Fiddlehead IPA
No ratings yet — be the first to log it.
Tasting Notes
Fiddlehead IPA leads with a generous burst of tropical and citrus aroma — think ripe mango, tangerine, and a hint of pine — built on a soft, almost pillowy malt base that keeps the bitterness from turning sharp. The flavor follows through with juicy hop character, landing somewhere between West Coast brightness and New England haze without committing fully to either camp. The body is medium, smooth through the middle, and the finish is moderately bitter with a clean fade. It's a well-calibrated IPA that prioritizes drinkability without sacrificing hop complexity.
About the Brewery
Fiddlehead Brewing is based in Shelburne, Vermont, founded by Matt Cohen, formerly of Magic Hat. The brewery built its reputation largely on this flagship IPA, which developed a devoted regional following and a secondary market on beer-trading platforms before wider distribution caught up with demand. They operate on a relatively small scale with a focus on hop-forward ales, and the Vermont craft scene has long treated Fiddlehead as a quiet but respected fixture.
Food Pairings
The tropical hop character here works well with spicy Thai curry, where the fruit notes soften heat rather than amplify it. A classic cheeseburger with sharp cheddar plays off the bitterness and gives the malt backbone something to work against. Grilled salmon pairs cleanly because the citrus hop profile mirrors the fish's natural richness without overwhelming it. Fish tacos with a lime crema are a natural fit for similar reasons. Aged gouda, with its caramel and salt, bridges the malt and hop sides of the beer in a way that feels earned rather than accidental.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness and aroma — typically showcasing citrus, pine, tropical fruit, or resinous qualities depending on the hop varieties used — set against a supportive but restrained malt body. The style emerged from American craft brewing in the 1980s and 90s, taking the English IPA tradition and pushing hop intensity significantly further. It sits between the more balanced English IPA and the hazy, soft-bodied New England IPA, generally offering clearer appearance and a drier, more bitter finish than the latter while being more aggressively hopped than the former. ABV typically runs from around 6% to 7.5%.