Walden - Hill Farmstead Brewery

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This one should be really interesting. collab between two of the best IPA/Pale ale breweries in U.S. Can't wait to crack it.

It pours a nice creamy fluffy big bubbled 1 finger head that fades at a med pace with some pot marked lacing, over super hazy blond slightly straw and banana colored beer.

Nose is almost exactly as I expected... it has a touch of heady topper with a touch of Hill Farmstead hops together it seems. Fresh tropical fruit, mango, papaya, guava, hint of pineapple, hint of musty fresh resinous aroma, just a touch of citrus tangerine. And the faintest hint of a light creamy malt underneath.

Taste comes on lighter at first, with a light creamy malt base to start, which makes the beer very drinkable. Then comes the fruity hops, tropical fruit galore, light mango and papaya start, followed by guava, tangerine citrus, hell there's even a hint of banana in there! A faint hint of resinous hop flavor with a touch of citrus rind and passion fruit. Bitterness is very light but lets you know it's there. A touch of lemongrass round off the hop flavors. A hint of sweetness but mostly dry, and smooth creamy malt profile. Finish is drier with a long lingering light bitterness, a hint more tropical fruit hops, a bit of citrus and resin, and a bit of light blond malts lingering.

Mouth is med to slightly lighter bodied, very soft feeling, with decent carb.

Overall... this is what a blond should be. Not any of that light malts and hint of hops. This is a blend of lots of tropical fruits, lighter malts with a full taste profile and soft feel, and ridiculously drinkable. I could pound the entire 750ml growler in a few minutes if I'm not careful. I don't think you can do a blond better, probably pinnacle of the style!

Serving type: growler

07-22-2012 20:18:13 | More by jlindros

doremite

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

06-13-2013 20:26:29 | More by doremite

Psychmusic

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

06-02-2013 01:26:53 | More by Psychmusic

bobv

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

04-17-2013 05:18:06 | More by bobv

TallSaint

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

04-15-2013 13:03:36 | More by TallSaint

straightlambic

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

03-29-2013 01:35:19 | More by straightlambic

AutumnBeerLove

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -18.8%

03-06-2013 18:13:34 | More by AutumnBeerLove

Takeanotherswing

New York

4/5  rDev -7.2%

03-06-2013 03:28:21 | More by Takeanotherswing

vtbeerandbud

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

01-24-2013 19:38:20 | More by vtbeerandbud

jbuddle

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

01-22-2013 21:32:29 | More by jbuddle

CypherEnigma

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

01-19-2013 01:52:04 | More by CypherEnigma

Quackus

New York

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

01-18-2013 22:41:02 | More by Quackus

spycow

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

01-13-2013 21:27:01 | More by spycow

seeswo

Ohio

4/5  rDev -7.2%

01-13-2013 03:12:22 | More by seeswo

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Blackback.

Pours a light, hazed yellow with a dense white head. Leaves plenty of lace and thing ring as the head fades. Crisp bready malt and lemon/citrus hop aroma; nicely balanced. Light bodied, well carbonated with a dry grassy and citrus bitter hop finish. Flavor has a strong bready malt base and tons of lemon and grass, with mild grapefruit juiciness. Amazing for a blonde.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 01:37:38 | More by yourefragile

bpk59

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

01-08-2013 17:35:08 | More by bpk59

benoit917

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

01-08-2013 02:48:18 | More by benoit917

BeerCosmonaut

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

01-05-2013 08:02:06 | More by BeerCosmonaut

AgentZero

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

12-30-2012 19:59:20 | More by AgentZero

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.65/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL growler poured into a snifter. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Hazy with a white head. Yellow/orange body. Very wispy.

Smell - Grapefruit hops, just like Life without Principle #1, but more of an earthy pine hop presence. Pale malt is also more prevalent, which is strange considering this should be less malty.

Taste - Grapefruit hops and that same touch of earthy pine. More pale malts again than its other blonde cohort. Even a touch of bitterness to this one.

Mouthfeel - Light, more body and bitterness than Life without Principle #1, which I don't get. Not quite as easy to drink, though.

Overall - Good. Very nice or a blonde ale. Light in body but still has a good hop bite to it. Impressive as always.

Serving type: growler

12-23-2012 12:59:40 | More by Alieniloquium

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to yourefragile for sharing the growler. Served in Hill Farmstead stemware. Pours a very pale straw color with a really nice white head and plenty of lacing. Nose has nice lemon and a touch of citrus. Intense. Flavor more subdued. Light grain. Fairly bitter and quite dry. Really drinkable.

Serving type: growler

12-16-2012 19:30:32 | More by Thorpe429

chippo33

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

11-30-2012 03:27:03 | More by chippo33

GrumpyOldTroll

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +16%

11-22-2012 18:32:42 | More by GrumpyOldTroll

Romulux

Michigan

4/5  rDev -7.2%

11-11-2012 15:41:04 | More by Romulux

c_patton

3.5/5  rDev -18.8%

11-08-2012 18:48:57 | More by c_patton