Fat Heads (2020)

I shared my thoughts on the release calendar in the other thread. Was hoping for expansion, not contraction, as well.

One bright spot: Special Hoperations collaboration with 3 Floyds is being released today.

 

I definitely expected at least ONE of their more popular draft-only’s would make it. Everything has been top notch at the brewery. In place of Starlight, I wish they at least made one of their brewery-exclusive German style lagers a quick seasonal.

On the offhand, bought a single of Sorcerer a couple months ago, and very unexpectedly from Fat Heads, it had soured. Fortunately it still tasted amazing! Almost along the lines of a “Flanders Brown” if that were such a thing. I’m guessing I got a bottle from a fill tube that maybe didn’t get enough love from caustic foam.

I guess I’ll be hauling my ass down 71 for anything special this year.

 

I just had a thought that maybe the reduction in packaged offerings is part of a strategy to get more folks to visit the beer hall. Although, we went there on Saturday around 7:30 after I got back into town and there was still about an hour wait. So, there’s still a ton of people going there. I’m not sure what it’s like during the week.
Special Hoperations is a very good west coast IPA, by the way.
Lastly, I was also surprised to see Hop Stalker still on tap. Looks like a lack of production is not a reason they did not bottle it again.

 

Aren't they putting Hop Juju out 4 times this year? I thought everyone here would be happy.

 

Feb, Aug, and Dec according to their calendar.

 

The FFF collab is great. I'm more than willing to trade this for a schedule full of the newest latest.

 

Agreed. I almost forgot what a truly good IPA tastes like (one that doesn’t have the consistency of 2% milk). Top notch. Super candied citrus and nice resinous pine.

 

Agreed. The collab is fantastic. It comes across to me as a slightly more tropical head hunter. Still has that aggressive bitterness but with some more fruity aromatics. So good!

 

Yep the collab is exceptional

 

No Nut November would be easier than Dry January.

I thought Special Hoperation was great, as well

 

I concur. I liked the Barely Browns quite a bit, but this one is really good. Fruitier Head Hunter, but still with some decent bitterness.

 

The Fat Head's/FFF Special Hoperations collab is a world class beer at a fantastic price.

Already half way thru my 2nd six pack.

 

The collab beer is hands down best ipa I've had in a year or more. One of the best I've ever had really. I'll echo what a few other have said about it being a like a fruitier head hunter.

 

Anyone have any inside scoop on why Fat Heads doesn’t have a huge focus on their barrel program? Coming across a BA beer from them seems few and far between. Especially suspicious because they produce some awesome high-gravity stouts and Belgians that would be great candidates.

 

I’ve wondered the same thing but don’t have a concrete answer. I’ve had a few from them that were really good, including barrel aged Pimp my Sleigh and barrel aged Battle Axe Baltic Porter.
A while ago I had a conversation with Matt right before Ohio upped the ABV limit and he was not really excited about the change. He just said once beer gets above 12% that he’s not really a fan. Maybe it’s that?

 

Matt Cole has said a lot of things, and has changed his mind on a lot of things ... to his credit.

My guess is they don't care to be a neckbeard darling, they are still a hop-driven brewery, and barrel aging is expensive.

The above is only me speculating; I have no direct channel to anyone at fat head's

 

Who else can't wait for Ben danklin? Easily the best ipa I had last year.