Mastermind

Not sure how to weigh in on this one as I have been a fiddlehead fan for a couple of years now. Don't get me wrong Mastermind is a great DIPA but in my humble opinion there 2nd Fiddle DIPA is even a better beer. But on another note after going to the Alchemist truck sale on Saturday I've got to put Crusher really high on the list too. Fiddleheads Hyzer Flip DIPA is not to shabby either and has one of the best cans I've seen in a long time.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. Never head anything from Fiddlehead before, and had it on tap at the pro pig. Bought a 4 pack of it before hand and really wish I bought more. Right in my wheelhouse for what I want an IPA to be. Juicy,Piney hoppy goodness. Love it.

 

I plan to be there Friday to find out. I don't like the "better than Heady Topper" concept, because once you are making a five star beer, the subtle differences will be down to individual experiences, freshness, and personal preferences. I'm just glad that we've got even more options in New England. Between the Alchemist, Lawson's, HF, Treehouse, Trillium and Maine...holy crap do we have some amazing IPAs. I didn't even include Wormtown, Fiddlehead, Limbo, Stoneface. An embarrassment of riches.

 

Don't forget New England Brewing Co.(FBD,Coriolis,Gandhi,Locust Reign,Galaxy pale ale etc)...

OP:Mastermind is indeed a great beer for sure.Much prefer that one over 2nd fiddle.

Cheers

 

Can't wait. Have some coming in on a trade hopefully tomorrow. I'll report back then.

 

I had one the other night and still have a few left. It's a tremendous beer and I was very impressed.

 

Lots of big, juicy hop flavor with hardly any bitterness and maltiness, yet still a clean/refreshing finish. Fantastic beer!!!

 

Much different beer than Heady or Lawsons IPAs. Great beer. Packed with juicy hops minimal bitterness. I continue to be impressed with Fiddlehead. IPA is solid and available throughout VT. Yodas is great. Better than last year in my opinion. I really enjoyed Brett on the Dancefloor. Just enough funk to make it interesting but still generously hopped.

Some of the beers seem very unique and show some solid creativity

 

Mastermind is IMHO the most drinkable 8% DIPA I've ever had. I can't get enough of its tropical juicy goodness. It is a damn shame it will be done with in December and replaced with Second Fiddle - Which is by no means a bad beer - it is just much more similar to other DIPAs that are regularly available. Whereas there is nothing else like Mastermind, at least that I have found.

 

Warms my heart to see this thread. I'm a West Coaster and truth be told, a sucker for West Coast IPAs. I made a beergrimage to Vermont about a month ago and by happenstance, I made it to the Mastermind release @ Fiddlehead. I had never had the beer before and bought a case on a whim. I was not disappointed in the least. In fact I would say that Mastermind was a pleasant surprise from my VT trip. Don't get me wrong, the HF and Lawsons beers I procured were out of this world, but Mastermind was a surprise. It was juicy, balanced and straight-up drinkable. I was super excited to bring the better part of a case back with me to CA to share with my friends. Hats off to Fiddlehead. Mastermind is a world class beer!

 

Heading to fiddlehead today, sure wish MM was still available

 

Great nose and taste but the mouth feel was a bit thin?

 

I love it. Had my first one this weekend. Traded some Julius with a good buddy from VT. Can't wait to get more. $60 case too. I am in. Just now scheming to get more!

 

FRESH Second Fiddle is a better beer, IMO. It tends to degrade fast, though. That said, Mastermind is seriously amazing as well. To me, it's an 8% beer that drinks like a 5% beer. I love this brewery.

 

Two stores posted on FB that they got some delivered today.
U-Save Beverage - https://www.facebook.com/pages/U-Save-Beverage-and-Filling-Station/148420178511113?sk=info
Pearl St. Beverage - https://www.facebook.com/PearlStreetBeverage?fref=nf

 

Thanks man, just saw that they're releasing more cases on thurs, pumped!

 

I had Mastermind a while back straight off the canning line and found it to be a little one dimensional. I later found out that it was simply a little green. I had another can after a week of aging and it was truly fantastic. After about a month and a half, it seemed to drop off somewhat. Moral IMHO, drink it fresh but not too fresh....between 1 week and 6 weeks of age.

 

How much does a Mastermind 4-pack cost at Fiddlehead? I'm curious to the price difference between there and at a local bevy and trying to determine whether or not I'll just drive down to Shelburne and get it at the source next canning or at the store.

 

$10 a four pack or $60 case.