Monthly Archives: May 2020

5 - Excellent (must buy), Beer Reviews, Farmhouse Saison, Hill Farmstead Brewery, USA

Hill Farmstead Arthur

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Brewery: Hill Farmstead Brewery
Country: USA
ABV: 6.2%
Style: Belgian Saison
Other Notes: Pale Malt, American and European hops, ale yeast, and our well water

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Arthur (1922-2005) was our grandfather’s youngest brother; Hill Farmstead Brewery rests upon the land that was once home to him and his 13 siblings. In his honor, this Farmstead ale is crafted from American malted barley, European and American hops, our distinctive farmhouse yeast and water from our well. Unfiltered and naturally carbonated, this is the ale that I dream to have shared with Arthur.

Hill Farmstead Brewery is the culmination of travel and insight, of friendships and explorations, and of realizing a sense of one’s place. Upon the hand hewn land of our forebears, we honor eight generations of Greensboro ancestry by thoughtfully engaging with our heritage and with our distinctive beers. This offering is our effort to revive, diversify, and prolong the memory of the Hill Farmstead.

Share. Consider. Enjoy…

My rating: 5
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.73
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.7

Intro: A 750ml bottle, bottled on 23rd May 2018. Poured into a 3 Fonteinen Zenne glass.
Appearance: A very nice lightly hazy golden colour with a two finger white head that had good retention and left nice lacing.
Aroma: Funky, tart, mango, stone fruit, malt, bready, citrus, lemon juice and pepper.
Taste: Sweet, tart, lightly sour, stone fruit, peach, citrusy, lemon juice, grass, funk, with hints of peppery spice.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate spritzy carbonation.
Overall: I love Arthur every time I get a chance to try it. One of my favourite from Hill Farmstead, and one of my favourite in the Saison / Farmhouse style. The aroma and flavours just come together so well that it’s a joy to drink.

4 - Good (buy), 8 Wired Brewing Co., Barleywine - American, Beer Reviews, New Zealand

8 Wired Lord Of The Atlas

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Brewery: 8 Wired Brewing Co.
Country: New Zealand
ABV: 12%
Style: American Barleywine
Other Notes: 2016 vintage. Oak aged barley wine ale

Brewer Description: (from bottle) American style barley wine, brewed with New Zealand malt, Australian hops, English yeast and aged on French oak. A true globetrotter, a mighty Lord of the Atlas.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.31
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.2

Intro: A 500ml bottle, 2016 vintage, with a best before date of 14th December 2019, however I believe it’s still good. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: A dark orange brown colour with a thin half finger beige head that had decent retention but left only sparse spotty lacing.
Aroma: Hoppy, herbal, sweet dried fruit, caramel malt, raisin, coconut and oak.
Taste: Sweet, herbal, medicinal, pine hoppy, dried stone fruit, dried coconut, oak, caramel malt, with a bittersweet finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: An enjoyable sipping barleywine with nice aroma and flavours.

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), American Triple IPA, Beer Reviews, Heretic Brewing Co., USA

Heretic Evil3

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Brewery: Heretic Brewing Co.
Country: USA
ABV: 11.5
Style: American Triple IPA
Other Notes: McDole, Steele, Zainasheff

Brewer Description: (from can) This is the story of three friends: Tasty McDole, Mitch Steele, and Jamil Zainasheff. Three bold men with hops in their blood and crazy in their hearts. Once a year these three passionate brewers come together to concoct a beer that represents their lifelong bond. A beer that is bold. A beer that is hoppy. A beer to share with your best friends.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.87
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.6

Intro: A 1 pint can, canned on 27th January 2020. Poured into a Lost Abbey teku glass.
Appearance: A nice clear golden orange colour with a two finger white head that had excellent retention and left some nice lacing.
Aroma: Sweet malts, grapefruit, dried candied fruit, citrus peel and notes of pine.
Taste: Sweet malts, caramel, candied grapefruit peel, citrus zest, grapefruit, pine, booze and some light bitterness in the background.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Nice candied aroma, but perhaps slightly too sweet and heavy for me. The bitterness in the background does help a bit though.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, The Lost Abbey, USA, Wild Ale

Lost Abbey Framboise de Amorosa

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Brewery: The Lost Abbey
Country: USA
ABV: 8.5%
Style: American Wild Ale
Other Notes: Barrel-aged raspberry sour

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Raspberry sour ale aged in French oak barrels. The 10 Commandments and its “Thou Shalt Nots” do not apply to Amorosa. A courtesan, she has no need for the morality of denial. A stunning beauty with depth of spirit and sensuality. Amorosa is ruled by the fruits of her loins and mother earth. Sweet and sour, Amorosa is equal parts lover, liberated soul and the object of every suitor’s affection. She is desire incarnate and sensuality embodied. In choosing to open this bottle, you are now courting this magnificent woman. For some, she will arrive like the siren’s call breathing upon your lips and dancing across your taste buds. Others will be denied. For you see, a wonton woman, Amorosa beckons all and chooses few. Will your prayers be answered?

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.22
My ratebeer.com rating: 4

Intro: A corked and caged 12.7 fl. oz. bottle, with no bottled on or best before date. Poured into a Lost Abbey teku glass.
Appearance: A cloudy reddish brown colour with a one finger beige head that dissipated fairly quickly and left only sparse spotty lacing.
Aroma: Tart, raspberry, sour, oak, lemon juice.
Taste: Sour, tart, sweet, raspberry, grape, lightly vinous, oak, light lemon juice and a splash of vinegar.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Very enjoyable with a good balance between sour and sweet, and good raspberry aroma and flavours.