Hill Farmstead Abner (beer review)

Intro



I know not WOW related, but I drink beer while I raid, so yeah, too bad it fits here now.

I wrote this beer review of probably my favorite IPA I ever had after I returned from my first ever Vermont trip.

Disclaimer:  No, I did not make love to this beer as my co-workers thought after reading this.

It pours as out as a cloudy yellow/orange color with a soft, gentle foam building up as it enters the glass. The aroma and taste of this IPA from Hills Farmstead in Vermont when tasted at the brewery in person was divine. I had a beer epiphany as if I had just discovered the birthplace of the IPA. You know when you have found something special when just after the first drop hits your lips and you complete your first taste, you pull the glass away from your face and stare at the beer in the glass as if you can't believe you were lucky enough to taste that. That type of moment doesn't happen often and should be cherished and remembered.

40 hours later contained in a Hills Farmstead growler, I was back at home after a superb albeit gassy trip with some friends. How would this liquid stand up away from the ambiance and allure of its birthplace in Vermont. The pour was the same, I opted for my Westy chalice than the wine glass style of the Hills Farmstead glassware purchased from the brewery. The aromas filled the air, but with no other brewery aromas competing with it, the full breadth of this IPA was now mine to dissect. Pine citrus, pineapple, an array of intoxicating IPA fragrances emanated from my goblet. First sip, bracing for that classic IPA bitter bite, but there was none, only a harmony of flavors, meyer lemon peel, a hint of pine resin, ripe pineapple, and the every so slight dollop of a honeysuckle. This had no edge, this was something entirely different constructed in a fashion to look like an IPA, but act like an entirely new class of beer; dare I define a new style of beer and call it a super IPA. On my second sip my palate was enveloped by the same flavors, but more exposed itself in the finish, some sour mango and star fruit. Profound and with such complexity and a near flawless beer. This isn't a 95 point beer, this is a 97 point beer. This IPA from the non-assuming and no frills operations of Hills Farmstead is doing it right when it comes to development of product. This beer is named Abner and my self proclaimed style of a super IPA moniker may not stick, but this beer and my experience will be retained within my memory until I can once again partake in this heavenly Vermont elixir.