Anna - Hill Farmstead Brewery

Duff27

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Over an inch tall beautiful white fluffy head. Wonderful lacing. Body is a cloudy orange.

Musty funk aromas.

Soured oranges. Funk yeastiness dominates. "grassy". Would guess at about a 6%abv.

Dry finish. Medium carbonation and mouthfeel.

Finish makes this easy drankin. A half step below top tier I'd say. Thanks for the share egrace84.

Serving type: growler

01-18-2013 00:50:23 | More by Duff27

Treebs

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

32 oz growler served in a Portsmouth tulip. Huge thanks to Sean (Sean9689) for hosting the tasting and supplying some rarities.

A: Pours a hazy gold color with with a fluffy white head forming on the pour. It recedes to a a ring and some whisps. Splotchy lace is left down the glass.

S: Yeasty and peppery note are the main attractions of the nose with some green apple and lemon pith.

T: Yeasty and peppery notes from the nose are more prevalent here, but the back bone of lemon rind and pith are more in your face. There is a mildly tart green apple flavor on the finish.

M: Light bodied with nice carbonation. Crisp mouth feel with a drying finish.

O: Very solid overall. I would have liked a little more mustiness, but it was enjoyable and easily drinkable.

Serving type: growler

05-14-2012 19:37:06 | More by Treebs

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 2L growler filled from the tap today. Served chilled into a pint glass.

Appearance: Really light clear golden yellow with a really aggressive thin white head. Leaves a great lacing around the glass.

Aroma: Citrus and lemon notes upfront. Some bright honey and bubblegum sweetnesss. A really nice light note of fresh mint leaf as well. Really bright, but not getting enough of the yeast.

Taste: A nice combination of really bright lemon citrus and sweetness from the honey. Very nice balance. A touch bitter at the end. Really refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Really light and crisp. Carbonation is really nice.

Overall, another excellent saison from Hill Farmstead. I wouldn't say this is my favorite saison they brew at all, but it is really light and refreshing. Great for a summer day.

Serving type: growler

05-06-2012 01:34:56 | More by Gosox8787

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Anna pours a clear bright yellow color with a small, frothy white head on top. The foam disappears quickly leaving behind a few lines of lace on the glass. A steady stream of bubbles rises up from the bottom.

The aroma is flowery and spicy. Notes of straw, lemon grass, pepper, and clove.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is soft, slightly chewy with firm carbonation. The flavor begins spicy with a taste of clove and pepper. In the middle some lemon and light fruit (apple) appear. It finishes sweet with a touch of bubblegum. Once gone the sweetness and clove linger on the palate.

Anna is a very tasty, well balanced beer. Savor each sip.

Serving type: growler

05-01-2012 22:40:04 | More by WanderingFool

aasher

Indiana

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

This growler was courtesy of the infamous Adam Jackson, growler filled on 4/22.

Anna pours a light bodied beautiful bright honey gold in color with a soapy two finger, bright white head. The nose is full of citrus fruits, an array of spices, dried oatmeal, lemongrass, and bubblegum esque Belgian yeast. A GREAT nose. The flavors feature a floral and citrusy bouquet of deliciousness, more bubblegum yeast, slight hop bitterness, and light funk. It has great and well rounded flavor. The bugle gum and yeast are superb. It drinks light and off dry. It is extremely drinkable and has great appeal all around. This was a great beer and I actually prefer it to the other Saisons I've had from Hill Farmstead, but those were in bottles.

Serving type: growler

05-01-2012 02:52:55 | More by aasher

zep9865

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed with Aasher on 4/30. Poured into Aecht Schlenferla snifter. Pours a faint dandelion/copper color with 4 fingers of white soap sud foam head.

Smell is very floral with orange peel, pineapple, coriander, and other spices

Beer is very citrus forward with orange, lemon and faint white grapefruit. Spices come in on my back palate.

Very beautiful well-balanced beer with fantastic floral hops and fresh citrus juice.

Great beer, glad i had the opportunity to try it.

Serving type: growler

05-01-2012 02:45:41 | More by zep9865

beenitty

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

32oz Growler from Whole Foods - Bowery (NYC)

Poured into Tulip Glass..

(A) Yellowish/Gold appearance with a thin white head and slight lacing. Small bubbles of the lacing swirls yet stays intact like the milky way on a clear night.

(S) Mmmmm...This is a saison. All I smell is yeast, honey and something else, familiar, just cant place it...AH! Of course, flowers...seriously smells like a field of flowers...

(T) First taste is honey, flowery, then citrus/hops. The end is spicy as a saison should be. Flavor changes as the beer warms. Nice complexity. I personally felt the slight bitterness from the citrus distracted me from the other tastes.

(M) Light, very dry. Similar to aftertaste of white wine, w/o the alcohol. Feel like something is missing compared to other saisons that have totally blown me away.

(D) Dry, Crisp. I think its good. Could drink it all day because of the low ABV but I wouldnt because I feel like it doesnt satisfy ALL the senses like some beers do.

Very good saison. I'm a huge fan of Hill Farmstead, but not the best saison I've ever had. Flavors were somewhat muted IMO but the flowers were very interesting source for honey and tastes in this beer.

Side note.

My first taste was prior to eating dinner (chicken piccata). My wife uses a good amount of lemon in her recipe. After eating a bit and trying the beer again, it seemed that the citrus on my palate was muted from the piccata and the beer was smoother at the end. Possibly a good pairing even though food should amplify beer not mute the flavors.

Serving type: growler

02-09-2011 19:24:04 | More by beenitty

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Growler we picked up at the brewery on 1/21/11.

A-Clear, pale gold with a thin white head and no lacing.

S-Strongly herby with some lemon peel undertones.

T-Overwhelmingly herbaceous with a hint of honey sweetness and some grapefruit hoppiness.

M-Light, very dry.

D-Crisply drinkable. Tasty.

HV

Serving type: growler

02-01-2011 02:40:54 | More by sholland119

GatheringBrews

Vermont

4.78/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice golden color with a fluffy white head with good lacing and retention.

Aroma is tart, citrus/lemon.

Nice, light taste with a subtle viscosity from the honey, almost a sweet slickness that is great on the palate.

Nice, dry, slightly tart finish.

Serving type: growler

01-06-2011 01:42:30 | More by GatheringBrews

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.78/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2L growled poured into a Hill Farmstead glass.

Pours a nice, light, crisp golden amber color with a small white head.the nose is yeasty, fruity, a bit tart an sweet.

Taste is really well done. It's dry and sharp and crisp - a bit sweet from the honey but it's suble. There's a nice bitter/tart taste that's really crisp. Delicious!

Serving type: growler

01-02-2011 00:11:32 | More by kingcrowing

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.51/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Super hazy, bright, golden-yellow with a massive, fizzy, bright white head. Leaves behind a ton of lace and nice lumps of foam on top of this beautiful liquid.

S: This is what Vermont smells like on a warm Spring day. Bright, floral, yeasty, barny, earthy, minerally (?), effervescent. Flowers, honey, and lush meadows are scenes in my mind with every huge whiff I take.

T: Yeasty, barny, earthy. You get some of the honey flavor and texture when the beer warms up. Such a delicious beer from cold to warm, start to finish. Refreshing, bright, and floral. Superb.

M: The feel, the body, and the carbonation are absolutely perfect. No hyperbole there.

O: The essence of the style. Vermont Farmhouse Ale. No other American brewer that I know of can either match or exceed the qualities and characteristics of the finest Belgian Saisons/Farmhouse Ales.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 20:36:17 | More by Gatch

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.19/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Another big thank you to Franklinn for another treat from rural Vermont. Cheers man!!

Appearance. Pours a lightly hazy straw-gold with almost three fingers of fluffy white head that leaves some patchy lace.

Smell. Nice peppery and floral saison yeast, some sweet light malts and a little pear and lemon.

Taste. Lemons, peppery and spicy saison yeast, a little apple, grass, sweet hay, and pear, along with a faint bit of banana.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium+ fine carbonation.

Overall. A very nice and flavourful saison with that signature Hill Farmstead style. Always a treat to drink something from these guys.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 01:42:03 | More by Rutager

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750 ml bottle, generously shared at the Peg's tasting on 3/8/13.

A- Pours a hazy wheat dark yellow color, topped with a thin white head.

S- Lots of fruit, pear, apple, lemon, slightly spicy esters, some yeasty funk and wheat.

T- Blend of fruit flavors, some pear, apple, hints of lemon, lots of dry and spicy esters, a bit of clove spiciness and wheat.

M- Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth feel.

O- A nice saison, has a solid mix of flavors, highly drinkable, I would definitely have this again if it were available.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:10:28 | More by WillCarrera

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.96/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

750 ml capped bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
6.5% ABV, no date.

Thanks for the beer Rochefort10NH!

A - Unfiltered cloudiness creates a warm haze through the pale straw yellow beer while carbonation streams towards the top. A lofty stark white head gently sits atop, covering the tulip in gobs of lace.

S - Fragrant as can be, complex yeast flourishes through Anna giving it a big, open aroma with plenty to discover. Esters of clay, clove, and white pepper toss earthiness into a citrus blend of lemongrass and funky notes of wild fermentation; mild horse blanket. Rustic and farm-like, dry pale malt captures the feeling of freedom as sweet notes of honey add a floral aspect and raw balance to the finish.

T - Yeast driven, Anna continues the complexity from the aroma, really focusing on earthiness. Clay, white pepper, and clove spice emerge through lemongrass citrus and a nice wild-like finish that's got great notes of being in an open barn. The honey additions touch on sweetness but they seem to add more floral notes than anything and are gently pushed aside by citrus hop notes on the beer's back end.

M - Sharp carbonation dances on the tongue through this stellar beer all while feeling lush and smooth yet crisp and light-bodied. Sharp tartness greets the tongue immediate but becomes more harmonious after a few sips, marrying the citrus and yeast finish with herbal and floral dryness and a trace of honey sweetness.

O - I always approach trendy, hyped beers with a bit of caution, but Hill Farmstead is legit. There's a reason they have just exploded; their beers are world-class and completely worth seeking out, Anna being no exception. This bright and aromatic saison is fermented with their strain of exceptional yeast for a total sensory experience that's dangerously drinkable and quick to disappear. Cherish each rustic sip, for this saison is hard to come by and worth it's weight in gold.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 23:56:42 | More by BeerFMAndy

kevanb

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into a Hill Farmstead wine glass.

Anna pours a lovely golden straw color, hues of lemon and light orange with a nice cloudy, hazy texture with a lovely 2 fingers of cloudy, soft white head that has very nice retention and leaves behind a nice touch of lacing. The aroma is really wonderful, lots of nice funky yeast, pale straw, zesty lemon, clove and bits of a banana really shine with some light floral layers that really bring out the nice subtle notes of honey with just a brush of berry fruit that lingers so nicely. The flavors are just as invigorating, tons of bright citrus on the tongue that brings out a great floral presence, nice layers of hibiscus with a great presence of funky pale grain, straw and bits of lightly sweet honey. Just a touch of alcohol is present at the finish that has a very pleasant bit of berry and banana flavor. The body is nice and full, very lively, coats the mouth very well, medium to high carbonation with a prickly yet dry finish.

Verdict: A truly wonderful Honey Saison from Hill Farmstead. Wonderfully complex and delightfully balanced, this really is one of the more remarkable American made Saisons, a must try for anyone who enjoys this style.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 17:24:25 | More by kevanb

oline73

Maryland

4.21/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a goblet.

The beer pours a cloudy golden color with a finger of fluffy white carbonation that leaves some beautiful lacing. The smell has a slight tartness to it that reminds me of lemons. There are some herbal notes along with a touch of white wine. The flavor is very light, herbal, and has a floral quality that I assume comes from the honey. The slight lemon tartness from the nose shows up in the taste as well. The finish is very dry and yeasty. This beer has a ton of carbonation and the finish is bone dry.

Overall, this is a nice, light, easy to drink beer and I'd love to have more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:45:04 | More by oline73

dirtylou

Washington

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, split 4 ways, many thx @blackie, you mule you

In a word, gorgeous. Hill Farmstead stemware - Glowing hazy straw body, a healthy white snowcap. Earthy and tart - waves of yeast, honey, grape and pear, and earthy wheaty malts collide. Lemon zest, cut flowers, white pepper, grassy hops. A great saison.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:06:40 | More by dirtylou

jeonseh

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle shared by schooner12 at Super Bowl Tasting

A - Soft, slightly syrupy yellow to it. Poured with a soft white foam one finger head. Leaves lacing down the sides

S - Slight tart vinegar to it. Soft grass, light blue cheese funk, honeydew, and honey. This really has a soft nose overall that allows everything to blend together well

T - Lemon and slight blue cheese funk. Light tart vinegar with enough slight honey in it to keep it sweet. There is also barnyard funk and blue cheese that come near and remain in the finish

M - Lots of carbonation in this one with a dry finish

O - Solid Saison with a good sour presence, funk, and slight sweetness from the honey

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 04:03:56 | More by jeonseh

rodkin

Missouri

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Golden yellow, clear, with a big fluffy head. Decent lacing. A bit of a gusher, but not too bad.

Smell is yeast, honey, earthiness, fruity sweetness, slightly tart, and a hint of spice.

Taste is yeasty breadiness, flowery sweetness, a bit of citrus, slight tart acidity, spice, maybe some grape?

Mouthfeel is nicely carbonated, light but very slightly creamy, very smooth.

A very good saison. I preferred this to Clara.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 18:27:23 | More by rodkin

AlexFields

Tennessee

4.41/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden honey yellow with a moderate white head.

Smells of farmhouse yeast, flowers, some lightly tart grapes or pears maybe, some wheaty malt, and not surprisingly a lot of sweet honey.

Taste has most of the same characteristics but is much more tart and zesty. The tartness balances really well with the sweet honey, this is delicious.

This was my favorite of the ten Hill Farmstead beers we opened at this tasting, I liked it better than Juicy or Flora, etc. Really great beer, next time it's released I'm going to have to trade for several bottles.

9.0/10

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 16:11:42 | More by AlexFields

mdfb79

New York

4.31/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 02/09/13 notes. Huge thanks to nimbleprop for sharing a bottle of this one; was a Want of mine. 750ml bottle poured into a wine glass.

a - Pours a hazy bright yellow color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident. Light lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of honey, spices, floral hops, yeast, fruity malts, lemon, citrus hops, earthy notes, Belgian yeast, and a hint of funk and sour. Awesome nose; a little sweet and a little sour with some nice floral notes to it.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, floral hops, honey, sweet fruits, lemon zest, earthy notes, light funk, bready malts, Belgian yeast, spice, and pepper. A little hoppier and sweeter than the nose, and just as nice. Love this one.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Crisp and easy to drink for sure.

o - Overall I loved this one. Interesting to see the older reviews of this aren't as great as the newer ones; maybe like some of their other beers they're refined and improved it. Some nice floral hops, citrus hops, and sweet honey throughout and easy to drink, certainly worth getting. Would love to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 22:11:08 | More by mdfb79

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

on tap at devils den - served in tulip

Hazy golden-yellow pour with a frothy white head resting on top. Building retention due to the lively carbonation level, sticky lacing everywhere, wonderful retention.

Crisp and inviting nose with snappy Belgian yeast and faint tartness. Touches of honey sweetness and biscuit with fresh cut grass, lemon peel and cracked pepper.

Soft snap of invigorating floral hops followed by lemon peel and peppered spice. Toasted biscuit backbone, faint sweetness with wildflowers and honey. Crisp tartness towards the back end with light yeasty funk and citrus. Finishes dry and bubbly.

Medium body, higher carbonation, effervescent and refreshing on the tongue. Flat out, this is just ridiculously delicious. Wonderful balance, depth of flavor and an excellent drinking experience. I want more.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2013 13:50:53 | More by xnicknj

cradke

Texas

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

Notes from bottle purchased 1 week from the brewery

Appearance: Cloudy, orange and yellow. Super thick, fine, almost fluffy head. A little bit of lacing as the head dies down.

Smell: Subdued bitterness. A little bit of tartness. Lemonpeel notes. Extremely approachable for a saison.

Taste: Very enjoyable. Pleasant bitterness. Very clean aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Foamy and light. Clean. Great mouthfeel.

Overall: As a person who isn't huge on sours, this is wonderfully approachable. The taste is right one in terms of sour notes, fruit profile and fantastic appearance.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 02:25:27 | More by cradke

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A beautiful beer. This one is golden colored with a tornado funnel of effervescence rushing to the surface. The head is pure white and just over an inch thick. Excellent retention with ample lacing left behind.

The aroma offers yeast, grass, grand floral notes, lemon, light spice, subtle farm funk.

A touch of honey. Mildly sweet with a healthy floral presence throughout. Every aspect of the beer is so delicate and balanced. Just beautiful. Bready malts with hints of spice. Pronounced floral bitterness. Finishes dry.

It's always a treat to enjoy anything by Hill Farmstead. I thought this was outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 02:53:54 | More by Huhzubendah

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.29/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Thanks toegrace84 for the share!

poured into tulip glass.

reviewed from notes taken 1/17/13.

Appearance: Straw yellow bodied beer with a light haze. 2 fingers of fluffy white head that laces the glass fairly well. The head has great staying power also.

Smell: Cracker like malts. Moderately barnyardish and dusty funk. Citrusy and fruity. Wheat and hay notes too.

Taste: Nice malt profile of crackers and wheat bread. Floral, grassy, orangey hops. Mild barnyard funkiness. A touch of pepper and yeast. Really simple and very tasty saison.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Crisp, clean and refreshing while still having a soft carbonation feel to the beer. A semidry finish as well.

Overall: its my first Hill Farmstead saison. I really enjoyed it. It lives the HF hype they make wonderful a saison!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 19:04:20 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT