Holger Danske - Hill Farmstead Brewery

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A-medium to dark brown with a smallish tan head and some lacing

S-dark roasted malt, smoke, coffee, hints of chocolate

T-smoky dark malt, coffee, light chocolate, hint of pine and slight bitter finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth and silky, creamy

O-a great beer with barbecue, this had a great smooth feel and good flavor, but not as much smoke as I anticipated

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2013 02:14:33 | More by MDDMD

cfrances33

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Prohibition Pig, served in a half pint.

Pour: Dark brown and mostly clear body with a finger+ of tan frothy head. Leaves some lacing, but not a ton.

Smell: Big roasted smokey malts up front. A bacon-like aspect. It smells like a bbq pit sans the meat.

Taste: Again big roasted smokey malts up front, followed by some really nice caramel and a light coffee. This beer really reminds me of George in every way, except that they just smoked the malts. Some bitter floral hops and a smokiness finish.

Mouthfeel: Really nice medium to light body, but this is a sipper for the full face smokey assault that it is.

Overall: Easily the best smoked beer I've had yet, but my half pour was more than enough.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2013 15:20:41 | More by cfrances33

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

$6.00 for 16oz, served in a pint glass
Sampled 08NOV12

[A] Served with a finger high head, light chocolate milk in color and creamy in texture. Retention is a notch above average. The color of the body is dark chestnut brown, much lighter than your average porter, and a good deal of transparency can be seen through the bottom of the glass. The top two thirds of the glass are hazy - murky even. The film on top lasts long and deposits some drooping strands of lace with each sip.

[S] The nose is milder than expected. Peated malts are the most distinguishing factor, providing a musky, soily, smokey aroma. Damp earth. A bit one-note perhaps.

[T] Starts off with the peaty smoke flavor with faint notes of chocolate malts deeper in the background. Completely manageable heat is displayed on the follow through. Overall the flavor comes across extremely clean. If I didn't know any better, I'd guess that this one approaches Baltic Porter territory, with hefty lager-like smoothness.

[M] Stunning mouthfeel. But that is one of the many consistencies you can expect from Mr. Hill. Thick, smooth, velvety. Just big, round and full-bodied in every way imaginable. You can literally feel the beer being 'pulled' through your mouth on the swallow. Impressive.

[O] For me, the exceptional mouthfeel took this beer from 'good' to 'very good.' More impressive scores on the front end would have elevated Holger Danske to 'great.' And pretty easily. But, as always, the experience is always a pleasure.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 15:10:50 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Blackback Pub in Waterbury.

A: Clear deep garnet body; 1/2" head of off-white foam. Pretty good retention, spotty lace. Ok.

S: Pure smoke - cherry wood? Really clearn, light, fruity smoke, but nothing but smoke. Nice.

T: Smoke up front, smoke in the middle, and smoke on the finish. Some dark fruity adn malt in the background. BItter, smoky finish. Tasty.

M: Creamy, lively medium body. Good.

O: Quite a nice smoked beer, but honestly not quite as good as a classic Aecht Schlenkerla.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2012 23:08:24 | More by woosterbill

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Deep ruby, khaki head that recedes to a thin layer of bubbles, but leaves thick lacing.

S/T - Wood smoke up front, nice backed up by roast malt, dark chocolate, smooth coffee roast and finishing with a pine hop bite at the end. Underlying wood smoke throughout the flavor profile.

F - Medium body, maybe a little thin, velvety, but a little astringent in the finish.

O - Depths of malt flavor with the smoke nicely complimentary throughout the drink and never overwhelms the other aspects.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2012 00:34:30 | More by garuda

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.2/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Hill Holger, on tap at Pony Bar, served in their eight-ounce glass.

Appearance: Shiny ruby-chestnut-fancy wood color. Classic head that doesn't last, thick lacing.

Smell: Weak nose for a big, smoked brew. Chocolate, bacon, fireplace, smokehouse in Alaska.

Taste: Sweeter than I expected, and again- weak. A tangy/funky (almost sour) touch at the end. Some peated whiskey notes, umami. Maybe some chicory. Wood. Not very impressive.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and flavor, low carbonation. Thin all around. Astringent at the end.

Overall: Drinkable and pleasant enough, but unremarkable- more so coming from the mighty Hill.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2012 22:43:53 | More by DoubleSimcoe

Pahn

New York

4.45/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Ginger Man in Manhattan. Reviewed from notes taken in the first week of October.

Appearance: Opaque dark red brown. Half inch tan frothy head that sticks around longer than most.

Smell: Cocoa, roasted malt, smoky highlights. Good but could be more pronounced.

Taste: Subdued roasted malt and cocoa, with a smoked malt finish. All the elements are subtle, but together they form a really full flavored beer--and the amazing body really helps. Delicate hand with the smoke, makes the beer soar.

Mouthfeel: Perfection. What does Hill Farmstead understand about mouthfeel that other people don't? Medium bodied, crisp finish, and smooth as silk.

Overall: Refined but straightforward. Doesn't do much, but what it does is delicious and unique. Provides a great fix for the smoked malt lover, and the mouthfeel is to die for. I'm not a big fan of saying "to die for," but it's something you say about perfect, decadent things with the smoothness of world class chocolate.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 07:22:03 | More by Pahn

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Hill Farmstead

Dark brown pour with a small beige head; minimal retention and lacing. Obvious smoked malts in the nose, ash, toasted bread, dark sugars. More of the same in the taste, smoke and charcoal, toasted bread, roasty malts, toasted grains, caramel and brown sugar, hazelnut candy. Pretty well-balanced for the style, though the smokiness is still fairly large and in charge. Medium body, lower carbonation, quite good overall. Snagged a liter growler for my buddy. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2012 20:01:27 | More by Rifugium

mdfb79

New York

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 10/01/12 notes. Had 2 8oz. pours of this at Pony Bar in NYC on the UES.

a - Pours a dark brown color with two inches of medium tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of smoke, roasted malts, toasted malts, coffee, cream, vanilla, bacon, and bready malts. As first I didn't find it too smoky, but by my second glass of it I found it extremely smoky. Very nice nose; the coffee and cream/vanilla add something nice to it.

t - Tastes of of roasted malts, caramel malts, smoke, bacon, toasted malts, burnt malts, light coffee, and light cream. Taste doesn't have as much smoke as the nose; still very good, but a slight step down for me.

m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation. Nice body, pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall a very nice smoked beer. Not my favorite HF beer but good for the style. Nose is super smokey, while the taste isn't quite as heavy on the smoke. Worth checking out, especially if you liked smoke beers, and I'd certainly have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2012 17:06:37 | More by mdfb79

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Blue Dog.

Holger Danske comes to me looking the brown color but not deep dark and bold brown, just a simple brown with a nice sturdy amount of cream colored foam on top leaving some spotches on the way down, healthy looking beer. Smell is smoky but a nice amount of caramel, roasted malt, cocco, and earth pop through in the scent, not smoked to the max. Taste is pretty well rounded and I got more out of it with each sip. The smoke sort of surrounds the other flavors mentioned above and dont take over the show. Taste is decadent, body is rich and medium and the carb is not a tounge lasher, this went down rather smoothly, with no intrusion from the 7.5% I could of drank a lot more of this beer, it did not bonk me over the head with ash and smoke. Would get again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2012 23:01:36 | More by onix1agr

brystmar

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Brouwerij Lane.

Dark brown, decent head, stubborn lace. Aroma wreaks of smoked malts and wood, smells dry and roasty too which gives me hope.

Strongly roasty; malt-forward, mildly smoked. Big hop profile takes over midway through, carrying me through the end without offensive amounts of smoke. Dry, delicious, impeccably balanced. Rare for a style (smoked porter) where brewers typically go overboard with the smokey profile.

Could use more body. I hate most smoked beers and thought this was excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2012 16:49:52 | More by brystmar

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had during a tasting at HF, it was one of my favorites that they had on draft (they had just tapped it a day or two before). This review though is from a 16oz serving served in a standard pint glass for $6 at Parker Pie Co.. Note- This review is from Parker Pie in Glover, VT (about 20 mins from the brewery) while still keeping in mind how it tasted at the source.

A- Very dark brown appears almost completely opaque black with a little bit of translucency around the edges and once you get towards the bottom of the glass. A thin layer beige mocha head. Doesn't appear to be too thick and about average carbonation for a porter.

S- Roasted malts, some sweet chocolate, a little bit of espresso, and a not too heavy smoked malt presence that balances well with the sweet robustness of the brown ale. A little bit above average aroma strength.

T- Roasted malts, espresso, chocolate, some sweet caramel all balanced with a nice amount of smoke. Full of flavor with a nice sweetness and in my opinion just the right amount of smoke (not overpowering, but definitely present). The beer at Parker Pie didn't taste nearly as sweet as from the source, but still tasted very good.

M- Very drinkable, a little bit on the thin side but still maintaining a slight creaminess, abv very well hidden. In my opinion could have been a tiny bit more full bodied.

O- This was a very well done smoked beer that is definitely one of the better beers of the style that I've had (pretty much like every HF beer). The sweet porter-like aspects of the beer were very well done that combined everything with a nice smoked aspect that wasn't too overpowering, but enough to give it a significant presence and add an additional flavor component to the beer.

If you like smoked beers I definitely recommend trying this beer, although I definitely recommend trying to drink it as fresh as possible and from the source. While the beer was good at Parker Pie it definitely wasn't as good as from the freshly tapped keg at HF. It seemed like a little bit of the sweetness was definitely missing from it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 13:30:18 | More by jaasen64

maximep

New York

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

another banger from the HF brewery

looks blackish brown, clear around the edges but gets really dark in the middle

s- smokey, toffee, chocolate, coffee, bready

t- same as smell, but a little sweeter and more pronounced chocolate

m- thin yet pleasant. reminded me of Nils Oscar's stuff

o- delicious and wonderfully balanced, HF beers never cease to amaze me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 00:18:42 | More by maximep

Sean9689

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at HF Harvest Fest 2012...into HF wine glass.

Pours a darker brown/black color, tan-colored head, bubbles, thin collar. Nose is smokey, toasted malts, light roast, chocolate. Flavor is similar, perfect balance of smoke and sweetness, nice level of roast, cream, and tobacco. Medium body, good carbonation, creamy finish.

This reminded me of Fear & Trembling with slightly more smoke (now) and a lighter body. I really enjoyed this beer even more then I was expecting, and might have been the surprise of the Harvest Fest for me. Great smoked beer that's very close to a smoked porter.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2012 19:41:28 | More by Sean9689

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at prohibition pig in Waterbury.

Looks almost porter like. Very dark brown. Almost black. Light tan colored head is frothy and caps wells.

Aroma wasn't as smokey as I anticipated though I did gett a little. I mostly smelled a mix of roasted malts with a bit of meat and molasses.

Wow. I didn't expect it to taste so beautiful. To be honest I don't pick up on much of the smoke. It's faint for me. I mostly am enamored with the seamless blend of flavor notes that include caramel, coffee, chocolate, vanilla and roasty smoked grains that blend so well together that I can't ask for anything more. Yet none of those flavors overpower each other. Its an all for one kind of palate. So smooooth.

Mouthfeel is sublime. Velvet smooth. Reminds me of founders porter.

Overall I liked this more and more with each sip, and it paired incredibly with the beef brisket I ate. I know Shaun wins big with IPAs and Saisons but this shows he's got other talent up his sleeve. I didn't expect this to be one of my top favorite HF beers but it is. Wow.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2012 02:56:32 | More by jbertsch

deapokid

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank on tap at Capone's on 1-8-11. Reviewed from notes.

My first Hill Farmstead!

This "smoked brown ale" has a black body, no head or lacing and a light, still carbonation. The lack of carbonation and liveliness reminded me of a beer with a much higher ABV, which would have explained the dullness and lack of body.

Aroma is lightly smoked, packing in some dry fruit, fresh firewood and a touch of spicing. It's subtle and complex, which works to its advantage.

Flavor packs a heavy smokiness that one would expect from a well-cooked piece of brisket. Beechwood in the conclusion is rich, acting as a a nice counterpoint to the dry smoke. Bacon, apple and cinnamon also peak out, adding a pleasant spiciness to the raging fire of smoky flavor.

The mouth is a shade thinner than expected, but that allows the bold flavors to be more forceful. Surprisingly, the balance is still there and the flavor profile is varied.

For those seeking a smoky, nutty ale, this is a nice sipping beer for a snowy Winter's day.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2011 03:19:14 | More by deapokid

Halcyondays

California

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours brown with a mild white head, no real lace, average head retention.

S: No kidding on the smoked beer aspect. Campfire, wood, an elegant but pungent aroma.

T: Smoke is dominant, but the caramel type malt flavour comes through, making it not as one dimensional as a lot of the smoked beers I've had. Not Schlenkerla, but good.

M: Medium-bodied, heavy smoke with a shaky but good balance of flavours. Long aftertaste.

D: One of the better smoked beers I've had for sure. I've never seen Hill Farmstead in the Southland before; I'll have to be on the lookout for more of their stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2011 02:41:41 | More by Halcyondays

cbutova

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Listed on-tap at the Dirty Truth as "Hill Farmstead Smoked Brown." Notes taken last night.

A- Dark brown with a nice creamy tan cap that has good retention. Tons of lace all over the glass.

S- Huge leathery smoked profile with notes of all things smoked, bbq, bacon, etc. Nutty brown malt with some coffee presence to it as well. Grainy hints.

T- Very, very, very smoky (bacon, leather, ash, charcoal) which works nicely in this case over a nutty/toasty malt profile. Caramel, slight roast coffee notes as well. Dark fruit just a bit.

MF- Fairly light body with silky smooth lower end carbonation.

DB- A true smoke bomb and in a very nice way. I could see how people would be turned off by the level of smoke in a beer like this but to me it is great, especially over the toasty malt profile. If you want your fix of BBQ in a glass, find a beer like this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 21:27:44 | More by cbutova

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Capone's into a sampler glass.

A - Pours deep, dark, brown with a strong half finger off-white head, dissipating to spotty patches of head, leaving streaks of lacing down the glass.

S - Lots of smokey darkness in this one for sure. A bit of chocolate and dark roasted coffee lend a bit of balance but the smokey ash permeates all aspects of the nose.

T - Lots of smoke up front giving way slowly to a mix of smokey ash and sweet roasty malt. Finish is, you guessed it, plenty of lingering smoke. I think this is what a beer would taste like if I brewed it in my fire pit. Soooo much smoke, if it was a little bit more balanced I think this could be an excellent smoked beer.

M - Heavy body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Nice soft feel on the pallet is a welcome addition to all that smoke. Finish is quite smokey becoming overpowering over the course of the glass.

D - Pretty good. I like smoked beers but this one was VERY smokey. I think I could still drink a few of these but the aftertaste would definitely get to me over time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 20:55:09 | More by orangesol

Axic10

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Capone's during their Hill Farmstead event.

Appearance: Brownish black with no head.

Smell: Picking up on this is a very heavy smoky malt flavor, which is enjoyable, mixed with some chocolate and malt notes as well.

Taste: Heavy Smokey flavor at first mixed in with dark chocolate and roasted malt, finishing strong with some more smoke.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and smooth.

Drinkability: I'm not a huge smoked beer fan, but this was a good take on the style, which along the other Hill Farmstead beers I had was very good.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 05:24:24 | More by Axic10

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on tap at Capone's.

Pours pitch black and completely opaque without even the slightest trace of lighter color when held to a light source and a 1.5 frothy mocha head. Decent retention, only slowly fading into a lasting ring that leaves streaks and spots of chunky lacing.

Smokey malt aroma with hints of charcoal, BBQ and bacon but the smokey character isn't too intense. There still plenty of chocolate, oatmeal, toffee and burnt toast in the nose.

Chewy medium body with a lot of roasted smokiness up fentanyl that lngers troughout into a long dry finish. Smokier than the aroma suggest with lots of charcoal, butane, BBQ and bacon but there is still a lot of silky chocolate malt as well as some oatmeal, toffee and hazelnut. The smokiness becomes more dominant as it warms but like the other beers ie had frm this brewery it is well balanced and very quaffable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2011 01:59:55 | More by corby112

nickd717

California

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Ginger Man NYC.

A beautiful beer; very dark brown in color with a lasting, clingy two finger beige head.

Intense aroma of applewood smokiness, roast, dark chocolate, and anise.

The flavor is great. My little sister tried it and said it was like "drinking a fireplace." I agree, but to me this is a good thing. Very ashy and smoky with roasted malt, licorice, dark chocolate, and earth.

Very full-bodied and silky smooth on the palate, with a good soft carbonation level.

You've done well with this one, Shaun. A unique and tasty beverage this one is.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2011 18:51:14 | More by nickd717

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blind Tiger:

A: Hazy brown with an off white head. There is limited head retention and no lacing.

S: Oh man is this a smoke bomb. I feel like I just walked into a smoke house in full effect. There is a hint of chocolate and burnt caramel until the smokey bacon and campfire resurfaces.

T: This holds up well to any rauchbier that I have had to date. Great smoke malt presence with enough sweetness to balance the roaring fire.

M: Smooth and creamy, just delicious.

D: I would have to limit myself to one at a time due to the overpowering flavor. That said, it was a great brew that I would love to try again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2010 17:21:36 | More by Neffbeer

Jdiddy

Rhode Island

4.9/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at La Laiterie in Providence. Holy, mother of god, Farmstead rocks! As I always knew, Shaun is a master of brewing. Easily, one of the smoothest beers I have ever tasted. The head on this is like molten, smoky foam. Perfect smoke, perfect brown, perfect beer. Nuff said. Exceptional smoked beer. Gives any smoked beer I have had a run for the money.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 02:05:54 | More by Jdiddy

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at the brewery and then again out of a growler a few days later. Once again Shaun has taken one of my favorite styles and created a fantastic interpretation.

This beer is dark brown, borderline black, with a hazy appearance when held to the light. A moderate foam tops my pour. Another of Hill's beers that features a great Brussel's Lace.

Smoke is front and center in the nose. I believe the assistent brewer said the woods used to smoke the malt were beechwood and applewood which were handsmoked by Anders Kissmeyer outside over the course of a day. A sweet maltiness is also present as are distinctive notes of maple, caramel and stone fruits.

Taste is a full-on assault of maple cured bacon. A smoky breakfast beer that was perfect at 11:30 a.m.! There is enough malty sweetness to keep the smoke in check. Bitterness is well in the background and thankfully the malt used wasn't over roasted which can give a smoked beer an ashtray note that is terribly unpleasant.

Mouthfeel was nice with the slight sweetness giving it some viscosity.

Drinkability is high for a smoked beer that has a tinge of residual sweetness.

Overall a great smoked brew that gives Aecht Schelenkerla a run for it's money.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2010 15:04:50 | More by Rochefort10nh