Second Fiddle
Fiddlehead Brewing Company

Second FiddleSecond Fiddle
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From:
Fiddlehead Brewing Company
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #24
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
98
Ranked #322
Avg:
4.44 | pDev: 7.43%
Ratings:
2,497 | reviews: 385
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 21, 2026
Added:
Jul 22, 2013
Wants:
  479
Gots:
  614
Extensively dry-hopped, Second Fiddle is second in name only. Big, juicy and aromatic.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by flaskman:
Photo of flaskman
Reviewed by flaskman from New York

4.83/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a 16 ounce glass. Cloudy golden yellow with a generous head. Excellent lacing and smells fruity and inviting. The taste is nothing short of excellent. Classic Vermont hop profile. Sweet and fresh citrus flavor with a beautiful finish. Excellent mouth feel. Back in the day the only way to get Vermont IPA was a beercation to Vermont. The only way to get Fiddlehead was at the small counter attached to the back of a pizza shop. It's as good now or even better than back in the day. It's a great Vermont IPA that never dissapoints.
Nov 09, 2025
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.32 by msscott1973 from North Carolina

May 21, 2026
 
Rated: 4.53 by Lifsabch from Maine

Apr 24, 2026
 
Rated: 4.02 by Latarnik from New Jersey

Apr 22, 2026
Photo of Mdog
Reviewed by Mdog from Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Slightly hazy gold, big head.

Smell: Moderate citrus aroma.

Taste: Moderate sweetness, then solid citrus bitterness with a good malt base. Medium bodied. Finishes with another kick of citrus hops.

Overall: Another from my Halftime shipment, another classic DIPA. An embarrassment of riches. It’s great to finally try these beers I’ve seen on BA and to have them meet and exceed my hopes. Tasty modern classic!
Feb 28, 2026
Photo of mushroomcloud
Reviewed by mushroomcloud from Texas

4.25/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz canned 12-22-25, opened 2-21-26.
2 finger off white head with excellent retention and thick, sticky lacing left behind as it recedes.
Orange gold and opaque body.
Sweet orange, weeds, pine, very appealing nose.
Orange, diesel fuel (think Riesling), heavy citrus leaning but maybe a little pineapple.
Bready and caramel notes carry the hops.
Medium plus body with medium plus carbonation, good punch of hoppy bitterness. Lengthy finish with a touch of sweetness.
Outstanding.
Feb 21, 2026
Photo of mikeladderbush1955
Reviewed by mikeladderbush1955 from Massachusetts

3.97/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Awesome beer, my gold standard for IIPAs. Not hopped to all hell to hide anything, the perfect balance of flavor and super drinkable. Floral smell and hop bitterness but some fruitiness and ester-y notes in there as well.
Jan 20, 2026
 
Rated: 4.53 by gogaterz from New York

Dec 28, 2025
 
Rated: 4.21 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

Dec 12, 2025
 
Rated: 4.49 by iounothing from Pennsylvania

Dec 07, 2025
 
Rated: 4.43 by whitro17 from Florida

Dec 01, 2025
 
Rated: 4.19 by philbe311 from Pennsylvania

Nov 19, 2025
 
Rated: 4.25 by NastyNorseman from New York

Nov 11, 2025
 
Rated: 4.21 by BigMike from Pennsylvania

Nov 05, 2025
Photo of Thatnickog
Rated by Thatnickog

4.5/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The go-to American craft IPA, accept no substitute!
Oct 31, 2025
 
Rated: 4.69 by Hendrick24 from Wisconsin

Oct 20, 2025
 
Rated: 4.2 by Barleycorn from Pennsylvania

Oct 18, 2025
Photo of AdmiralOzone
Reviewed by AdmiralOzone from Minnesota

4.29/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours slightly hazy golden orange with a thick white head, gorgeous lacing. Aroma is mixed citrus. Flavor follows the nose, sweet citrus fruit with hoppy bitterness in the finish. Feel is medium bodied, well carbonated. Overall, very pleasant.
Oct 02, 2025
Photo of CTHomer
Reviewed by CTHomer from Connecticut

4.12/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: crystal clear; medium gold in color; 1 finger finely pored ivory head that receded to a skim cap; thick rings of lace;

S: pineapple; not especially aromatic;

T: pineapple, orange, and lemon from start to finish;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish; soft; hides the ABV well;

O: really nice balance in the flavor; a pleasure to drink;
Oct 01, 2025
Photo of Sinfull
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York

4.35/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Slightly hazy, golden color with a medium-sized, white head. Malt, citrus, and stone fruits in the aroma. Hoppy taste with strong bitterness all the way through. Classy.
Sep 20, 2025