E is "a funky version of Edward (american pale ale) - fermented with
brettanomyces, dry hopped with galaxy, and aged on stainless for four
months. Basically, we refer to it as a farmhouse pale ale - a cross
between a saison and an american pale."
This beer is a 7% ABV limited release from Hill Farmstead that was available in bottles. Despite brett-fermented beers aging well, I still wanted to take the opportunity to try this somewhat fresh, as I only have one bottle and I want to try it how the brewers intended it to taste at release. I've mentioned before, but it's worth repeating, that Hill Farmstead's distribution is basically non-existent, and their bottles are brewery-only, as far as I know. California people like myself need friends to go to the brewery for them, so it's through that connection that I was able to acquire this bottle.
Appearance: Hazy dull orange, with a spectacular head that fills up the glass instantly, takes a long while to recede, and leaves dense lacing all around the sides of the glass. Head remains as a foam layer on top of the beer all throughout drinking.
Smell: Definite huge funky brett character in the nose! Sour apple, lemon, and honey, all topped off with a huge whiff of sweat and sourdough. There is a hint of bitterness from the hops, remnants of the pale ale base, but by this time that has mostly mellowed out and the fruit is predominantly mixed with barnyard.
Taste: More massive funk atop citrus and grassy earth character. The hops are more prevalent in the taste, but the brett has worked some absolute magic here as well. This is labeled "Rustic Farmhouse Ale" on the bottle, and that's exactly what this tastes like -- eating an orange or apple, laying in a bale of hay, covered with a horse blanket.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied, with that characteristic dry brett finish. Delicious.
Overall: A really excellent saison-ish beer from Hill Farmstead. I love every aspect of it; it's juicy and flavorful, with an inviting aroma, and a great, refreshing mouthfeel. I don't really know how often this is brewed and/or bottled, but I'd love another chance to get some of this one day!
5/5
This beer is a 7% ABV limited release from Hill Farmstead that was available in bottles. Despite brett-fermented beers aging well, I still wanted to take the opportunity to try this somewhat fresh, as I only have one bottle and I want to try it how the brewers intended it to taste at release. I've mentioned before, but it's worth repeating, that Hill Farmstead's distribution is basically non-existent, and their bottles are brewery-only, as far as I know. California people like myself need friends to go to the brewery for them, so it's through that connection that I was able to acquire this bottle.
Appearance: Hazy dull orange, with a spectacular head that fills up the glass instantly, takes a long while to recede, and leaves dense lacing all around the sides of the glass. Head remains as a foam layer on top of the beer all throughout drinking.
Smell: Definite huge funky brett character in the nose! Sour apple, lemon, and honey, all topped off with a huge whiff of sweat and sourdough. There is a hint of bitterness from the hops, remnants of the pale ale base, but by this time that has mostly mellowed out and the fruit is predominantly mixed with barnyard.
Taste: More massive funk atop citrus and grassy earth character. The hops are more prevalent in the taste, but the brett has worked some absolute magic here as well. This is labeled "Rustic Farmhouse Ale" on the bottle, and that's exactly what this tastes like -- eating an orange or apple, laying in a bale of hay, covered with a horse blanket.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied, with that characteristic dry brett finish. Delicious.
Overall: A really excellent saison-ish beer from Hill Farmstead. I love every aspect of it; it's juicy and flavorful, with an inviting aroma, and a great, refreshing mouthfeel. I don't really know how often this is brewed and/or bottled, but I'd love another chance to get some of this one day!
5/5
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