Susan - Hill Farmstead Brewery

oline73

Maryland

4.44/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the growler into a goblet.

Pours a slightly cloudy golden amber color. The nose is full of citrus peel bitterness and grassy hops. The flavor is even nicer than the nose. I'm getting citrus peel hop bitterness along with a grassy note here as well. There is just enough light malt behind the hops, gives the beer a pleasant bread like characteristic.. The finish is bitter with a slightly fruity note. The carbonation is smooth with a dry finish.

Serving type: growler

02-15-2013 23:31:11 | More by oline73

cbeer88

Massachusetts

4.46/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml growler poured into HF balloon glass.

A: Peach orange, gorgeous fluffy white 2 fingers of head, a bit cloudy. Killer lacing.

S: Citrus fruit, earthy hops. Peachy.

T: More pine in the flavor than the fruity and earthy hops I got in the nose. Very hoppy, but not overly so. You'd guess this a DIPA based on taste though.

D: Very high. A couple of glasses of this will go down smoothly. Not too strong, alcohol well hidden.

M: Medium body, medium carb.

O: Really great beer. For all of HF's awesome hoppiness, their single IPA's typically take a backseat to Edward and all the DIPA's. Not Susan - she's in that same class.

Serving type: growler

02-09-2013 22:06:36 | More by cbeer88

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.33/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

64oz growler
Filled 1/19/13 (drank at 2 weeks)

A: Pours out the typical HF hazy bright yellow orange color. Still some carbonation after nearly two weeks, I love it! Bright white head with tight tiny bubbles. Leaves some sticky lacing bits on the glass.

S: On the nose, got lots of citrus fruits. Really light on the malt bill. Citrus and some pine notes.

T: Taste follows the nose. Really awesome fruity, citrus and pine IPA. Low on the malt bill, but still some what balance on the palate. Not overly bitter, but you do get that hit right up front on the touch. The finish is dry with some lingering hoppy flavors.

M: Medium bodied.

Serving type: growler

02-04-2013 16:44:53 | More by inlimbo77

aasher

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Growler courtesy of msquared2 and split with my Aunt Susan for her birthday. Thanks Morgan!

Susan pours a medium bodied very cloudy tangerine orange I'm color with a great one finger, bright white and soapy head. The nose is bright and citrusy with a slightly earthy and grassy, mellow hop character. The flavors are very well rounded. There is a lot of citrus up front followed by a spicy bready malt aspect. It finishes with a soapy grassy note that interesting and a little yeasty. It drinks light and soapy and an off dry. I really like it. For an IPA it is very unique. The three hop varietals work very well together. Hats off to Sean Hill. This one worked.

Serving type: growler

02-02-2013 01:17:00 | More by aasher

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Thank you, Eric.

A uniformly cloudy orange (Shaun needs to filter his IPAs some, methinks) with a dense, fluffy, white cap that leaves a gorgeous amount of lacing, this is a great looking IPA. The nose is rather excellent. Bright and fruity, this has a blend of citrus ( blend of orange and grapefruit, close to a white grapefruit, in fact) and the classic Simcoe floral and fruity aromas standing out (mango is noticeable). Moderately juicy, this beer also has a touch of honey to it. Not particularly dank or resiny, this is rather delicate.

The palate opens with a blend of mango, grapefruit, a little lemon and a rather floral pine nose. This really is a potpourri of hop goodness. Bitterness is moderate and is gentle, lacking in the pungency and resiny character that my favorites have, but instead, having an almost-as-enjoyable gently fruity bitterness that is the HFS signature (to me, at least). Malt? What malt? Maybe some pale malt, along with a touch of honey, but really, there isn't much here. The mouthfeel is soft and gentle, with a prodding bitterness and a suffuse fruity hop flavor that fully coats the palate. Initially, it does seems a little watery, but the creamy carbonation does pair rather well with the rest of the flavors here. Lingering flavors on the finish are mango, citrus and some floral character. Excellent stuff.

Serving type: growler

02-01-2013 06:51:41 | More by DefenCorps

gory4d

New York

4.16/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy golden with a dense, tall white head. The smell is lots of big citrus (tangelo, maybe), with some grassy notes and something sweet like cake batter. The taste is again very heavy on the citrus, but with a strong malt backbone; lots of herbal notes, too. It's a little thick, but well carbonated. Reminds me a lot of Edward, but more amped up. A good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2013 18:24:22 | More by gory4d

Damian

Massachusetts

4.29/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Drank on-tap at Lord Hobo, Cambridge, MA
Served in a cervoise

Cloudy, dark mustard yellow in appearance. The liquid was topped by a small, eggshell colored crop of froth that fell to a clingy film. Lacy looking patches of foam trickled down the glass.

The aroma was amazingly skunky and dank. Super weed-like. Piney and resiny. Tropical fruit notes were apparent. Definitely some mango and pineapple. Slightly citrusy.

Citrus notes dominated the flavor profile. Lots of tangerine and orange peel. Touch of lemon. Some pine and resin as well. Semi-bitter notes of white grapefruit came through on the finish.

The mouthfeel was creamy and frothy yet thinner bodied for the style. The liquid contained a lively, spritzy effervescence.

Susan is a very solid IPA but definitely not one of Hill Farmstead's better offerings. Even though this beer is all about hops, I cannot help but think that a touch more malts could help improve the mouthfeel and round out the flavor profile.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 01:14:26 | More by Damian

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.43/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Paul for snagging this gem for me.

The beer is fairly hazy and golden hued with a soft white head. The aroma offers hops, tangy citrus, a hint of grapefruit rind. Delicious flavor. A beautiful hop forward beer. Mild bitterness and nary a hint of alcohol. Refreshing and tasty. It was quite effortless to polish off a pint of this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2013 02:06:20 | More by Huhzubendah

Luk13

Quebec (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

750 growler thanks to Tommy, two and a half week old. Huge pop at the opening, this one was nicely sealed. Intencing danky aroma of onion and weed, some citrus and leaf. This feels like the small cousin of Abner, less powerful but more drinkable. My favourite IPA.

Serving type: growler

01-22-2013 00:38:57 | More by Luk13

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.54/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-hazy golden color with a nice white head and good lacing

S-wonderful aromas of tropical fruit, grapefruit, pine, herbal hints

T-grapefruit, pine, pineapple, mango, grassy, nice bitter hop finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp and clean

O-a top notch IPA bursting with flavor and aroma, would love to see this available in bottles

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2013 02:25:56 | More by MDDMD

Kinsman

New Hampshire

4.58/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

750ml growler poured into HF glass. Fills the glass with a bright hazy orange body and a creamy white head. Pretty much standard appearance for an HF IPA. Bursting with citrus on the nose, especially grapefruit and a bit of lemon. Some floral and pine notes mixed in as well.

Nice juicy citrus flavors on the palate with notes of grapefruit and orange. A bit tropical as well. Finishes with some piney character and a pleasant bitterness. Thinner in the body than expected but that is likely because I'm more familiar with some of HF stronger DIPAs.

Overall, a real winner of an IPA as expected. It's nice to be able to get this much citrusy and piney hop flavor without committing to a heavy hitting Double IPA.

Serving type: growler

01-20-2013 02:11:28 | More by Kinsman

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.66/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to DaveHack for the hookup o this one. The beer poured out as a nice hazy yellow color with a massive fluffy white head. The smell of citrus fills the air after popping the growler and pouring out into the glass. There is a beautiful soft grapefruit aroma on this. There is a very nice citrusy flavor too with subtle waves of wheat ad grains in there as well. The mouthfeel is soft, light bodied and refreshing. Overall this is a great IPA. Very good stuff.

Serving type: growler

01-19-2013 00:41:54 | More by Knapp85

Skrip

South Carolina

4.38/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml growler poured into a Jester King snifter

A~cloudy glowing orange with a nice white head

S~loads of citrus and tons of hops. very tropical

T~wow it really comes out now. great hop bitterness with all the right tropical fruits. lemon, mango, grapefruit, orange, and even a little kiwi

M~nice carbonation, smooth as could be and bitter on the back of the throat

O~ really good IPA, this one i could put in my top 5. i had this back to back with Double Galaxy, definitely enjoyed this one a lot more. which is strange usually i would pick a DIPA over a regular IPA, especially in an american style. this is damn good! get it any way you can!

Serving type: growler

01-17-2013 01:52:02 | More by Skrip

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Michael for the growler. Served in Hill Farmstead stemware. Pours a slightly-hazy orange color with a full, fluffy white head with great retention and lacing.

The nose starts off with some nice bursts of tropical and citrus fruits. As it warms there is a bit more citrus and just a touch of resin. Flavor is stunning, with the perfect bitterness level to complement the hop flavors. Light-medium body and extremely drinkable.

Another hoppy home run from Hill Farmstead.

Serving type: growler

01-15-2013 11:37:28 | More by Thorpe429

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.6/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750 mL growler, served in a HF wine glass.

Pours a hazed golden copper with a dense fluffy white head. Nose has heavy with resiny tropical fruits and earthy pine. Flavor is a little sweeter, with grapefruit rind, pineapple, mango and peach and a dry earthy pine and grassy finish. Medium thick body, soft carbonation and a sticky, bitter finish. Great balance of hops as the Simcoe pine plays nicely with the leafy NZ hop tropical fruitiness. The Riwaka single hop was a little more "exceptional" and a better showcase for that hop, but Susan's subtlety and balance make this much easier to drink.

The smell and overall scores are more of a 4.75 but I refuse to use the new quarter intervals in scores since I never had access to them the previous 6 years of reviewing. Just...whatever.

Serving type: growler

01-12-2013 15:17:09 | More by yourefragile

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to DonFrap!

Pours a very hazy opaque dark almost muddy orange. Two fingers of off white head. Lost of web by lace.

Bright citrus aroma, with some floral hops and touches of pine and sweet bread malts.

Taste is high citrus, ,old grapefruit, some sweet orange, spice, somewhat resinous.

Has a great feel, somewhat light bodies, good mild crisp carbonation, some slickness.

Another great HF IPA, but I think Abner is better still. Yeah, I'm splitting hairs ;)

Serving type: growler

01-03-2013 02:48:54 | More by EgadBananas

unclejazz

New York

4.85/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Queens Kickshaw in Astoria. 12oz pour into tulip.

A-this is a magnificent beer to behold. Glad I am enjoying it in the day so I can see its vibrant copper color beautiful fluffy 1/2" head and beautiful lacing and consistent visible micro-carbonation. This a like a Van Gogh or Matisse, gorgeous.

S-Hints of orange and grapefruit with a backbone of piney resin. Kind of like an Ephraim-lite.

T-wonderful citrus burst, best example of grapefruit I have had in a perfect way. There is a pine based with mango and pineapple all over the place.

M-my mouth was watering thru the entire experience. Beautiful bit of tingle on the tongue, great level of carbonation, and reminiscent of OJ with a bit of pulp. Quite pleasing.

O-I love White Raja and really enjoy Fat Head and Flower Power, Blind Pig, and Zombie Dust. With that all said, this brew killed it in a way that none of those beers was able to. The best part is that the flavor lingers in the back of your throat. I would love to have regular access to this beauty.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2013 18:06:00 | More by unclejazz

kevanb

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml growler poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass.

The beer pours a really lovely copper honey color, hues of gold and light amber, very cloudy complexion. A nice finger and a half of white soapy heady appears and has good retention, lots of film atop the beer after the head has completely receded and wonderful soapy lacing survives the entire session. The aroma is spectacular, bright and vibrant notes of grapefruit and pineapple, floral notes of a fresh bouquet of wildflowers are very dominant as well, light earthy pine is there as well with a healthy amount of pale cereal malt. I could stick my nose in this beer forever, the balance is wonderful and the brightness is really special. The flavors are nice but fall a bit flat compared to the nose, grapefruit, pineapple and tangerine are all present with the same kick of fresh wildflower and lemongrass, the earthiness take over at the finish with bitter dirty pine and grassy weeds and some stronger sweeter malt than the nose suggested. Susan is full bodied, lower on the spectrum of carbonation but still lively and appropriate for the style and has a nice dry bitter finish that leaves a bit of a cottonmouth sensation behind.

Verdict: A really wonderful IPA from Hill Farmstead and another triumph in their hoppy arsenal. The aroma is really something to behold, a truly delightful beer to savor and enjoy.

Serving type: growler

12-31-2012 22:36:41 | More by kevanb

lovindahops

New York

4.88/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

HF Susan, my first growler from our trip to the brewery yesterday. I am excited to try the application of New Zealond hops in this

A- Susan pours a gorgeous mango orange fill with highly anticipate hazy color. A creamy white head of foam rises only to slowly subside leaving lacing everywhere. It's a sticky as possible it can be towards the edges

S- A plethora of citrus and tropical fruit tones burst out of the glass. Some sweet malt is present along with a pepper like presence. Susan is very lively and floral and that is exactly how I like ipas. Even a slight pine scent at the end just to round it off

T- an onslaught of tropical fruit, pineapple, and lemon zest wax my taste buds in the form of a green mountain avalanche. While the hoppiness is out of this world, a sweet malt undertone coates the palate with some of the aforementioned pepper tone. This is the real deal for an India pale ales taste profile. Hoppy as can be with emphasis on citrus and bitter characteristics as well

M- carbonation, smoothness, coating flavor that has the perfect feel. Sticky on the palate and delicious aftertaste

O- so it is now a fact for me. For ipas only, Susan passes Flower power as the best ipa I have ever had. The riwaka hops combined with simcoe and citra (and topped off with shaun's brewing style) created a citric hop bomb of mouth watering flavor. I really enjoyed this and wish I had easier access to it

Serving type: growler

12-30-2012 19:21:59 | More by lovindahops

rlee1390

Indiana

4.48/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Cloudy orange, one finger head, great lacing.

S-Lots of citrus, very hoppy, some grass and lemon, great balance.

T-Great balance, citrus, lemon and pine all mesh together perfectly. Mild bitterness in the finish.

M-Medium bodied with nice carbonation.

O-What a beer, a great IPA, could use a tad bit mor bitterness for my liking but a great beer.

Serving type: growler

12-30-2012 00:43:27 | More by rlee1390

TWStandley

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the growler into my Urthel glass. Split with my brother.

Appeared a hazy, orange/goldish color with a robust white head.

Smelled of grapefruit and citrus, as well as some honey.

Taste is delicious - very refrehsing. Some lemon and earthy tones detected. Alcohol non existent.

Mouthfeel was spot on, just the right amount of carb, nice tartness and malts to back the hops.

Overall a delicious IPA. Not the greatest ever but definitely nice.

Serving type: growler

12-29-2012 22:10:28 | More by TWStandley

Patrickbrusil

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 2 day old 750ml growler.

This stuff is aromatic as all hell: piney, citrus juice, slight tropical fruit, and a whiff of awesome hit me all at once. The pour is a deep golden yellow with a smaller than expected white laced head.

The taste is divine: crisp and tight. Fruity, juicy, and oh so beautifully smooth. It just dances in the mouth and down the throat.

I'm in love. Never had a regular IPA be such a blast. This is real love guys.

Serving type: growler

12-25-2012 15:04:36 | More by Patrickbrusil

portia99

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fresh 750ml growler poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass. Big thanks to Jared for picking this up for me on a recent trek to the brewery.

A - Pours a hazy, fruity juicy looking, pale dirty orange color - almost looks like thin grapefruit juice. A thick two fingers of fluffy and a bit rocky off white foam with good staying power and shape retention. Lingers for a couple of minutes and falls slowly to the surface leaving a small mountain of foam in the middle of the glass and lots of sticky webs of lacing on the sides of the glass.

S - Lots of hoppy good aromas here. I get a big hit of pine up front surrounded by dense grapefruity citrus aromas. Quite resiny and sticky smelling beer...a sharp Riwaka spiciness and a fair amount of sweaty-ness in the hops also. Malt...maybe a touch can be found under all of the fresh hops, but it is a bit of a stretch - hints of sugary sweetness is really all I can pick up here. Great smelling IPA.

T - A bit of sweetness at the base that quickly is overtaken by a mid-level bitterness that is crisp and has a nice linger to it on the tongue. Resiny pine makes the biggest impression on my palate, followed by the sweaty sticky hop flavors. Citrus is well integrated as well although it is lost a bit behind the pine aspects. Rounded out by the herbal and spicy southern hemisphere hop flavors. The pungency of the hop aroma led me to expect a bit more intensity in the hop flavor. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of hop flavor here, but it is surprisingly tame on the palate. It doesn't hit the tongue like a sledgehammer of hops like I expected it would. instead it is rather smooth and a bit gentle allowing a lot of hop complexity to come thru.

M - Carbonation is a bit on the lower side of medium, giving a light tingle on the tongue. Body is also a touch lighter than medium. Sticky body with a wealth of hops complexity - citrus, pine, spice, herbal...great mix.

O - Overall, a very good American IPA. One of the better examples of the style using New Zealand hops. I find that the NZ hops on their own are interesting but just a little bit "off" for me. This has a mix of American and NZ hops that works quite well...super complexity in the hop profile with a wealth of different flavors that play off of each other without any one hop really dominating. Glad to have been able to try this one.

Serving type: growler

12-20-2012 01:12:43 | More by portia99

jegross2

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewing Susan from the Hill Farmstead Brewery out of Vermont.

Score: 87

Two week old 2L growler. Served in a stemmed Hill Farmstead snifter and enjoyed on 09/19/12.

Appearance: Pours a translucent sunset yellow color with three fingers of white foamy head. Really good lacing and excellent retention. Leaks a lot of streaky head along the side of the glass. 4.5/5

Smell: Orange, pine, sweet malt, citra pellets, grapefruit and a faint wood aroma. 4/5

Taste: There's lots of sweet tropical fruit and malt, but none of the necessary bitterness for an IPA. Oranges, grapefruit and mango. The citra hopping is clear. There's a faint bitter pine in the finish that needs to be more prominent. Tastes a lot like hoppy, unfermented wort -- somewhat underattenuated quite frankly. Not bad, but not that good either. Gets sweeter/maltier as it approached room temperature. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full-medium bodied with decent carbonation. Super dry, almost cotton-mouthing. Bitter on the finish, sweet on the pull. 3.5/5

Overall: Missing the necessary bitter kick. This is a rare miss for Shawn Hill in my worthless opinion.

Recommendation: If you have to skip any Hill Farmstead IPA, make it this one.

Pairings: Thai food.

Cost: $25 for a 2L growler (including the cost of the growler).

Serving type: growler

12-15-2012 05:24:31 | More by jegross2

ehammond1

California

4.6/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Growler

Thanks so much for sending this to me, baconsausage!

Cloudy, hazy, murky dark orange, but nearly a light brown because of all the residual sediment. This leaves the glass very messy with sheets of sticky irregular lacing all the way down. Gorgeous IPA, and unique in it's incredible lack of clarity. Is that due to a wheat addition?

Stinging citrus notes abound in this IPA--lots of grapefruit flesh and zest, juicy orange and mango, and a bit of pine sap. There's a touch of a sweet malt character underlying the fruit, but this is simply, yet outrageously citrus-forward.

The flavor is similar to the aroma, with huge amounts of grapefruit and pineapple making up the abundance of the flavors' notes, along with an assertive, yet complementary earthy bitterness that lingers on the back end. Extraordinary.

Medium bodied with moderate to high, yet slightly creamy, carbonation. Marvelously drinkable.

An exceptional IPA. In the upper echelon of IPAs and my favorite from Hill Farmstead.

Serving type: growler

12-11-2012 04:15:34 | More by ehammond1