Hill Farmstead thread

[raqnroll]

Florence is on the board. Limit 6/per...Looking forward to Convivial, Arctic, and Sarrasin in the near future. Relentless. Happy New Year!

 

[tehzachatak]

Florence is on the board. Limit 6/per...Looking forward to Convivial, Arctic, and Sarrasin in the near future. Relentless. Happy New Year!

Yeah, I'm really enjoying this "at least one saison available on the shelf at all times" thing that's been going on pretty much all year now.

 

[Frank1]

How was the scene up there today? I ended up skipping as last time I tried to go before work I had to leave with just bottles due to timing.

 

[Adam Jackson]

How was the scene up there today? I ended up skipping as last time I tried to go before work I had to leave with just bottles due to timing.

Arrived at 11. They let us in, I was 3rd in line. Out by 12:10. It was roughly 50 people in line at 12:15 but everyone still fit inside. High was 5 degrees outside and cloudy.

Anna was 1 per person (3 cases left)
A whole crap ton of Florence..I'm guessing 1500 bottles or even a 2K release
GoM was a nice full palate and so was Earl. Plenty of bottles for this week and maybe next!

 

[Frank1]

Arrived at 11. They let us in, I was 3rd in line. Out by 12:10. It was roughly 50 people in line at 12:15 but everyone still fit inside. High was 5 degrees outside and cloudy.

Anna was 1 per person (3 cases left)
A whole crap ton of Florence..I'm guessing 1500 bottles or even a 2K release
GoM was a nice full palate and so was Earl. Plenty of bottles for this week and maybe next!

Awesome news, I think I'll try to get up tomorrow before work.

I know I told you last time I saw you up there, but we're having that tasting this weekend (Friday is the big day) and you're still more than welcome to attend!!

 

[Adam Jackson]

Awesome news, I think I'll try to get up tomorrow before work.

I know I told you last time I saw you up there, but we're having that tasting this weekend (Friday is the big day) and you're still more than welcome to attend!!

Thanks Frank. I spoke to evan and colin already so I think we're confirmed. I have 2 bottles in mind. I'm up for dinner as well if that's what you guys do. See you Friday!

 

[Number45]

Looks like Daybreak will be bottled next week according to HF twitter. Amazing news, this is one I haven't tried yet and it sounds fantastic to me.

Wild speculation on my part, how about they brew Edith and toss that in the used Grand Marnier barrels for six months or so?! Sign me up for that.

 

[tehzachatak]

Looks like Daybreak will be bottled next week according to HF twitter. Amazing news, this is one I haven't tried yet and it sounds fantastic to me.

Wild speculation on my part, how about they brew Edith and toss that in the used Grand Marnier barrels for six months or so?! Sign me up for that.

The previous Daybreak release was not barrel-aged, correct? But yeah, I'm stoked for this too. Cognac + loads of citrus + stout? Yes please.

 

[Adam Jackson]

regarding Daybreak, I have no clue if batch 1 was barrel aged but I'm fairly confident it was. Looking at the notes from me and others, there aren't many details that would have me think it was BA. it was still a great stout and was the first beer that shaun referenced "ICUs" As far as HFS history goes, I'd say Daybreak was a historical beer.

All I know is I had Daybreak at a tasting here in VT 18 months ago and then traded for 2 more bottles of it because I loved it so much. Fantastic beer! Number45 is on to something...Edith in those GM barrels mmmmmmm.

The last beer I'm looking forward to is that huge De Molen collab from the summer that is coming out in the next 9 months...mash so huge, the HFS mash tun was at capacity with grain. I heard oak for 6-12 months. Hoping that one comes out and will see the light of day at some point. But we all know that looking at year-out releases (i.e., juicy, prolegomena and next Damon) is not a good idea because sometimes a batch never comes out or is delayed. Speaking of that, it's nice that convivial is back on!!!!

The HFS site has my mouth-watering for up next. It's missing CD #8 (black saison). Other than that, damn solid list.

• Convivial Returns!
• Le Sarrasin
• Phase 2 Construction!
• More Fermenters. More Barrels.
• Flora Cuvée
• Madness & Civilization #3

 

[Adam Jackson]

Anyone crack a GoM? We had one NYE. It was less sweet than the one I bought in August...a bit more oaky but nice and well rounded. Going to open another in a few weeks because I admit NYE had me on some serious palate fatigue. We had like 30 beers that night so it'll be nice to crack a GoM on a random Wednesday after work and just sip on it for a while.

I'm also hoping this Florence is more tart than the last batch. Last Florence had a more wheat heavy backbone than previous editions. I prefer my HFS saisons on the tart and floral side. May open one of those this weekend. Earl is tasting great as well. I wouldn't hold on to those bottles...sub 6%, very well bittered and with coffee added, it's gonna be best enjoyed fresh. I was burned by holding on to last year's Twilight of the Idols..another beer best consumed during the winter and not cellaring.

okay back to work. Number45 Me and a few friends are doing Pro-Pig & Three penny this Saturday. let me know if you wanna meet up?

 

[tehzachatak]

regarding Daybreak, I have no clue if batch 1 was barrel aged but I'm fairly confident it was. Looking at the notes from me and others, there aren't many details that would have me think it was BA.

Ok, well, barrel aged or not (in all descriptions I have found of it, it isn't mentioned as being barrel aged, which leads me to believe it isn't, but I defer!), it certainly wasn't aged in Grand Marnier barrels... Right? I would think that would be advertised. Anyway, all I'm getting at is that I'd expect the flavor profile to be different - but who knows.

I'm also hoping this Florence is more tart than the last batch.

Last bottled Florence batch was the one in ~February, right? Yeah, I did not find that batch very tart at all, and definitely a ton of wheat. I enjoyed it though, don't get me wrong!

 

[tehzachatak]

After two and a half years- we have reached batch 300. Next Friday we will brew a new batch of Daybreak destined for Grand Marnier barrels. This batch will be richer, with twice as much orange and zest...

Well, that's all I can find. Still wanna drink it!

 

[pjl44]

Had the original Daybreak on draft at Lord Hobo...definitely wasn't spirit barrel-aged...can't say for sure if it sat on oak at all. Solid imperial stout with some orange zest on the back end that worked nice with the roast. Very eager to try this Grand Marnier version.

 

[tehzachatak]

Shaun replies on twitter that batch 1 was "definitely not" barrel aged, and "Description would have stated, as well as the label, that it was aged in oak..."

 

[Adam Jackson]

Shaun replies on twitter that batch 1 was "definitely not" barrel aged, and "Description would have stated, as well as the label, that it was aged in oak..."

Guess I"ll have to ask him next time I'm up there if I should create a new entry on RateBeer for batch 2? Daybreak on RB is not currently listed as retired.

 

[tehzachatak]

Guess I"ll have to ask him next time I'm up there if I should create a new entry on RateBeer for batch 2? Daybreak on RB is not currently listed as retired.

Seems justified to me. I think this batch is going to be labeled and sold as "Daybreak in Grand Marnier Barrels" or something like that anyway, plus the recipe changes I quoted above..

 

[Corbot_3000]

I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse but has anybody asked Shaun if he'll ever do Mimosa again? It seems to be one of few beers he hasn't brewed a second time (or plans to) and I'm curious why this is. We all know he's doing Juicy again, I've heard rumors that Ann will be released again sooner or later as well.

What's the deal with Mimosa?

 

[Number45]

I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse but has anybody asked Shaun if he'll ever do Mimosa again? It seems to be one of few beers he hasn't brewed a second time (or plans to) and I'm curious why this is. We all know he's doing Juicy again, I've heard rumors that Ann will be released again sooner or later as well.

What's the deal with Mimosa?

I've asked Shaun (prob a year ago) and Phil (more recently) just that and each gave very similar answers that they honestly don't know if they could brew it again. Reading between the lines, I wonder if this was a bit of a happy accident in the way Black Biscuit was rumored to be for Founders? I've always wondered why of all the saisons/wilds that Shaun has done, Mimosa is by far the strongest at like 10%. I wonder if this perhaps wasn't by choice? I'm no homebrewer or even remotely qualified to talk about what could happen to cause this...I just always wondered why Mimosa was released at 10% and nothing else they've done has come close to that (for saisons/wilds).

I'd really love if they made it again, hope it does happen. At the very least, some kind of run at an Imperial Saison again would be cool. Maybe with other citrus, other fruit, whatever.

 

[MikeG1]

I've asked Shaun (prob a year ago) and Phil (more recently) just that and each gave very similar answers that they honestly don't know if they could brew it again. Reading between the lines, I wonder if this was a bit of a happy accident in the way Black Biscuit was rumored to be for Founders? I've always wondered why of all the saisons/wilds that Shaun has done, Mimosa is by far the strongest at like 10%. I wonder if this perhaps wasn't by choice? I'm no homebrewer or even remotely qualified to talk about what could happen to cause this...I just always wondered why Mimosa was released at 10% and nothing else they've done has come close to that (for saisons/wilds).

I'd really love if they made it again, hope it does happen. At the very least, some kind of run at an Imperial Saison again would be cool. Maybe with other citrus, other fruit, whatever.

Along those same lines, I overheard Shaun talking to someone about Art back at the DBD release. He mentioned that they probably won't brew it again for a while because of how time-intensive it was dealing with the barrels from the first release. Apparently, the fermentation was going nuts and the barrels were constantly leaking/oozing. Makes me think Art was a happy accident as well.

 

[tehzachatak]

Along those same lines, I overheard Shaun talking to someone about Art back at the DBD release. He mentioned that they probably won't brew it again for a while because of how time-intensive it was dealing with the barrels from the first release. Apparently, the fermentation was going nuts and the barrels were constantly leaking/oozing. Makes me think Art was a happy accident as well.

That's really weird. Why would that be the case for Art, and not for Flora? Seems like one would expect the behavior of the beer in the barrels to be relatively similar, no?

 

[Number45]

That's really weird. Why would that be the case for Art, and not for Flora? Seems like one would expect the behavior of the beer in the barrels to be relatively similar, no?

Isn't it also true that early versions of Art are basically equal to current Arthur releases? I believe Arthur was 100% stainless at first, but now I think all HF saisons see some time oak. I hadn't heard that with Art, and it has now been what, 18 months since it was released?

I do hope we see more Ann this year...and that Norma, Flora (and Ann if that happens) are still 750ml releases. These are special beers best shared, I wish those would remain in 750ml bottles.

 

[tehzachatak]

Isn't it also true that early versions of Art are basically equal to current Arthur releases? I believe Arthur was 100% stainless at first, but now I think all HF saisons see some time oak. I hadn't heard that with Art, and it has now been what, 18 months since it was released?

I dunno. That's what Shaun said a long time ago, that eventually Arthur would pretty much be Art, and that Art would be a single barrel w/ longer aging- but I don't know what kind of a dip in oak the "early versions" of Art got. And yes, they all see oak, but I think Anna/Arthur/Clara/Edith/Florence (e.g. the regular shelf saisons) only get a couple weeks in the puncheons, which isn't really "barrel aged". But yeah, I think Arthur used to be 100% stainless, and now it's 100% oak aged.

I do hope we see more Ann this year...and that Norma, Flora (and Ann if that happens) are still 750ml releases. These are special beers best shared, I wish those would remain in 750ml bottles.

I agree entirely.

 

[Number45]

I dunno. That's what Shaun said a long time ago, that eventually Arthur would pretty much be Art, and that Art would be a single barrel w/ longer aging- but I don't know what kind of a dip in oak the "early versions" of Art got. And yes, they all see oak, but I think Anna/Arthur/Clara/Edith/Florence (e.g. the regular shelf saisons) only get a couple weeks in the puncheons, which isn't really "barrel aged". But yeah, I think Arthur used to be 100% stainless, and now it's 100% oak aged.

Agreed. Hope Art does still happen again though!

 

[Adam Jackson]

In talking to locals and friends that stop by the hill every couple of weeks to get growlers filled, most of us are just happy that saisons have been on the shelf consistently since like May / June. The ability to buy 6 bottles of Clara, Edith, Arthur, Anna and now Florence is enough to keep me happy until the next saison hits (whatever that is)

If Shaun keeps the schedule of Abner every 1-2 months and a shelf Saison paired along with 6 dark BA beers per year, I really don't have to drink from any other brewery.

If you've seen HFS' bottling line, you'd know how much work it is for them to fill, condition and store so many bottles. The 2nd half of 2013 has been incredible. Let's hope that trend continues.

====

As for Art, Flora, Ann, Norma and their blends, fruited variants, no one really knows when or if those are coming any time soon but it's safe to say there's enough 'cool ****' happening up there to keep our bellies full.

 

[InfinityonTrial]

Along those same lines, I overheard Shaun talking to someone about Art back at the DBD release. He mentioned that they probably won't brew it again for a while because of how time-intensive it was dealing with the barrels from the first release. Apparently, the fermentation was going nuts and the barrels were constantly leaking/oozing. Makes me think Art was a happy accident as well.

This would be absolutely devastating seeing as how my n00b ass traded away the only Arts I got at the last release because I didn't know what the **** I was doing.

I got fleeced for it.

edit: Jesus, looking back on that trade I was ******* mugged.

 

[MikeG1]

This would be absolutely devastating seeing as how my n00b ass traded away the only Arts I got at the last release because I didn't know what the **** I was doing.

I got fleeced for it.

edit: Jesus, looking back on that trade I was ******* mugged.

It's all good, we all make mistakes as noobs. Hey do you have a Mimosa? I have some Black Chocolate Stout I can trade you for it.

 

[InfinityonTrial]

Make it 2 and we have a deal.

 

[Frank1]

This would be absolutely devastating seeing as how my n00b ass traded away the only Arts I got at the last release because I didn't know what the **** I was doing.

I got fleeced for it.

edit: Jesus, looking back on that trade I was ******* mugged.

I did a very similar thing

Luckily I just traded for an Art and got a decent deal on that one

 

[InfinityonTrial]

How is Art even holding up? I'd consider throwing a **** ton at it to try and right this very big wrong.

 

[pjl44]

This would be absolutely devastating seeing as how my n00b ass traded away the only Arts I got at the last release because I didn't know what the **** I was doing.

I got fleeced for it.

edit: Jesus, looking back on that trade I was ******* mugged.

What was the deal?