Fiddlehead IPA - Fiddlehead Brewing Company

Hendry

Vermont

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Courtesy of the next door neighbor, a fresh 32 oz growler from the Shelburne,VT brewery.

Pours a golden wheat color,nicely cloudy,lively carbonation,1 finger soapy white head that recedes quickly,lacing a solid average.

Aroma: hop forward but not a hop bomb, piney aromas mostly, a hint of grapefruit rind, malts lie below the surface.

Taste is pleasantly bitter, some might call it unbalanced because the malts are in the basement, but that isn't a problem for my tastes. Some grapefruit bitterness starts things off,
then it drops off in a somewhat typical "session" IPA fashion with a crackery, yeasty finish.

Mouthfeel is medium, slightly oily hop resins,dry crisp finish.

Overall, a good session IPA that should please hop fans on the drinkability and bitterness level. Sort of one dimensional in flavor, but a good effort and better than many.

Serving type: growler

05-31-2013 05:08:20 | More by Hendry

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.79/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Half pint at Pro Pig in Waterbury. From notes.

A - Poured with a slightly hazy golden colour. Good carbonation, one finger white head and greta lace and a film of retention.

S - Nice citrus. Lot's of mint.

T - Juicy citrus. Pine, grapefruit. Pine dominates.

M - Good bitterness. Good carbonation, liight body, pithy finish.

O/D - A nice IPA. Tasty and complex. Could have a few, but one of the less memorable from the region.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 02:58:11 | More by tbeckett

DirtyPenny

Massachusetts

3.44/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured repeatedly from a growler into a pint glass.

A: Amber yellow and clear with wispy lacing. Poured with one finger of off-white head on the first pour, and two fingers on the second.

S: Potpourri of sweet, sharp citrus and a lil' bit of berry.

T: Very citrusy. Semisweet, with tart grapefruit and orange notes. Slight bitter pine on the finish.

M: Very smooth. Mildly viscous and dry on the end.

O: Not bad, but IPAs are not my thing. My folks were vacationing in Vermont and brought back a growler for me since they know I'm into microbrews. Thanks folks!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 22:55:13 | More by DirtyPenny

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.54/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Fiddlehead IPA - Tap from "Growlette"

The other day it was my wife's birthday and one of the things we did was go over to Fiddlehead. Our daughter goes to school with the owner's son and it was long overdue. Nice operation he has going there, hard to believe it's only been less than two years.

Look - Pours a hazy golden with just a twinge of amber. Moderate, bubbly head that dissipates at a medium pace. Good lacing. Minimal carbonation.

Smell - Citrus (grapefruit) hops and slight smooth malts, floral, mouth watering and fresh.

Taste - Spices with a pinch of malt comes in first, then hops rest on the palette. Super smooth and crisp.

Mouthfeel - Rests bitter hoppy but not overbearing, casual drinkers would enjoy (as well as seasoned craft drinkers). Alcohol is detectable but it is not overly boozy.

Overall - Interesting focus on hops instead of malt or malt blending. Great brew made by a friend, if you are in the Burlington, VT area, stop by and have a few of their samples, they have three different samples at any given time.

Serving type: growler

03-06-2013 13:02:54 | More by JMScowcroft

BTVflatlander

Vermont

3.86/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Overwhelming citrus hop profile akin to many other high end Vermont IPAs.

S: Fruit, a bit of grapefruit and general citrus.

T: True to the aroma, the prevailing flavor comes in the form of citrus hops, with little malt presence.

M: Smooth and bright. Very refreshing.

O: A solid Vermont IPA. For the $10 pricetag on a growler and the 20 minute drive to the brewery, this was certainly worth the effort. And, although I won't be going out of my way to return and get another in the immediate future, I will certainly end up patronizing Fiddlehead again.

Update (6/9/13): I must admit, my first impression of this beer was not terribly positive. However, having had it on tap several times since (now that the warmer weather has descended upon us), I have grown more and more partial to this brew. For the über reasonable price tag of $10 a growler, this is undoubtedly the best value IPA out of Vermont and, in my opinion achieves the all important malt-hop balance that so many other VT IPAs fail to conquer.

Serving type: growler

02-24-2013 01:07:50 | More by BTVflatlander

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-golden amber color with a smallish off-white head and decent lacing

S-citrus, pine, grain, floral notes

T-orange, lemon, pine,floral, lighter malt body with a decent bitter hop finish

F-light to medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp and dry

O-a decent IPA, a little on the light side and faces some stiff competition in this state

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 00:55:53 | More by MDDMD

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4.39/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at a couple spots around Jay Peak, Vermont.

Hazy muted yellow in color with a soft, luxurious, rocky head that remind me of carbonation from Hill Farmstead.

Smells wonderful. Bright, citrusy, juicy. It reminds me of its world-class brethren in the same state. Its aroma is in the same vein as many of the HF and Lawson IPAs, and could be seen as a baby Heady Topper with lighter malts.

Its flavor is super approachable. Juicy hop flavors (melon primarily) sit on top of clean light malts that almost give you the perception this is a wheat base. The malts are very light but that’s how I like my IPAs anyway. Though, I can see how other people may dock it points for that. It really just lets the hops take the whole stage which deserve it.

Mouthfeel is soft. Very drinkable. Almost no bitterness lingers.

If you like your IPAs on the unbalanced side, favoring to showcase bright citrusy hops, this beer is for you. And it’s definitely for me, too! I love it and want more of it NOW. Hopefully this will make it into bottles sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2013 22:51:43 | More by jbertsch

brewtus

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this at JAX off of Killington peak in VT. Got a pint of it and of came out light orange with a small head. Smelled and tasted like hops, apricots, and pine. This is hardly the best review ever but I can tell you that this is well worth a try. It's so balanced and drinkable but also has a ton of IPA flavor, nice work.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 02:07:53 | More by brewtus

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 12/21/12

Growler filled less than a week ago

Appearance: Deep orange, with some amber and some gold - slight haze, but mostly clear - pours with a thick, white head - fades to a minimal cap, leaves nice streaks of lacing

Smell: Fleshy and floral citrus, with some pine - not particularly aggressive or bitter-smelling, but it's charming in a gentle way - sweet tangerine and orange flesh - sweet fruitiness but not sugary - malts are very light, pale

Taste: A very gentle IPA, but it works - orange and tangerine flesh - more juicy, sweet than bitter - mild bitterness, which builds gradually - some pithy grapefruit, floral notes - light, albeit resiny pine - malts are very pale, almost watery at times

Mouthfeel: Medium body, nicely carbonated, smooth, but a bit watery

Overall: Very quaffable, but not particularly outstanding

This beer has a very interesting hop profile. It's almost reminiscent of my dear friend, Heady Topper. Sans the malt magic. Unfortunately, the lack of malts is also a problem in the taste. It's tasty, but just above average. Worth a try, though.

Serving type: growler

12-21-2012 07:30:49 | More by angrybabboon

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Light golden color with a white head leaving a good lacing on the glass.

S - Mild smell of citrus and piney note.

T - Good bitterness and happy flavors but the malt is far too discrete.

M - Good mouthfeel, relatively smooth but the body is on the light side and the alcohol tends to become a bit overpowering as the beer gets warm.

O - Just above the average, this IPA lacks some malty character IMO. Refreshing but a bit straightforward...

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2012 13:57:04 | More by duracell

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Poured medium yellow with a small amount of white head.

S - A very light nose. Some citric and floral hop aromas and not much of a malt base.

T - Good bitterness up front. Some pine, floral and citric flavours are present. No malt sweetness whatsoever.

M - Light to medium body. Moderate carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2012 01:24:19 | More by TheSevenDuffs

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a very light golden color. Head is nice and fluffy. Head retains well. Body is a bit cloudy. Laces well.

S-Hoppy but balanced. Citrus and pine with grains. Fresh baked bread.

T-Balanced with generic hoppy flavors. Bread and caramel balances out the hops. A pretty standard IPA. Nothing anywhere near offensive, but it does not stand out in a crowd.

M-Medium bodied. Not very oily or resinous. Moderate carbonation. Goes down easy enough.

O/D-A pretty standard IPA. Balanced but boring. Hard to set yourself apart in this style of beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2012 23:05:13 | More by VelvetExtract

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

this is not a conventional ipa. apparently leaving the big bold ipas to the other vermont heavy hitters, this new establishment has decided to brew a much lighter version of the style. it pours shockingly light yellow with a minimal white head. the smell of hops is there, nice and fruity, upbeat, and fresh. there is an extremely light malt profile to this beer, almost looks and feels like a wheat beer, but i dont think it is. crystal malts for sure. its tastes pretty good, and id have no problem with a few pints of this, but to me an american ipa must have a bit more body and oomph behind it. all the same, this is a nice beer, making its own space in the vermont ipa scene. i guess theyve got it contracted out all over the state, and the taproom is a cool place with lots to look forward to. a good first offereing from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2012 15:27:11 | More by StonedTrippin

GilGarp

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Seved cold in a tulip glass at Crop in Stowe, VT.

Pale golden yellow color with a slight haze and thin white head.

Aroma is fresh and hoppy In a east-coast meets west-coast style.

Flavor is nicely balanced towards the bitter with herbal, minty, and citrus character. Malt body is light and crisp to let the hops shine.

Mouthfeel is medium-light in body and perfectly carbonated on tap.

Overall a really nice surprise from from must be an up-and-coming small brewery. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the northeast kingdom.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2012 22:09:02 | More by GilGarp

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Tap at Prohibition Pig.

Big fluffy 1 finger head fades at a med pace with nice sticky lacing, hazy golden orange color.

Nose has plenty of citrus hops, light piny hops with a light herbal marijuana like aroma and even tobacco, light candied orange, light tangerine, and some sweet malts.

Taste starts a little sweet, juicy malts with a pale malt flavor, then hops, mostly citrus with a candied orange, tangerine, and light tropical fruit, some earthy bittering hops. Finish is fairly bitter, candied orange hops, tangerine, little sticky, mostly dry.

Mouth is med to a bit heavier bodied, decent carb.

Overall pretty good, nice hops, malts are a bit too much and too candy like.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2012 12:47:44 | More by jlindros

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Three Penny Taproom, Montpelier, VT

Served in a pint glass, a very hazy golden straw color with a small cap of white head; minimal retention and lacing. Grassy aroma, citrusy hops. Wet grass in the taste, lemon rind, pine and citrus hops, a bit of funk sort of reminiscent of a saison. Medium body. Just a bit off all over, and I didn't really care for it too much.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2012 23:23:41 | More by Rifugium

musicforairports

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at The Reservoir in Waterbury, Vt. Served in a pint glass.

Hazy straw-golden color, very light. Minimal head and lacing.

Smells like freshly cut grass, lemon, pine.

Taste is clean and sharp, with a nice citrus and floral hop bite. No real malt flavor and very little sweetness. Maybe a little thin.

Light-medium body, medium carbonation.

A decent IPA from Vermont's newest brewery. Easy to drink and tasty enough. Glad I got to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 15:43:41 | More by musicforairports

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Three Needs in Burlington VT.
I was surprised to see a beer from a brewery I never heard of on tap and being an IPA I had to sample it. Pours a slightly hazy golden straw color with a nice fluffy white head that sticks lace everywhere. Smells of citrus and pine with a hint of bread. Taste is what the aroma promised but adds a bit of tropical fruit. Medium body and carbonation level with a resinous sticky mouthfeel. Nice inaugural brew from the upstart brewery in Shelburne, I wish them much success.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 00:42:11 | More by johnnnniee

Naugled

New York

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had it on tap at multiple locations in Burlington VT.

A deep yellow IPA, with nice white head and retention and good lacing.

Wonderful fresh hop aroma, bursting with piney and citrusy notes. They seemed amazingly fresh.

Flavor backs up the piney citrusy aromas, it is firmly bittered and it lingers, but works well with this, there's enough sweetness to balance it. Not malty or caramelly, but just sweet.

Good mouth feel, medium to rich.

Over all a great beer, I was very impressed by it. It easily out shown the other beers they had on tap. Kudos Fiddlehead!

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2012 19:53:46 | More by Naugled

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First Growler sold, poured into a tulip - thanks to diffidentbastard for picking this up to open on NYE 2011!

Pours a slightly hazy dark amber with a small off-white head with minimal lacing. Nose is hoppy, piney and a bit earthy.

Taste is eerily reminiscent of Heady Topper, a bit less dank but chewy and bitter while still being very drinkable. The Mouthfeel is full and clean with a small bitter bite on the finish.

Overall a really solid start for another new VT brewery!

Serving type: growler

01-02-2012 02:40:35 | More by kingcrowing

Brad007

Vermont

4.4/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Checked out this brewery for the first time yesterday. They also have a 5.2% Amber currently on tap.

Pours a nice bright golden/yellow color with a thick, frothy head into my glass. Ultra-fresh too!

Grassy hops with just a hint of pine resin greet the nose. Hoppy but not by too much.

The taste is where this shines: grassy, piney hops upfront followed by a slight amount of buttery malt. It's hop-forward and reminds me of the IPA once brewed by Orlio (the brewer is Matty O, ex-Magic Hat).

The mouthfeel is a treat because the hops cling to the throat, leaving a bit of warmth on the way down.

Hate to be a homer but this is a very nice IPA! I wasn't too big on the Amber but I think I'll be hitting Fiddlehead more for this IPA!

Serving type: growler

01-01-2012 22:55:47 | More by Brad007