Brewery Feature: Hill Farmstead

Ever heard of this brewery? I doubt it...but it definitely deserve recognition for the amazing beers that are being produced on their very own farm! Hill Farmstead is owned and operated by a gentleman named Shawn Hill in Greensboro Vermont. From what I can gather, Shawn has done some traveling and brewing in Northern Europe and often has assistant brewers venture over to the states now and again to help out. Truly producing "small batch" beers; I was fortunate enough to receive two of their most renowned offerings in a recent trade. When I say small...I mean small, the average bottle is 300 bottles per beer! While most of their beers are available on tap in Vermont & New York; the only way to get the bottles is to venture out to the brewery. Since I have never even been to the East Coast, that was obviously not an option  What intrigued me the most about this brewery was that they brew their beer in a remodeled garage on land that has been in their family for eight generations. In honor of each generation, they produce a particular beer and name it in honor of an ancestor. A very unique and interesting way to produce one of their product lines and possibly gather inspiration in creating their next recipe.

Hill Farmstead Brewery

Named after Shawn's Grandfather's Brother, Everett is a Barrel Aged Porter. Very robust and full of undertones as a result of the Barrel aging, Everett was one of the best Porters I have ever had. A rich and creamy mouthfeel with amazing balance between the chocolate notes, roasted malt character, and just the right amount of bitterness coming through from the slightly piney hops.

Hill Farmstead: Everett: 7.5%abv.

Another "series" of beers are their collaboration beers. These beers are brewed with friends and fellow brewers from Europe. Their first collaboration, Fear & Trembling, is a Baltic Porter that was aged in Cabernet Barrels, Bourbon Barrels, and a blend of the two. I had the option of choosing one from the series and thought I would kill three birds with one stone and went for the blend. Full bodied, yet smooth, this beer was full of flavor! Notes from both of the barrels were apparent and the smoked malts added a unique and delicious touch to the richness and complexity of the beer.

Hill Farmstead: Fear & Trembling, 9.2%abv.