Headzo
Drake's Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Strong Ale - American
Ranked #31 - ABV:
- 18%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #1,901 - Avg:
- 4.48 | pDev: 9.15%
- Reviews:
- 8
- Ratings:
- From:
- Drake's Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 12
- Gots
- 12
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Headzo is an American Strong Ale aged in Wild Turkey whiskey barrels. It has a smooth, creamy blend of flavors, including caramel, a hint of coconut, light American oak, and a touch of cocoa.
Reviews: 8
| Ratings: 39
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Reviews by KevSal:
KevSal from California
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
500ml straight from the bottle, missed out in the draft. poured into a tulip with the wife
A- looks unexpected. was expecting something black and sludgey but instead its clear, looks like an strong pale ale. nice 2 inch head. looks thick, has thick legs like wine
s- huge nose! strong honey, sweet alch, bourbon and vanilla.
t- huge flavor coats the mouth, strong honey, oak. this is massive. the flavor lingers great. not over the top sweet. taste best described as a ba strong pale ale. no alch burn but a warming in the chest.
m- massive, huge, well carbed. no way this 18%
o- fantastic beer by a local favorite. really enjoyed this, really wish i had this one draft. bottle version is great and ready to enjoy right now. main thing bringing this down is the price. hefty tag for a 500ml. wish i was able to get more of this guy.
Sep 14, 2014
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
500ml straight from the bottle, missed out in the draft. poured into a tulip with the wife
A- looks unexpected. was expecting something black and sludgey but instead its clear, looks like an strong pale ale. nice 2 inch head. looks thick, has thick legs like wine
s- huge nose! strong honey, sweet alch, bourbon and vanilla.
t- huge flavor coats the mouth, strong honey, oak. this is massive. the flavor lingers great. not over the top sweet. taste best described as a ba strong pale ale. no alch burn but a warming in the chest.
m- massive, huge, well carbed. no way this 18%
o- fantastic beer by a local favorite. really enjoyed this, really wish i had this one draft. bottle version is great and ready to enjoy right now. main thing bringing this down is the price. hefty tag for a 500ml. wish i was able to get more of this guy.
Sep 14, 2014
More User Reviews:
KensWorld from Florida
4.97/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
For my 2000th rating I figured I’d choose a special beer from my cellar. Not sure what to expect but knew this was going to different. No pop from cork pours flat without any head but that is to be expected with 18% and a few years on it. Smells of Whiskey and sweet molasses. Taste is not what I’d expected. Extreamly sweet honey like. Not much alcohol taste but very warm going down. This is an absolutely incredible Ale. So smooth and easy drinking. the sweetness is addicting. One of the best beers I’ve ever had!
Apr 10, 2019
4.97/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
For my 2000th rating I figured I’d choose a special beer from my cellar. Not sure what to expect but knew this was going to different. No pop from cork pours flat without any head but that is to be expected with 18% and a few years on it. Smells of Whiskey and sweet molasses. Taste is not what I’d expected. Extreamly sweet honey like. Not much alcohol taste but very warm going down. This is an absolutely incredible Ale. So smooth and easy drinking. the sweetness is addicting. One of the best beers I’ve ever had!
Apr 10, 2019
CraftFan5 from New Jersey
3.84/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 02, 2019
3.84/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 02, 2019
kdown from California
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 22, 2015
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 22, 2015
Jules11788 from California
4.71/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
May 16, 2016
4.71/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
May 16, 2016
seagullbeer from California
4.95/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
tastes like a muscat wine. i was expecting something a little more beer-y but after a few sips i was sold. smells like honey and tastes like golden raisins and more honey. a smooth and easy drinking 18%.
Feb 07, 2015
4.95/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
tastes like a muscat wine. i was expecting something a little more beer-y but after a few sips i was sold. smells like honey and tastes like golden raisins and more honey. a smooth and easy drinking 18%.
Feb 07, 2015
anteater from Oregon
4.39/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Oct 31, 2015
4.39/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Oct 31, 2015
Eziel from Ohio
4.34/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jun 01, 2016
4.34/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jun 01, 2016
Goatdavemac from North Carolina
4.44/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 17, 2015
4.44/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 17, 2015
Original_Gravity from California
4.85/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
From the label: "A truly massive amount of English malts lend flavors of caramel and biscuit to our biggest brew yet...through fermentation our brewers nursed Headzo to a 18% ALC/VOL before transferring the beer to Wild Turkey Whiskey barrels that infused flavors of caramel and vanilla to this smooth, monstrous beer..."
Wow! This is the best beer that you've never heard of. Very complex mix of flavors that my unsophisticated palette isn't capable of comprehending. Very reminiscent of Utopias...without the $200 price tag.
Apr 06, 2015
4.85/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
From the label: "A truly massive amount of English malts lend flavors of caramel and biscuit to our biggest brew yet...through fermentation our brewers nursed Headzo to a 18% ALC/VOL before transferring the beer to Wild Turkey Whiskey barrels that infused flavors of caramel and vanilla to this smooth, monstrous beer..."
Wow! This is the best beer that you've never heard of. Very complex mix of flavors that my unsophisticated palette isn't capable of comprehending. Very reminiscent of Utopias...without the $200 price tag.
Apr 06, 2015
GClarkage from California
4/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aug 31, 2016
4/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aug 31, 2016
chapeti from Pennsylvania
4.65/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2018 release @ 18.5%
Boozy, no head whatsoever, but delicious! Caramel, dark fruit, and subtle spiciness. Smooth and sweet. Drink with caution!
Aug 08, 2018
4.65/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2018 release @ 18.5%
Boozy, no head whatsoever, but delicious! Caramel, dark fruit, and subtle spiciness. Smooth and sweet. Drink with caution!
Aug 08, 2018
champ103 from Texas
2.78/5 rDev -37.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
A: Pours an amber/copper color with a substantial murky haze. Minimal filmy head and lace, but that is to be expected with the alcohol content. Still, not very aesthetically pleasing.
S: Burnt caramel sugars, huge woody oak tannins. Really nothing else and just to simplistic.
T: A thin, dirty, malty presence. Grainy with a ton of burnt sugars, and oak tannins take over. Not digging this. I am somewhat impressed that there is not a huge alcohol burn, but seems more like a thin blond ale with lots of barrel character.
M/D: Thin, with almost no carbonation, which, again, is expected with the strength. Big tannins, almost gritty and dirty as well. The barrel overwhelms a thin malt character, and nothing else to note. Seems week and limp, especially for the strength.
I am always about balance and subtlety, which this has as far as any kind of an alcohol presence. Though I don't find this interesting at all. It is like a poorly made blond ale, with an overwhelming barrel character. I'll pass next time.
Feb 14, 2015
2.78/5 rDev -37.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
A: Pours an amber/copper color with a substantial murky haze. Minimal filmy head and lace, but that is to be expected with the alcohol content. Still, not very aesthetically pleasing.
S: Burnt caramel sugars, huge woody oak tannins. Really nothing else and just to simplistic.
T: A thin, dirty, malty presence. Grainy with a ton of burnt sugars, and oak tannins take over. Not digging this. I am somewhat impressed that there is not a huge alcohol burn, but seems more like a thin blond ale with lots of barrel character.
M/D: Thin, with almost no carbonation, which, again, is expected with the strength. Big tannins, almost gritty and dirty as well. The barrel overwhelms a thin malt character, and nothing else to note. Seems week and limp, especially for the strength.
I am always about balance and subtlety, which this has as far as any kind of an alcohol presence. Though I don't find this interesting at all. It is like a poorly made blond ale, with an overwhelming barrel character. I'll pass next time.
Feb 14, 2015
jlt6116 from California
4.31/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Jan 12, 2015
4.31/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Jan 12, 2015
Impfan from Washington
5/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This elixir is akin to a fine fig brandy liqueur,enhanced with vanilla and toasted coconut. It reminds me of Bois, but more balanced, and a tad less sweet. Pure luxury!
Jun 07, 2015
5/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This elixir is akin to a fine fig brandy liqueur,enhanced with vanilla and toasted coconut. It reminds me of Bois, but more balanced, and a tad less sweet. Pure luxury!
Jun 07, 2015
rlee1390 from Indiana
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Drank more like a liquor than a beer. Alcohol was present with sweet barrel character. Caramel, vanilla and malt come through. Nice balance for the beer.
Dec 17, 2014
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Drank more like a liquor than a beer. Alcohol was present with sweet barrel character. Caramel, vanilla and malt come through. Nice balance for the beer.
Dec 17, 2014
kjkinsey from Texas
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 22, 2017
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 22, 2017
random846 from California
3.96/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Feb 21, 2015
3.96/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Feb 21, 2015
Rutager from Canada (BC)
4.31/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Booze and fruity yeast on the nose. Taste is pretty unbelievable. Lightly boozy, orchard fruits, and brown sugar. Delicious, unique, and unexpectedly awesome! Thanks Matt!!
Aug 08, 2015
4.31/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Booze and fruity yeast on the nose. Taste is pretty unbelievable. Lightly boozy, orchard fruits, and brown sugar. Delicious, unique, and unexpectedly awesome! Thanks Matt!!
Aug 08, 2015
rkarimi from Colorado
4.58/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
9-21
Sep 22, 2018
4.58/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
9-21
Sep 22, 2018
JRod1969 from New York
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Feb 23, 2015
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Feb 23, 2015
Texasfan549 from Texas
4.15/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 23, 2017
4.15/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 23, 2017
PacNWDad from Washington
4.49/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
High honors for the way it clings to the side of the glass. This is the vin santo of beers.
May 17, 2015
4.49/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
High honors for the way it clings to the side of the glass. This is the vin santo of beers.
May 17, 2015
Headzo from Drake's Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
39 ratings
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