easily handle two or three bottles in a sitting. Good stuff.

Head Hunter is a really impressive release from Fat Heads Brewery & Saloon. It’s not perfect, but it is an excellent American IPA. Personally, I’d prefer just a little less toasted malt flavor. It’s a small complaint, but less would be more there. Very good stuff in any event. Definitely worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 02:04:41 | More by prototypic

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

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

Fresh growler from Fathead's in Pittsburgh.

A-pours a hazy golden honey color with a pretty tight creamy white head.

S-notes of malt but very faint, lots of hops! light pine, grassy herbal hops, hints of tangerine and grapefruit in the back.

T-the taste is so hoppy and nice. virtually no malt, awesome hop presence. piney up front, notes of caramel and brown sugar maltiness makes its only appearance. grassy hops in the middle with grapefruit taking over in the back with a nice present bitterness.

M-this is extremely smooth on the palate, nice carbontion holds a lighter medium body, dry in the back with a hint of crispness.

D-this is a huge hop lovers IPA, which I am. very tasty, nice balance of flavors that work really well together. by far fathead's best offering!

Serving type: growler

06-07-2010 00:10:36 | More by cpetrone84

clayrock81

Virginia

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

A real piney, citric hop nose that even hits grape-like aroma on top of a golden body w/ large head that dies quick and leaves lace ring. Very dry - first thing that hits me - as the citric hops are prevelant throughout entire drink yet it flows smooth, not haggard, and has a nice touch of sweetness to it as well. A well-balanced, solid IPA that a hop lover will love and so will fans of less hoppy, more malty beers as well...must say did not realize 7% until I saw this website b/c they hid it well.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 23:51:37 | More by clayrock81

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Adam and Chris for this bottle. Couldn't find freshness info.
Poured in to snifter.

A - Translucent medium orange with a thin layer of off-white head.

S - Massive fresh hops up front - grapefruit, orange zest, peach, mango and pine aromas are all present with a touch of sweet caramel in the background.

T - A huge bitterness up front. Grapefruit, peach, pineapple, and pine. There is the slightest malt sweetness in the background but this is defintiely a hop bomb, as advertised.

M - Medium body, creamy. Sticky and full of resinous hop oils. Light to moderate carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 02:27:43 | More by TheSevenDuffs

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.23/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle opened on 8.17.12.

A - Pours a clear medium orange with a one inch off-white head that is foamy and with good retention.

S - Pine and orange peel.

T - Same as the nose. Bitter finish.

D - Solid carbonation with a nice medium body.

O - Pine dominated, some orange rind. Bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 06:35:37 | More by HuskyinPDX

Sean9689

Illinois

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

Pours a golden yellow, white head, thin collar. Nose is pine, grass, light citrus. Flavor is mostly pine with a nice hoppy kick. Smooth and easy to drink, more citrus then the nose. Light body, good carbonation, nice bitter bite on the end.

A nice IPA but not sure I would consider this world class. Easy drinking, refreshing, and good. I really don't have many bad things to say about this beer but I'm not blown away. Good, not great.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 15:26:02 | More by Sean9689

scottfrie

California

4.25/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into snifter. Thanks Josh!

A: Pours a lightly hazy bright orange with a couple fingers of rocky, greasy and dense off-white head that slowly faded into a rocky film. Sticky streaks of lacing were left down the glass.
S: Huge notes of citrus fill my nose. Grapefruit pith, orange peel and a hint of lemon come through.
T: Big citrus hop palate as expected. Grapefruit, lightly sweet fruit juice, orange zest and splash of pine are strong, with a bit of caramel and toasted malt poking through in the finish. The aftertaste is lemony, lemon pine-sol, and bitter.
M: Medium-full body, crisp and bitter mouthfeel, with a smooth and tingly carbonation.
O: An aggressively hopped ipa that should probably fall into dipa category. This one is a keeper. Thanks again Stormking47.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 22:44:19 | More by scottfrie