Rakau Pale Ale - Hill Farmstead Brewery

Billolick

New York

3.58/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Farmhouse in Burlington, Vt.

Pours clouded and dull looking near brownish tangarine, all under an off white head, that leaves a fine film and high sticking lace.

Minerally, earthy, with light tea notes both on the nose and palate. With some light pine hoppage as well. Ehh...interesting is perhaps my most positive way to sum it up...flavorful, but not my favorite..

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 22:36:04 | More by Billolick

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tap at Black Back pub in Waterbury, VT.

Big head, foamy, light lacing, bright hazy orange yellow color.

Nose fruit, apple, peach, apricot, berry, touch if malts, nice bitter hops.

Taste has weird fruits, berry, more apple, lots of pear, juicy fruit, light bitterness, light citrus and almost grassy hops, and tropical fruit later, touch of malt, long bitter finish though.

Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall nice, lighter and different than I expected, much different fruits, but drinkable and tasty nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 23:04:19 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the pub near the alchemist cannery.

A - Poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed snifter a slightly hazy golden hue with an almost three finger creamy off white head that leaves very sticky side lacing.

S - Very nice fruits with lots of peach like aroma. No bitterness.

T - Wow this is different...very nice light fruits more peaches and light berries?? There aren't a whole lot of bitterness.

M - the feel is light eight nice carbonation

O - Overall this beer was nice and sharp/crisp with very interesting flavour profile....would like to try again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 19:02:16 | More by rudzud

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.53/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap poured into a Hill Farmstead Tulip.

Pours a hazy amber color with a nice small white head with a bit of light lacing. Nose is earthy, a bit of citrus, and a grassy/hay note as well.

Taste is equally earthy and grassy, the citrus is less up front on the flavor but it's there. Almost tastes like there's wheat in it but I don't think there is, it's all from the hop. Mouthfeel is feel rich smooth and full, very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2011 02:30:15 | More by kingcrowing

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier. Never heard of this hop variety before. Kevin said it's from New Zealand. Poured into a Hill Farmstead stange, decent head and lacing, a hazy, cloudy gold color.

The nose on this is amazing - a bounty of fruits with hop bite and some grassy notes as well. Just a great all-around bouquet. I'm digging the scent of this hop.

The taste was not as overwhelming as the nose, but it was a fruitier pale ale than Edward, for example. Some notes of grass, grain, and bready malt. Mouthfeel was smooth and creamy like Edward but with a mild saltiness, like the Clara grissette.

Overall I really liked this beer - always cool to try a single hop ale with a hop you've never experienced before. Well done Mr. Hill.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2011 18:02:06 | More by ElGallo

Brad007

Vermont

4.15/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a nice orange amber color with a fluffy head into my glass. Good colors for the style.

Flowery aroma with a strong citrus aroma. I can't figure out where the hop is from but it's not as powerful as Riwaka. There's a nice tartness at the back as well.

Buttery malt with lots of grassiness from the hops and a definite grapefruit imprint. Mellow.

Lingering buttery malt and hop grassiness linger. Nothing harsh to see though.

First time I've had a beer with Rakau hops. I will have to try some more.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2011 02:21:49 | More by Brad007