Anna - Hill Farmstead Brewery

Damian

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Drank from a 750 ml (1 pt. 9.4 fl. oz.) bottle at Lord Hobo, Cambridge, MA
Served in a cervoise
Thanks to my friend fclfcs for splitting this bottle with me.

The beer poured a hazy, bright straw yellow and was topped by a tight, two-finger crop of bright white, bubbly sea foam. Short-lived rings of lacing coated the glass. The head had fantastic lasting strength and eventually faded to a thick cap of froth.

The aroma was one of the most interesting I have experienced in a beer. Windflower honey notes made this quite a joy to smell. Although the honey was quite subtle, the floral component came through strong. Intense spice notes. Coriander was most noticeable. Lots of grape must. Crisp, powdery, dry yeast notes were apparent. Slight funk. This definitely had some Chardonnay-like characteristics and perhaps even some aged Champagne-like ones as well. The dry, powdery yeastiness really took over as the beer warmed.

The flavor profile was equally as impressive. Strong, crisp, dry yeasty notes led things off. Lots of grape must. Like in the nose, the wildflower honey notes gave this beer an intense floral component, but the honey did not lend much sweetness. Slightly tart in the center. Quite wheaty, lemony and dry. Spicy, with notes of coriander dominating. The tartness was nicely offset by a subtle sweetness. Fantastic overall balance. Some earthy hops appeared in the finish. Overall, remarkably refreshing and so easy drinking.

The mouthfeel was crisp and lively yet pillowy soft. Somewhat Champagne-like, except that this had a finer carbonation. Light and airy on the palate with a lush, tongue blanketing effervescence.

Anna was definitely not the best beer I have ever tried, but it was truly flawless in every regard. Furthermore, it was one of the most unique beers I have come across in a very long time. Hill Farmstead does it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 22:24:35 | More by Damian

Callmecoon

California

4.25/5  rDev 0%

06-19-2013 03:20:31 | More by Callmecoon

TobiasG

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +11.8%

06-18-2013 18:43:33 | More by TobiasG

miadw3

California

4.75/5  rDev +11.8%

06-18-2013 00:11:51 | More by miadw3

MastaShonuf

California

4.25/5  rDev 0%

06-17-2013 07:02:32 | More by MastaShonuf

shuajw

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

06-16-2013 04:27:24 | More by shuajw

Clonies720

Texas

4/5  rDev -5.9%

06-15-2013 22:38:30 | More by Clonies720

Yummmmiller

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +17.6%

06-13-2013 20:55:31 | More by Yummmmiller

doremite

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -11.8%

06-13-2013 20:13:18 | More by doremite

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

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

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

S-lemongrass, funky yeast, malt, pepper, hints of honey sweetness

T-lemon, bready malt, orange, pepper, cloves, yeasty funk, slight sweetness, dry finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth and tart

O-a really enjoyable Saison, I could drink this all the time, great balance of tart and sweet flavors

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 00:04:05 | More by MDDMD

Beerdster

Alaska

4.25/5  rDev 0%

06-09-2013 15:47:52 | More by Beerdster

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

06-07-2013 14:24:05 | More by DeutschesBier

szmnnl99

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev 0%

06-03-2013 00:35:34 | More by szmnnl99

Anonymous1

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

06-01-2013 03:03:26 | More by Anonymous1

grachdar

California

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-31-2013 17:10:57 | More by grachdar

lucas1801

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-30-2013 15:51:33 | More by lucas1801

Coldsnack

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-29-2013 01:17:29 | More by Coldsnack

dkw0063

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +11.8%

05-28-2013 18:58:55 | More by dkw0063

pisano

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -5.9%

05-28-2013 13:13:48 | More by pisano

throwback

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-27-2013 21:49:09 | More by throwback

brentk56

North Carolina

4.01/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: The pour generates a magnificent head displaying great retention and sheets of lace; the honey-colored liquid verging on golden; I docked half a point because it was a gusher and continued to spume after the eruption

Smell: Yeasty and spicy, up front, with a real farmhouse aroma; grassy and floral, with some honeyed sweetness underneath

Taste: The honey adds an underlying sweetness to the taste profile, with yeasty spice dominating; after the swallow, grassy and lemony hops add another dimension and the finish is tart and brings a touch of the barnyard

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: There is a lot going on in this beer and while the honey is a part of the dynamic, I am not a huge fan of the Bière de Miel style

Thanks, wildcats10, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 20:32:49 | More by brentk56

jakeox

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-27-2013 18:56:51 | More by jakeox

outoffocus

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +11.8%

05-26-2013 18:27:50 | More by outoffocus

egrace84

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-26-2013 00:49:34 | More by egrace84

Bearded_Infamy

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-24-2013 18:40:21 | More by Bearded_Infamy