Singel - Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

homebrewer88

Virginia

4.47/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a light gold color and was somewhat hazy, one finger of white head didn't stick around too long.
It has that typical Belgian smell that I love with some banana and apple.
Taste followed the smell with the banana and some apple but also had a mild spice to it, very nice.
The mouthfeel was thin with a good deal of carbonation.
Overall I was very impressed and look toward to more from hardywood park.

Serving type: growler

10-22-2011 03:10:04 | More by homebrewer88

avalon07

South Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had a golden yellow color and a cloudy consistency. There was an inch and a half of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A lot of fruit, along with a good deal of yeast and malt.

T: Tasted of yeast, malt, citrus (lemon), spices, and some other light fruit. A very vibrant, effervescent flavor with just the right amount of complexity.

M: A huge amount of carbonation with a crisp, smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

O: One of the better examples of an American version of a Belgian beer. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 14:26:27 | More by avalon07

rudolphjacksonm

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a brilliant golden hue with a one-finger white head that dissipates rather quickly. Barely any lacing. Somewhat cloudy consistency but the color is truly something to behold. 4.5

S - Smells of apricot, pear, bergamot and plum along with malt and a bit of hops. Overall, even though it's a bit faint it smells delicious. 4.0

T - The taste is hard to describe but is wonderful. It's a mixture of sweet maltiness and bitter hops at the back of the tongue. Begins with a characteristic Belgian Pale Ale flavor (slightly sweet with a bitter aftertaste) yielding hints of lemon, citrus, and pear. Then hoppy finish is great and leaves you craving another sip immediately after. 4.5.

M - Feels pretty good overall. Smooth consistency and slightly tingly, only mild amount of carbonation but it's just the right amount for this type of beer. 4.0.

Overall, I'm very, VERY impressed with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery so far. Their Singel is a great beer and their Farmhouse Pumpkin is a wonderful example of what a pumpkin ale should strive to be. I'd give the Singel a 4.5 out of 5 overall, and I hope that people give Hardywood a try in the near future!

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 21:11:38 | More by rudolphjacksonm

danmouer

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The brewers call this a Belgian Blond which is a far more accurate description than the BPA designation found here at BA. This beer seems to clearly be an attempt to match or excede Lefse Blond or Val Dieu Blond, and it does that admirably. So I found myself confsed by te name, "SIngel" and the brewery's clain that this is meant tobe an iNterpretation of a Belgian Trappist Enkel (or "Patersbier" or "Tafelbier)." but those liquid varieties iof monks' daily bread tip the scale at 2.5 to a max of about 4 percent ABV. Despite the namea and the claim, this beer is a Belgian Blond Strong Ale, using the BJCP guidelines, and it is a very good one.

I downgraded it a bit for appearance because my examples (2) have both been quite hazy, looking more like a saison or hefeweissbier. Nonetheless the dry, well-attenuated grainy-fruity nose and flavor are just what they should be.

This new brewery (Hardywood Park) has just opened in my hometown, Richmond, Va., and I am looking forward to seeing their Singel proliferate and become the daily swill of our town's growing beer-smart public. It's very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 00:14:42 | More by danmouer

BeerMeDatBeer

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

a - Color is what you'd expect from a "blonde" ale. Inch of white head.

s - Smell has a balanced fruitiness to it; not overpowering. I think they did a good job here.

t - Really easy to drink; you can taste the fruit and spices, but again, not overpowering.

m - Light mouthfeel with a little hoppy kick to it, but overall, great!

o - I really like the beer as something in between a "sippin' beer" and a "drinkin beer" because its tasty but light.

I also met the owners today, and they were really cool. Brewery tries to be as green as possible and form bonds with the community in which it lives (Richmond). That's good news for Richmonders! Seems like they're always open to suggestions and ideas about beers to produce or ways to run the business.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 23:28:24 | More by BeerMeDatBeer

nandemo1

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is a new beer from a brand new brewery in Richmond. It is an unfiltered blonde ale brewed with a Belgian abbey yeast strain, hitting 6.2% and 30 ibus.

Poured a slightly hazy golden with a finger of white fizzy head. Left almost zero lacing but it is well carbonated, continuing to bubble for the duration of the glass.

Smell and taste are both Belgian funky, in a good way. Esters give you banana and maybe some apple, while hops add some mild spice.

Mouthfeel is light and crisp, quite bubbly.

Overall, this is a very refreshing drink, would make a nice lawnmower beer, in moderation.

Serving type: growler

10-19-2011 01:35:45 | More by nandemo1

TechTriumph

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From notes on 11/20/11:
No freshness date; Poured in a snifter.

A - Very cloudy, golden/straw colored; 1-1/2" white bubbly head that quickly diminishes to a thin layer; Some lacing around the glass

S - Nice bouquet of aromas going on here; Notes of cloves, lemons, apples, pears, and grains; Subtle spices and tropical fruits as well

T - Taste is much like the aroma; Cloves, bananas, grains, lemons, apples, and pears come through with subtle flavors of tropical fruits and spices; Overall flavor is lightly acidic as well

M - Lots of carbonation; Between light and medium bodied; Very crisp, clean, and slightly dry finish

O - This is a unique choice for Hardywood Park's flagship beer, but they have done a nice job to make this an easy drinking and refreshing Belgian Blonde. Though it is 6.2% ABV, the lighter body and tasty flavor allow this to be a sessionable type beer. I look forward to having more of this beer, especially in the warmer months of the year.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 20:09:47 | More by TechTriumph

beer2day

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a stunningly clear light gold with 3 fingers of dense white head. Nice retention and lace.

Bready, yeasty nose with decent representation of light lemon. Moderate to light hop presence. Light spices without overpowering. Smells just like what a Belgian pale should.

Flavor comes from light lemons, moderate spice, Belgian yeast, bread malt, and a crisp finish. There is a little too much sugary sweetness that really coats the tongue.

Feel is a little on the heavy side. Too heavy for the flavors.

Overall, except for the heavy feel this is a pretty decent representation.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 01:35:29 | More by beer2day

engagechad

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased at Station 2 in Richmond, VA - pint

Finally a brew that is actually local to me. :)

Pours a beautiful straw, hazy as anything and fat head that pours over as if it were screaming "YEAST!!"

Smells wonderful, great flowery citrusy spicy goodness. Taste follows, very complex blend of flavors and feelings.. tickles in all the right ways.. spice is understated and nice, mouthfeel is wonderfull.

My opinion on belgian style brews is pretty uninformed.. but i really liked this beer.. call me a homer if you will but I thought it was a great example of the style and it is my fav belgian style thus far. the only other BPA I have had was from Ommegang

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 16:21:38 | More by engagechad

HopHeadVA

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a sample of this at Capital Ale in Downtown Richmond a while ago and then just the other night at their Illumination party. It's a fairly standard Belgian ale that's very drinkable. I'm more of an IPA and stout kind of person, but would enjoy this in the summertime. Comparable to an Ommegang or Allagash quality beer. Keep it up Hardywood! Glad to see VA get some more breweries.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2011 15:51:59 | More by HopHeadVA

WMEugene

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

My first brew from the hot new brewery in my hometown...

A - Pours a nice, hazy golden color with an ok head and great lacing. A bit bubbly as well.

S - Definitely fruity Belgian notes. A little bit of that yeast funk, lemon, a little bit of spice and pepper.

T - Much like the nose, Belgian funkiness mixes fruity notes. A slight bit of spice/pepper is ever-present. A very good example of the style, but nothing truly unique.

M - Medium bodied, well carbonated, and very chewy. Great finish...almost like a wine at the end.

O - Hardywood Park's Singel is a very good example of the Belgian Pale Ale style and is an interesting and unique flagship for the young brewery. It's not quite world-class, but a great start. I look forward to checking out their other brews.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 00:03:04 | More by WMEugene

Beejay

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Slightly Dusty in the glass, and an apricot gold color. A large silky white head is on top. Looks lovely.

S: Bananas, raisins, and cloves. There is a sweet caramel or marshmallow scent in there.. It almost smells like bananas cooked with brown sugar, or a caramel glaze. Nice.

T: The hops are certainly a little more present that in a lot of Belgian beers labeled as singel. There is a flavor that I usually associate with English hops. It's not a bad thing, just a little different and interesting. The banana and clove come through behind the hops, as does a bit of the caramel. The bittering comes out again in the finish with a slightly earthy softness. The homebrewer in me tastes something similar to the Chimay yeast strain.

M: Medium in body, the carbonation is pleasant and keeps it fairly light.

O: Overall a very nice beer. As you continue to drink it the bitterness softens a bit and the clove and banana become more pronounced. Overall I really like it.

Serving type: growler

01-19-2012 00:53:02 | More by Beejay

sethstout

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I did had Hardywood SINGEL last night. Bought from the Wal-Mart off of broad (west end). F.Y.I. Richmonders great beer selection all things considered. Sorry to digress.

I used a stem glass (chimay glass to be exact).

Upon pouring I noticed a slight head that dissipated soon there-after. The first glass contained a golden yellow pale ale color and the second glass poured a more amber color, as if an amber ale.

The smell from the bottle was not as prominent as the aroma from the glass. The glass led to a crisp, citrus smell. Personally, I prefer the smell of stouts and porters.

When drinking you first notice the citrus yeast overtones. This is then left to give you a smokey after taste; I am guessing on account of the malts.

The mouthfeel is something of a lightly carbonated soda. Enough carbonation to lighten the beer, but not so much it feels like you stuck an air-pump up to your stomach.

Over all I would say this is a great flagship beer for both Hardywook Park Craft Brewery and those wanting to learn more about beer, but not sure where to start.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 16:22:56 | More by sethstout

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy yellow-gold with a moderate white head. Aroma is very nice, Belgian yeasts dominate and with a little bit of banana and a bit of a fruity aroma as well. Flavor follows the nose, with the Belgian yeasts and banana really coming forward at first. It's got a light, crisp fruitiness and then a bit of a hop bite at the finish. Very refreshing and drinkable. Mouthfeel is thin-medium bodied and just right for the style. Overall, this is a very tasty Belgian pale ale and a great flagship beer for an up-and-coming brewery. It's not incredible, but I would certainly have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 23:25:36 | More by starrdogg

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bomber split with my lady.

A: very blond, very hazy, opaque looking body. head is tightly bubbles and bright white. retention is good as is the lacing.

S: ginger. an earthy, spicy, hop character. perhaps some freshly cracked black pepper.

T: chalky, earthy, bitter undertones. fruits include melon, grapefruit, and pear. bubblegum. essentially no aftertaste. very dry. perhaps a slight bitter linger, but just for a moment.

M: a lively carbonation on a medium body. well-done.

D: my only complaint, of few, would be to play around with a belgian yeast that didnt dry this out so much. wouldnt hate for a more lasting bitter linger. otherwise, totally crushable and well-made.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 01:33:29 | More by Jimmys

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 22oz bomber to Bruges hybrid glass on 7/7/12
*From notes

A: Clean mango-lemon in hue. Bone white half finger head on a hard pour. Lackluster retention. Lackluster lacing and collar.

S: The nose is freshly prepped bisquick, lemon rind and spice.

T: Lots of Belgian yeast, plenty of acidity, fruity citrus and medium toast.

M: Crisp, clean and easy to drink. Medium to light in body.

O: As far as flagship beers go, this is a good one. I'm not typically a BPA fan, yet this is flavorful, complex and quaffable. I look forward to returning to this one in the not-too-distant-future.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 06:43:09 | More by Rhettroactive

sommersb

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 11-19-2012
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 750ml brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Balloon glass
Purchased: Received in a trade

Appearance is bright golden in color and clear, with tons of bubbles streaming from the bottom of the glass. Head is tight and maybe 2 and a half fingers, Both head retention and lacing are very good. The last pour has some haziness from the bottle conditioning.

Aromas have peppery spices, a light malt sweetness, some wood/oak notes, hay, and a touch of lemon/citrus tartness. Reminds me of a saison; very nice

The taste features spicy hops and a fair amount of bitterness. Also has a lightly toasted bread flavor with some graininess. Mouthfeel is crisp with a high level of carbonation. Medium bodied with a dry, citrus aftertaste. Mellows nicely as it warms

Overall a good tasting beer, similar to a pilsner but less harsh.

Thanks to Steve for this one!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 03:16:47 | More by sommersb

kylehay2004

Florida

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: thin head rapidly dissipates on a hazy golden with slight orange hue body.

S: clove, mustard seed, pale malts, belgian yeast with very mild banana notes.

T: this one is very tart and sour but not so much that its mouth curdling. Lots of belgian yeast, clove and other herbs, musty hops and malts.

M: this one is pretty dry. light to medium body and high carbonation.

Overall: I really liked how Belgian this one is

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 01:07:41 | More by kylehay2004

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.81/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #63 (Apr 2012):

LOOK: Clear golden yellow, thin wispy white lace

SMELL: Yeast, green banana skin, white pepper, gummy, orchard must

TASTE: Semi-crisp, red apple, mixed fruit-cup juice, herbal hop; medicinal, pithy, chalky, gummy, slightly astringent, peppercorn, cracker-like dry malt, salty, yeasty, oily hop, dry finish

Simple yet intricate, with yeast nuances ... perhaps too much so? That would be our only gripe with this beer. The yeast dominates. In fact, it's a yeast bomb. Some taming would push this beer into the exceptional range. Regardless, a good stab at an Abbey-style Blonde Ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 00:35:02 | More by BeerAdvocate

siege06nd

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic pint...

A: Pours a hazy, pale straw gold color. Huge two finger crisp white head that sifts down to a half finger with great retention. Lacing is excellent.

S: Apples, grapes, pear skin. A little bit of brown sugar. Hints of hay, freshly baked bread, and cherry.

T: Bread crust, apple juice, grape skin, a little bit of earthy hop bite in the finish.

M: Light bodied and refreshing, carbonation is spot on. Finish has a little to thin of a bitterness to it, but other flavors are balanced nicely.

O: A solid Belgian pale here. Could be a little bit more malt balanced, as the sweetness from the yeast and the thin bitterness from the hops produces a finish that leaves a little bit to be desired. However, this is light, refreshing, and enjoyable. A solid effort from a burgeoning brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 18:38:28 | More by siege06nd

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

22oz bottle poured into HF glass. Thanks Brian (Auror) for sharing this. Reviewed from notes taken two days ago.

A- Pours a hazy yellow, decent carbonation,

S- Lemons, yeast, oranges, tangerines. Fairly aromatic but a little bit astringent and not that pleasant in my opinion.

T- Lemons, tangerines, yeast, light malts, slight lemon bitterness with a lingering aftertaste. Nice lemon taste, fairly interesting, much better then aroma.

M- Light, fairly over-carbonated, fairly easy drinking.

O- Decent belgian blonde that was a little bit different then I'm used to having, but fairly enjoyable asides from the aroma. While this wasn't my favorite blonde, I'd definitely try it again but I wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 03:05:19 | More by jaasen64

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A finger of fluffy white head which laces nicely and retains a little island of foam (partially due to the nucleation pattern in my Kishimoto Duvel tulip). Pale straw body.

Nose is an almost metallic dose of coriander (and maybe hops); the yeast gets left behind. As it sits, traces of funk.

Body has as much coriander as the nose, but it works. Not as metallic as I feared, except a bit on the aftertaste. A fair amount of spice, yeastiness is definitely second fiddle here, though it makes an appearance around the middle of the taste. The beginning has a bit of malt, I think, but it's gone pretty quick.

Mouthfeel is a bit prickly/coarse.

I agree with the BA categorization of this as a BPA; somehow 'Singel' isn't consistent with what I imagine in terms of taste, nor alcohol content. It's not a 'B-IPA' though; if it were, I'm not sure I could forgive it, but pardon my digression, that's a dogmatic debate. Any hop character is in the finish. A good first effort for a new brewery; I'm curious to see how this recipe develops, and to try other brews by Hardywood.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 02:43:05 | More by zaphodchak

maximum12

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A gift from the all-too-generous beerisheaven, who has contributed mightily to my beer education (& my caloric intake) over the years. 750 ML bottle split with my wife on a night when company was over & I just wanted to lay down & read. Grmmp.

Pour is as light, frizzy, & pale as a beer can possibly be - I swear it's actually smiling at me. The nose is all raw pepper & bready yeast; smells like Belgium in the morning, I bet.

Singel is a singular creature that's a credit to the style without breaking out of the pack. Pepper is the most noticeable aspect here, tons of cool, smooth pepper backed with lots of bread, yeasty fruity Esters (didn't that used to be a name?), bit of lemon. Drinkability is the backbone of this show - one could drink this for hours.

Really, a fairly tame beer that's good but not great; but what does one want from a Belgian pale ale? Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:41:31 | More by maximum12

nickfl

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours with one finger of white foam on top of a hazy, golden body. The foam settles at a moderate pace and leaves little lace.

S - A spicy aroma of coriander, clove, and some vegetal garden herb notes.

T - Light, bready malt up front with some herbal hop notes. Thin, grainy malt in the middle and a finish with light bitterness and more herbal hops.

M - Medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - not bad, there is an odd note in the aroma, but the flavor comes together pretty well. I don't love it, but it is drinkable and a reasonably credible example of an obscure style.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 01:08:02 | More by nickfl

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.59/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

750ml bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a hazy golden color. The head is a two finger white shade. It doesn't have the thick-looking richness or great retention I expect from a BPA; otherwise the general look is fine.

S: About what I expected - apple, pear, grape, bread, and noble hops to balance. No single note here is impressive, but it coalesces together admirably.

T: Initial fruity tones of citrus, apple, and grape eventually build to an earthy hop tone. Additional grape flavors linger on the aftertaste pleasantly. It makes up for its modicum of depth with its rock-solid balance and easy drinking nature.

M: The texture is fairly light - a great combination with the crisp, dry nature of the finish. Only thing to really complain about is that carbonation is a touch too high.

O: This one doesn't impress at first...until you realize that 2/3rds of the bottle was finished in about 10 minutes. The focus on pleasant subtlety over chest-thumping aggressiveness is something I can really appreciate here.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 23:39:33 | More by ThisWangsChung