Virginia Blackberry - Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

TechTriumph

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

-Belgian-style White Ale Brewed with Fresh Virginia Blackberries-

From notes on 08/25/12:
2012 Release; Poured in a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A - One inch of white carbonated head that sticks around for a minute or so; Brilliant light rose in color with a bit of sunset orange mixed in; Hazy appearance; No real lacing left behind

S - Blackberry fruit is certainly present, but it's not a huge wave by any means, and is actually somewhat muted - blackberries aren't overly aromatic as a fruit anyway; Also get a bit of yeast, subtle spice, and a hint of clove

T - Witbier qualities show up first - some spice, clove, even a bit of banana; Almost immediately after, the blackberry really starts to come in - not too heavy - but enough to bring some fruity sweetness and a slight touch of tartness as well; The finish does bring just a bit of rye and spice; As the beer warms, the blackberry starts to come out nicely - more sweet than tart, but the level is really pleasant for both

M - Moderate carbonation or a touch more; Light bodied and smooth going down; Finishes on the dry side

O - I don't delve into fruit beers too much these days, but anything from Hardywood is a must try, and this one certainly satisfies after a long day of work. No doubt a refreshing offering, this beer is super drinkable as my first glass of this was gone in no time. I'm pretty confident that the second glass from this bomber will go down just as easy.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 10:29:17 | More by TechTriumph

BeastLU

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%

04-20-2013 15:34:47 | More by BeastLU

Shilt

Virginia

3/5  rDev -16.7%

03-13-2013 01:51:08 | More by Shilt

Hopbully

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

03-07-2013 09:29:06 | More by Hopbully

Beejay

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A nice pinkish orange color, good clarity. Some light colored head head that sinks back into the body of the beer.

S: Berry aroma, there is a definite tart smell, although it does not dominate. There is a nice white wine aroma, as well as some slight biscuit aromas.

T: Fairly light but with good flavor. Some biscuit flavors come out, as well as blackberry fruit, with the wine character shining through. Nice and light, a great summer beer.

M: Light in body, with a good amount of carbonation. A nice fruitiness lingers, which is nice. There is a softness to this that I enjoy a lot.

O: Overall very good, crisp, flavorful, and fairly light. Enjoyable, and a great beer for a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 02:24:39 | More by Beejay

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25

Shared at a tasting at Treehouse Brewery. Maybe I was just a little drunk but I enjoyed this beer. Reviewed from note.

A - POP! Cork rockets into my hand. Poured a nice berry juice grapefruit like hue with a quarter inch thin head that fades rather quickly to leave light thin wisps.

S - Big, bright blackberry juice along with light wheat notes. Very light bread notes along with faint phenols.

T - Similar to the nose with black berry juice along with faint wit notes. Light tartness along with a slight dry finish.

M - Mouthfeel is on the thin side with lighter carbonation.

O - Overall this wasn't nearly as good as the other Blackberry Wit I've had (Mother Earth's Window Pane Blackberry). Not the best Hardywood, but not the worst.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 03:11:27 | More by rudzud

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Rudzud for sharing. Reviewing from old notes.

Pink grapefruit hazy color, touch of lacing fades instantly.

Nose has light bready funk, little black berry, hint of malts, semi fruity but not a lot, maybe a touch of phenols.

Taste brings tart blackberry, light smooth malt, hint diacetyl, light tartness, bit of dry bready malt and yeast flavors, dry fruity finish.

M: Thin body, lighter carb.

Overall nothing to write home about, decent fruits but could have been better.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 21:43:37 | More by jlindros

akakii

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

01-21-2013 23:44:35 | More by akakii

mojiboo02

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%

01-17-2013 18:51:33 | More by mojiboo02

dirtylou

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle, split, hill farmstead glass

Interesting beer - a pink-rose color, moderately carbonated, light fluffy white head. One patron described tasting "band-aids" - more realistically, I think we all concluded not to buy berries sourced from the virginia commonwealth. Light spiced yeast, sweet berry flavor, wheat - nothing really standing out here, the blackberry could have been integrated so much better.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 23:41:21 | More by dirtylou

Texasfan549

Texas

4/5  rDev +11.1%

12-29-2012 18:08:38 | More by Texasfan549

kjkinsey

Texas

4/5  rDev +11.1%

12-22-2012 15:21:13 | More by kjkinsey

mcaulifww

Virginia

2.75/5  rDev -23.6%

12-20-2012 16:24:42 | More by mcaulifww

duceswild

Maryland

4/5  rDev +11.1%

12-16-2012 17:25:22 | More by duceswild

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

12-15-2012 17:30:29 | More by Rhettroactive

Hallce2

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

12-10-2012 22:55:47 | More by Hallce2

jfozzy

Louisiana

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%

11-26-2012 20:13:44 | More by jfozzy

JWing

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

11-03-2012 19:13:27 | More by JWing

gopens44

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

10-07-2012 19:33:43 | More by gopens44

Hanzo

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

10-06-2012 01:55:41 | More by Hanzo

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

3/5  rDev -16.7%

10-04-2012 20:06:02 | More by HopHeadCnK

SpecialN32

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%

10-01-2012 02:28:20 | More by SpecialN32

ncaudle

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

09-22-2012 15:23:34 | More by ncaudle

Beerontwowheels

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle shared between two snifters.

A: Dark ruby coloring. About a half of a finger worth of head.

S: Very light nose. Berries are clearly present, but drawing that much more seems far-fetched.

T: Very berry-centric. Tart at first with sweetness following afterwards. Obvious wheat characteristics. Light rye notes, but more subtle than suggested by the brewery.

M: Good carbonation. Mouthfeel seems appropriatel, even if a bit aggressive.

O: Definitely a nice treat from the Hardywood Park boys. I really appreciate this brewery and the following they have in Richmond. Given the young age of this brewery, and how far they've come with current beers, I expect big things in the near future. Keep an eye out!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 04:10:48 | More by Beerontwowheels