Fat Head’s Brewery (2019)

@invertalon the carriers at the Taphouse disappeared at least two years before they closed. The one criticicm I have had of the place since day one at the saloon, is they squeeze every penny.

Paul's Pastrami and the Brewben are the two best things on the menu

 

I really only order the smokehouse wings there, so I can't really speak for anything else on the menu. The wings have, and always will be, phenomenal IMO.

I love that Strange Magic is so low ABV so I won't feel bad drinking a 6-pack by the pool this summer

 

I heard some questions about comparing Strange Magic to Head Hunter / Hop Juju. Has anyone compared or have thoughts on Strange Magic to Trail Head?

Trail Head = 6.3% ABV 55 IBU (Citra and Simcoe)
Strange Magic = 6.5% ABV 65 IBU (Warrior, Citra, Mosaic)

 

6.5% is “so low”? Either way, still excited for it to drop!

 

Just by visuals alone I think Trail Head is a bit more malt-driven and in the actual realm of a true-to-form American pale ale.

 

Those wings are better to take home and give them a good hit in a toaster or air fryer

 

Anyone have any knowledge/speculation on what these guys are barreling?

 

Probably the same shit as ever. BBA Battle Axe and a couple others. Which have been very very good mind you, but it's clearly something Fat Head's does not make a priority.

They have their whole "barrel room" which is more dedicated as an event space than it is dedicated to holding actual barrels.

 

Thanks, I've never had any of their BA offerings.

 

Barrel aged Pimp my Sleigh was really good.

 

I find myself wanting to go to the NO location these days. They bleeped up the Middleburg brewery imo. Nice building, but the way they run things is weird

 

I have ate at the dining room twice in Middleburg and one time the server was horrible and very weird. Second time server was better but still not great and literally had to eat forever for something we ordered. Bar service has always been really good there though.

 

This is precisely why I always post up at the bar at either location. I never trust how big those venues are with getting adequate service.

 

Unless I have more than 4 people I'm pretty much heat seeking bar seats...table service has been going downhill everywhere outside of well established and fancier restaurants.

 

I always sit at the bar. My beef isn't service related

 

#grandpaadvocate

 

I've been there twice at tables and I've had great service both times. I guess I've just gotten lucky?

 

Better than spending eternity at The Brew Kettle, I suppose....

I haven't been there since the soft opening, but I generally don't count on places like that for stellar wait service. If there's great beer and above average pub fare, anything else is gravy.

 

What is the suggested price in Ohio for the 15 packs? I just bought one of Sunshine Daydream that was priced $15.99. I feel like I bought one before and it was closer to $20??

 

That would make me happy, last i saw in Lake County was $19.99

Although, I paid $9.99 tonight for a 6-pack of Strange Magic. Stuffs killer, bit more soft/sweet than HH. Mango, apricot and peach really shine.
Like a poor mans Pliny. Great value of its really suppose to be $9.99

 

Paid the same in Youngstown Giant Eagle. What an incredible beer for the price.

 

Heard they had juju 4-packs for carry out in Middleburg last week. Anyone know if it will get any distribution for this release?

 

Picked up two singles of Strange Magic to try (had it on tap, thought it was nice a few weeks ago). But the can I was not a fan of, at all. Tasted oxidized/old, like if the can was 3-4 months out from when it got packaged and nothing like I recall. It also had some strange 'floaties' I've never seen before in any beer... Like flakes of some sort, it's not yeast, hop particulate or anything I could figure out. Will be sending them an email to see what was up. Supposedly a friend said he got similar debris in cans of Starlight.

Here is a pic of it, in two different glasses (same can):

 

Picked up a couple of four packs of Juju at the brewery today, canned on Friday.

 

I actually got this today too. Ironically I drank both Strange Magic and Starlight. The Starlight tasted great. So I didn’t look at it. The
Magic didn’t pop like the first batch of cans I got. (I only had it in cans, never on draft) so I can’t really compare. But I mentioned I believe in this thread a week or so ago about it tasting like a poor mans Pliny. Today it was fine, but NOT mentionable in a sentence with Pliny. Looked at it, had what looked like ‘chromosomes shaped... I guessed yeast floates’ But I don’t really know much about the science of beer. But do know how it taste’s. Haha... and it didn’t taste like the first batch. Today’s can didn’t have a date. But I think the box does. I’ll check recycle bin later if I remember. Although, I don’t know the date of the first batch of cans I had. It’s possible they are the same I guess. But even then, that would mean they turned/faded very prematurely. Something is a miss to say the least. It’s not really bad or anything like that. Just not as fresh, crisp and delightful as before. Insert “last weeks batch was better.” Joke here. Haha... But for real... Glad you mentioned that. I know I’m crazy, just glad I’m still not crazy enough to be tasting different beer, one week later =-D

Edit: just looked at the bottom of my last magic. It looks like the coconut flakes that come on those coconuts cake bars. Or the thin mozzarella cheese you might put on pasta or a salad. Like that white, big and long. (Insert TWSS joke here)

 

@ClePaul

Coconut flakes is a great way to describe it! haha.

I did send a note to Fat Head's and they are passing off the pics to the QA team today as they were not in on the weekend. Let you know what they say... I just never seen yeast that shape before, commercial or homebrew. But we will see what they say! Initial guess from them was just yeast, but not sure I buy it. Some strange yeast (or magic, muhaha) if so!

 

@ClePaul

Just an update... Fat Head's got back to me and they confirmed it's just sediment and they are working to remedy the issue going forward. There was more to the reply, but in a nutshell:

"For cans, since we recently began canning, this has been an issue we are adjusting to, as the sediment settles out in the can’s bottom it can form a compact looking ring which may break up upon pour."

They were very appreciative for the feedback/photos as it helps them continue to improve the product. They offered a free six pack as well, which I will be picking up today which was cool/nice of them!

 

Since I was just there, for those curious, here are some upcoming (on deck) brews coming out of the pilot brewery soon!



It’s been a minute since some Black Knight for me! Really excited for the Keller and Summer Pils as well.

 

Hell yeah! I’ve been dying to try Black Knight. I’ll have to make a trip down there.

 

Let me know when you come over to this side of town. Fat Head’s is about 10 minutes from my house.

 

Lucky man! It’s a bit of a drive, I like to hit it up pretty early Saturday or Sunday before it gets too wild. I’ll definitely let ya know!

 

Sounds good!

 

I finally got to that that barrel aged battle axe. The beer is awesome I loved it. Nice and smooth and not to much barrel in it.

 

It's always something was really good

 

Had Sommer Pils today, I grabbed a crowler to take home. Was good, more grainy/crackery Vs. Hoppy. Didn't love it, but it was a good beer. I have liked other Pils more they have done. Was missing a noble hop bite I prefer in a Pils.

 

I really like what they've done with G'Suffa this year, making it lighter and closer to a festbier. I'm usually one and done at the most with that beer every year but I can see myself buying it throughout the season.

 

I saw there was a recipe change. Until that, I was finally done with it this year too. I might be in the minority, but I thought it was sub par the last 3 years. Especially for as much as I like the work they do with their lagers.