What Is Enlightenment? - Hill Farmstead Brewery

kevanb

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml growler, poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass.

Pours a soft orange, hay-like yellow color, a bit of off white head rests atop the glass. Some lacing appears and the head retention is good. The aroma is simple, citrusy hops, grassiness plays well, lemongrass comes to mind, some cereal malt, and something sweet like honey also comes out. The flavors are pretty similar, very nice, a bit soapy, but nice citrus presence with a good floral bouquet, some earthiness from the malt along with a touch of pine comes forward as well. Nice body, light and easy while still packing in all that flavor, great carbonation and sticky texture. Hard to believe this is just a 5.4% pale ale.

Verdict: Another exceptional beer from Hill Farmstead. Consider me another convert and bandwagon rider, this guy knows how to brew a wonderful beer.

Serving type: growler

07-29-2012 21:55:34 | More by kevanb

Kinsman

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a 750 of this at the brewery this afternoon. Poured into Lawsons tulip.

Pale and cloudy orange body with a nice white head. Pungent aroma brings out the hops. Lemon and orange cover the citrus notes while the floridness of the hops covers the rest.

Hops dominate the palate as expected with loads of grapefruit and orange notes. Bitterness really comes through with little malt body to balance things out. It has the ABV of a pale ale but all other signs point you towards an all out hop-bomb. Nothing wrong with that, just catches you a bit off guard.

Mouthfeel has a medium-light body with a well-rounded and drying finish which only helps accentuate the bitterness of the hops. Overall, it's not small secret... Hill Farmstead knows how to use it's hops. Boatloads of flavor in a relatively light package but still seems to be lacking a certain something (can't quite put a finger on it) that would put this in the upper echelon of hop-centric beers with a few other HF beers and their peers across the country.

Serving type: growler

07-28-2012 23:57:45 | More by Kinsman

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What is Enlightenment? pours a cloudy, straw yellow with a thing white head on top. The foam fades quickly leaving behind a few spots and lines of lace on the glass.

The aroma is loaded with orange citrus and tropical fruit notes of mango and tangerine.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is soft and light on the palate with mild carbonation. The flavor is sweet and nicely balanced. Caramel and toasted malt are followed by orange citrus and tropical fruit (tangerine). It finishes dry with lingering tangerine flavors.

This is a very tasty, easy drinking beer that is light in body and well balanced.

Serving type: growler

07-23-2012 01:55:52 | More by WanderingFool

xenjoiii

New York

4.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml HFS Growler of What is Enlightenment filled at the 7/14 Ann release.

A: Poured a cloudy pale straw color with about a finger of white head.

S: An abundance of tropical fruit/citrus in the nose

T: Nice fruity citrus notes upfront (lots of lemon) and finishes with a mild bitterness that lingers.

M: Soft carbonation with a medium body.

O: A very well balanced APA from HFS. Quite delicious.

Serving type: growler

07-15-2012 19:05:01 | More by xenjoiii

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2L swing-top growler filled at the brewery.

First HFB glass pours with a 1/2" eggshell head, over the cloudy golden amber brew. Head recedes gradually down to an uneven layer, with lasting lace. Aroma is oranges and tangerines.

Taste begins with a peek of sweetness, quickly giving way to the dominant citrus hops character which holds on through the close, which is lightly chalky. Mouthfeel is soft and smooth, and drinkability is good. Nice thirst-quenching brew for a hot day. Reminiscent of Harlan, but with much less bitterness.

Serving type: growler

07-09-2012 00:17:23 | More by ppoitras

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1-liter growler care of baconsausage, big thanks for the trade man. Poured into a tulip, the brew appears a clouded golden color with more than 2 fingers worth of pillowy white head. As the cap fades, it leaves a wall of lace sticking to the glass. A light swirl revives a finger of froth back to the surface fairly effortlessly.

The initial aroma includes hints of tropical fruit quality that is something along the lines of nectarines and as more sniffs are taken, more of a not-so-specific tropical fruited quality emerges. Having sampled this almost immediately after Harlan reveals a lot of similarities here to the aromatics. There is a mild cheesiness to the backend of this that takes this brew off in a different direction.

The taste has some zesty bitterness like orange pulp that blends into bitter herbal aspects mixed with a bit of grassy and then yeasty quality and faint straw-like grain inclusion. Like I noted about the aroma, there are a lot of similarities here with Harlan but maybe a bit more grain inclusion here with this brew. As it warms up, a bit of sulfur is noted and a classic "catty" quality typically found from simcoe that lasts into the aftertaste.

This is a light bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is light, refreshing and easy drinking. Having a 1-liter growler is perfect, I have no hesitation reaching for another glass and could easily take down several glasses of this in a session. To be picky, I found this to be just too similar to Harlan. If I wasn't paying specific attention to what was going on in my glass, I think these 2 brews could almost be passed off for one another.

Serving type: growler

06-28-2012 01:55:47 | More by stakem

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler courtesy of Camden. Thank you again!

Pours a cloudy yellow-orange with a substantial full finger's worth of white froth. Lace curtains adorn ye ole tulip.

Unmistakable whiff of Amarillo hops here, playing lemon-lime. A doughy sweetness from the malts hover over the proceedings as well.

Lemon pledge and lemon drop candy strong out of the gate. There's a caramel covered apple sweetness along with apple skin throughout the middle. The end is hop oils and catty with a light leafy bitterness and very dry finish. A saliva sucker.

I have been quite fortunate to try Edward, Abner, and this beer in the same week and while a nice beer, this is the weakest offering of the three. The term weak, however, is relative here. Appreciative for the chance.

Serving type: growler

06-26-2012 02:30:07 | More by BarrytheBear

drabmuh

Maryland

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

I want to get more of this to write a more thoughtful review but this was at a tasting recently and it stole the show for me.

Beer is amber / orange and clear with a white head, nice retention, some lacing, moderate to low carbonation.

Aroma is citrus and tropical fruits.

Beer is medium to light in body and sweet with a nice hop palate and a good lightly bitter hoppy finish. I'd have this again, a lot of this again. I want more, seriously where can I get some more?

Serving type: growler

06-19-2012 01:45:31 | More by drabmuh

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Made the pilgrimage to Greensboro Bend yesterday and this was one of my treats for having made the trip. Enjoying my 750ml growler on a lovely Sunday afternoon.

A finger of foamy white head tops a pale straw color with a touch of amber. Hazy. Lovely thick lace as is standard with many Hill Farmstead products.

Fresh light aroma. I get some herbal notes and a mix of fresh grapefruit and some tropical notes. No single fruit stands above the others, but the meld works wonderfully.

At some level it becomes boring reviewing the Hill Farmstead line-up and by boring I mean that I have to keep reporting that they are incredible beers. The mix of fruit and bread notes are just so fantastic here. Citrus first, then herbal notes, then tropical fruit. The bread notes come in the back half and are blended with a wonderful bitterness to close.

Soft, velvet like and so fresh. The carbonation provides a slight sparkle and doesn’t get in the way.

What a fantastic brew. So easy drinking and soft. Yet at the same time the flavors pop and are so fresh.

Serving type: growler

06-10-2012 19:58:12 | More by Reagan1984

Sean9689

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Multiple growlers consumed...thanks to Bob!

A - Pours a hazy yellow/orange color, white frothy head, sticky lace, and nice collar with wisps on top.

S - Pine, dry malts, citrus, light tropical sweetness, grass. The hop notes just burst though with this beer in every way possible. There's a subtle sweetness that helps add a bit more complexity to the beer.

T - Basically, this is a hop-bomb without all the alcohol. The blend is just outstanding here. Citrus, grass, pine, light tropical notes, and a nice dry malty presence in there too. Finish is a burst of hops and keeps going and going.

M - Light body, good carbonation, oily finish.

O - So drinkable, so enjoyable, so wonderful. Why are all my HF reviews the same? Oh yeah, because he's making the best stuff in the country (and possibly world). Everything about this APA is done to perfection and this beer is another reason why HF continues to kill it.

Serving type: growler

06-07-2012 15:47:05 | More by Sean9689

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

small growler poured into tulip - thanks alex

Pours a hazed pale yellow, with a thin head, leaving behind little lacing on the glass.

The nose is dry and biscuity with a nice dash of hops. There's plenty of dryness with a soft, light sweetness.

Light, oily hop presence with herbal tones. Bitter and dry with a nice leafy touch. Lemon peel, biscuit malts with grain. Touch of cracker with a pleasant, bitter dry finish.

Medium body, dry and lingering on the tongue. Solid pale ale, there's better from HF though - after reading some of these other reviews I'm wondering if this might have sat a couple days too long.

Serving type: growler

06-07-2012 00:13:47 | More by xnicknj

raveskdr

District of Columbia

4.6/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml growler courtesy of Mr. Saisonsinthesun himself, yourefragile. Michael is the man. Acquired at 2nd anniversary party, poured into my FFF Teku.

A - Very murky, unfiltered off orangeish brown color. The growler kept the carbonation well. Those flip top HF growlers really do.

S - Smells slightly citrusy. Very Centennial-Amarillo type of smell. Not really sure what to expect from there.

T - Boom. Wow. Slightly resinous fresh cut pineyness along with slight melon and a tad of mango. Just a beautiful melange of hop flavors. Solid malt backbone that takes its rightful back seat, but holds up well to the hops.

M - Slightly effervescent on the tongue, solid finish without having too bitter of an ending. Yes, I much prefer a nice, hoppy, happy ending.

O - Winner, winner. Another 3 run homerun from Shaun. The consistency of his hoppy beers is astounding. West coast who?

Serving type: growler

06-06-2012 19:44:23 | More by raveskdr

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thank you, Mike.

Mildly hazy light orange with a dense, white head with excellent retention and lacing. The nose is a big, bright Citra and Simcoe nose, beautiful blend of citrust fruitiness with a touch of tropical fruit. This is mirrored on the palate, with no real malt character to speak or, and an ecxcellent fruity hop flavor. I know this is an APA, but even viewed on its own (the first hoppy beer of the evening), this was a little light, watery even, on the palate, without the kind of resin and bitterness I like in my hoppy beers. Still, this is fantastic.

Serving type: growler

06-01-2012 01:51:05 | More by DefenCorps

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.78/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 mL growler. Thanks to Michael for the acquisition. Shared with Adam and Mike.

The beer is mildly hazy and appears a golden yellow color. The white head is about a half inch thick and leaves ample lacing on the tulip.

The nose is excellent. Dank hops and a variety of tropical fruits and citrus. Oh yeah...

The flavor is earthy with notes of well water (in a most positive way). Lots of citrus and hop notes. Simply fantastic. Chuggable. Another winner from Hill Farmstead. I think this is the best pale ale I have ever had. I am dumbfounded. I could drink this indefinitely.

What is Enlightenment? Well, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and apparently, Shaun Hill.

Serving type: growler

05-30-2012 02:36:14 | More by Huhzubendah

Bendurgin

Maine

4.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Jon for bringing this one back from Vermont! Poured into a pint glass. This pours a cloudy pale straw with a thick cap of rocky white head. Lots of sticky lace.

The aroma hits right off with citrus hops with some hints of pineapple with a nice bitter edge. A little bit of vanilla seems to linger in the background. The pallet has a nice tropical fruit presence with candied orange and pineapple. A little bit of vanilla on the finish with doughy yeast.

The body is somewhat light and sticky with soft carbonation. Overall another home run for me. Love these sticky hop pale ales.

Serving type: growler

05-30-2012 02:28:50 | More by Bendurgin

Hophead717

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Hazy, light straw-orange. Fluffy one finger head caps the beer. Nice.

S: Fresh, semi-sweet sweet citrus. Some grapefruit, but also sweeter mango notes. Lightly resinous. Delightful.

T: Tropical fruits and light citrus upfront, quickly yielding to a mild malt backbone, with a some grassy notes. The finish is lightly bitter. Definitely a less-intense experience than the nose, but it largely follows the scent.

M: Light-bodied, with medium levels of carbonation. I'd like this a little less carbed, but we're splitting hairs on this.

O: Well-done pale ale--definitely one of the better ones that I've had. I'll definitely have a second glass.

Serving type: growler

05-29-2012 01:52:35 | More by Hophead717

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.23/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours dirty straw with a finger of creamy white head and good lacing.

Aroma is dank citrus with a lot of grapefruit. A little more mild than the usual style.

Bright citrus and grapefruit up front. Big juicy tropical fruit flavors come in on the back end and it finishes with a pleasant mild bitterness.

Creamy with medium carbonation levels.

Good beer although I prefer several of HF's other offerings to this.

Serving type: growler

05-25-2012 19:39:22 | More by jmarsh123

largadeer

California

4.3/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks, Jason.

Cloudy, almost milky straw-colored body capped by two fingers of frothy head. The nose is simcoe-heavy, very citrusy with grapefruit the dominant scent. A bit spicy and resinous. There are light yeast esters. Tropical fruit comes out as the beer opens up. Tastes great, very light bodied and mildly bitter, with a really pleasant and mellow hop profile. Tropical fruits and grapefruit up front, with some spiciness beneath. A dry, bready malt backbone supports the hops without lending much sweetness. Body is a tad thin and there's a lot of sediment, but this is otherwise excellent.

Serving type: growler

05-18-2012 23:25:49 | More by largadeer

Treebs

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

32 oz. growler served in a Portsmouth tulip. Huge thanks to Sean (Sean9689) for sharing another HF brew!

A: Pours a hazy gold color with light peach hues. A thick and foamy white head forms on the pours and recedes to a nice ring and film that leave some splotchy lace behind.

S: The nose just explodes with intense hops. Robust pineapple, sweet golden delicious apples and mango are the wonderful fruits up front. There is some nice grassy hops in the middle and the finish is of sweet bread malts.

T: The malts show themselves a bit more in the taste, but it is still wonderfully balanced. Great citrus and tropical fruit flesh with tastes of pineapple and mango with a mix of grassy hops and sweet bread malts.

M: Light bodied with perfect carbonation. Nice and refreshing with a sweet malt and fruit combination that lingers long after the finish.

O: As with the rest of the group I was blown away to find it was only Amarillo and Simcoe hops in this brew. Superbly crafted and wonderfully balanced. The nose was unreal and I could really drink this stuff all day. Please, please, please make this part of the regular rotation. I haven't been this blown away by an APA since my first encounter with Zombie Dust.

Serving type: growler

05-15-2012 14:42:12 | More by Treebs

MarkIntihar

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Zach for the trade! Poured from the growler into my brand new FFF Teku tulip.

A - Pours a cloudy yellow-orange, with a half a fingers worth of pale white head. The head dissolves somewhat quickly into a wisp of white dust on the top of the glass along with a ring around the outer edges of the glass. Head retention is nice from this point, and it seems to cling to the sides of the glass after every sip.

S - WHAM HOPS! Citrus and grass dominate the nose in an exceptionally pungent blend. Incredible nose from the moment I popped the swingtop. Nice vanilla notes in the backdrop as well, complimenting the citrus with a clean finish. Really an exceptional scent to it.

T - Follows nicely from the nose. Very tropical fruit/citrus hop up front, with a nice vanilla malt background flavor. My only complaint is that it is not quite as intense as the nose, but it is still an incredibly well done beer.

M - Dry enough finish to clean the palate, but not too dry to leave me thirsty with every sip. Obviously very little/no alcohol burn with this one, but still pretty incredible how smooth it goes down.

O - Overall, wow, this is the first HF hoppy offering I've traded for, and I honestly couldn't be happier. What an exceptionally balanced pale ale, and one I hope to enjoy again!

Serving type: growler

05-14-2012 23:46:15 | More by MarkIntihar

MasterSki

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Thanks to Sean for sharing this one. Served in a Kuhnhenn goblet.

A - Quick-dissolving white foam settles to some wispy patches, a thin collar, and splotches of lace. Murky peach flesh body.

S - The hop intensity is crazy - I was shocked to discover this only contained Amarillo and Simcoe. The Amarillo is nostril-shredding, with lemon zest, herbs, and a hint of dankness, while the Simcoe provides a tropical undercurrent. I initially thought there might be Nelson in in here, but apparently I'm imagining things. Pleasant vanilla malt sweetness way in the background.

T - Delicious mix of citrus, herbs, stone and tropical fruits, hint of sweet malts, and moderate finishing bitterness. No loss of intensity from the aroma.

M - Zesty carbonation, medium-light body, lightly chewy, dry finish, and minimal alcohol presence.

D - Crushable stuff. I think I like Hoppy Birthday a bit more but this is similarly excellent. I could easily polish off 2L on my own. Hope Shaun Hill makes this a regular offering instead of just an anniversary beer, as it's too goo to only be made once.

Serving type: growler

05-14-2012 19:00:34 | More by MasterSki

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to a great trader for the 750mL growler. Served in a Hill Farmstead long stem tulip. Pours a slightly cloudy pale apricot with a really nice white head and quite a bit of lacing. The nose has some light pineapple along with great citrus character and a bit of rind. Extraordinarily flavorful. Hoppy and great bitterness through the finish. Mouthfeel is unmatched. Classic Hill Farmstead. Love it.

Serving type: growler

05-14-2012 12:44:44 | More by Thorpe429

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

5/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750 ml Growler to HF stemmed tulip glass. Bottled 5 days prior.

A - Poured a hazy yellow/peach colour. One finger of bubbly white head formed and quickly receded to a few bubbles scattered across the top of the beer. Very light lacing.

S - A massive fresh tropical fruit, citrus and pine aroma up front with a moderate bitterness evident. Peach, mango, tangerine, apricot and grapefruit. By far the most appealing APA nose I've experienced.

T - A nice pale ale profile - well hopped but not so much that you wonder if you are drinking an IPA. Tangerine, grapefruit, mango and peach flavours take centre stage with a touch of pine present as well. The malt bill is barely noticeable but adds a very light touch of sweetness. The bitterness is quite dry.

M - Medium body with nice hop oils. Light to moderate carbonation. As noted above, very dry throughout.

O - This is a spectacular APA. My first ever 5/5 rating and unquestionably deserving of it.

Serving type: growler

05-12-2012 19:30:39 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.28/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 2L swingtop growler chilled and split with a friend. Poured into pint glass. I had this filled straight from the brewery about five days ago, so it is still really fresh.

Appearance: Definitely on the lighter side for pale ales, a lot like Edward. Golden yellow to light orange in color with a nice creamy white head and good retention.

Aroma: Tropical fruit and pine notes right off the bat. A really nice pineapple sweetness with a resiny pine note in the back. Really nicely balanced.

Taste: Again, really hop forward. Tons of tropical fruit sweetness throughout. The amarillo and simcoe are both really noticable and play off each other well. Some bitter pine is there, but the pale malt and tropical fruit notes really balance it out well. Really drinkable and refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Manages to be both creamy and smooth. The carbonation is spot on and keeps this refreshing.

Overall, another awesome beer from Hill Farmstead where they really make a common style unique and great. One of the better pale ales I've ever tasted and the only one I can recall being better is probably Edward. I would definitely get this again.

Serving type: growler

05-10-2012 22:37:12 | More by Gosox8787

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wish I could get up to the brewery more. Such amazing beers, and pretty cheap overall too. Love the fresh APAs, IPAs, and saisons.

Pours a nice fizzy fluffy 1 finger head fades fairly slowly with light foamy lacing, fairly hazy golden orange yellow wheat colored beer.

Nose explodes with awesome hops, tropical fruit, citrus, grapefruit, pineapple, light musty resin and passion fruit, juicy fruit, light malts to base it.

Taste starts with more hops, a light creamy pale malt base. Hops again bring tropical fruit, quite juicy, light passion fruit, little musty resin, tangerine, clementine, grapefruit, but not super bitter. Washes down easy and clean, dry, with a nice finish of musty resinous hop that isn't strong, more citrus fruits, crisp and long hop lingering.

Mouth is med bodied, crisp, good carb for growler.

Overall awesome, great hops, tropical fruit, passion fruit, nice clean finish and perfect bitterness with a touch of a fluffy malt base.

Serving type: growler

05-08-2012 13:43:12 | More by jlindros