Ann - Hill Farmstead Brewery

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle #18 purchased in person during the release last weekend shared with Wowcoolman, Auror, and WkndatBernardus at our tasting (served right after Anna). Served in Hill Farmstead stemware, split 4-ways.

First off I have to say the beeswax waxing definitely gives off a nice sweet honey smell.

A- Wax was fairly easy to get through.The bottle started off a little bit of a gusher, but not bad at all. Pours with a hazy yellowish golden (very similar to Anna) with some definite sedimentation towards the end of the bottle. A couple fingers of head with decent retention, nice carbonation, decent lacing.

S- Sour lemons, citrus, honey, barnyard funk, some sauvignon, hay, etc.. Well above average aroma strength, I could smell this beer when it was being poured 5 feet away from me. Definitely a lot more sour then Anna.

T- Sour lemons, hay, citrus, sauvignon, honey, some well balanced lactic acidity that fit very well with the other flavors. The base tastes of Anna are still there however there is a completely different level of sourness + acidity that the barrel aging provides that adds a whole different component to this beer and definitely adds new level of complexity and improvement.

M- Acidity left a nice tingling feeling on the mouth. Light, perfect summer beer, very easy to drink, abv very well hidden.

O- This was a remarkable beer. Anna was good in itself and the barrel aging took this beer to a whole different level. There was definitely a lot more acidity and funk going on, almost so much that it seemed like a completely different beer. At the same time everything was perfectly balanced. The funk + sourness blended perfectly with the honey and citrus to make an insanely drinkable beer. Our favorite beer at the tasting tonight (and there were some great beers) and definitely another masterpiece from Shaun at Hill Farmstead. Keep up the great work, glad I got to share it with some awesome BAs!

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 04:39:27 | More by jaasen64

Greenplastic615

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -7.4%

05-19-2013 03:35:18 | More by Greenplastic615

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev -2%

05-18-2013 21:52:36 | More by Photekut

beernads

Florida

5/5  rDev +8.9%

05-18-2013 06:47:41 | More by beernads

ShawDeuce22

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%

05-15-2013 11:18:44 | More by ShawDeuce22

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -7.4%

05-13-2013 05:44:07 | More by Bonko_the_sane

HopHead84

California

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

04/06/2013

Thanks! Bottle into a snifter.

A: Bright golden with good clarity for the majority of the bottle (it's been sitting for months). An inch of white foam lingers for a while and leaves lacing as it recedes.

S: The aroma is lightly tart with grain, honey, apple, and oak. There's a touch of lactic character with much citrus: lemon, orange, grapefruit. It's somewhat floral with a little pepper-like spiciness.

T: Grainy malt is present in the flavor, accompanying a touch of tartness and a dash of sweetness. The beer is drying on the palate. Lemon, orange, and oak are present, with a bit of leather. Honey is evident.

M: The mouthfeel is smooth and soft, sticky and dry, with high carbonation.

Overall: Ann is one of the better Saisons I've had, and an absolute pleasure to drink. I would love to have a growler of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 19:34:47 | More by HopHead84

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%

05-07-2013 23:24:20 | More by cadaugherty

dunix

Vermont

5/5  rDev +8.9%

05-07-2013 14:29:45 | More by dunix

PEIhop

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -2%

05-03-2013 20:16:22 | More by PEIhop

claaark13

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -7.4%

04-29-2013 17:17:53 | More by claaark13

baybum

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +8.9%

04-29-2013 16:52:15 | More by baybum

cfrances33

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -2%

04-29-2013 01:38:55 | More by cfrances33

SpdKilz

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%

04-28-2013 15:09:53 | More by SpdKilz

Gonzoillini

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%

04-27-2013 12:35:55 | More by Gonzoillini

jmilo64

Maine

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%

04-21-2013 18:31:37 | More by jmilo64

rondufresne

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%

04-21-2013 01:08:29 | More by rondufresne

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +8.9%

04-06-2013 16:12:54 | More by CliffBrake

surlytheduff

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -7.4%

04-01-2013 18:58:34 | More by surlytheduff

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -7.4%

02-02-2013 23:18:09 | More by Retail1LO

RuckusDu

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Is it worth the hype? I would say it is. For that one special occasion when you want the best out there, Ann is the choice. It's absolutely wonderful. I wouldn't give up what it commands in trades for another bottle, but having it once is a good thing.

Generally cloudy yellow golden. White foam. Some yellow in it. Aroma is elegant. Honey, Saison, lemon, and dust. Smooth as hell. Flavor is spectacular. Lemon/lime, honey, a hint of alcohol burn. Hint of rind. Mouth is smooth with a little dryness. Great carbonation. Overall a wonderful piece of art.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 15:09:13 | More by RuckusDu

mark99

New York

3.5/5  rDev -23.7%

01-25-2013 04:14:55 | More by mark99

starkmarvelo

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -45.5%

01-17-2013 23:20:42 | More by starkmarvelo

dcguitar

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +8.9%

01-17-2013 22:43:16 | More by dcguitar

Mbrown44

Delaware

4.5/5  rDev -2%

01-14-2013 18:36:59 | More by Mbrown44