Abner - Hill Farmstead Brewery

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.94/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hill Farmstead Brewery - Abner - On-tap

Finally, my first from what was at the time of this writing regarded as the #1 brewery in the USA.

Look - Hazy amber orange with a a nice soapy head that dissipates slowly and leaves sticky lacing all over.

Smell - Aroma is resiny hearty and juicy hops with smooth malty caramel. Super smooth but there is a hint of the bite that is in store.

Taste - So rich and smooth first comes in those super juicy almost orange or melon hops, then a wave of resin hops with a snappy bite at the end. Woo piney resin hops! Superb!

Mouthfeel - Perfect drinkability, alcohol is hidden completely, and the bitter hop linger fades quite gracefully. It doesn't get better than this. Carbonation is perfect here, the kind of brew that makes you thirsty for more.

Overall - Wow. This is one of the absolute best brews I have ever had. This has no comparison but if there is a lineup and that lineup has Pliny (Snappy crisp west coast), Heady (Floral as hell), and Dubs (Juiciest DIPA you can get), this is the higher quality version of Sixpoint Resin that further enhances what they were trying to do with that brew. A true king among brews.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 02:48:29 | More by JMScowcroft

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Blackback in Waterbury. From notes.

A - Poured cloudy dark orange with one finger of white head. Good spotty lace and a film of retention.

S - Really juicy. Mango, tangerine, pineapple. Lot's of sweet juicy fruits. Really inviting sweet hops. Spent lot's of time on the aroma of this and didn't wanna stop smelling.

T - Some boozy pineapple and lot's of sweet tropical fruits. Bright hops again. Mango, passionfruit.

M - Pretty strong bitterness, strong carbonation, medium body.

O/D - I enjoyed this quite a bit. Tons of hop depth. Really nice to sip and contemplate. Hops really shine well. I can't tell if I could drink a ton of this, but it was definitely a pleasure.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2013 23:03:36 | More by tbeckett

dougfur

New York

4.84/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I was lucky enough to try this on tap in Waterbury, VT tonight. Pours a hazy orange color, with a thick creamy head. Smell is excellent; very hoppy, tending more towards the citrusy side, but it's complex. Tastes very much like the smell. It's full of hops, but well balanced with a bit of malt. It's not overly bitter, but not even close to sweet. Mouthfeel is outstanding; Full, with real body, perfectly carbonated. Overall, this beer is all about balance. It's not quite perfect, but the balance of all the factors is pretty damn amazing. Easily one of the best DIPA's I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 02:13:54 | More by dougfur

Lakemonster

4.65/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Had this at the "Prohibition Pig" in the wonderful Waterbury, VT. This beer was delicious and definitely on par with the Heady Topper although quite different tasting. The Edward is one of my favorite beers and this tastes almost identical to me only with more body and higher ABV. The aroma was out of this world with lots of pine and citrus. Remarkable smooth and the perfect pairing with the 12 hour smoked brisket and bacon BBQ sauce.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2013 22:00:16 | More by Lakemonster

cradke

Texas

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Review from notes taken at brewery and from growler.

Appearance: Citrus with orange hue. 1 finger head. Mild lacing. Looks perfect and appetizing.

Smell: Just wow. Citrus and sweet pine. Such a fantastic balance between the 2. Enticing without overpowering.

Taste: Wow again. Wonderful pine and balance. Big hop profile but so well integrated and approachable. No ABV whatsoever.

Mouthfeel: Lots of carbonation. Thin to medium in mouth feel. Pleasant all around, inviting and delicious.

Overall: Wonderful Pine. Huge hop profile. So well integrated. Approachable. Nearly perfect. Everything you'd want in an DIPA

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 02:20:17 | More by cradke

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap in VT, stemmed tulip glass. Review is from notes.

A-Golden-orange color, hazy, unfiltered. One-plus finger head, minimal lacing.

S- Citrus, pine, oily. Floral notes under the big grapefruit nose.

T-Oily citrus taste with enough malts to tame the hops.

M- Tart and crisp, medium feel. Hoppy bite finish.

O- True to form, big and flavorful.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 01:44:29 | More by NiceTaps

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.61/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A-hazy golden orange color with a nice white head and good lacing

S-grapefruit, tangerine, pine, grassy and floral notes

T-grapefruit , orange, pine, light malt flavor with grassy and herbal notes, nice bitter hoppy finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp

O-definitely deserves it's place in the upper echelon of DIPAs, very aromatic with a great balance of flavors

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2013 01:53:00 | More by MDDMD

TWStandley

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had multiples on draft at Frida's in Stowe, VT while enjoying some excellent authentic Mexican.

Appeared a hazy light orange color with a two-finger white head. Left some nice lacing on the glass.

Smell is dominated by pine and grapefuit. Backed by some more citrusy notes - lemon and orange. Not as sweet smelling as I would have anticipated.

Taste starts off with a bitter punch, giving way to the more fruity sweetness in the finish. Very fresh tasting. If you let it sit on your tounge for a few, you can identify some different fruits and a maltiness to it.

Mouthfeel was nice. No heat whatsoever. Carbonation made this relatively strong, rich drink quite refreshing.

Still not quite up there with Heady and Kiwi Rising IMO, but a solid DIPA. Would like a bit more citrus to balance out the IBUs a bit.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2012 02:09:10 | More by TWStandley

lovindahops

New York

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

On tap at prohibition pig. A welcomed brew as we arrived at Vermont to start our Hill Farmstead Harvest Fest

A- Abner pours a hazy gold body with fair head of foam that slowly retreats. Very sticky with great lacing clinging to the edges of the glass

S- fresh pine scents and citric aromas burst from the glass with a complete blast of tropical tones. Very fresh and dank with the hop flavors. This is the explosive scent profile I look for in a DIPA

T- Thick blast of tropical citric flavors that are meshed with grapefruit, starfruit, and pineapples. There is a sugary malt type flavor that provides some sweetness and really compliments to aforementioned hop explosion. Abner completely exhibits flavors of a hoppy citric DIPA that so many hop heads look for

M- Smooth carbonation as the citric flavors clasp at the mouth leaving the desired sticky feeling. Very good feel from all that flavor

O- absolutely fantastic DIPA from Hill Farmatead. Shaun makes no secret about his affinity to citric hop bombs. Abner completely represents just that. One of the best DIPA's out there. Try to stop by prohibition pig if you are in Waterbury so you can give this a try

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2012 22:41:34 | More by lovindahops

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.48/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Armsby Abbey. Served out of a Hill Farmstead snifter. Reviewed from notes.

Served with a 1 finger fluffy white head with very good retention. Beer is cloudy, dull yellow. Stringy lace that really sticks around. Clarity hurts a bit but this is still a great looking beer.

Nose is citrus, pine, tree sap, papaya. Very pulpy and aromatic. Real dank hoppiness resides in this one. Par for the course for Hill Farmstead beers... that is, amazing!

Bitter pine, tropical fruit, dank hop bitterness and pulp. Nice malt body lingers in the back with a sappy finish. Pine hop bitter aftertaste. Great complexity and balance here.

Light to medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation. Prickly in the mouth and smooth and quenching going down. Messy finish with a lingering aftertaste. Can't believe this is 8.2%. Drinks like its 5% or lower.

Shaun Hill may be the king of hoppy beers and he proves it yet again with this creation. An amazing beer worth moving high and hell water to try!

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2012 01:44:37 | More by SpeedwayJim

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: looks very cloudy with nice fine head that Strauss and am orange golden base

S: big citrus smell with some sweetened

T: amazing orange, grapefruit, sweetness, and malt. Probably the best tasting double IPA I've had.

M: medium carbonation, medium body, beautiful

O: amazing beer. One of the best I've had to date, and a great intro to hill farmstead.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2012 16:10:13 | More by Holland

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into Hill Farmstead tulip at three penny Montpelier, VT. Pours a slightly hazy light orange color with thick foam and sticky lacing. Smells of really intense high alpha hop; citra maybe?
The flavour is fantastic! Holy hell...
Really nice floral hop flavours, followed by a bitter booze hop. Some nice malt balance but the booze is really obvious, in a good way. This is a really in your face/melt your face kind of DIPA...really great all around and definitely one to have when you are staying put for a while...
Such a good beer (for the hop head).

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 01:40:31 | More by DrinkSlurm

smakawhat

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

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

Pale amber body, light lemon hues and classic creamy white head, perhaps some faint peach and orange colors as well.

Nose is a real nice mix of peach fruit, and mild melon like hop aromas. Very subtle but also quite nice too.

Lots of carbonation on the palate with mild toasty grains that seem to follow on the finish. Peach like fruit takes some nice dominance but leaves some crispness and gaseous like feeling.

Overall pretty decent but a real subtle take on a double IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2012 03:55:17 | More by smakawhat

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A good big hoppiness. Foamy head on orange body, lacey. Fuller mouthfeel A wild yeast aroma, and some hops there in the smell. The second glass made the difference (and was a cleaner glass). Good mouthfeel for a DIPA. Citrus hoppy orange.On tap at the Prohibition Pg.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2012 12:22:33 | More by northyorksammy

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ The Farmhouse

A - Cloudy orange/yellow colour. Half a finger of creamy white head.

S - Grapefruit, mango, peach and a hint caramel. Very fresh and vibrant hop aromas.

T - Big bitterness up front. Grapefruit, orange rind, peach and passion fruit flavours accompany the bitterness. Malt backbone is only slightly present.

M - Medium body. Lots of sticky hop oils. Light carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2012 01:04:13 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Poured a hazy golden-orange color with a nice finger's breadth of white head that retained well and left soapy lacing on the glass. Aroma is a nice mix of citrus, pine, and tropical fruits. Similarly, the taste is expectedly hop-driven, fresh citrus zest, mango, pine resin, overlaid on a biscuity malt base, mild alcohol bites here and there. Medium body, and quite enjoyable for any hophead.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2012 02:23:21 | More by Rifugium

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Farmhouse in Burlington, enjoyed back to back with Lawson’s Double Sunshine. Geez there are some phenomenal hoppy beers coming out of Vermont these days. While I may have preferred the Lawson’s by a small margin, this is as good as the style gets; it’s simply a matter of hop profile and overall taste you prefer or are in the mood for at any particular moment. It would be hard to say Pliny or Heady Topper or Abrasive are better; just a bit different.

Abner pours a glowing hazy orange color with a two finger white head that settles slowly. Nice lacing remains and the overall look is quite appealing (and appetizing). Vividly hoppy aroma, led by general citrus and more specifically, orange and lemon (to a lesser degree). Some piney notes emerge late and little in the way of malt is detected.

The flavor is very well balanced and by that I don’t mean between hops and malt, because the latter is very much restrained in the west coast style and just barely makes an appearance as a bit of sugared sweetness underneath. I instead meant that the hop subtleties and bitterness are each evident while the booze isn’t at all. There’s good bitterness, particularly in the finish, which is fairly dry, but it isn’t so assertive that it outshines all that citrus fruit, floral and pine notes, and spicy, peppery highlights. I get a lot of orange, grapefruit, mango, and lemon. It drinks incredibly easily and feels much lighter than the ABV and style generally does.

Medium bodied, perhaps a little on the light side for an imperial IPA, with moderate carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel. Exceptionally well done.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2012 01:00:06 | More by tobelerone

starrdogg

District of Columbia

5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from notes - on-tap at the Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier in late February.

Beer pours a beautiful hazy yellow-orange with a nice white head. The appearance makes me think of citrus fruit for some reason, and really is the perfect color for a DIPA. Smell is incredible - I get a blast of citrus fruits and amazing hops. The taste follows suit, it's really like a party in my mouth, bright citrus flavors take the lead, but this is incredibly balanced and easy to drink for a DIPA. Mouthfeel is pretty much perfect, medium-bodied with excellent carbonation a bit of tingling and even some stickiness. Overall, this really might be my favorite beer ever. I've had it countless times, but drinking it on tap is the way that this beer needs to be consumed. Some of the growlers have held up really well, others not so much, but it would only get this score from me on tap. When served straight from this tap, this beer deserves a perfect 5.0 score, the best score I've ever given to a beer on BA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2012 03:39:23 | More by starrdogg

raveskdr

District of Columbia

4.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had multiple places in Montpelier. And have had it in multiple growlers. I'd bathe in this beer.

A- Just beautiful straw amber with some wonderful lacing.

S - An intense combination of citrusy fruit and pine and freshness.

T - This is what a double IPA should taste like. Absolutely perfect balance between hops and the slight malt backbone. Fantastic.

M - Great carbonation and the right malt to put this IPA above almost ever DIPA I've ever had.

O - Get this beer. Get it in any way possible. Fresh out of the tap will chance your life. Shaun just kills this beer. He does hoppy beer better than anyone out there.

-CJ

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 01:52:50 | More by raveskdr

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Draft serving into a 9oz snifter for $6.25. Sampled 2/1/11.

A: One finger or less of foamy white head that has below average retention and left only a few straggles of lace in its wake. The body is a gorgeous light and pale mango color, very hazy and completely opaque until held to light. Lacing is minimal.

S: The nose immediately after the pour was phenomenal. Mango dominated tropical fruits. Pineapple, papaya, citrus. Bright, clean, punchy. Easily a 5. As it warms, however, solventy alcohol becomes noticeable and, by the end of the glass, the nose is no better than your average DIPA.

T: The taste doesn't measure up to my initial impressions of the aroma but it doesn't drop off after warming like the nose did. A small[er] malt presence lets the strong hop bitterness shine. Some heat on the back end of the palate.

M: Shaun always delivers in the mouthfeel department (pause) but Abner falls short of high expectations here. Medium-light body, softly carbonated and thin at times.

D: [DRINKABILITY] I'll probably order Abner 9 times out of 10 when it's available on draft but there are definitely better DIPAs to be had.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 15:56:26 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.25/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hill Farmstead Abner, on tap at Armsby Abbey in Woosta, Mass

Appearance: Served in Belgian 50-cl glass with huge 4-finger foamy head that slowly melts away and leaves massive lacing. Color is similar to Galaxy or Edward: hazy orange, deep and dirty and artisanal, like fresh apple cider from the farm.

Smell: Sweetness, citrus, a bit ofpineapple syrup. Some light spice and freshly pollinated flowers. Honey. Fresh, bright, enticing.

Taste: Smooth and easy, what you get first is a wave of boozy sugar-like sweetness. Sort of like rum cake. Tropical punch follows, and some fresh and bursting hops. Nothing extreme despite the ABV. Smooth like Keith S. and well balanced.

Mouthfeel: Did I mention smooth? Medium body, almost full flavor, good carbonation. Could use more strength (thin around the edges) but good. An utter pleasure to drink.

Overall: Exceptionally drinkable, barely a hint of that 8.0%. And always that outrageous, fresh-from-the-farm taste you get with all of Hill’s brews.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2011 04:08:51 | More by DoubleSimcoe

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tap at Armsby Abbey

Huge creamy 3 finger head fades slowly with big sticky lacing, super hazy orange peach color. The head is ridiculous.

nose erupts with citrus, fruit, tropical fruits, pineapple, bit of mango and papaya, fresh musty hop resin, hop oils a bit earthy and hint of pine, some sweet malts, nice balance.

Taste brings honey at first, nectar, sweet malts and a honey comb like taste. Then bitter hops, fairly bitter, musty hop resins, tropical fruit, pineapple, orange rind, touch of grapefruit, smooth make and great balance. finishes pretty biter, a bit drier, lingering fruit, spicy chewy, hop pellets, slightly astringent.

Mouth is med to a bit heavier bodied, decent carb. Slightest hint of warming booze.

Overall awesome, but not quite as great as Edward or Heady Topper, but otherwise really nice. great hops, nice balance, a bit too much on the musty resinous hops and bitterness than it could have done with tropical fruits etc, but very good otherwise.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2011 01:44:29 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed on tap at the Armsby Abbey. My goodness.

A - Poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed snifter a hazy golden orange with a big rocky two finger creamy head that leaves an enormous amount of side lacing and a thick clumpy off white blanket.

S - Super amazing aroma here. Malts and delicious hops. Light sweetness followed by inviting hops. Aromas of pine needles, grapefruit rinds, and light citrus. Just a super fresh aroma.

T - So so so delicious. This beer jumps out at you on the first sip. Light malt sweetness swept away by nice bitter pine and grapefruit peel. This stuff is dangerously addicting.

M - Smooth light and creamy. This is incredibly dangerous. Possibly the most deceptive dipa I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. Drinks like a 4%. Nice bitter hop finish.

O - Overall this is a masterfully crafted beer. Seriously amazing stuff. Stellar appearance and delicious in the mouth. Another typical "must drink" from Hill Farmstead.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2011 20:30:31 | More by rudzud

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer pours a straw yellow color with a little bit of haziness to it, there is a nice white head. the smell id citrus and piney hops and a hint of bready malt. the flavor follows suit with a mango of grapefruit flavor and a nice bitter piney hop finish , nice and dry. . overall this is a damn fine beer.the mouthfeel is dry and well carbed light body

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2011 02:55:08 | More by rowingbrewer

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Hazy, wheat-orange body. Thin off-white head that stuck around for a bit.

S: Mild blend of pine, grapefruit, and orange.

T: Mostly citric notes of orange and grapefruit. Moderate amounts of soft floral and pine notes in the background.

M: Medium to light body. Assertive carbonation. Refreshing finish.

O: A decent, but not top-tier dIPA. I guess the Hill Farmstead IPAs just don't do it for me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2011 04:15:51 | More by callmemickey