Hop Lightning
Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon

 

 

 

 

I had this on tap at Fat Heads in Cleveland. The menu stated it to be 11% ABV, 100+ IBUs.

The beer was golden colored with a chill haze, about 1 finger of head. It smelled and tasted like a hoppy barleywine, strong malty balance for the hops. The bartender presented it as a DIPA but it definitely presents to me as more of an American barleywine.

Substantial body, the malt seems to have given this some register. Overwhelming beer that can knock you out.

I got a 12 ounce pour of this hop heavy American style barleywine. It was nicely presented in a small snifter with only a small amount of head. Appears dark brown. Scents of dark fruit such as black cherries, plums and grapes. The first thing I tasted was heavy hops. Pine and grapefruit notes step forward in the hop flavor. Mouthfeel is heavy and slick. Drinkable nature is hinder by a heavy alcohol presence.

Review from notes taken last night. Poured from nitro tap into a clean, clear "1/2 Imperial" pint glass of 10 ounces at a cost of $6.50.

A Translucent medium brown orange body under a medium brown, bubbly head that does not stick to the inside of the glass. Solid look. 3.5

S Big hops and malt and I can already tell that this beer is warmer than the standard Hop Lightning (out of the standard tap). 4.0

T Big hops, big malt sweetness which is really consistent with the style. I think that most Barleywine lovers would really enjoy this beer. 4.0

M Moderate temperature to the beer on cask is the first "feel" that is noticeable. After that, this is a huge beer with plenty of high malt sweetness and a big hop profile (100 IBU's according to the menu). There is also plenty of warmth from the 11% ABV. Very appropriate for the style. Extra credit for the "real" feel of the cask presentation here. 4.5

D One and done for me since it is such a huge beer but this is appropriate for the style. 3.0