Art - Hill Farmstead Brewery

CharlieMurphy

New York

2.75/5  rDev -36%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

2010 batch @ Harvest Fest 10/1/11

A: Golden body with fluffy white head and a good cling

S: Smells like it will be very good: lots of sour-adding oak, some noxious funk and tartness.

T: Definitely a let down. Has a saison's traditional legs, but not much additional funk and tartness that was suggested in the nose. Also has a plastic quality in taste that carries a little to the mouthfeel that overpowers everything and is hard to get by.

M: Again with the plastic quality that is almost slightly cloying. The carbonation is spot on for a saison tho.

O: I prefer Arthur and Arthur aged. The barrel treatment steered this in a direction I didn't like, maybe it was an off keg or sick stage. Re-review on the docket with the new batch this winter.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 01:57:37 | More by CharlieMurphy

schwaeh

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle split with Ryan011235

A: Pours out a murky golden color, with surprisingly not much sediment at all. This beer gets a humongous rocky white head; I really had to wait for it to recede. The lacing clings to the glass like shaving cream. High carbonation.

S: Real interesting aroma with more happening than most saisons. Typical brett, musty basement, old potpourri(that's a new one), vague spice, grapes, some textile-plasticy smell. I kinda get the feeling that this was one hoppy SOB when it was first bottled, makes for a weird smell. There's dull orange peel and lemon zest. Smells musty/dank and soapy clean all at once.

T: Very odd flavors, again unlike any saison I've had. I get a good bit of vinous white grapes that really take this in a new direction that I'm not used to. Like the aroma I taste old musty hops that seem like they were once overwhelming-could be me I guess. Real bretty dryness to this but the wine barrel might have helped counter that slightly. All the good funk is too hidden for me.

M: Medium body with a semi-dry finish. Active carbonation.

O: I really feel the perceived once-huge hoppiness, at this stage of awkwardness, really hurt this bad. I would rather stick with more classic examples of this style. This isn't bad but it really didn't live up to my expectations, especially with the wine barrel use.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 15:31:00 | More by schwaeh

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale hazy golden yellow/straw color with golden banana yellow hues and a frothy two finger white head.  Good retention slowly fading into a lasting cap that leaves streaks of soapy lacing.  

Sweet yet earthy aroma with subtle barnyard funk, sweet honey, light fruit, banana, citrus, bready yeast and zesty spice.  Subtle toasted oak but not much of a barrel presence.

Fuller bodied than expected with tight carbonation up front Lots of zesty spice with hints of pepper, lemon peel and coriander.  Earthy funk countered by sweet fruit and bready yeast.  Good balance of funk, sweetness and dryness.  Spicy with bready yeast, light fruit and citrus.  Funkier as it warms but not sour.  More dry/bretty than anything with a faint barrel presence.   Some earthy wood but it is subtle not overpowering the other flavors.  

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 01:05:43 | More by corby112

UCLABrewN84

California

3.53/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Callmecoon for sharing this one at NoSignsOfPain's birthday bottleshare hosted by mrbubbler.

Pours a slightly murky honey yellow with a foamy off-white head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, herbs, spices, wood, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a medicinal aftertaste and a super woody finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but I definitely enjoyed regular Arthur over this barred aged version.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 02:53:02 | More by UCLABrewN84

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My second HF beer. The first beer Rarl was terrific. This one was rather ordinary. Funky saison yeast. Generous retained head on hazy golden coloured body. Above average mouthfeel. Funky, yeasty taste, pepper. Dry bitter finish. Decent drinkability but it took many sips. Thanks Steve S.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 04:31:13 | More by northyorksammy

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Duvel tulip on 12/4/11

Shared by schwaeh

Dang, this is a looker of a beer. Dusty gold is simultaneously shiny and dull. A lofty three finger head is punctured with holes, having a meringue texture on top and, as it slowly falls, Steve likens it to a Flintstone's push-pop that has been pushed out and is melting away. Lace isn't solid, but there is a lot of it regardless; heck, this has the thickest clumps I've ever seen. Continuous rising bubbles.

This smells really nice. While my first impression is a soapy one, it obvious, after closer inspection, that there is so much more going on. prairie grass, flowers, dusty pollen, apples, soft vinous grape tones, clean oak and an oh-so-faint vanilla suggestion. Some dank earthiness emerges as it warms that balances the aforementioned cleanliness. Subtle spices shuffle around. Very enjoyable.

Huh. This tastes nothing like I'd expect - it's quite different from the aroma. To start, hops are all over the place; not super potent, mind you, cause they seem ensconced in the fading process, but hop kick is definitely had. Brief, tangy apple notes turn into a smattering of boozy heat (what's up with that?) and then on to extremely dry notes of wine and wood. Spices mix with a soapy suggestion for a really bizarre flavor experience. It starts to come together as it warms.

Medium-light body of moderate crispness. There's a good bit of carbonation, but it is fluffy and rolling - far from harsh. Finishes with musty barrel notes and lingering spice.

Really interesting beer. it doesn't strike me as in-line with a saison (at least not entirely so), but it's enjoyable. Especially that aroma.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 07:19:30 | More by Ryan011235

cosmicevan

New York

3.73/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Note's from Captain Lawrence Rosso Batch 3 release / tasting:

Hill Farmstead Art (wine barrel aged saison): Nice murky yellow…not even copper, straight up yellow, nice head for a small few ounce pour. Smell is sweet tart all day long. Carbonation is a bit lively…mouth puckeringly sour, maybe even a bit too much for me, the flavor is somewhat balanced sweet tart with a bit of malt in there…little too tart for my tastes. Lively carbonation. Very good, but a bit too tart and too bitter…you definitely get a white wine type of vibe on this one.

*** ** * ** ***
had this again at a barrel aged tasting on 8/6/2011
4 - 3.5 - 3.5 - 3.5 - 3.5

light orange thin head. nice. smell reminds me of dominique. white whine heavy. grassy saison with some barrel that gives it a sour vibe...a bit musty. mouth is okay, very wine like, little thin. overall not super impressive many others are better. pretty tart, very over-rated.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 03:27:01 | More by cosmicevan

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pour is transparent pale yellow with a tight white head. Nose is balanced Saison with light sweetness in back and some barrel overtones up front. Hints of dustiness towards the back with lemon behind. Taste is a bit more acidic, barrel is a touch stronger, lemony in back with some peppery mineral notes mid palate. Finish is crisp, high carbonation and fairly dry.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 16:42:41 | More by cpetrone84

largadeer

California

3.8/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks Barry!

Hazy blond, a little clearer than Flora, and more effervescent. The head is tall and lasting.

Blue cheese, funk, graininess, vinous oak and funk. A lot of oak, actually. Quite a bit of cheese, too, but it's more pleasant than Flora batch 2.

Tastes light and refreshing with some really nice complexity coming from the barrel. Cheesy, a little lactic, a ton of funk and oak. Little metallic, blue cheese again. Drying oak in the finish. Leathery, horse stable funk. Pretty good, but not as good as Flora batch 1.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 20:55:08 | More by largadeer

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle

A- Started foaming right when cap was taken off. Pours a hazy yellowish golden with about 3 fingers of white frothy head. Lots of carbonation, well above average. Leaves foamy lacing. Pours a little bit faster and has a little bit more of a yellowish color then E.

S- Lemons, green apples, yeast, a very tiny bit of hay, grass, barnyard funk, and hints of oak. About average aroma strength.

T- Green apple, a little bit of citrus- lemon+orange, some hay + grass, finishes with a little bit of a light lemony sour taste mixed with a bit of red wine that has a lingering aftertaste.

M- Thin, refreshing, decent carbonation, well balanced.

O- This was a pretty decent saison that I thought was definitely better then E.. I liked the balance between the lemon sourness, green apple, and light barnyard funk that was all balanced off with nice carbonation. Definitely not my favorite beer from HF, but a nice offering.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 03:22:39 | More by jaasen64

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Hawthorne's on 6/3/11 during Philly Beer Week.

A - Hazy golden body with a two-finger high fluffy white head that reduced to sleek web-like lacing and patchy dots all around the glass.

S - Sweet and floral with a hint of light tartness, cheese rind and juniper berries. As the liquid warmed up a bit, subtle grassy and earthy funk attributes began to emerge, adding a bit more sourness to the nose.

T - Opens with quite a bit of grassy hop bitterness and a hint of wildflowers. Overall, the tartness of the saison is subtle at first, suggesting a light cheesy character and hint of musty basement funk. However, the earthiness really takes over in the backend, releasing a pretty sharp grassy hop bite paired with a semi-dry woody finish.

M - Light bodied overall, although a tad thin and watery perhaps. Quite spicy and dry on the palate with plenty of sharp hop bitterness and moderate sourness on the palate.

D - Art is a very fragrant, albeit light, saison with plenty of character and quite a bit of bitterness. If you like a pretty dry, funky saison, give this one a shot.

Brewslut's Quote of the Day:
"Ooooh, that's cheesy!"

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 15:39:45 | More by ffejherb

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.95/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle thanks to RSchaeffer.

750ml bottle poured into a Bruery Tulip glass.

A - Pours a light pale orange with a explosive off-white head. Awesome retention and some lacing.

S - White wine grapes, funk.

T - Bright white grapes, some funk and wood.

D - Good carbonation, light and fresh body.

O - Very light and drinkable. Wish there was a bit more funk/woodiness.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 04:40:55 | More by HuskyinPDX

jrallen34

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Chris for this... A hazy dark honey gold with a big white head, fluffy with a good lace... Aroma is outstanding, sweet overall, light sweet grape juice, grape skin, sweet oak, a bit of musky oak, not saisonish... Taste is good but as great as I was hoping, a lot of the sweetness of the nose is gone, musky oak, very oaky overall, a bit bitter... Nice mouthfeel... Really good and worth trying but a slight let down after an outstanding start

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 14:35:56 | More by jrallen34

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bought at the brewery back in May, shared with cbutova. Probably 6-12 months old.

Pours a really pale hazy orange with a ridiculous Duvel-esque white head

Nice scent, fruity and a bit sour. Green apple, oak, white wine, bready yeast.

Taste is bit less intense but good. Big white wine and oak, lemon/lime, bready vanilla yeast, hay/grass, light brett/funk.

Mouthfeel feels a bit limp and thin, medium-low carbonation.

Good beer, reminds me of their "E." quite a bit. Nice, complex slightly funky saison.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 22:17:22 | More by Chico1985

pmlondrigan

New York

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Initially art has a two finger soapy head, but that changes quickly. Poor retention and no lacing. Pretty color that is honey golden and completely clear. Soft aroma of brett, hay, grass and lemon-y funk. Damp wood or oak presence. Complex flavor combining some brett funk, lemon, and fruity flavors hiding beneth the stronger ones. Very grassy and contains light lactic sour hits up front. Can't say I am picking up any barrel or vinous flavors from the aging. A good prickly carbonation with a slight lemon tart hit on the tip of the tongue. A beer that is truly enjoyable though I am beginning to wonder about the wisdom of categorizing beers such as these as Saisons. The combination of brett and oak change the beer so much.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 01:46:55 | More by pmlondrigan

womencantsail

California

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

Bottle from Batch 2 courtesy of Todd.

A: The pour is a somewhat minimally hazed golden-orange color with a large white head.

S: There is a mild tartness on the nose, which I find pleasant. Definitely some apples along with a pronounced honeydew melon aroma and a bit of celery. Earth and spice notes as well as some wood and cracker malts.

T: The flavor has a mild sweet of bread and cracker malts. There is definitely some grass, celery, and earthy mushroom. A fair amount of fruits, especially green melon, lemon zest, and apples.

M: Medium in body with a medium to high carbonation.

O: Lots of complexity to this one and I thought it was pretty nice to drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 00:46:01 | More by womencantsail

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloudy gold yellow...small lingering head. Big aroma of barnyard, sour fruit, wheat. Flavors of funky fruit rind, lemon, horse blanket, oak, herbs, grass, brett, crackers...overall, rich and flavorful with some dry notes and craziness...very tasty and fun!

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 21:59:13 | More by DenverLogan

RSchaeffer

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review #16
750mL into oversized wine glass.

A - Pours cloudy, golden yellow with a pillowy 1.5 finger of head. Loads of sticky lacing.

S - This is the second bottle that I've had of this and the nose still amazes me, it's so complex yet delicate. Strong oak from the barrel, subtle tartness and vinous character, I also pick up floral and yeast notes.

T - Not as good as the nose, but delicious nonetheless. Oak is still strong, lemon zest, and grass. Tad spicy.

M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Finish is dry, though becomes chalky as you progress through the bottle.

O - One of the most complex saisons that I've ever had. An enjoyable drinking experience, though the chalk tends to stand out quite a bit as I get towards the end of the bottle. Perhaps I should have shared more of this.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 01:59:27 | More by RSchaeffer

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle, pours a light straw gold with a large white head. Nose is grass, light fresh cereal grains, hay, lemon. Mouth is very grainy upfront, segueing into citrus fruits and a long, grassy finish. Fresh, bright, very good stuff. Some comparisons to the bottled version of Saison Vautour have been made. I agree that they are simialr in their fresh cereal grain and lemon character, but this is a little more focused and rustic while the Vautour is funkier, more sour, probably a bit more complex. Really nice stuff, way better than E which I found totally overrated.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 22:00:38 | More by JAXSON

Kkottonmouthkngz

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a vibrant, hazed golden with a fairly fluffy, cloud white head. pretty nice head retention, tons of sticky lacing left behind after every delicious sip.
Yeast, bread, pepper and spice notes on the nose, rather harmonious, and definitely the high point of this
brew.
Flavors of the above mentioned, plus some slightly under-ripe banana, grass, and a hint of oak.
Carbonation level is just edgy enough and brings the flavors alive nicely. It is slightly aggressive in style, but im loving it overall. An oversized wineglass really does the appearance of this beer justice.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 23:08:11 | More by Kkottonmouthkngz

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass form a 750ml bottle. Shared with the fiancé.

Pours a lighter gold with some straw golden hints. Slightly hazy. There is a nice tall 2 inch white head that forms and is quite chunky . It leaves some nice lacing that is spotty. (4.0)

Aroma of barrel aged goodness. Slight and mild vanilla notes in the nose. Nice fresh woody notes mixed in with some spice and funk. A bit of a citrusy hop backed note is perceived as well as the mix of slight tart funk with some fruity esters. (4.0)

The funk plays well with some good peppery notes and spice. Coriander and some clove sweetness are very well crafted. Malty and bready notes can be perceived. Some nice woody barrel notes mixed in with great funk and corn-husk notes. The fruity esters and malty bread notes come in around the middle but they are overtaken by some nice dry vinous character and some slight tartness. Very nice. (4.0)(4.0)

Overall a good saison. The barrel aging throws in some interesting flavors and notes but it still has a nice saison flavor and mouth feel. (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 15:56:51 | More by JoEBoBpr

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

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

bottle at hosers 17/7/11

A hazy golden yellow with a thick two finger foam that retains well leaving a couple rings of lace, looking good

S spicy, funky yeast with some white fleshed fruit, apple and pear perhaps,

T more funky goodness with some earthy wet wood, the barrel evidence is subtle but blends in well with the flavors, nicely spiced and I'm loving the funk

M light and fluffy in the mouth with a great spicy aftertaste

O well rounded stuff, I'd like to get my hands on more of it but I don't see that happening anytime soon

the barrel come out a little more as it warms, interesting stuff worth looking for

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 16:17:08 | More by wordemupg

woosterbill

Connecticut

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

750ml bottle into a proper Hill Farmstead wine glass. Big thanks to Tony for sharing.

A: My pour from toward the end of the bottle is a hazy amber-orange, but earlier pours are crystal clear. Two fingers of creamy, rocky head preside above, leaving tons of sticky lace. Gorgeous.

S: Lovely, delicate mixture of floral + fruity, vinous notes. Some dry, chalky yeast. Pretty solid.

T: Some coconut oak starts things off, with vinous grapes, tannins, and a big rush of dry, floral yeast. Pretty refreshing, but the finish is so bone dry that it verges on astringency.

M: Soft, delicate, moderately carbonated medium body. So, so supple.

O: I really enjoyed this one, but the more I drank of it the more difficult it became to look forward to more - the dryness and chalkiness of the finish really started to wear on me. Still, the balance of flavors was pretty great.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 03:44:40 | More by woosterbill

rudzud

Massachusetts

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

Picked up one of these bad boys at the last release. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - So this one is another slow gusher, which results in a bit, soapy three finger head that leaves big side lacing atop a crystal clear darker straw brew.

S - Nice aromas of barnyard here with lemons, light funky oak, some subtle vinous notes.

T - Taste is pretty good, theres an odd aftertaste but I'll get to that. Starts out with that nice barnyard funk that leads to a sharp lemon acidity with much stronger vinous characters of grape skin. The finish though...strange. For me, once the tart and funk have cleared I'm left with well, a cookie like aftertaste. Kind of like the part of a chocolate chip cookie that doesnt have the chocolate chips in it. Very strange. Not a bad thing, just, really weird.

M - Mouthfeel is pretty spot on for a Hill Farmstead saison, decent enough carbonation here, quite enjoyable and works well with the tart and funk.

O - Overall, this is a good saison, spot on for Hill Farmstead. The aftertaste throws me a bit but there are enough redeeming qualities to make this very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 21:43:45 | More by rudzud

AgentZero

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Chris for sharing this one.

A - Big white head with good retention that left some decent spots and lace on the sides. Hazy yellow-orange bodied beer.

S - Lots of barrel and funk. Big oak, brett, barnyard smells. Nice smelling. Has a mild vinous quality to it.

T - Some tartness, grapeskins, pale malts, brett funk, barnyard funk. Nicely complex, but I like the smell a little better than the taste. It's quite good and easy to get down, but I still hold Anna on a pedestal when it comes to HF saisons.

M - Little dry, lighter side of medium bodied iwth active carbonation.

O - A very good beer, I'm not a true fan of the stle, but this one was very good with a lot of stuff to pick out.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 19:58:46 | More by AgentZero