Hop JuJu
Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon

Well carbonated, no, make that overly carbonated, this almost explodes out of the cracked open pint can. Then, the big stark white foam on top prevents a clean one-try pour into a clear glass liter mug. The foam consumes more than half the inside of the vessel, not a good sign. Typical of the modern "IPA", the likely barley malt deprived foam recedes unevenly and unattractively, leaving irregular glass lacing. Beneath that mess lies a beautiful copper-amber liquid that's hazy, but bright. The aroma is all hops, bringing both citrus and pine notes. There's plenty of simple sweetness to be had within the taste. Were it a little more complex, this could be an excellent beer. Maybe it's not excellent, but it's very good. The combination of citrus-like and piney hopping follows through from the nose to the tongue. For a brew that doesn't rely solely on barley malt for its backbone, this is smooth, very smooth for its ABV. Only in the aftertaste is the alcohol noticed at all and it doesn't detract much. A little more complexity within the body would make this a great one. But, that's not there, so it's only very good.

 

 

 

(16 oz can, canned on 02/09/22; purchased cold single from Beer Peddlers... poured into a fat tulip)

L: clear, amber liquid, slight haze; tall foam explosion, open on the sides, tight, rocky, bouncy on the top... foam breaks up in the middle, but stays frayed, high, and clingy around the edges... messy collar remains

S: alcoholic apricot preserves?, peach lemon tea... jammy, resinous undercurrent... subtle boozy vapors, but little-to-no pointed edges... mellow and muddy; musty, earthy upholstery

T: herbal apricot jam followed momentarily by a passing train screamer of bracingly-bitter, fruit-cereal smeared, Mad Dog boozy rush... interesting sequence and development... madness levels out, revealing a resinous, redolently-malty underbelly... Paloma (grapefruit, lime) undertones

F: goddamn stealthly-strident, silky nectar... slow come-on, even slower release... cinnamon schnapps-y spicy warmth... jfc damn near orgasmic

O: bold and blazed... not terribly distinct in character, but it certainly has personality?... not sure a popping fresh version would pop more, who knows (1977)

 

 

 

 

One of the best I’ve had. I understand now why this beer is held in such high regard. Piney, citrusy, hoppy, delicious.

Canned on 2/9/2022. Poured into a snulip glass. It pours a hazy, bright orange color with almost two fingers of foamy, egg white head and thick, soapy lacing. The smell is a fragrant blend of pineapple, tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, bready malt, and floral hops. Despite its age the fruit hasn't faded. There's abundant orange/tangerine and tart lemon, lime, and grapefruit rind. The Ekuanot hops are used well. Beneath the fruit is a solid base of Carapils malt that adds sweetness and balances the bitterness of the hops. The Simcoe contributes earthy, resinous pine notes while the Mosaic adds additional spiciness throughout. My guess is that when fresher there is more tropical fruit and berry flavors, as well. Still, it's very well-balanced and flavorful. The mouth feel is moderately thick and creamy with pleasant carbonation, and it drinks very easily for 9% ABV. Overall, I understand why so many beer nerds rave about Hop Juju. Even at almost 3 months it's a terrific DIPA. I'm glad to finally have the chance to enjoy it.

 

 

Huge, dank nose of ripe oranges; some malt lurks in the background. A thick palate of sticky tropical fruits. Brings me back to the days of the juicier west coast DIPAs that followed the first, very malty DIPAs. Have always wanted to try this beer, and it lives up to the hype it once got.

 

Idk this was simply delicious and probably the best ipa I've had since I've been here, but you don't need me to tell you that either lol.

It's still similar to their other ipas, I think I've discovered they all have a specific Fatheads kind of vibe. That said for the price points and quality of what you're getting this is just immaculate.

 

 

 

Pours into an impy Monica a clear burnt orange tinged golden with a half finger quicker to fade white head atop.A mix citrus and sharp grapefruit rind in the nose,a little booze as it warms.A great mix of hop flavors from melon to resin with not much juiciness Wich I love.Old school and bitter,love it

Picked-up a four-pack of cans at Beers Guys in Havertown, PA for about sixteen dollars. My first brew from these guys, as they do not distribute to MA. I have been wanting to try this beer for a while, so pulled the trigger, despite the 6/30/21 canned-on date. Total west coast IPA, very dank. This is good, did not quite live up to the hype, perhaps due to the age?

 

L: pours a nice clear amber with about 1 finger of head. Minimal lacing left behind.
S: citrus and tropical fruit finishing with a touch of pine
T: pretty much follows the nose. With a nice strong, bitter finish
F: nice carbonation, thin to medium mouthfeel
O: Fat Head’s does not disappoint and this is another excellent offering

16 oz can poured into a snifter.

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with 1 finger of head with decent lace

Smell: Earthy and tropical hop aromas

Taste: Sticky, tropical, and citrus hop flavors that interplay with some boozy malt notes that is incredibly well-balanced

Mouthfeel: Medium with plenty of body, yet a satisfying finish

Overall: This beer is certainly deserving of its reputation. This is absolute West-Coast in all respects. I did not expect to have such a quality DIPA like this in Ohio. This is worth going out of your way for.

 

 

 

Can dated 6/30/21 into pint glass. Pours a clear deep gold color, with a persistent off-white head. Great lacing. Initial impression is juicy citrus, pine resin, and a huge hops bite - old school West Coast. Mouthfeel is clean and quite hefty - perfect for a DIPA. Finish is clean and fairly bitter - none of this caramel stuff. Overall, a great alternative to the NEIPAs - which I love dearly, but every so often you gotta take a break. Hop Juju will smack you alongside the head.

 

 

 

Well here it is. Review number 5,000, quite an accomplishment (pats self on back). I'd like to thank beer advocate for being THE resource for all things beer. Also a shout out to the world's greatest trader, woodychandler, whose vast contributions make this possible.

Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has an orange color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of citrus, pine. Taste is pine, resin, hints of citrus and alcohol, considerable bitterness. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall it's a good beer, but it didn't meet my expectations.

 

 

Thanks to Pinz412 for this one, from a box in NBS BIF #13. 16oz can (dated 2/11/21) poured into 14oz teku. Poured a clean, clear, bright copper color with an inch of white head that had good retention and very light lacing.

Bright, citrusy hops topped caramel malts in the nose.

Very similar on the tongue, with a very nice bitterness to keep the tastebuds awake.

The body was medium-full, a bit coarse across the palate, and had a dry finish.

Drinkability was good, easy to see this being in rotation if it were local.

Overall, a very nice brew. Certainly worth your time if you see it.

Fresh can courtesy of JohnnyHops.

 

Can dated 2-18-21. GLBC tulip.

A: pours a bright, crystal-clear orangey-gold. One finger white head dissolves quickly to a 1/16 skim of foam that lasts. Tiny stream of carbonation coming from the center. Looks how I want and expect a DIPA to look, except not much lacing to speak of.

S: immediately when I cracked the can open I smelled the hops from a foot and a half away. Smells sweet, tropical, piney and floral. More tropical aromas than I expected, actually. Pineapple, mango. Hyacinth?

T: initial burst of lightly sweet tangy hoppiness, crisp, crackery malt center on mid palate with the hops beginning to express themselves, turning at the end to a big, brash, bold explosion of dank, floral, “high note” hops. The slightest hint of alcohol is detectable on the finish, blended in with that bold, lingering floral hop bite.

M: this beer really stands out in terms of feel; it is supremely crisp for something so big. Never cloying, and for as bruising as it should be for this ABV and IBU, it is remarkably drinkable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a bruiser of a beer, but it feels remarkably light on the palate for the style. Not astringent at all. Pretty low carb, not much of the “fluff” I enjoy from ales. Hard at this gravity.

O: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am too old to be drinking beers like this. It is a big, potent, relatively clean hop wallop if that is what you are in the mood for. Tropical and floral, not oniony or garlicky, or too piney on the palate, which is good for me. Although there is a good, crisp, clean malt presence, this beer is totally out of balance in favor of hops. Although the alcohol is well hidden, it is noticeable on the finish and this will impair you on the first beer (esp. in a 16 ounce can!) perfectly to style.

I came, I saw, I conquered. More than anything, the craftsmanship of this beer makes me want to revisit the other Fat Heads beers I haven’t had in a while, and to try some of those I haven’t had before.

 

Amber in color, but VERY clear otherwise. Head was malty white in color. Nose is slightly citrus. Taste is where the magic happens. Nice hoppy bitterness with the backbite us hopheads love. 9% did not feel like it. Good beer, nay GREAT beer!