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

randylangford

Pennsylvania

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

I've had is before but I feel like now is the time to review since I can now but it in a nice four pack or case at my local.

A: Nice fluffy head with a deep ambery golden nectar underneath.

S: I get some great fruit. Mango, grapefruit and pineapple

T: Unlike some other IPA's with a tropical fruit nose, I get a nice straight piney bitterness with hits of citrus ... exactly what I want.

M: It doesn't seem to have the malt backbone and full mouth feel to carry hop explosion, but amazingly it works ... it works great.

O: This is a must have, it's up there with Pliny the Elder and Heady topper. Easily the best IPA that I can get 4 for $10.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 02:40:56 | More by randylangford

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4.09/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first beer from Fat Head's.

Pours out a nice orange with almost a slightly greenish tint and a decent amount of white head.

The aroma is full of citrus and fruity hops along with a dank hop aroma.

Taste is dominated by hops that taste almost fresh squeezed and it has a very in your face approach. The fruit is very juicy and there is a subtle malt background.

Very refreshing and easy to drink. A great summer IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2012 02:05:47 | More by JohnnyMc

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

ABOWMan

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a light golden orange with an ample three fingers of lacey amber head. Moderate retention of head and some lacing evident on the walls of my pint glass.
The aroma is like being in the citrus section of the grocery isle. Grapefruit, lemon and some pineapple followed by a resinous piney nose.
The flavor is like a smack to your face. A blast of piney hops mixed with the sweet citrus notes. A mild backbone of malt help take the sharp edge off of the extreme hop hit, but not enough so that you'll mistake this for just another hoppy beer. Definitely West Coast Style, but better than Green Flash or Bear Republic have done to date.
The only modest drawbacks I see have to do with a mouthfeel that seems thinner than the flavor/aroma would dictate and a fighter color which belies the complexity and intensity of flavor found in this ale. Well done Fat Head! The closest think to my version of a perfect IPA!

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 21:26:23 | More by ABOWMan

wvsabbath

West Virginia

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

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Golden tan/burnt yellow with a 1 inch foamy head and mild lacing.

Smell - A load of hops, grapefruit, orange, pine, pear, plums, rasin. Some carmal malts and faint farmhouse like spices and yeasts in the finish.

Taste - Loads of hops at first sip. Very floral, sweet and hop bitter. Close to a west coast ipa with its pine/grapefruit/orange flavors mixed with a saison/farmhouse like floral, earthy flavors. The hops are very crisp, clean and a perfect mix of sweet and bitter. Light caramal malts and added sugars come near the finish to balance and add even more flavor to this amazing ipa.

Mouthfeel - Light, crisp, refreshing and lots of sweet fruits nail the tounge. Palate gets more hops along with some spices and malts. Aftertaste is bitter, fruity and a little dry.

Overall - Top 5 ipa ive ever had. I loved going to fatheads to drink this but i like having a bottle of it even more. Excellent world class ipa, smooth, tasty and hoppy as hell, a must try.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 00:56:45 | More by wvsabbath

AwYeh

California

4.88/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle poured into snifter; I believe this one is quite fresh.

A: Pours an almost clear, bright, golden copper color– really great looking. Two fingers, at least, of foamy white head cap off the glass and leave behind considerable lacing all down the glass.

S: Huge, huge doses of pine and citrus hops carry this one. Grapefruit and sweeter pineapple are noticeable in particular. Unbelievably fruity while balancing sweetness and dankness well. Caramel, bready malts come out just a bit as the beer warms.

T: Huge doses of hops all through the flavor– pine flavors are strongest with citrus coming in at a close second. The considerable hop flavors alone are almost able to balance the bitterness they offer, but just a bit of sweet, biscuity malt shows up to do the job.

M: Medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation. Smooth, creamy, and lightly dry on the finish. A sticky, resinous quality helps the hop bitterness stick around. [Updated from 4.5 to 5 on 8/01/12 after 5 or so 4-packs of this.]

O: A serious candidate for best beer that I've had to date. It looks beautiful, smells awesome, tastes perfect, and mouthfeel adds a lot to the overall enjoyment. While I'm incredibly happy that this is being bottled now, I'm kicking myself for never making it to Fat Heads to try this on tap before. A must-drink if you can get your hands on it.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 00:52:53 | More by AwYeh

Jesse13713

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Golden yellow which avoids a pee-like appearance. Average head and lacing to the pint glass. Clear like a mysterious golden elixir.

Smell - Very complex and interesting hops. Citrusy, bitter, and piny on the nose. Very nice smelling.

Taste - I don't think I've ever tasted a combination of hops like this before. Sweet floral buds that proved a nectary taste. An easy malt back to this beer. A bit piney and pleasantly bitter.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability - Easy-going down the throat. A nice bitterness due to a complex combination of hops. Fresh. Gets a bit more bitter towards the end. Very unique and worthy of a try.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 19:48:18 | More by Jesse13713

WVbeergeek

Ohio

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

Pours a brilliant copper glowing slightly orange and red when held toward the light with a bright white head building up big and large. I love this beer, Fathead's has done it again and released when of my all time favorite IPAs. Aroma has big floral, citrus, and fruit filled hop bursts going on...this beer is great. I'm not sure which hops they use, but it has the most tropical fruit smells I've ever tasted straight up mango/pineapple. The most sought after West Coast style IPA brewed outside of Cleveland. This brand new case I picked says brewed in small batches to ensure quality I believe it. This an 87 IBU hop monster that gives out hop flavor with malt sweetness all day, it's balanced yet aggressive and uncivilized according to the label. Hop candy all day, a beer that flows with each sip anybody into hops needs to try this beer, I get layers of grapefruit and bright hop flavors that are literally rocking my world. Mouthfeel is resinous but not heavy, light to medium bodied ample flowing carbonation excellent drinkable IPA for those of us in the know. I know this beer is amazing I've been drinking it on draft at Fathead's since it came out.

Update: bottled on 5/14/13 @ 10:34 am drank on 5/18/13@ 4:23 pm I love fresh IPA and I love the Head Hunter!!!

Hops are screaming in this sample, beautiful cohesive force of big hops and malts I can't believe this is available this fresh in my area bought at Valley Wine Cellar in Steubenville, Ohio. It made it down here from the production brewery in 3 days I bought it on 5/17/13...that's effective distribution. Good job to the Premium beverage folks I can't believe it. Pairing an Erik Espinosa Habano from the La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua beautiful Habano wrapper spicy Nica tobacco, fills the nares with black pepper, the palate with leather and spice beautiful cigar to pair with a badass West coast style IPA. If you never had the pleasure of drinking this on tap please find it fresh in bottles amazing experience, every hophead around this area should have I'm about to pick up the rest of the bottles.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 11:19:32 | More by WVbeergeek

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

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

Served on tap, into a Guulden Draak tulip

A. About on inch of lacing hangs around for a few minutes, minimal lacing. Light orange/yellow coloring. Extremely hazy -- can't see through this one.

S. Zesty citrus hops, mostly grapefruit with a bit of pine.

T. Follows nose, with more intensity. Through the grapefruit rind into this and it's almost like a fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. Pine is there as well. I like this. It gets better as it warms.

M. Light to medium carbonation, hoppy after taste which emphasizes the pine.

O. I really like this beer. It gets better and better at is warms, and at 7.5% ABV (as advertised in this here bar), it's a good way to start the day. I'll have this again when I see it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2012 16:03:52 | More by rodlavers

gradergator

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap and served in a small tasting glass. the beer is a slightly hazed, orange coloring and inch high head with great retention, too. Aromas are citrus-hop blend that smells amazing. orange, and grapefruit blending with the pine, fresh cut grass, and resin to entice you right into the glass. Flavors are rich and resiny. A very Hop forward punch with a grapefruit that keeps you coming back for more. There is a subtle caramel backbone that supports all the other profiles, which is exactly what it should be doing. The finish is clean, smooth, and very satisfying. Another great Midwest IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2012 22:39:03 | More by gradergator

UpToMeBeer

Colorado

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

orange/gold with a creamy, wispy, white head. It's about three fingers and it's all over the place. Doesn't dissipate much either.

Citrusy aroma.... some grapefruit/ pine .... Slight hint of caramel and malt.

Hops starts off strong on the taste.... lingers with a bitterness (that becomes more and more pleasent)... Grapefruity finish.

Very good! I'm accustomed to West Coast IPA's, and this one is quite reminiscent!

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 03:38:05 | More by UpToMeBeer

brentk56

North Carolina

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

Appearance: Arrives with a modest head seated atop the clear amber liquid; splotchy lace is left behind

Smell: Grapefruit and nothing but

Taste: Grapefruit, with a hint of biscuity malt underneath; citrusy finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A really nice grapefruity IPA; though it has a hint of residual sweetness, it never comes close to becoming cloying

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 01:45:28 | More by brentk56

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

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.58/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours somewhat cloudy bright orange with a big 2 finger pillowey off white head with good retention and a solid coating down the glass.

Best word to describe the smell is dank. Lots of dank grapefruit that probably comes from Simcoe. Other citrus fruits and fresh cut grass as well.

Flavor is very dank as well. Starts out with some citrus, more fresh grass and a bit of grapefruit. A touch of toffee sneaks in for a while, but the hops shine through just how I like them. Finishes resiny and oily with a sharp pine bitterness.

A tad bit creamy with good carbonation levels.

I now understand why it won all the medals the bottle brags about. While I prefer a bit more of a citrus lean to the flavor this was one of the best smelling beers I've ever had and the taste only disappoints compared to it. Not sure of distribution on this, but if it's available in Western Ohio I'm all over it every time I'm there.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 23:14:14 | More by jmarsh123

MONKandTUCK

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Deep Amber (kinda hardto gauge in dark lighting) lots of lacing, nice head on first pour.

A - Blast of pine, some citrus, a little dank and tropical in the background.

T - Malts hold up, but this is all sorts of hops all the way through. I suspect continuous additions. Simcoe and maybe Columbus show up en force. Lots of piney and citrus zest notes. West Coast just got bitch slapped by Blitzburgh.

M - Thinner than expected for the ABV, but IPA's are meant to finish dry. Something creamier would have helpd with the enjoyability.

O - As it drinks the hop harshness picks up. There was nothing here that I hadn't had before or was longing for. Sure, it's an IPA that checks all the marks, and I wouldn't pass up using this to introduce folks to IPA's. But where I was at when drinking this, I really felt spent when half way thru. I liked it, but it was almost too much IPA for being an IPA. Nah'mean!?

*I dislike Simcoe very much, try to avoid Chinook, and have a tenuos relationship with Columbus and Cascade. If you love any one of those hops... seek this beer out!

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 22:49:07 | More by MONKandTUCK

djwilson

Ohio

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

Pours a light orange/gold with a frantic white head, leaving a nice lace on the glass.

Aroma is citrus, grapefruit, and light pine up front. Slight hint of caramel and malt.

Hops hits you right in the first sip and lingers for several minutes on the tounge. Finishes nice and bitter like a grapefruit.

Overall the best example of a west coast IPA! Right up there with the big guys, firestone walker, pizza port, coronado, and stone!!

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2012 21:22:24 | More by djwilson

siege06nd

Virginia

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

Huge thanks to my Aunt Terri and Uncle Paul for coming through in the clutch on scoring these bottles at the brewery. Love you guys!

Served in a Nonic pint...

A: Pours a pale golden orange with a beautiful three finger, foamy, eggshell white head. Head fades down to a half finger, but it lingers for the duration. Gorgeous tightly beaded lacing coats the sides of the glass. Top notch stuff here.

S: Oh wow, this has a delightful nose. Loads of tropical fruit flavors, including grapefruit, orange, mango, tangerine. Pine needles hover in the background throughout. Just a hint of grassiness on the back end. Absolutely gorgeous bouquet, one of the best I've encountered.

T: Super creamy, juicy, and fruity. Absolutely spectacular. Starts with grapefruit and orange zest, then the pine resin kicks in full gear as bittering hops wash over the mid. Incredible floral flavors provide lightness and balance. Solid malt base on this as well. The finish has some lingering and assertive bitterness, but it blends so purely with sweet citrus. Superb from start to finish.

M: Surprisingly light bodied for all the flavors that are present. Great interplay between malt and hop here: it's spicy, sweet, savory, refreshing all at once.

O: Standing O. Worth every bit of the hype and praise that is has received all these years. Between this and White Rajah, Cleveland may have the best two 1-2 IPA combo in the country...that includes you, San Fran (Blind Pig and Pliny are awesome, but don't have anything on this duo). Very different from White Rajah, a little bit more body on this one and subtle complexity. More pine resin and herbal notes on this as well. A hop head's delight from start to finish. Worth the wait.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 23:55:43 | More by siege06nd

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

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Blonde-to-orange body. An inch of head only, but that just means more beer. Bone-colored topper with good lacing.

Citrus (grapefruit juice, tangerine), tropical fruits (spicy mango, guava), and a lovely cracker-y base malt.

Citric rush of volatile hop oils! Grapefruit, tangerine, papaya, and green grass. Some lemongrass, too. Pale malts come off dry and freshly-baked, like white bread. Great bitterness, prolonged after the swallow. Fresh hop cone greenness. A 'wowser'!

Very drinkable, medium-to-light body with a powerful, crisp effervescence. Great overall feel.

An incredible brew! Highly recommended! A big fruity IPA with some balance, remarkable aroma, and excellent thirst-quenching bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2012 20:28:18 | More by thecheapies

ckollias

Maryland

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

Enjoyed this on tap at Fat’s head.

A: Pours a golden hue with a white 2-finger head that quickly dissipates into a wispy lace leaving a nice trail the down glass.

S: Nice super hoppy aroma is dominant all the way through.

T: Crisp hoppy flavor that is very bitter and tart. Hints of citrus and pine in the background.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Wow – super hoppy beer! Great sipping beer @ 7.4% abv.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2011 23:35:22 | More by ckollias

jpmclaug

South Carolina

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

Bottle courtesy of misterhops. Sent to me because he is an awesome guy. His awesomeness becomes even more apparent the more I drink this beer and realize how great it is. Between this and Columbus IPA I gotta say Ohio knows how to make some hoppy beer. The glass was poured into my New Belgium globe.

Orange body with a small white head. No haze, no hop matter, a nice looking beer.

Oh yes, the aroma on this one is top notch. Grapefruit, citrus, maybe a bit of pine and this nice dank resiny finish. The finish of a whiff of this is truly fantastic, few beers catch the nice green hoppy aroma like this does.

As for the taste, this follows in the footsteps of the aroma. Nice green grassy hop taste up front, some tangerine like flavor in the middle and a pretty balanced finish. Fairly bitter but not too bitter. More of that green hoppy notes similar to the aroma in the beggining of a sip. On the lighter side of medium mouthfeel with a decent amount of carbonation. Slightly syrupy mouthfeel after it goes down.

Overall a really really nice IPA. I see why people like this one. I know I've typed it repeatedly but there is a real nice dank, green hop aroma and flavor that really makes this one stick out. I wouldn't mind drinking this one at all, in fact I'll leave it on my wants in hopes of getting this again. It doesn't hurt tha this beer is insanely drinkable, a growler of this could get put down no problem.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 21:29:01 | More by jpmclaug

ike4tay45

Ohio

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

A: Clear golden color, nice white 2 finger head. Slowley disapating with some nice lacing.

S: Aroma is nice with lots of pine and plenty citrus hops, and some malts.

T: Taste is bold, citrus, and hoppy.

M: Feel is crisp clean, light and smooth.

Overall: Excellent. Can hang with any west coast IPA. Glad I could finally score some bottles!

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2011 00:25:14 | More by ike4tay45

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

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.85/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served on tap into a nonic glass at the brewpub

A- Poured a honey color orange yellow with one finger frothy head that left some good lace

S- Grapefruit and pine assault. This is super aromatic and has a really deep pungent funk.

T- Big pungent funk, grapefruit, tropical fruit, pine, and woodiness. Perfect balance of sweet and bitter. Great sweet citrus flavor up front and very assertive bitterness on the finish.

M- Very dry beer with good carbonation that goes down smooth, very dry on the finish

O- Is this the best IPA I have ever had? I think it may be. This is an amazing IPA, so aromatic and flavorful. This beer brings the sweetness, bitterness, and funk; what a perfect combo. This is as West Coast as it gets and it is from Cleveland. I have got to make it up to Fat Heads more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2011 02:46:34 | More by Hoptometrist

merc7186

New York

4.3/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap as part of a flight at Fat Heads Cleveland.

The beer has a decent golden straw color to it, good head on the glass and great lacing. The smell comes off with a strong oily resin, piney, and a hint of grapefruit on the back end. The taste just blows you away with a hop punch to the mouth, it delivers a piney, grapefruit flavor that just delivers a great hop flavor but not over the top. The mouthfeel is great with a nice piney flavor that doesn't dry you out but leaves you wanting more. Overall, a MUST drink for hop heads.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2011 01:37:43 | More by merc7186