Society & Solitude #2 - Hill Farmstead Brewery

mdfb79

New York

4.1/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 02/25/12 notes. Again, big thanks to yourgrafile for sharing this one.

a - Pours a very dark brown color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, citrus hops, lemon, pine hops, light chocolate, and light floral hops. A very nice mix of fresh pine hops and roasted malts, really good.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, chocolate, toasted malts, pine hops, and light citrus hops. Still very nice, but the hops don't come through quite as much as the nose.

m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation. No bitterness, pretty easy to drink. Couldn't believe it's 9.5% ABV.

o - Overall a very good beer. Loved the nose as I thought the hops and roasted qualities mixed together very well. Would like to have it again.

Serving type: growler

02-27-2012 15:41:14 | More by mdfb79

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler courtesy of yourefragile, and thanks to starrdogg for the assist. Sved in a mini snifter because all my Hill Farmstead glasses are packed. Moving sucks.

Pours a very dark brown with a nice tan head and plenty of spotty lacing on the way down. The dose has a good dose of roast along with a bit of pine. Very complex and integrated. Flavor has great roasted malt and a nice hop complexity. Some pine and resin and slightly dank. Medium body with a dry, bitter finish. Really great.

Serving type: growler

02-25-2012 22:41:05 | More by Thorpe429

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.48/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass. Satchboogie grabbed this for me last Saturday, that was really cool to bring me back some beers. Pours a slick black with an amazing 2 inch light brown head with lots of sticky lacing. Smell is citrus, pine, chocolate, and grass. Taste is more chocolate than the nose would have you expect, a nice amount of citrus hops to go along. Body is large, good amount of life, a little dry, and very drinkable. This is a very nice beer, I am so impressed with this brewery so far. Lives up to all the hype.

Serving type: growler

02-24-2012 23:19:44 | More by SawDog505

MasterSki

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Sean for sharing this growler. Served in a Hill Farmstead glass.

A - Quick-dissolving dark tan foam settles to a wispy cap, thick collar, and spotty lacework. Very dark brown body.

S - Floral hops, hint of herbs and pine, perhaps a touch of citrus zest. Tons of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and perhaps a hint of smoke. Aroma is quite sharp and potent.

T - Taste has more malt character and a bit less of the hop flavors, although the citrus comes out more creating a nice chocolate-covered orange flavor. Also some sugar cookie, caramel, cocoa powder, and only a hint of smoke and char - just the way I like my Black IPAs.

M - Smooth texture, lower carbonation, medium body, a bit oily and juicy in the finish. No alcohol presence, which is pretty impressive for 9.5%.

D - This is a really good beer. It's got the exact flavor profile I want from this style of beer, and none of the char or astringency that plagues other beers of this ilk. Would definitely get this one again - hopefully Shaun gets this into the regular rotation.

Serving type: growler

02-24-2012 21:31:22 | More by MasterSki

silentjay

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml growler filled at the Damon/Mimosa/Flora release this past Saturday. After falling ill, this is the first beer I've had in about a week. It's been all Green Tea, Gatorade, and Water. Looking forward to a damn beer.

pours black and almost opaque with a nice deep mocha head that doesn't fill the glass too much, but cascades nicely and leaves behind chunky lacing like an uber-fresh hoppy ipa would do.

even with a slightly lingering congestion I can smell the piney hops from over two feet away. bringing it up to my nose... damn piney as hell with grapefruit and citrus in there and a slightly burning brownie batter maltiness. like sitting in front of the christmas tree, peeling an orange while someone is burning brownies in the kitchen. some light tropical fruits in there too. hops definitely more evident in the aroma than the malts.

sharp hoppiness at first with a quickly appearing dark roasted maltiness that never quite makes it to the forefront, as the piney, grassy, bitter, citric, and tropical flavored hops are too busy dancing on your tongue. a bit leafy and resiny on the finish with a slight hint of cocoa.

medium bodied with a perfect effervescence that really keeps the hop flavors popping and a hoppy resin left behind to keep a nice linger.

another tremendous beer from Shaun, would have maybe liked to see a bit more malt presence, but the hop flavors alone make this beer as tasty as they come.

Serving type: growler

02-22-2012 03:59:00 | More by silentjay

Gushue3

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

#250. Fresh growler filled at HF this past weekend at the Damon/Mimosa release into Hill Farmstead Bulb

A Pours very dark and can see some through some spots. A smaller head that's a little less than one finger forms and goes away pretty quickly. The body is black and can see though the shallower sides..

S Citrus and pine are the most obvious components along with come bitter grapefruit, roast and some tropical fruits. smells really good

T Dark malt sweetness and bitter pine take charge out of the gate. Some bitter grapefruit and tropical hops come through in the middle along with a roast. Nice combination of strong bitterness and dark roast.

M Mouthfeel is on the heavier side for the style but not too thick. Carbonation isn't too heavy which could be a result of being in a growler. Very smooth and easy to drink.

O Nice ABA that hits everything I'm looking for. Very bitter but still a noticeable roast. Citrusy hops make for a tasty drink.

Serving type: growler

02-22-2012 00:20:40 | More by Gushue3

Bardwashrind

Colorado

4.68/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I missed the first release in this hoppy experiment, pleased to have this opportunity even if joining a bit late. Thank you Robert, once again.

Amazing how full these growlers are filled.

The beer is tightly structured with tan colored bubbles and collects wonderfully to the side of the glass. Appears like a porter as there are slight hints of color at the edge of the glass. Very straight forward with aromas of grass, toast, and hops but a very unique floral/rose pedal type of note comes out as the beer warms. Subtle but so very nice.

The flavor is varied and transitions from a smooth start of chocolate and mocha, then into a rounded caramelized sugar perk that finishes bitter and balanced. Amazing texture as the beer's carbonation hold a creamy sort of quality. Beautiful on the palate. Interesting for a Black IPA as the hops are obvious and present but the soft fruitiness of almost tropical qualities make this a remarkable beer with a wide range of flavors.

The Hill Farmstead rocky/stoney/earthy backbone is here and so masterfully represents where this beer comes from. Truly an achievement as so many Black IPAs are simply heavily hop driven porters that don't really achieve the need for the proclaimed style. This is the extreme exception, so much grace, such a balance of flavors and simply one of the top beers of this category. Top ten hoppy beer experience for sure!

Thanks also to Shaun and the Hill Farmstead crew, for obvious reasons.

Serving type: growler

02-19-2012 21:49:07 | More by Bardwashrind

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.93/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a tulip.

Pours a very dark black with a small one finger dark brown head. Nose is hoppy and rich, really nice.

Taste is well balanced, bitter but it doesn't have that astringency I often find in black IPAs, really rich and it has a nice dry finish. Overall it's really good!

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 23:11:58 | More by kingcrowing

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap, served in a stemmed tulip

Pours an opaque black with a small mocha cap. Some sheeting lace covering the inside of the glass. Head never truly recedes, only falls to a thin layer.

The hop aroma pierces the air. A ton of pine and citrus on top of roast, dark fruit and some charcoal.

On the palate, this guy follows the nose, only with some cocoa powder. Pine an citrus rind up front with malt carrying through the middle. The finish is another rush of hops before lifting away, leaving a bitter citrus wake.

Medium body, extremely smooth. Nearly velvety, but the piney hops cut through just a tad.

I have never had James, but I have to say this is delicious. Smooth, fresh hop bite, mild bitterness. The abv is extremely well-hidden. I had no idea this was 9.5%.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 20:56:46 | More by ColForbinBC

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tap at abbey
Huuuuge creamy slightly darker smoky colored head of 2+ fingers, fades slowly with a huge layer of lacing, pitch black beer no light.

Nose explodes with earthy spicy hops, centennial, warrior, maybe chinook, etc. a decent kick of pine and light resin even, and just a hint of citrus tangerine like. all those hops blend in the background with a light cocoa and chocolatey creamy dark malt, hint of roast, and a light bready biscuit malt that all adds to a malted milk ball and chocolate covered orange pine candy.

Taste starts with more piney resin, hops again rip in with a decent bitterness but explosive flavor. More earthy spicy hops, chewy hops, and but of citrus. Malts bring more of the cocoa, milk chocolate, and biscuit, for again malted milk ball but with a big earthy pine hop center. A slight hint of booze tickles with warmth. As it finishes it dries a bit but not much, long lingering earthy piney hop and decent bitterness, and a juicy malt with caramel, toffee, and light chocolate fade slowly a the pine keeps steady.

Mouth is full bodied, bit creamy, good carb.

Overall pretty friggen good. I haven't had the earthy piney hops for a while that was done as well as this. the hops, bitterness, piney earthy flavors, malts and chocolate all blend well together, and smoothly for a tasty delicious beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 02:37:10 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the abbey.

A - Poured a deep dark black with a creamy one fjnger mocha head that leaves thick side lacing.

S - Lots of amazing pine and chocolate with good earthy qualities.

T - like the nose with super nice pine and chocolate with roasted malts. Deep and pleasant.

M - nice mouthfeel on this. Slightly bitter and nice carbonation.

O - Overall this was a very enjoyable beer. Good ipa notes with like chocolate and roast malts. Super crisp and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 23:07:52 | More by rudzud

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ Lord Hobo (Cambridge, MA) on 2/3/12. Served in a cervoise.

Pours black, with a thin layer rich mocha head. This maintains some frothy edging that flares up to a full ½ finger when swirled, leaving back robust spotty lacing that sticks to the sides of the glass. Grapefruit and pine stand out in the aroma with a zesty assertiveness. Herbal notes, sweet chocolate, and roast sit underneath with a flavorful smoothness in the nose but the overall focus of this is definitely on that robust combo of Simcoe and Columbus hops.

The hops just POP in the taste, with grapefruit and pine, and an underlying danky feel. That herbal character melds well with the acrid smokiness of the roasted malts across the back, while a hefty dose of chocolate and caramel sweetness comes in off the edges and offer up extra flavor and balance to this. Those bright hops sit at the core of this though, finishing things dry and resinous with a bit of extra burnt character that sticks to the tongue. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied, with a slick and creamy feel to the carbonation at first, which then firms up on the middle of the tongue with a tight sharpness where the hops sit. The high alcohol gives this a little headiness on the palate, maybe even adding a little extra sweetness and spice to the profile but never feels stinging in any way.

Wow, this might be the best Black Ale I’ve ever had, Imperial style or not! There is just a ton of robust and intense flavor here from the hops, malt, and alcohol but it’s all in harmony with each other with a finesse that I wasn’t expecting and helps make this super drinkable for the size! This is another stellar effort from Hill Farmstead.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 20:30:40 | More by Kegatron

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Lord Hobo during the Hill Farmstead tap take-over. Served in a tulip stem.

Opaque black with a small light brown head that leaves a fine curtain of lacing on the glass.

Big dank hop aromas - pine and citrus share the attention with notes from the malt - roast, charcoal, and stone fruit. The taste continues the impression of the well developed nose.

Big body, mouth-filling but smooth. Considering the flavor and abv, this beer actually shows quite a bit of finesse. Very drinkable for what it is. Hard to believe it is a double version of James, in terms of how it drinks.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 00:06:44 | More by CliffBrake

andrewinski1

Maine

4.53/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a wine taster. There is a black body with a large tan head that leaves a lot of sticky lacing.

The aroma is full of piney hops and chocolate malt.

The taste is chocolate covered hops with a huge bitter finish. The hoppiness is mostly piney.

The body is medium, with a lot of nice carbonation. This has great drinkability.

This is great. There is great hoppy bitterness and lots of hop flavor.

Serving type: growler

02-04-2012 05:09:29 | More by andrewinski1

Bendurgin

Maine

4.2/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to my wagon Andrewinski1 for getting these guys. Poured into a tulip. This one pours dark brown with about a finger of khaki colored head with some sticky lace.

Very chocolaty nose with lots of roasted malts here. A good citrus and bitter hop profile with nice roasted malts show up nicely. This one is very chocolaty on the pallet with a tropical citrus hops with a bitter finish. Nice and roasty with lingering bitter flavors.

Medium body here with sharp carbonation. Lingering sharp carbonation. Real tasty stuff here. Nice balance between roasty malts and fresh hops here. You really can't beat the freshness here.

Serving type: growler

02-04-2012 05:08:50 | More by Bendurgin