Brewery: Fiddlehead Brewing Company
Rating: Keg
ABV: 6.2%
IBUs: 45–53 (brewer-quoted 45; commonly listed 53)
Style: American IPA (NEIPAish)
Calories: Approximately 190 (per 12 oz)
Hops: Not disclosed (described as “fresh, dank hops”)
Review:
Fiddlehead IPA is the kind of beer that earns “Keg” status not by being loud, but by being relentlessly right. It pours a bright, golden beer with a clean, attractive glow and a persistent white cap. The aroma leans classic American IPA: citrus zest up front, a little pine resin “dank,” and that fresh-hop impression that makes you want to take the next sip before the first one is finished.
On the palate, it hits the sweet spot between hop-forward and easy-drinking. There’s a clear citrus snap mid-palate, a restrained malt backbone that keeps it from feeling thin, and then the signature move: a crisp, dry finish that keeps the bitterness feeling tidy instead of harsh. It drinks “lighter” than its IBU number suggests because the balance is dialed in, and that’s exactly why it works so well as an everyday IPA.
Where this beer really separates itself is in value. For the cost, it punches above its weight: consistently fresh, reliably balanced, and versatile enough to be your default fridge IPA without feeling like you’re compromising. If you’re rating with price in mind, this is a rare case where the “best bang for the buck” argument is not a rationalization; it’s the point.
The Brew Info Beer Rating System
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Author: Stu
Meet Brew.info's founder and head brewer, Stu. He began homebrewing as a hobby 13 years ago and has now made it a full-time career. He gives his advice, recipes, and reviews of equipment on Brew.info in an effort to encourage others to experience the satisfaction of homebrewing beer. You can find him trying out new breweries and beers, or unwinding at home with a pint of his most recent creation, when he isn't busy brewing or writing about beer. Cheers!