Fear And Trembling - Hill Farmstead Brewery

stevec32

New York

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

03-07-2013 03:43:59 | More by stevec32

manutdfan

Florida

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-21-2013 16:41:19 | More by manutdfan

jbeervt

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-20-2013 21:28:09 | More by jbeervt

thegerm87

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-20-2013 18:15:23 | More by thegerm87

metter98

New York

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is nearly jet black in color - slight traces of amber are visible near the edge of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a thin head that died down, leaving a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of dark roasted coffee beans are present in the nose. Light bits of smoke become detectable as the beer warms up.
T: Like the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of coffee beans and dark roasted malts and also has a light amount of bitterness. Notes ofchocolate and smoke become noticeable as the beer warms up.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a complex yet relatively easy to drink compared to other Baltic Porters.

Note: Bottled January 2013

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:17:27 | More by metter98

Bandi

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-19-2013 22:16:10 | More by Bandi

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottled January 2013.

A: Pours a mostly opaque yet clear very dark brown (approaching jet black) in color with light amounts of visible carbonation and some very dark amber + cola brown highlights. The beer has a half finger tall sudsy tan head that reduces to a medium sized medium thick patch of larger bubbles and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of dark roasted malts and roasted coffee. There are lighter hints of smoked malts and some light amounts of chocolate.

T: Upfront there are moderate to strong flavors of smoked malts and darkly roasted malts. Then there are some lighter flavors of roasted coffee and dark baker's chocolate. Moderate amounts of lingering bitterness in the finish.

M: Just heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth with some light dryness in the finish.

O: The alcohol is well hidden and there is a very nice amount of complexity in the smell and taste of this beer. Nice addition of smoked malts without getting into the medicinal flavors or aromas. Well balanced and one to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:12:22 | More by dbrauneis

smithj4

New York

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-19-2013 22:00:54 | More by smithj4

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-18-2013 22:01:09 | More by Photekut

mattvandyk

Michigan

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-18-2013 15:53:48 | More by mattvandyk

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -18%

05-18-2013 06:46:10 | More by beernads

illy0sis

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-14-2013 22:03:45 | More by illy0sis

ScottO

California

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-14-2013 14:25:33 | More by ScottO

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.18/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle opened on 4.23.13
Bottled Jan 2013

A - Pours a very dark brown with a one finger light brown clumpy head with good retention and lacing left on the glass.

S - Light smoke and roasted malts.

T - Smokey, roasted malt, chocolate.

D - Silky smooth - decent carbonation and a medium to heavy body.

O - Smokey and silky. Nice for the style. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 04:52:03 | More by HuskyinPDX

koopa

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-12-2013 18:28:25 | More by koopa

jl28r1

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-12-2013 14:01:24 | More by jl28r1

monitorpop

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-12-2013 02:45:38 | More by monitorpop

SPRichard

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-11-2013 17:05:32 | More by SPRichard

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pitch black color with a low and tight beach sand colored head. Once the head dissipates it's left looking flat and tranquil with not even a hint of carbonation at the surface.

The smoke is subtle in the aroma and accompanied by coffee, chocolate fudge, and root beer.

The chocolate and coffee share the lead with the smoke, which pops a lot more than in the scent. It's a nice balance of sweet and smokey with just a touch of bitterness in the finish, like coffee grounds.

Mouthfeel is smooth and medium bodied. It drinks much lighter than a 9.30% beer, though.

Another great beer from HF, no surprise there. The smoke plays a big role in this one but doesn't dominate.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 02:15:58 | More by Vonerichs

justforrazors

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-10-2013 01:42:29 | More by justforrazors

Shilt

Virginia

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-09-2013 19:45:54 | More by Shilt

briiguy

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-09-2013 15:31:55 | More by briiguy

KevSal

California

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-09-2013 06:00:11 | More by KevSal

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-08-2013 13:07:10 | More by InspectorBob

mechamifune

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very deep dark brown with a slight tan head. Strong lacing and carbonation in the glass. A very nice looking beer.

Smell is smoke, tobacco, leather, chocolate, coffee...smoke is the stronest note here but it is a nice, complex smell.

Taste is smokey upfront followed by some sweetness and then a bitter/acidic coffee-like finish. Just like the smell, this is pretty complex, but i'm not convinced it all melds together as well as it could. No real hop presence. Smoke, again, is probably the most obvious note but it's not overpowering.

Mouthfeel is pretty smooth if not particularly full. Could stand to have just a little more body, but that's more a personal preference than anything.

Overall I feel a little conflicted about this beer. Nothing is particularly wrong with this beer, and I enjoyed drinking it, but I can't say i'd make a point of drinking it again. It's a nice integration of smoked malt and the smoke element is far from overpowering, but that flavor note has just never been one i've been crazy about. In the end though, its worth a try if you can get it and you have an affinity for baltic porters and/or smoked beers of any kind.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 04:00:00 | More by mechamifune