Fiddlehead Black IPA

Fiddlehead's latest beers include an Irish Red (brewed with a local competition winner from the Green Mountain Mashers homebrew club) and a Black IPA. I already missed out on the Irish Red due to short availability but I was able to pick up a growler of the Black IPA still on tap at the brewery. I will also mention that the Brewery is having an anniversary party on December 29th from 8pm - midnight @ the Brewery. It's 25$/ ticket and they are selling fast. I look forward to attending in a couple of weeks.

Alcohol Content: 6.8%
IBU: 60
Malts: ?, Weyermann Sinamar mainly for color
Hops: Topaz (Australia), Stella (Australia),

Price: 7$/ growler + 3$ deposit
Medium: Pint glass

Aroma: Tropical citrusy hops lending grapefruit and kiwi notes. This is complemented by a pleasant soft graininess with hints of cocoa sweetness. Otherwise a clean malt backbone for such a dark beer. Fermentation mildly fruity and blends with the aggressive hop aromas. Similar components to their flagship IPA in terms of the 'house' character.
Appearance: A tan head forms with great retention. Alcohol provides legs in the foam when swirling - typical for higher alcohol beverages and unusual for a beer of about 7%. Color nears jet black with some dark ruby notes under good lighting. Otherwise opaque.
Flavor: Pleasant malt sweetness reminiscent of toast and cocoa. Hop flavors roll over the tongue with pronounced tropical citrus. Bitterness is moderately high and favored over the malt bill; however, a touch of cocoa sweetness remains in the aftertaste. Remarkably similar 'house' character in relation to their flagship IPA. My guess is similar water adjustments plays in with the same yeast strain. Dries out in the finish with a touch of spice from alcohol. Unique australian hop varieties reminds me of some of the beers Sean Lawson is currently working with (Lawson's Finest Liquids).
Mouthfeel: Interesting water profile accentuates the hop bitterness and helps dry the palate while leaving lingering hop flavors and subtle malty notes. Hop resins coat the mouth. Possibly some hop polyphenols also playing with the overall character of the mouthfeel, perceived on the back roof of the mouth. Medium body and slight alcohol warmth. Moderate carbonation.
Overall Impression: I thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of Fiddlehead's black IPA and flagship IPA. They have similar characteristics in terms of hop character, mouthfeel, and drinkability. The black IPA is a little more bitter but also balanced out by slightly sweeter malts.

Fiddlehead Helles

I stopped by the brewery tasting room last friday to sample their new beer on tap. After talking to the brewer and server in the tasting room, they informed me that every other friday the Brewery will be releasing a new batch of beer for samples, growlers, and growlettes. I made an impulse decision to buy a growler of their new Munich Helles to bring back for more sampling. I have also sort of taken it upon myself to try and sample every new batch of beer they release bi-weekly.

Alcohol Content: 4.7%
IBU: 17
Malts: Pilsner, Carahell
Hops: Hallertau

Price: $13/ Growler + deopsit; $10/ growler
Medium: Poured into a pint glass (sampled after second day of growler pour)

Aroma: Distinct hop aroma with pungent floral and spicy noble hop notes. I described it as a much stronger hop presence than typical for the style, but this is very pleasing and does not detract from the style. As the beer warms, I easily picked up on an off-flavor (aroma) which I had a hard time distinguishing between acetaldehyde and DMS (Dimethylsulfide). The acetaldehyde is characteristic of a green apple aroma (think bud light), whereas the DMS contributed notes of creamed corn (think genesee). Perhaps it needed a longer fermentation - or left on the yeast before transferring to secondary. I was told it was sitting in a secondary a week prior. Pilsner malt dominates the backbone and maintains the body of the beer.
Appearance: Fairly clear, definitely lager-like in character. Condensation forms around the glass quickly but when wiped down the clarity is greatly improved. Low visible carbonation; however, a rocky white head forms and is slow is disperse back in the beer. Great lacing and a brilliant golden color - appropriate for the style. I will also mention the sound of carbonation releasing when I popped the cap of the growler at day two - meaning a good seal/ tightly capped at the brewery.
Flavor: My first impression was a cross between a cream ale and a lager, and this is due to the off-flavors that come across as green apple and/ or creamed corn. Assuming a lager strain was used, this beer could be cleaner in character and style. DMS comes across as canned/ creamed corn just like the aroma. Hop bitterness is slightly stronger for style and hop flavors are also quite big (and pleasant). Slightly spicy and noble hop character is definite. Floral notes are also big. Pilsner malt character lingers a little but is mostly cleaned up by the bitterness and carbonation.
Mouthfeel: I noted a chalky mouthfeel but I'm unsure of the brewing water mineral content. Moderately high carbonation kept well after a day of being poured from the brewery into a growler. Dries out only a little in the aftertaste but I found this to be form the water profile/ mineral content as well as bitterness. Crisp and refreshing when served very chilled. More off-flavors and aromas are distinguishable in warmer serving temps.
Overall Impression: I have to say the small sample I was served at the brewery tasted much better than the growler I brought home, the reason being because it was served very chilled whereas the growler was allowed to warm and I picked up on various aromas (and taste) that can be described as off-flavors. Since its a lager, the cold serving temp made for a deliciously crisp experience. That being said, it is up to the consumer to make sure the beer is served in an appropriate manner, a facet breweries deal with on an everyday basis for beers that leave their warehouse.

Fiddlehead Oktoberfest

I meant to pick up a growler on the way home from work last friday but I arrived while they were still kegging the new bi-weekly brew. I was excited to get a growlette today (32oz grolwer) to sample at home and to compare to Otter Creek's Oktoberfest . For research I would have loved to see this batch ready at SIPtemberfest, since there were lots of other breweries with their own examples of the style (of which I tried them all of course). Next week's batch is a Black IPA.

Alcohol Content: 5.6%
IBU:
Malts: Munich, Vienna, Caramel/ Crystal, ?
Hops: Tettnang

Price: $6/ Growlette, $10/ Growler (+ $3 deposit)
Medium: Pint glass

Aroma: Malty and toasted with a considerable caramel sweetness. Hops are spicy, floral and lend good support for a malt-accented beer. My first impression hinted at subtle alcohol warmth and spiciness but I could be confusing this with hops.
Appearance: Fairly good clarity that will definitely improve with more aging. Color is quite accurate for the style - amber lager. Under bright light I get some deeper golds which may become even more brilliant with more age. Tan-ish brown head with good retention. Carbonation is moderately visible in the body of the beer.
Flavor: Malts really shine from the start through the finish and are matched by a spicy hop character that plays into the balancing act. I think the bitterness helps clean up some of the sweetness inherent in crystal malts and allows more of the maltiness come through without cloying the palate. The sweetness lingered on a buttery or toffee-like character, not to be confused with diacetyl. I believed there to be some fermentation character but was not quite sure of this until I got a few different opinions. We all agreed a little age would probably benefit the beer.
Mouthfeel: A soothing alcohol warmth and hop bitterness left a good first impression while my senses quickly turned to the beers maltiness with subsequent tastes. Sweet but not cloying. Carbonation is moderate. Sampled very cold at the brewery and warmed in the growlette for my own enjoyment at home.
Overall Impression: For a style that remains malt focused, I enjoyed the relatively higher bitterness and hop character that matches the strength in maltiness/ sweetness. Otter Creek Oktoberfest also exemplifies a higher IBU and hop character, both of which bringing a little more balance to the beer. It's a pretty straightforward beer that offers an easy approach for long drinking sessions.

Fiddlehead "Frog Run" Sap Beer

Fiddlehead teamed up with the Vermont Folklore Center for a fundraising event on May 31st, featuring a sap beer that was brewed with maple sap from the last runnings of the sugaring season. My understanding is that the maple sap was used in place of the water in the brewing process, with malts and hops to follow. Although the tickets were a little too pricey for me, I was able to visit the brewery the next day to fill up a growler of this intriguing past time special brew. Sorry for the delay, I should have posted this shortly after sampling it.

Alcohol Content: 6.5%
IBU: ?
Malts: ?
Hops: ?

Price: $15/ New Growler ($3 Deposit)
Medium: Pilsner Glass

Aroma: Very similar to the Catamount Maple Wheat (see Harpoon) in its inherently warm alcohol and light maple-like sweetness. No malt aroma although I'm sure at least some degree of barley was used. Spicy and sweet but neither from malts nor hops. Instead I get a slightly unpleasant vodka grain alcohol harshness to the nose, especially with deeper inhalations.
Appearance: Copper to amber like a darker maple syrup. Head easily forms when poured directly down the center for agitation. I should note that I waited until day four after purchasing the growler before evaluating it. Head retention still remained for about a minute or so but I was conscious to pour in a way to let it better develop. Decent clarity. Lacing is wet.
Flavor: Mildly sweet maple flavors are duly noted with the first sip. Not far behind is an alcohol sharpness that immediately starts to warm the mount and tingle all around. Finish is also semi-harsh like a grainy alcohol. This is the same into the aftertaste. However, I believe this is more of an acquired taste and it probably accurately represents its one-of-a-kind style. A light addition of hops accurately describes its light bitterness intended for supporting the other attributes - they impart no aroma or flavor however. Maple sap flavors do become stronger in the finish and aftertaste along with the alcohol.
Mouthfeel: Moderately bodied with sort of a slick or oily character. Although the alcohol presence is very forward, I might add that there really isn't much to hide behind with such a delicate style. Not much viscosity due in part to its slickness and low carbonation. Slick character imparted no diacetyl flavors or other indications of such an off-flavor. No oxidation issues occurred with the growler pour.
Overall Impression: Because I had already opened it and also waited for four days to evaluate the beer, I can't say for sure this is an accurate representation compared to its fresher draught pour. Carbonation was relatively low as a result. It reminded me of Vermont Maple Soda with an added grain alcohol character. This is possibly from higher alcohols (fusel) but I'm unsure of this. I wonder about the use of bittering hops for this old style of Vermont beer - apparently the first to be commercially brewed in the state.

Fiddlehead IPA

The much anticipated Fiddlehead IPA is here. Former head brewer at Magic Hat, Matt Cohen went on to form his own company with this American IPA leading the way. I sessioned this one at Ake's Place in downtown Burlington.

Alcohol Content: ?
IBU: 50
Malts: ?
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe, Galaxy

Price: $4.25 for a pint
Medium: On draught served in a regular pint glass

Aroma: Some grapefruit-like citrus qualities with unclear supporting malts - very bland/ pale malt sweetness not leading to any specific direction. Grassy and piney notes present a strong hop aroma no doubt. Fermentation seems clean.
Appearance: Poured for a thick, fluffy white head. Only the slightest bit of haze, representing a great fermentation - the beer is unfiltered and sits in a bright tank before kegging. Golden with some amber. Great head retention.
Flavor: Pale sweet malts appear first but are quickly overrun by the bittering hops. Hop flavor is primarily of grapefruit citrus and finishes a slightly fruity tart/ sourness. Mid-palate has a bit of wet vegetal matter. Somewhat spicy/ peppery notes throughout, although citrus still dominates. Minimal drying in the aftertaste is paired with some residual sweetness (sweetness is mostly identified with the mouthfeel and no particular direction or distinct flavors). Balance is slightly favored towards the hops (in flavor but not bitterness).
Mouthfeel: Moderate body and carbonation. Slightly warm finish, perhaps from the lingering hops. No distinct off-flavors present. Everything about this one feels very clean. No strong alcohol flavors but I'm sure it still packs a punch.
Overall Impression: This is a great example of an IPA that finds a happy medium between competing styles - Its definitely more approachable than most IPA's but also offers a great hop character for the hop heads. I would love to see this available in 6-packs but for now its springing up on tap around town. Get your hands on it as soon as you can!