War Hammer
4 Hands Brewing Co.

War HammerWar Hammer
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From:
4 Hands Brewing Co.
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #1,595
ABV:
9%
Score:
92
Ranked #7,379
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 10.71%
Ratings:
311 | reviews: 44
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 04, 2026
Added:
Mar 04, 2012
Wants:
  33
Gots:
  51
Columbus Tomahawk Zeus is the primary hop variety in War Hammer as well as the inspiration in the name. We use a combination of Pacific Northwest hops to create layers of pungent flavors. A generous malt bill adds biscuit and honey notes while allowing the hops to take center stage. War Hammer pours golden in color with aromas of pineapple, mango, tangerine, resin, and slight earthy notes.

83 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by kemoarps:
Photo of kemoarps
Reviewed by kemoarps from Washington

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
This is a pretty looking beer: the stereotypical pale amber that you see in movies, with a small white head that dissipates pretty quickly, not leaving much behind. Generally pretty clear.

Wow, that aroma, though...
Big juicy tropical fruits jump at you as soon as you open the bottle. Pouring it into the glass just further looses them on your senses. A bit sweet, with more orange than grapefruit or any other citrus. Very exciting.

Does not disappoint on the palate. Starts out like it's going to take you down a sweet tropical stroll, but quickly diverts the stream to a harsher grapefruit foundation. Where the nose was sweet and juicy, with hints of something more sinister beneath, the flavour profile brings that full to the front: pithy bitterness supported by a juicier fruitier framing and enough honey malts to keep it from breaking loose and destroying the town.
Solid medium body which assuages my primary fear on the initial pour that it would be somewhat thin and restrained, as I've found many of their other brews to be (much to my chagrin), with an appropriate carbonation level as well. 9% is not readily apparent, though it's not a total surprise.
Overall this is an extremely impressive brew. My expectations had been somewhat tempered, but hot damn, I think it deserves the (regional, at least) hype that it gets. Verr tasty.
Apr 06, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.68 by BuckyScooter from Minnesota

Mar 04, 2026
 
Rated: 3.75 by McBraniel from Virginia

Jul 12, 2025
 
Rated: 4.09 by LunchMoney from Minnesota

Jun 19, 2024
Photo of JohnnyNoIPA
Reviewed by JohnnyNoIPA from Missouri

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
War Hammer pours hazy with an aroma of tropical fruit. The blend of Citra and Simcoe hops produce earthy, resinous pine aromas. I drank this fine recipe from a tulip glass with a temperature of 46°. I wish this was available all year.
Mar 27, 2024
 
Rated: 4.19 by Gerred from Missouri

Jun 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.08 by Walnut from Singapore

Apr 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by kjkinsey from Texas

Feb 17, 2022
 
Rated: 4.1 by Danmullens1 from Wisconsin

Jun 14, 2021
Photo of Hopheadjeffery
Rated by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tasted in a Spiegelau IPA glass from a one pint can on April 18, 2021.
Apr 19, 2021
 
Rated: 3.5 by rare_bird from Michigan

Mar 12, 2021
 
Rated: 4.18 by BeerMe8 from Florida

Sep 09, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by JamesLeung from Florida

Aug 07, 2020
 
Rated: 2.5 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 29, 2020
Photo of CraigDeMoss
Reviewed by CraigDeMoss from Kansas

3.97/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Kind of dumb to have one can in a 4 pack that’s dated. Got this as a single, canned whenever the other can out of the 4 pack was.

Orange juice haze, golden brown straw in certain light, one finger foam head Good retention and sticky lacing

Orange and pineapple. Surprisingly not a lot of aroma off this.

Good ol hop burn bitterness of orange and cream and some pineapple, a lot of the same notes you get from many hazies with I’m guessing Citra and mosaic and possible Simcoe in there. I don’t know, it tastes pretty good.

Definite over hopping here. Resinous and medium full with a slight fluffy and creaminess. Ok carbonation.

Maybe the hop that’s at the forefront attributes to the orange juice burn. I don’t know and I don’t care as I love all beer even if it sucks. I wouldn’t have this again unless I can get it on draft. And I can. So we will see.*

*yea not much better.
Jun 08, 2020
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3/5  rDev -27%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Released mid-April 2020; drank 6/7/20 @ the Yarchives.

Opaque orange appearance.

A violent pour yielded a nice white head; thick lace.

Orange citrus, baking soda & caramel notes in the nose.

Medium thick, sticky mouthfeel.

Orange citrus, baking soda, caramel, mild pine & mild booze heat flavors.

This embodies many of the aspects of a West Coast IPA and illustrates why the New England style needed to exist. Unpleasant.
Jun 08, 2020
 
Rated: 4.36 by crobinso from Colorado

Jun 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.33 by dt_gbpackersfan from Missouri

May 06, 2020
 
Rated: 3.99 by notmike from Missouri

May 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4.35 by Kmkapalka from Delaware

May 19, 2019