Abner - Hill Farmstead Brewery

kevanb

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml growler poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass. Thanks Chris!

The beer pours a really hazy copper color, hints of orange and amber, almost like an orange rind when looking at it. Cloudy texture, bits of sediment floating in there with a nice thick white head rests on top of the glass, great retention, lovely thick layer of film appears when the head recedes, fantastic lacing and the head is easily resummoned with a quick flick of the glass. The aroma is incredible, huge citrus notes, orange rind, grapefruit with a touch of lemon zest. There is a great floral aspect, like sticking your nose into a lovely meadow of wildflowers and great pine elements than plays into some earthier undertones, but the vibrant bright citrus really takes this beer to a new level. Light malt presence, some sweetness from the caramel malt, a hint of biscuit from the pale malt as well, but this is a celebration of hops. The flavors are wonderful, tons of citrus right away, grapefruit, light orange zest, lemongrass, floral flavors come out really well behind the lemongrass and highlight the citrus element so well. The earthiness is not far behind and is a great counterbalance to the bright citrus and floral notes, nice piney hops, earthier malt leads to a touch of alcohol at the finish, but this is easily one of the most balanced and perfectly balanced IPAs I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. The body is perfection as well, smooth, dry, dank, bitter, coats the mouth well, goes down so easily and really amplifies all the great qualities of this beer.

Verdict: Sensational, another absolute knockout from Hill Farmstead. This is refined, balanced, artfully crafted and absurdly enjoyable, it's what every IPA should strive to be.

Serving type: growler

10-26-2012 01:55:55 | More by kevanb

EricDu

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-25-2013 04:25:54 | More by EricDu

brentk56

North Carolina

4.81/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: The cloudy honey-colored liquid pours out of the growler, generating an impressive head; terrific stickage with shards of lace poking up from the foam

Smell: Candied citrus, with ruby red grapefruit and ripe mango and a hint of apricot; quite floral

Taste: Floral tones dominate the front, with tropical fruits galore; ruby red grapefruit dominant, with mango and just a touch of apricot adding a different edge; the malt takes a definite back seat as the bitterness builds, in the middle; after the swallow, the dextrose brings to the sugary sweetness to the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: The first time I have tried one of the acclaimed IPAs from Hill Farmstead and the hype is for real

Thanks, nc41, for the opportunity

Serving type: growler

05-25-2013 01:57:48 | More by brentk56

hphilip456

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-24-2013 18:23:51 | More by hphilip456

Grant35

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-24-2013 08:20:10 | More by Grant35

JayPatrolVT

Vermont

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-23-2013 12:05:21 | More by JayPatrolVT

eawolff99

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-22-2013 02:45:36 | More by eawolff99

scoot64

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-21-2013 21:57:14 | More by scoot64

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

4.21/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml Swing Top - Thanks to pushkinwow!

Appearance - Slightly hazy amber colour with a large size frothy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for 4-5 minutes.

Smell - Malts, caramel, hops, grapefruit, lemons

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and the taste is made up of caramel and malts and hops. It also has apricots, lemons, grapefruits, and a bit of a grassiness. I can also pick up on some dry floral/woody notes and some lemon zest. It ends with a dry very hoppy aftertaste.

Overall - Another winner from these guys. Not as good as some of their other beers that I have tried but still a way above average brew. If you like more of a floral/dry (but still with some fruitiness) DIPA, you will love this stuff.

Serving type: growler

05-21-2013 15:50:37 | More by spinrsx

jbeervt

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-20-2013 21:38:36 | More by jbeervt

andant

New York

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-20-2013 19:34:07 | More by andant

drebrew

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-20-2013 01:15:42 | More by drebrew

goldenM13

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-20-2013 00:56:34 | More by goldenM13

scotv

New York

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-19-2013 00:17:53 | More by scotv

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -7.6%

05-18-2013 16:47:34 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Lledd

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-18-2013 16:06:02 | More by Lledd

Thomas_Picton

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-17-2013 00:03:13 | More by Thomas_Picton

thegoon55

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-16-2013 23:47:37 | More by thegoon55

stanowsf

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-16-2013 03:03:32 | More by stanowsf

wizmasta

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -7.6%

05-14-2013 01:58:57 | More by wizmasta

thezoobrew

New York

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-13-2013 18:29:25 | More by thezoobrew

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-13-2013 05:43:53 | More by Bonko_the_sane

lpayette

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-12-2013 19:50:10 | More by lpayette

JamesGWittel

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-12-2013 19:32:49 | More by JamesGWittel

akukucka

New York

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-12-2013 18:27:13 | More by akukucka