Ephraim - Hill Farmstead Brewery

kevanb

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml growler poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass.

The beer pours a lovely hazy copper color, reminiscent of orange rinds or peach skins. There is a really nice finger of stark white head, good retention, moderate lacing with a light film on top once the head recedes. A fantastic aroma, huge citrus presence, oranges, grapefruit, light floral notes, and a great tropical fruit presence, mangos, pineapples and a touch of alcohol at the end. The flavors are almost as perfect, lovely citrus burst right away, oranges, grapefruits, light lemon zest followed by a tremendous fruit presence, passionfruit, sweet pineapple juice and faint mango. There is a backing of strong bitter earthy hops that bring out a really nice resinous presence that helps counterbalance the bright and vibrant citrus and fruit flavors. A touch of alcohol wraps up an exceptionally complex and balance flavor profile. The body is perfection, smooth, juicy, spot on dry finish, perfect for an IPA.

Verdict: Simply sensational IPA, between this and Abner, there is no clear winner, only incredible beer. My hats off to Hill Farmstead for this, it is just sublime, great complexity on the tongue, awesome dry finish, everything I want in an IPA.

Serving type: growler

10-27-2012 01:06:26 | More by kevanb

Heady978

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-26-2013 08:02:21 | More by Heady978

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-26-2013 00:33:22 | More by stephenjmoore

monitorpop

Michigan

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-25-2013 11:21:21 | More by monitorpop

aasher

Indiana

4.46/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Growler courtesy of Adam Jackson. Thanks for hitting this want Adam.

Ephraim pours a relatively clear bright yellow gold in color with a one finger, soapy white head. The nose is very fresh and aromatic with plenty of tangerine and pineapple. Right off the bat it reminds me of Dreadnaught with just a touch more malty sweetness. The flavors are very bright and clean tangerine, pineapple, and grassy hop character with a moderate level of pale malt sweetness and a touch of alcohol. The best part of all of this is how well rounded the flavors are. It drinks pretty light in body and for the style isnt bitter at all, increasing drinkability. Overall this is an excellent beer worthy of high praise. To this Midwesterner, Ephraim is a slightly sweeter, fruiter Dreadnaught.

Serving type: growler

05-25-2013 04:03:10 | More by aasher

Noyt

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-25-2013 00:24:14 | More by Noyt

Lurkerson

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-25-2013 00:19:29 | More by Lurkerson

CraftEyeDoc

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-25-2013 00:00:44 | More by CraftEyeDoc

Beeranator

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-24-2013 23:42:36 | More by Beeranator

Davihaw

Illinois

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-24-2013 22:52:22 | More by Davihaw

acurtis

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -18.7%

05-24-2013 22:07:44 | More by acurtis

joebres

Texas

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-24-2013 05:02:42 | More by joebres

SkiBum22

New York

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-24-2013 02:39:02 | More by SkiBum22

justforrazors

Missouri

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-23-2013 23:30:37 | More by justforrazors

John11486

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-22-2013 02:22:18 | More by John11486

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-21-2013 23:15:21 | More by stereosforgeeks

Dirtinabottle

New York

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-21-2013 19:57:31 | More by Dirtinabottle

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | 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 over 5 minutes before it was gone and there are some floaties.

Smell - Malts, caramel, hops, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and the taste is made up of caramel and malts mixed with lots of hops. It also has apricots, pineapples, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines and a little bit of a candied fruit sugary sweetness. It ends with a pungent citrusy bitter hop aftertaste.

Overall - It reminded me of a sweeter Heady Topper. Definitely one of the better beers I've had to date. I'd like a touch less sweetness but it is an imperial IPA afterall I guess. Happy I had the chance to try this, truly world class.

Serving type: growler

05-21-2013 15:43:32 | More by spinrsx

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-21-2013 04:16:03 | More by CosmoHopHead

bigaltemple

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks tubbnik for the hook up!

Bright golden straw color. Four finger rocky pillow of white sits atop. This dies down to a one finger width that isn't going anywhere. Thick, sticky patches of lace hang onto the glass after every sip.

Big tropical notes of mango and peach. Some grapefruit and rind mix in with spicy and grassy notes. Can't wait to get a drink.

Follows the nose extremely well. Juicy fruits flow across the tongue. Finishes just slightly resinous with a little bite of spice. Simply delicious. This 750 doesn't stand a chance. Full bodied and prickly. Not overpowering at all, with barely any lingering bitterness. Mouthfeel is perfect!

I was completely ready to be underwhelmed by the hype of my first HF. That didn't happen. Can't wait to try some other offerings.

Serving type: growler

05-21-2013 03:54:34 | More by bigaltemple

huskermike12

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-21-2013 01:35:47 | More by huskermike12

andant

New York

4.25/5  rDev -7.8%

05-20-2013 19:33:33 | More by andant

benz08

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-20-2013 07:54:15 | More by benz08

kscaldef

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -7.8%

05-20-2013 01:34:20 | More by kscaldef

drebrew

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-20-2013 01:12:35 | More by drebrew