Edward - Hill Farmstead Brewery

jhange

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

One of the few APA's I've had that I haven't had to try hard to like. On draft in a tulip at Blue Dog Cafe in Chalfont. Great piney taste throughout the entire beer, more so as it gets warmer. Great lacing and mouthfeel. Very drinkable. My first Hill Farmstead beer is certain impressive. Just having Topper about 2 days again, I'm thinking I need to relocate to VT for sure.

Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 23:03:35 | More by jhange

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Taken from notes from a recent trip to Montreal and Vermont.

On tap at Farmhouse Tap and Grill. Pours a cloudy burnt orange color with an inch of frothy head. Some lacing. The aroma is hoppy with some citrus and tropical fruits. Maybe tangerine? the taste is bitter apricots with nice tropical fruits. grapefruit notes as well. Nice bitterness with a good amount of fruity hop flavor. Dry and resinous. This is a Pale Ale with a lot of fruity and hoppy that rivals most IPAs. Overall, its bitter, hoppy and drinkable. Glad I got to try it. Fantastic Pale Ale worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 00:28:36 | More by PicoPapa

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.09/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Reservoir in Waterbury and sampled at the brewery. From notes.

A - Really cloudy orange pour with one finger of white head. Good carbonation. Film retention and great drapes of lace all around.

S - Passionfruit, orange, bright citrus. Very bright and poppy hops coming at you. Smells like ripe, light tropical fruits. Maybe galaxy?

T - Passionfruit, grapefruit pith, citrus, orange, peach. Lot's more bright and tropical hops.

M - Good carbonation, medium body, and a good citrus bitterness.

O/D - A pretty nice pale ale. Seems pretty heavy with that bright, lovley fresh citrus flavour, and it's really thirst quenching and complex. Really well made, to the point, and tasty. Very drinkable too. A good one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2013 22:58:11 | More by tbeckett

BTVflatlander

Vermont

4.84/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Had on-tap at Parker Pie in West Glover, Vt., at their Hill Tap Takeover a week ago.

A: Cloudy and orange, very attractive.

S: Hoppy and citrusy.

T: Very hoppy but not overly so.

M: Light, yet full.

O: I concur with those who have said that Edward resembles more of an IPA than an APA and, as a result, I have an inner quandary as to whether I prefer this to Heady Topper. The slightly lower price and format of HT give it an edge for me, yet I would never hesitate to wait a couple hours in the cold in Greensboro for a growler of Edward.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2013 17:52:04 | More by BTVflatlander

IrishKevin

Massachusetts

4.86/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Had his on draft at The Pizza Stone, I think in Chester, VT.

I had no expectations, because I knew nothing about this beer.
It had the malty hoppy smell of a brewery. As I tasted it, I could tell it had a high IBU, but it wasn't out of balance. This was an exceptional beer. I asked the bartender about it and she informed me that, "the brewery is the highest rated in the world."

Needless to say the beer blew me away!! One of the best all around beers I have ever had.

Experiences like this are what it's all about!

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2013 21:49:41 | More by IrishKevin

kscaldef

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Lightly cloudy, with a large dense head.

S: Piney and citrusy with light tropical notes. Definitely the strongest aspect of the beer.

T: Very piney and fairly bitter.

M: Medium-high carbonation and medium body.

O: Didn't live up to the hype for me. Flavor was a bit one-note and the harsh bitterness in the finish really hurts drinkability. I can't really imagine that I'd want to drink more than a single pint of this. Smells lovely, though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2013 22:13:52 | More by kscaldef

MitchD14

Oregon

4.71/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I enjoyed this on tap at Hop and Vine in Portland, Oregon. They did a beer exchange with some Vermont breweries and got like 20 different beers. I had Edward in a 12 oz glass and I must say, it was very smooth. It had a nice amount of hops, yet was not at all overpowering. There was a little foam when poured, but that quickly dissipated. It poured a nice light orange color and smelled very nice. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 05:12:29 | More by MitchD14

Hendry

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

My first taste of the highly coveted Hill Farmstead Ale was just a brief encounter: we had concert tickets and 15 minutes to kill, so the opportunity was there. Requesting Double Galaxy and Abner was a waste of time as all the Farmhouse had on tap was Edward.

For $6.50 you get a 13 oz goblet of this cloudy rust colored nectar that left a nominal head and has a very flowery nose with a bit of citrus in there,slightly malty: not a knockout punch aroma but a very pleasant one at that. This is a rich, delicately flavored ale that is nicely balanced with subtle flavors that rest on the palate beautifully, and fade into a caramel,floral, slightly citrusy aftertaste that disappeared a bit quicker than I would have liked, but this is not a DIPA either.

Most definitely a top notch Ale made with a thoughtful selection of hops, ale malt and well water from the Hill Farm. Very inviting and for those that appreciate a moderate amount of bitterness, it is a great choice: those expecting a wallop to the palate might feel let down on that front, but there is no denying the quality and the high level of craft to produce this complex and delicious Vermont ale.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 21:00:56 | More by Hendry

80x2HopHead

Vermont

4.86/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

The smell isn't too overwhelming however I can pick up on just the right amount of hops with grapefruit and subtle lemon and orange. Reminds me of a toned down galaxy- I would say more prominent citrus notes and a bit of subtle tropical fruit in the background. The hops are lightly floral but still very juicy and I can still get some risinous tastes, but not too overwhelming. Taste is very well balanced- juicy and fruity hops come at you with grapefruit, tangerine, and a little lemon? I can notice the malt however its in the background and doesn't take away from the hoppy PA nature of the brew. Balance between the hops and malt is the key for this PA - however the hops are certainly brought to the forefront which is what I would want out of an PA of this nature. I prefer DIPAs above all else, however I loved this HF brew and I would certainly recommend it to anyone- don't let the APA style fool you, it still has tons of excellent hoppy character.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2013 06:14:53 | More by 80x2HopHead

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.14/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On-tap at the Blackback Pub in Waterbury, VT - served in a Hill Farmstead tulip. Hazy orange complexion with a loose, quarter inch off-white head that dissipates into a consistent skim. Concentric bands of lacing encircle the shoulders of the glass. Nose expresses citrus and floral notes; slightly grassy and delicate with some biscuity aromas towards the back. Taste follows nose; however, more of an earthy/grassy character comes out in the flavor profile with the citrus notes lingering lightly and some hops bittering in the background. There's also a trace of wet cardboard at the finish. Mouthfeel is light and lively with a pleasant, palate cleansing carbonation. Overall, an immensely quaffable American Pale Ale that is a hallmark of the style in my humble opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 00:24:47 | More by Jwale73

HugeBulge

New York

5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sorry I write all my reviews while drinking...

The Best of the style. Full hop flavor for "light beer". Pungent hop smell and flavor without the bitterness. Went on a day trip flight from New York, and this was the best beer i had up there. I was like a heady topper I could drink all day. Funny how many of the beers from Vermont encompass the same flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2013 20:57:59 | More by HugeBulge

Lakemonster

4.83/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer at the Farmhouse in Burlington, VT. It is a local favorite and every time I visit I end up drinking at least one. The Edward tastes more like a IPA with low ABV, which really brings out the character of the hops. It is aromatic, delicious and you should get it if you have the chance. A Burlington, VT classic.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2013 21:55:59 | More by Lakemonster

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at my home-brew clubs Christmas party tonight.
Pours a slightly hazy light golden color with a nice bone white head that persists forever. Wow that aroma has got lots of hops in it for a Pale ale! Juicy citrus and pine with a hint of green onion and a touch of bready malt make for a wonderful smelling beer. The flavor is loaded with pine and citrus with a bit of sweet malt to back it up. Flavorful bitterness, but never harsh. Medium to light body with a moderate to high level of carbonation and a bready resinous mouthfeel. This is a great little beer, that at times feel more like and IPA, but its so damn good I'm not going to quibble of stylistic designations.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2012 04:01:46 | More by johnnnniee

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - 4 - Pours a hazy orange color with light reddish tint, one fingered head dies down to a sticky lace, light carbonation.

S - 4 - Aroma is light to moderate grapefruit, papaya, spicy, crisp caramel malt.

T - 4.5 - Big on flavor for a Pale Ale. Light colored tropical fruit from start to finish, tartness nips the tip of the tongue and gives way to a sweet and spicy ruby grapefruit, papaya, and mangos and finishes off with an assertive pine grapefruit bitterness of an IPA.

M - 4.5 - Light medium body, sprightly carbonation, and a lingering piney, grapefruit finish.

O - 4.5 - A flavorful pale ale that drinks like an ipa without the higher ABV, hits the spot, nicely executed!

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2012 05:23:36 | More by jzeilinger

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Farmhouse in Burlington. Pours hazy and shimmering orange with a small off-white head that settles slowly and leaves little patches of lace on the glass. Fresh hoppy aroma wafts up, citrus in front, pine and floral notes following. Little in the way of malt detected.

The flavor has slightly more malt presence, with subdued caramel and biscuit character and mild sweetness. Hops are front and center, again citrusy tangerine, orange, and grapefruit, with lesser pine and floral notes. Finishes dry with a very lightly lingering bitterness remaining. Overall a mild but flavorfull pale heavier on the aromatics than the taste.

Medium to slightly light bodied with smooth but clean carbonation. Elegant and totally drinkable. One could drink a lot of this one, a perfect candidate for a session, American style. Not as exciting as the HF IPAs perhaps, but more of an everyday drinker to be sure.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2012 11:44:25 | More by tobelerone

433

5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Serving type: On tap many times. Mostly at the Skinny Pancake Creperie and the Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier. I'm not even sure where I had it first. I had never planned on reviewing it, or any other beer, but it's so good that I've decided to type about it.

Appearance: It looks fine to me. Like a glass of beer. The glasses they serve it in at Three Penny Taproom are great. Sort of like a pint glass, with the Hill Farmstead Logo. Honestly the glass is so nice, it does add something, I think.

Smell: It smells like it tastes, as far as I know. I sort of object to the idea of discounting points for relatively unimportant considerations like appearance, or even smell. As far as I know, it smells like heaven.

Taste: The taste is brilliant. Fresh. Hearty. Hoppy. It's like the best IPA ever.

Mouthfeel: My mouth feels absolutely fantastic when I'm drinking this beer.

Overall: 11.

When I see the detail that some people have put into their reviews, I almost feel apologetic that I haven't labored over the details more. Three Penny Taproom has a lot of great beers (24 taps), but I often get buyer's remorse if I get anything other than the Edward, including other Hill Farmstead beers. From what I've had, a Sixpoint Resin is the only thing close to the heavenly Edward, although a lot of the other Hill Farmstead beers aren't too far behind, like Citra and Abner, which are nice because they taste somewhat similar to the Edward.

All of their beers taste fresh and flowery, that I've had.

From my experience, I've never had a beer with such a good finish as the Edward. In this respect, I think it does outclass the other Hill Farmstead beers I've had. There's just some kind of bonus in the after taste. Dry and inviting. It's such a hearty and delicious beer, and my favorite of all time. The challenge now is to find something comparable. I've never tried Pliny the Elder which I've read is really good. I've seen polls where the Dogfish Head 90 minute is listed as a top five beer. There is absolutely no comparison: the Edward is much, much better than the 90 minute, but then again, I think the 60 minute is better than the 90 minute.

Sorry to go off topic. This is my first and perhaps last review, and it's just odd that no one is giving the Edward all 5s. I see the tips on the side that all 5s are to be used rarely, but come on. If there was ever a beer that deserves it, it's this one. Otherwise it's misleading.

Update: Reading more reviews, it sounds like I would really like Zombie Dust. I'll ask Three Penny if they can get some of that.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 03:59:52 | More by 433

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: very cloudy golden amber color with a small head that stays

S: amazing smell of citrus grapefruit, melon, and grain

T: delicious fruity flavor with bitter hops and some bread

M: good Spritz carbonation and light body

O: most excellent beer. Looks like a homebrew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2012 15:54:07 | More by Holland

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into tall HF pint at three penny Montpelier, VT. Pours a hazy orange with really nice foam head, with sticky as hell lacing. Really hoppy citrus/grapefruit aromas. Slight citrus and malt flavours with a "raw" hop flavour but not bitter. Its creamy smooth for an APA and really easy to drink. Such a fantastic brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 01:38:35 | More by DrinkSlurm

smakawhat

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured on tap into a Hill Farmstead wine taster glass at the brewery/tasting room.

A pale honey gold body is presented. Opaque, solid. With a real nice classic white creamy head that seems so common on Hill Farmstead beers. Pretty attractive.

Nose brings light hints of melon and cantalopue, with a bit of floral hints. Some lemon like citrus kicks in a bit too. Pretty nice.

Light bodied and quite a lively carbonated palate. Lime hop forward in the mid palate, with a real light toasty almost mix of burnt grain. Playful carbonation feel giving a hint of spicy pepper.

Overall real interesting beer, perhaps not as drawn to it, but it's quite a unique pale ale style beer by these guys and a very well crafted solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 23:09:57 | More by smakawhat

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at ABC Beer Co in New York.

Beer is a cloudy dark yellow colour. Small white head, decent retention. Excellent lacing.

Smell is very nice. Bright citrus, grapefruit, pine. Very fragrant.

Like the smell, taste is excellent. Grapefruit, pine. Quite bitter. Tastes very fresh. Somewhat simple in flavour, but a really wonderful simple- everything tastes bright and juicy.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Slightly oily.

Overall, just a terrific APA. Really well done.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2012 22:51:24 | More by jrenihan

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at Prohibition Pg. Cloudy peach coloured body, with no head. OK drinkability, good hop flavour, citrus tangerine not necessarily my favourite flavours. Carbonation right there. Decent flavour but not my favourite Hill Farmstead nor pale.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2012 12:02:11 | More by northyorksammy

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had a couple proper pints of Hill Farmstead Edward (in an English pub-style nonic glass) at The Crop, a great new restaurant in Stowe, Vermont. Edward was the only HF beer they had on tap, but it was in excellent company–they had stuff by Ommegang, Green Flash, Lagunitas, and Rodenbach as well, and Alchemist Heady Topper in cans, as well. Review is from notes.

Appearance (5/5): Edward pours a brilliant, opaque, deep orange hue with some yellow highlights when held up to the light. Very cloudy, due to it being completely unfiltered. A 1.5 inch, billowy, crown of off-white foam sits atop this beauteous nectar. Plenty of sticky lacing clings to the sides of the glass as you drink. This is absolutely the BEST LOOKING pale ale I have ever seen.

Smell (4.5/5): Edward smells very hoppy, hinting at a decidedly hop-centric flavor profile: sweet tropical fruit and piney hop notes dominate. Biscuity and bready notes can also be discerned, along with an interesting...buttery note (?). An excellent, excellent nose.

Taste (5/5):This is most certainly one hoppy pale ale. Edward features serious complexity, though: the hops are fruity (grapefruit, passion fruit, and mango–flavors common to many hoppy Hill Farmstead beers), earthy, grassy, and deep. They are very nicely balanced by a biscuity malt backbone–as with the smell, notes of butter in there again. There is a lingering, dry bitterness that is refreshing and not overly astringent. Very impressive, and in my eyes, a perfectly executed hop-forward American Pale Ale.

Mouthfeel (5/5): Edward is medium bodied and has a pleasing medium level of carbonation that compliments the hop bite and dryness of this beer. It is slightly creamy. Hop resins prickle and coat the tongue. All these factors make Edward a pleasure to drink. The low ABV (5.2%) means you can (must, really) have a couple of these whenever you see it. Drinkability is absurdly high.

Overall (5/5): Hill Farmstead Edward is a superior American Pale Ale. Its delicious aroma, its exceptionally well-balanced fruity hop and biscuit malt flavors, and its out-of-this-world drinkability make it a true stand-out among not only beers of its style category, but among all the beers in the wide world of beerdom. Now, Edward may not be the most unusual or sought-after of Shaun Hill's fermented creations, but it certainly is one of the best and makes a great introduction to his other beers. Bravo, Hill Farmstead!

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2012 02:59:23 | More by hagbergl

brystmar

New York

4.13/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Blind Tiger back in March. Reviewed from notes.

Golden-orange pour sprouts mountains of white head. Decent lace, not super sticky though.

Super fresh hops dominate the aroma. Smooth, crisp, citrusy. Taste follows suit, though not as impeccably crafted as was the nose. Hoppy bitterness lingers in the back of my throat.

A very good APA; about on par with Daisy Cutter in my book. Zombie Dust still reigns supreme!

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 23:03:39 | More by brystmar

CanuckRover

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Halfway between copper and gold. Slight haze. A nice, solid, thin head with staying-power.

Nice sweet citrus on the nose.

Sweet citrus up front, orange flavours. Nice clean malt flavours through the middle. Hops and malt combine in the finish to make it dangerouslt moreish.

I love being surprised by an APA. Brewers in the US have mastered the style, and even the efforts from mediocre breweries are usually nice enough. Hill Farmstead's Edward focuses on freshness to make a quenching APA, with very little of the resinous bitterness that sometimes blurs the lines between this style and AIPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 02:55:01 | More by CanuckRover

Luk13

Quebec (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap several times. Copper body with thick white head and beautiful lacing. Intense aroma of tropical fruits (pinneaple, grapefruit, mango puree), spicy and grassy hops. Taste is simply amazing. A rush of grassy and piny hops with subtle caramel malts and some grapefruit skin. Awesome hop profile. I thought it was very robust for an IPA before I read the menu and found out it was an APA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2012 02:49:13 | More by Luk13