Hoof Hearted

I don't know if it matter, I'm just glad we have a shit ton of great choices.

 

It's all in preference of styles, I guess. After drinking some Treehouse IPAs and Hoof's offerings I think I like west coast-style IPAs more. I cracked a White Rajah a few days ago after spending several weeks drinking New England-style juicy IPAs and was really glad that I did. I wouldn't say Rajah is better than Julius but I missed a bit of bitterness with my IPA.

 

I don't have a dog in this fight and love beers from both, but this statement seems awfully ridiculous.

 

I tend to agree. Hoof's stuff is great but Juju is better. Super Juicy is possibly the best hoppy beer out there (it's only real competition is Dinner, in my opinion.) Fatheads does so many different hoppy beers and nearly all of them are excellent. Blabe is Hoof's best beer but I'd put Citra Stalker, Juju, and Super Juicy above it.

 

I know that Hoof is putting out a tremendous amount of IIPAS/IPAS, but when I think of Fat Head's portfolio and how good every single IPA they brew is, it is kind of mind blowing. I like Hoof's potential but they aren't quite there yet. Plus, I'm with you, Snake, the turbid, supposedly juicy IPA isn't my bag if I have a choice.

 

LOL LOL LOL. Right, they'll blow away a brewery that has been cleaning up at GABF for years and makes like 20xs the amount of beer consistently and to style. You can like Hoof's beer but that's an absolutely ridiculous statement.

 

Love everything HH brings but there's no way they beat Fat Head's for me. Super Juicy is my favorite hoppy beer period. Juju is also better than any Hoof beer, but they also aren't comparable for me. HH lacks the bitterness that I usually want in my hoppy beers. That doesn't go to say that everything I have had from them hasn't been delicious for the most part and I still flock to as many events as I can. But Fat Head's also kills lagers (not even a lager fan necessarily), their Hippy Sippy, Gogglefogger, and Alpenglow, among many other various styles. HH's hype is killing Fat Head's right now, no question. But there's something to be said for the old dog that's killing beer period and on a much bigger level. Let's give HH all the credit they deserve, but not get ahead of ourselves here.

 

It's funny you say that because I wouldn't describe any of Fat Head's IPAs as that juicy--I guess I need to go back and try them again this year, but most of them have always hit me as super bitter with a spicy tongue thrashing feel to their hop profiles, total West coast. I'm not a fan of Fat Head's IPAs though so I'm in the HH camp on this one as well, as far as IPAs are concerned.

 

Jungle Juiced Head Hunter is straight hoppy orange juice; it's almost too much for me. Almost...

 

Hey! I want a piece of this thread derailing action!! I have had stuff from Alchemist, Trillium, Hill Farmstead, Tired Hands, Carton, Grey Sail, Lawsons, Foundation, Fiddlehead, New England Brewing, and Kane thanks to a lot of generous/awesome Bas. I truly believe that HH (especially Blabe, Saddle, and Kong) is as good as, if not better than most of them.

That being said, they are not in the same league as Fat Heads for me. Their beer portfolio is nowhere even close. The amount of styles, the quality of each, the consistency... They are approaching Sierra Nevada territory.

The best part is that all of these places that we are debating over who or what is better are all less than a 3 hour drive for the majority of us. Ohio beer drinkers are spoiled. There is not even room to talk about beers like Mad Tree Galaxy High, El Lupulo Libre, or Chillwave (no Jackie O's or Hoppin Frog mentions here. I already see this turning into a "New to Ohio" Fat Heads vs HH shitshow). Let alone Maumee Bay Amarillo Brillo, or Buckeye Lake Shovelhead. Seriously. Try the last 2 and tell me they aren't top IPAs in many states. Now if you excuse me while I go crush a White Rajah.

 

I need to know when their stuff releases if it's on a schedule then, I stopped following Fat Head's a while back--no big reason just did.

 

Can't argue with that

 

I don't think they have a set schedule for stuff like Jungle Juiced... It just comes out when it comes out. But that beer is ridiculously juicy.

Here's a direct quote from a highly rated brewer on Fat Head's:

"Just my $.02... When fresh, there are no IPAs, not down here in NM, not in OH, not in New England, San Diego, PDX, not anywhere, better than Fatheads."

Sure, just one more take, but I respect this guy's opinion on beer a lot and he's no homer.

 

Where did I say they were juicy? I would describe Fat Head's hoppy offerings for me as being a near perfect mix of tropical, fruity, and bitter. But that's just me. They are admittedly bitter and I can see why people would be turned off. I also see why beers with such a stark contrast such as the ones from HH would be so attractive. As others have mentioned, we are spoiled. I absolutely love both breweries. However, nothing tops Fat Head's in Ohio for me. Except Jackie O's which I consider my two equal favorites.

 

Okay I see what you're saying now. I just assumed the comparison was on the juiciness, I guess because of what they named Super Juicy. Either way I will still keep my mind open. Currently switching between a Hopslam (pretty bitter) and a Cultrider (both juicy dank and buttery in ways hard to describe) at this moment, and you know Hopslam has grown on me over the years so maybe some of Fat Head's will too.

 

Had a Hopslam fresh from the source on Thursday. Loved it. Fat Head's beers and their bitterness can be an acquired taste. My wife is a bug beer lover and still can't get on board with them. I don't feel there's anything wrong with that. I just can't respect her as much lol.

 

I never heard of bug beer...

I always said I can see Head Hunter being hit or miss with people due to its flavor profile, but I dont think their other beers are insanely bitter. Maybe that's just me though.

 

I always go to FH beers when I want resinous, bitter IPA. They do it best IMO. I know of a few people who don't care for FH just because of the harsher bittering, which I agree with. However, I love that aspect so I am not complaining! Sometimes I find their lagers and other non-IPA's a little on the bitter side of the spectrum. But that does vary batch to batch.

Comparing FH and Hoof is a bit silly though IMO... Two drastically different types of approach at the IPA's. I like them both in their own ways, personally. I don't find one better than the other, just different.

 

FYI... Looks like Hoof has changed their "official" stance on bottle shares and it appears going forward they will not be allowed anymore. Before they basically said they didn't care, but now they are making it clear it's a no-go.

They have commented a few times on FB today saying that shares on their property are illegal and can jeopardize their liquor license. Bummer, but I think we all knew it was coming sooner or later.