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

bastu

Tennessee

4.6/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Cazlo for the growler!

Not sure of the exact keging date but it's definitely fresh.

Pours a golden orange with a 1 finger head that leaves a nice lacing.

Smells of fresh citrusy dank hops.

Tastes of fresh citrusy dank hops. Not getting any malt flavors. A touch more bitter than the last batch I had, but not so much as to be a detractor.

Mouthfeel and carbonation are just right.

If I could buy this locally I would be much happier.

Serving type: growler

12-25-2011 15:08:10 | More by bastu

Justin_Neff

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark golden hue with a fluffy head that sticks around for a good amount of time.

S: Initial smell is hop overload, followed by citrusy grapefruit undertones and finished with a strong whiff of pine. This is exactly what I want an IPA to smell like.

T: The taste is really light with an explosion of piney flavors thoughout. The finishing taste is encompassed with a dominant citrus flavor. The hoppy flavor doesnt come through until the after-taste.

M: Medium body, but on the lighter end of an IPA. As anticipated from the fluffy head at the onset, this one has a creamy consistency that is nice.

O: Not much else I can say other than this is a must-try and must-buy if you are lucky enough to find it.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 23:16:18 | More by Justin_Neff

WesM63

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at deagans in Lakewood, Ohio. Poured into a pint glass.

A: golden amber with a nice 1.5finger off white head. Moderate amounts of retention tons of lacing.

S: Sticky pine, tons of bubblegum, grapefruit and pineapple.

T: Spot on the nose. Loads of sweet bubblegum, grapefruit and some pine. Moderate bitterness lingers.

M: Medium carbonation and body.

O: Phenominal west coast IPA! Wish I could get it here on the western side of the state.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2012 23:44:54 | More by WesM63

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.61/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a beautiful clean copper/amber in color with 2 fingers of frothy off-white head, lots of visible carbonation and excellent lacing. the smell is wonderful, tons of cascade/centennial west coast piney hops, a really nice caramel profile, grapefruit scent is very present. a wonderful sweet malty experience with blasts of grapefruit citrus and piney/floral hops.. this tastes sooo fresh it's ridiculous. medium body with moderate carbonation.. creamy on the lips, but goes down nice and easy making it an extremely refreshing ipa.

i love this beer. definitely worth the trade i did (1 2011 DFH WWS for 4pk of this and 2 white rajah). everything about this beer is excellent from its appearance down to the way it tingles your palate is damn close to perfection.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 20:27:23 | More by facundoCNB

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Received as an extra from miketd. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a nice crystal clear amber with a solid one finger white head that fades to leave a thin blanket. Spotty side lacing.

S - So I was unfamiliar with this, and as such when I cracked it did a "woah". An explosion of hops, lots of tropical mango with this along with some light malt sweetness/backbone. Loving the mango, pineapple aroma going on.

T - Taste follows through with that great nose. There are some malty sweetness, but, its deliciously hoppy. Wonderful mango and pineapple tropical hops. Its got a good grapefruit rind bitterness on the finish. Delicious.

M - Mouthfeel is spot on too. Great carbonation, nice bitter finish. Not boozy, not overly aggressively bitter, but make no mistake this is hops.

O - Overall this was an exceptional IPA. Delicious, well done. So tropical, which i absolutely love in an IPA. Really taken aback by this. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 16:50:05 | More by rudzud

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.64/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

12 ounce bottle poured into a Unibroue tulip. Off white head, low to moderate retention. Clear lacing on a clear, light copper body. Aroma is dominated by intense, resinous, piney, grassy, hoppy goodness. Taste is biting and bitter, intensely hopped, I'm sure the malt backbone is in there somewhere. Totally out of balance and totally delicious. Delivers on the promises made on the label. Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:41:12 | More by KickbacksSteve

Hendry

Vermont

4.64/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a slighty clear amber-ish color with a soapy white head. Lacing relatively average in the tulip glass, but there are more important attributes to IPA than lacing.

The nose is snappy, lots of grapefruit rind and pith,herbal and piney, rich aroma. Taste is heavy on the grapefruit but in a good balanced way, also there is a sort of savory rather than sweet vibe going on overall. I'd say the taste pretty well matches the nose, which is rock solid.

A hefty medium for the body with the carbonation pretty lively but not overly aggressive. The hops are pretty chewy and the bitter aftertaste is one of a quality IPA that is quite drinkable but by no means light in any respect.

Very solid IPA worthy of the award winning status and favorable ratings, definitely worth a try if you can get this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 04:16:12 | More by Hendry

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

burnstar

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clear dark gold with good sized head. Nice lacing on the surface and sides. This is a fantastic smelling beer. Just great hop character. Huge citrus aroma- lemons and grapefruit. Floral and slightly piney as well. Upfront bitterness and fairly bitter throughout. A little background sweetness but hops dominate the flavor. Big herbal and citrus hop flavor. Finishes with a nice lingering bitterness. Medium bodied. This IPA pulls no punches. Close to a DIPA. Pretty awesome.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 23:17:49 | More by burnstar

BeernDrum

Ohio

4.66/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Absolutely one of the best IPAs out there. At first pour a nice amber color with nice head. Not overly carbonated. Smells of citrus and pine. At first taste a bitter yet delicious grapefruit hits the palette. The seconds taste and you are sucked in and nothing else matters. This stuff is great. Second only to Zombie Dust. For me this is easy to get. zombie Dust is harder than hell to find so this is my first choice. A must try for true IPA lovers.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 03:27:32 | More by BeernDrum

FLYINGSCOOTER

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A great IPA!
I usually buy in single bottles from a local beverage store largely being afraid of buying sixes to not like what i bought.
I had to get Headhunter IPA in a Growler (my first) and was offered a sample before i bought it. Being bold, I said no to the sample and bought the 64oz growler to be surprised.
I figured that this breweries brewmiester worked for Great Lakes for a bit, so it had to be good.
Good?!?!?! This was great and I highly recomend it.

Serving type: growler

07-18-2009 13:07:39 | More by FLYINGSCOOTER

twelvsies

Maine

4.68/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Was in Pittsburgh visiting family for the holidays, and one of my first stops is always Fathead's on the South Side. I haven't been in several years, and was interested to see that they had opened their own brewery in Cleveland. Far out. I saw a banner hanging on their ceiling toting this beer as National IPA Champion (at what fest, I know not) so I figured it was worth a shot. Glad I tried it...

Pours on the lighter side of the spectrum for IPAs, bright and golden orange, healthy sticky head and lacing galore. Sharp piney aromas and loads of tropical fruit, citrus, uber fresh. I was expecting decent or even tasty at best, but I was really blown away by this beer. Super bitter, nearly astringent (in a good way), light malt profile allowing the citrus hops to shine. Really amazing pineapple-y minty sappy resinous danky hops. So bitter. My special lady friend was drinking other top tier IPAs such as Sculpin and Green Flash, and swapping sips I think this was a notch ahead, which is saying a lot. Nice smooth mouthfeel, not overly heavy, thick, syrupy, or sweet like some IPAs pushing the imperial tend to be. Crisp, fresh, quenching and highly quaffable. Definitely in the top tier of IPAs in my book. Wish it was more widely available but now I have another excuse to go visit the folks in Pittsburgh.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 17:52:16 | More by twelvsies

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.68/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I have seen this beer proudly displayed on LNBA posts and when I saw it on the shelf at Jungle Jim's in Fairfield, OH, I just had to try it. Poured from a bottle (no freshness date) into a New Belgium snifter, it pours out a beautiful clear orange gold color with a nice tight head that, while thin, does show some good retention. I also see some nice effervescence. The nose is simply stunning. I get big notes of ripe tropical fruits like grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and peaches. This is how I like my IPAs to smell! Resiny, flowery, pine-like noses are fine, but big tropical fruit notes like this get really high marks in my book. Think ``Zombie Dust'', only toned down just a little bit.

The beer has a nice medium body and a good, firm mouthfeel. The flavor follows the nose pretty well. There is plenty of malt there to provide a good body, but the hops just take over and rattle your palate. If there's one thing I don't like in an IPA, it is medicinal sweetness. With this beer, I get absolutely no sweetness beyond a tiny bit on the tip of my tongue. After that, it's all big, aggressive, pine and citrus bitterness. The finish is the best I've ever encountered in this style. It is really sticky and long-lasting. You can feel the hop oils coating your mouth long after you swallow. If I had to nitpick, I would say that a bit more malt body would make this beer even better. Since I don't have to nitpick, I'll simply say ``Why gamble when you're ahead? Don't change a darn thing!''

Folks have been raving about this beer on message boards and now I know why. Considering this beer is made just next door in Ohio, my experience with it came as a complete shock. It is absolutely world-class and might be the best American IPA I have had yet. I will be looking for this whenever I drive over the bridge from now on. Now if these guys would just start to distribute to Kentucky...

EDIT: I have now had this beer numerous times and had to upgrade the appearance rating after experiencing floaties on several occasions. As if this beer wasn't good enough already, now its appearance is starting to remind me of Heady Topper. Bravo!

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 22:38:09 | More by deadonhisfeet

MrSnrub

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Fat Head's in Pittsburgh, 2010.2.2.

Light copper color with lacy white head. Very enticing bouquet with pine and citrus hops aplenty. Mouthfeel is creamy and resinous. Taste is crisp and bursting with fresh hops; grapefruit flavors predominate. Drinkability is exceptional; I could guzzle this beer all day.

Headhunter is a truly fantastic IPA. It is similar to Green Flash (one of my favorites), but slightly less bitter and with a lighter body. Apparently this beer won first prize at a San Diego IPA competition - no mean feat for a beer from Cleveland. Bravo, Fat Head's.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2010 20:46:24 | More by MrSnrub

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Had this on 2011-09-10 at the brewery in Cleveland.

A - Clear straw-amber with a 1.5-finger white head into a Fat Head's pint glass. Moderate lacing.

S - Pineapple, mango, pine, pale malt, hop floral and hop oils. Smells great but not quite as aromatic as on-cask.

T - Pineapple, orange, pine, and grapefruit zest. There's a touch of light caramel and some orange flesh sweetness. It dries quickly with a bright citrus bitter finish that is wonderful.

M - Light-medium body and medium-high carbonation. Crisp. Prickly and somewhat resinous.

D - What a great brew. I enjoyed having this along side the same batch on cask. Slight nod to on-cask but this is absolutely first-rate nontheless.

Notes: This particular batch of Head Hunter is being entered by the brewer, Matt, into the 2011 Great American Beer Festival this month. Our impressively well-versed bartendress told us the pub was out of Head Hunter for 10 days because Matt wanted this batch to be as perfect as possible for submission to GABF.

Additional Note: This batch took the bronze at the 2011 GABF.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2011 21:27:54 | More by Tucquan

MrDanno96

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a nice orange color with a thin ring of white head and some sticky lacing.

S: Resiny hops dominate, of course. Smells like the floor of an evergreen forest with hints of tropical fruit. Earthy and slightly sweet.

T/M: Any hop head will love this. Thick mouthfeel with some malty caramel sweetness up front. Then the hops kick in, coating your mouth with pine and that oh so enjoyable hop bitterness. A slight fruit sweetness lingers throughout, balancing the hops. What more could you bask for?

O: An IPA to be recokoned with. The west coast better watch out as Head Hunter can stand up with the best of them. Every true hop head should give this a try. Easily competes with PtE as my favorite hoppy beer and at 7.5% you could call this a DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 01:11:34 | More by MrDanno96

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

12oz bottle poured into a Sam Adam's Alpine Spring 16oz glass

A - Pours a golden yellow-orange, two finger head, thick lacing.

S - Fresh, juicy hops, pineapple, orange peel, big time grapefruit, light pine, good amount of floral traits present as well.

T - Bright flavors going on here that give way to the bite of aggressive hop bitterness. Pineapple is the most noticeable fruit taste here, just absolutely delicious. You also get that lush grapefruit flavor that gives to mild bitterness afterward. The powerful hopping and IBU's still resonate on your palate long after you've taken that gulp.

M - Incredible. A full feeling ale that is bursting with flavor, take a large sip and gulp it down in succession to gather all the goodness this beer has.

O - So far in my quest of IPA's, this beer takes the crown. It has won prestigious awards for a reason. The day Fat Head's opened their production brewery should be treated as a national holiday. It is a nearly perfect example of what a great IPA should aspire to be. People that think Pliny is the best, need to have this beer and have their palate's re-examined. It actually tastes and feels like it has all the qualities of an Imperial IPA, but packed in at a more moderate 7.5%. My ONLY complaint about this brew is that the bitterness can hang on a bit longer than you want.
This is just another feather in the cap of Pittsburgh's great breweries, and I feel privileged to have ready access to such an amazing brewery.

Also take note that this beer is year round, and for most PA and Ohio residents, this beer isnt too hard to grab. People get excessively excited about seasonal IPA brews, and overpay and over-hype it because its so darn hard to get. This IPA is as every bit as good as those, and much more obtainable. If you can get it, do it, I doubt you'll regret it.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 02:46:03 | More by Omnium

surfcaster

North Carolina

4.71/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2 four packs brought to NC by a friend after having had one before and really liking it.

Out of the bottle in a tulip

A: Golden beauty with half inch head and light lacing

S: Huge nose that you get as soon as you pop the cap. Floral notes CITRUS

T: Up front bite from hops but on my palate more of the sharp citrus/grapefruit than the pine/resin. Explodes in the mouth then finishes lighter.

M: On the drier side to me

O: Absolutely loved it. Very similar to Lagunitas Sucks. 7.5% Alcohol is completely hidden and dangerous. Wish it was in NC.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 12:20:05 | More by surfcaster

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.72/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I wouldn't argue with you if you said this was the greatest single IPA in the world. Looks innocent enough, a slightly golden haze of a beer. Beautiful aroma up the nose, amazing simcoe and amarillo feel.

More of that in the taste, Plinyesque, so much dry hopping flavor, without a super heavy handed amount of bitterness. Totally resonates throughout the entire sample (tried at Bistro IPA festival, where it won gold). Extremely drinkable, would be difficult to stop drinking this if there weren't 61 other kegs of IPA that day.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2010 17:48:55 | More by Beerandraiderfan

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

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

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

EricHeff

Ohio

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

I have been introducing my wife to good beers for a while now, but she has been really reluctant to start trying a lot of IPAs.
I took her to Fatheads a few weeks ago and made her try my Head Hunter. Needless to say, she got her own glass and a 4 pack for the road just for herself. Since then she has been all over IPAs and our fridge has never looked yummier.
This beer pours an orange color with little head and has some amazing piny/citrus smells. It is super easy to drink, has a crisp feel, and some amazing citrus flavor.
This is by far my favorite IPA and if you get the chance I highly encourage you to try it. Im even prouder that its brewed right here in NE Ohio.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2011 14:30:16 | More by EricHeff

DWolf

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is one beer that is better in the bottle. I've always enjoyed Fat Head's Head Hunter IPA on tap, but I have to say it was never one I craved or sought out. But, Fat Head's bottling is different ... in a very good way. Whatever, they did to capture the piney, citrusy, oily esters and resins in the bottle please keep doing it. The mildly high ABV hides beautifully behind zesty grapefruit, spicy hops, fresh cut grass, and biscuity maltiness. A very well-balanced and well-done IPA bottling that I crave and will seek out. Thankfully, I can find it, for now, right in my local grocery store. Bonus!

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 18:08:09 | More by DWolf

JohnMatrix

Ohio

4.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed from a bottle on 8-31-12

This beer pours a dark orange with light carbonation. Very nice deep color. Potent citrus and hops is apparent immediately and dominates here. Absolutely a fantastic American IPA. This is going to be my new go to IPA. Very prominent are the citrus tones, mostly lemon. Grapefruit is also noted, but it is subtle.
Very satisfying, the light carbonation and taste make this a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 23:17:56 | More by JohnMatrix