Rivet Head
Surly Brewing Co.

Rivet HeadRivet Head
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From:
Surly Brewing Co.
 
Minnesota, United States
Style:
American IPA
Ranked #4,329
ABV:
6.9%
Score:
83
Ranked #32,782
Avg:
3.57 | pDev: 10.92%
Ratings:
16 | reviews: 5
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 30, 2022
Added:
Jan 09, 2021
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
Hops, yeast, malt and water—those are the simple components of great beer. How those four are joined is where the magic happens. Rivet Head fastens a heavy dose of citrusy hop flavor to a dry and slightly sweet malt backbone for a classic take on the West Coast IPA.

COLOR: Golden
HOPS: Warrior, Simcoe, Amarillo
MALT: 2-Row, Carafoam, Cara-8
YEAST: English Ale
IBU: High
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Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of WoodBrew
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

3.59/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I got a can of this beer at the Eagle's Nest near the campus of U of Wisconsin at La Crosse. It poured a hazy orangish with white head that did not leave much lace. The scent had subtle bitter fruit and pine notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with bitter fruit lean and subtle pine resin presence. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a good beer.
Jan 30, 2022
 
Rated: 3.29 by BrendanStoehr96 from Wisconsin

Jun 29, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by MonkeyPilates from Minnesota

Jun 01, 2021
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Texas

3.17/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
12 fl oz pull-tab can included in Surly's "Usual Suspects" mix pack. The twelve pack cost $18.99 USD plus tax at a beer store in Colorado.

"West coast India Pale Ale." 6.9% ABV.

HOPS
Warrior
Simcoe
Amarillo

MALT
2-Row
Carafoam
Cara-8

YEAST
English Ale

Citrusy with some muted Simcoe oniony/garlicky/allicin flavour. Myrcene hop oil is evident (probably from the Warrior hops). Pale malt/2-row is all I taste (the caramalt doesn't manifest for me).

Its hop profile isn't terribly compelling in today's market, and I can't find anything about this English IPA that would drive me to it over its myriad superior competitors. Drinkable albeit forgettable, with no dazzling or standout characteristics. Not Surly's strongest work.

C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE
May 06, 2021
 
Rated: 3.78 by Jaymgould from Minnesota

Apr 25, 2021
 
Rated: 3.86 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Apr 15, 2021
Photo of defunksta
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a clear, medium golden-orange color with a strong bubbling appearance. A strong and sticky white head. SRM of 7-9. (4.00)

Aroma: Strong and somewhat dank aromas of tangerine, orange, dank grapefruit, and peach upfront. Then some pineapple in the middle. Finishes with citrus and pine aroma. Rather strong and robust.

Flavor: The flavor follows with strong and rather juicy, but also dank flavors of orange, citrus, tangerine citrus, peach pith. Then a strong flavor of black tea through the middle. Some pineapple and tangerine sweetness on the end. A moderate amount of pine and bitterness.

Feel: Medium-bodied. Excellent carbonation. Airy, yet soft on the palate. Finishes soft, smooth, yet cleansing. (4.25)

Compared to Breckenridge Brewery's Hop Peak IPA 4/14/21: Pours a similar, but clearer pour with more bubbles and a stronger head. More grapefruit & lemon citrus, pineapple, and pine. Less dense orange, tropical citrus, berry, and black tea flavors. It's juicier with a stronger pineapple/lemon and airier pine component.

Compared to Deschutes Squeezy Rider IPA 4/25/21: Pours a darker, clearer color. Stronger grapefruit, citrus, pine. Less peach, juice, and sweetness. Stronger bitterness. More to style.

to Surly's Havoc Machine 6/10/21: Drinks with more resinous fruit. Fruitier and sweeter, but also with comparative hop bitterness.

Overall: This one drinks west-coast as described. Flavors of grapefruit, citrus, pine. Dank and also has a black tea quality.
Compare next to Hop Peak IPA
(4.03)
Apr 15, 2021
Photo of Captain69
Rated by Captain69 from Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
good hoppy ipa west coast style- not the best beer from this brewery
Apr 12, 2021
Photo of Stooven
Rated by Stooven from Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Smells dank but the taste doesn't quite match. It's good, but needs some tweaks.
Apr 03, 2021
Photo of mothman
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota

2.5/5  rDev -30%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Can. White head. Lace. Cloudy golden orange color.

Not a very good ipa or a west coast ipa. Tastes off. Floral notes and some citrus. Kinda bland. I wouldn’t drink this one again.
Mar 28, 2021
 
Rated: 3.87 by craigbelly from Iowa

Mar 19, 2021
 
Rated: 3.99 by d5001986 from Wisconsin

Mar 16, 2021
 
Rated: 3.7 by Rainintheface from Florida

Mar 16, 2021
Photo of Mdog
Reviewed by Mdog from Minnesota

3.74/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a 12oz can:

Appearance: Yellow, particles, huge head.

Smell: Light overall, rind, lemon.

Taste: Grapefruit, lemon, mild sweetness and mild bitterness too. Dry finish.

Overall: Beer #3 from the mix pack. It's a decent west coast IPA, but maybe not quite enough bitterness for the style. A more balanced take on the style I suppose.
Feb 13, 2021
 
Rated: 3.5 by seakayak from Massachusetts

Feb 01, 2021
 
Rated: 3.08 by elec from Minnesota

Jan 17, 2021