Shaun B-day (Hill Farmstead 1st Anniversary) Imperial Stout
Mikkeller ApS

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From:
Mikkeller ApS
 
Denmark
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.18 | pDev: 9.81%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
32
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 14, 2013
Added:
May 30, 2011
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  0
An Imperial Stout crafted especially by Mikkel Borg Bjergsø in honor of Hill Farmstead's inaugural year with Belgian Chocolate.
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Ratings by rpstevens:
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Rated by rpstevens from New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%

Jan 24, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by Kelp from New Hampshire

May 14, 2013
 
Photo of spdyfire83
Reviewed by spdyfire83 from Ireland

4.27/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
104th Review
Growler to Hill Farmstead glass...as it should be consumed.

From notes. Thanks to CharlieMurphy for sending this amongst other HF treats in a wonderful trade!

A: Deep brown. 1.5 (tan) fingernail head on medium pour. The growler is massive!

S: Loads of espresso, dark chocolate, and charred malt. Hint of molasses and oats.

T: Very roasty flavour with dark chocolate sweetness and balanced malt character. Nice presence of café and toffee that makes this beer quite enjoyable.

M: Medium to full-bodied with medium carbonation. Thin mouthfeel though.

O: Well-rounded and smooth. Easy to drink and an excellent "Happy Birthday" beer for a great up-and-coming brewery!
Jan 12, 2012
Photo of JoshVandy
Reviewed by JoshVandy from Indiana

3.82/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Reviewed from notes taken on July 31, 2011.

750mL swing-top growler into a Hill Farmstead long stemmed tulip.

A- Pours a deep, dark brown with about a 1 finger dark tan/mocha colored head that dies down after a while. Great lacing and retention.

S- Decedent chocolate notes, followed by a great malt intensity. Some subtle vanilla and dark fruit as well.

T- Rich chocolate, with a sweet and bitter characteristic. Then the Malts hit with some toasty force, followed by some subtle dark fruit. Fairly well done.

M- Full bodied, with low carbonation. Coats the mouth with rich, creamy texture.

O- Pretty impressed with this. Probably could have used a little more carbonation, as getting through more than 10-12oz. would be a chore.
Jan 06, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by kelvarnsen from Canada (ON)

Dec 08, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire

Nov 21, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by ChrisPro from Illinois

Nov 16, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by HopStoopid120 from Connecticut

Nov 16, 2011
Photo of FeDUBBELFIST
Reviewed by FeDUBBELFIST from Pennsylvania

2.81/5  rDev -32.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2L growler fill at the brewery. Per the guy filling the growler, this beer was brewed by Mikkel and shipped with a note saying "Happy Birthday."

Growler to tulip. Sampled 8/2/11.

A: Two fingers of medium dark, mocha colored head on the pour. Creamy and very compact with good retention, eventually fading into a collar of bubbles. The body is as black as black gets. Lacing is good.

S: Very dark and bitter chocolate dominates the aroma but coffee is not far behind. Heavily roasted. Notes of shoe leather mix with earthy soil. Maybe some oak, but I'm not sure. A light scent of smoke and charcoal round out the robust nose.

T: The taste mimics the nose but adds an unpleasant saltiness that makes it difficult to enjoy the entire glass, although I found the first few sips to be pleasant. The alcohol is clean and well integrated but drinks a little higher than the 9.5% indicated here. (My guess was 10.5%) The prominence of the alcohol increases as the beer comes to room temperature.

M: Slick, silky and creamy but thinner than expected. The body does improve, albeit marginally, the longer the glass sits. Lightly chalky on the finish. A gentle carbonation works to this brew's disadvantage.

O: I wasn't very impressed with this beer although I am happy to have tried it. Just couldn't get past the saltiness personally...
Nov 13, 2011
Photo of seeswo
Reviewed by seeswo from Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a very dark brown with a sizeable tan head. The nose is dominated by roasted malts and coffee. Smells very nice and dry. The taste is the perfect dryish imperial stout from a Euro brewer - dry, but not too much so. Roasted malt, a bit of coffee and some chocolate. Very good balance. Good mouthfeel. Overall, this beer was a nice surprise. Almost reserved and easily drinkable. Definite winner.
Nov 08, 2011
Photo of brew3crew
Reviewed by brew3crew from Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A-black body with tan head that quickly disapates

S-nice roasty malls that are very inviting

T-wow. Very good malt and chocolate? Taste. Maybe some nuts. Soothing and smooth and makes ne want to go back for more

M-medium body and smooth

O-very good. Glad to try it and would like to have more!
Oct 28, 2011
Photo of Urbancaver
Reviewed by Urbancaver from Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Growler as a present for my birthday. Thanks!!!

Pours a dark dark brown. Lots of nice tan head. Looks very stouty. Smells roasty and rich, lot of roasty charcteristics. Tastes really roasty. Lots of nice rich chocolate. Really enjoyable. The roasty Character has just enough sweetness to be really enjoyable. Nice mouthfeel. Really solid :)
Oct 28, 2011
Photo of vfgccp
Reviewed by vfgccp from New York

4.29/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A – Bowling ball black. Creamy, cascading head is a deep tan color and lingers for an eternity, leaving thick sheets of lace throughout the drink. The thickness of the foam is almost like pancake batter.

S – Soft medium roast is a backbone for mocha, cream, a hint of raisin, and bourbon.

T – Opens incredibly soft with rolling porridge, cream, and roasted oats. A boozy tingle warms the palate in the center, rising though the roast to tease out brighter spices from the grain bill, like cinnamon and grains of paradise. A light, dry smoke adds a nice complexity to the mix. Sharp acidity and dark cocoa powder balance the finish.

M – Medium/full body is round and smooth with a lightly dry finish.

O – A fantastic brew. Delcious.
Sep 30, 2011
Photo of russwbeck
Reviewed by russwbeck from Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Churchkey,

Thick black pour with a small brown head. Laces sown the glass nicely. Smells of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts. Very dense and appealing. Wow the taste is full of chocolate. Dark decedent chocolate from start to almost the finish. The very end brings out some coffee and roasted malts. Balanced, but chocolate focused for sure. Thick and full, rich and nicely carbonated. Dry finish and no hint of booze. Thought this was very good. Not as chocolatey as St Mokah, but a nice balance is struck between the sweet chocolate and the dry coffee. Really enjoyed this one.
Sep 18, 2011
Photo of drabmuh
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served in a tiny snifter. Beer is black / dark brown with a wispy tan head of tiny bubbles, some lacing, low carbonation, low retention, looks fine.

Aroma is sweet with a mild roast, some alcohol, some chocolate, nice.

Beer is thinner than I expected but packed with flavor, nice sweetness up front from some malt, some alcohol, nice bitterness from some chocolate, mild roast, a nice little beer, I'd have more.
Sep 09, 2011
Photo of rudzud
Reviewed by rudzud from Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed on tap at the Armsby Abbey's 3 year anniversary event on 8/24.

A - Pours an oily black with a gorgeous mocha head.

S - Very, very nice roasted notes and rich chocolate. Super creamy aroma, super luscious and decadent with a light oat finish.

T - Amped up nose. Super delicious roasted qualities x100. So, so much chocolate too. Creamy, dark, milk, whipped, bakers, the whole gambit. Little bit of hops.

M - Smooth, creamy, silky luscious. Somewhat boozy, but good.

O - Overall, another beer I Loved this night. Rich chocolate, dark roasty malts, and creamy. Quite delicious.
Aug 27, 2011
Photo of Aberration
Reviewed by Aberration from Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the Armsby Abbey

Pitch black pour, mocha colored head that persisted for a while. Pretty good legs on this one too.

Smells of dark roasted malts and a hint of coffee, very inviting and not overpowering.

Tasted liked it smelled. Great malt notes with a hint of roasted coffee in the back. Great aftertaste to boot! This beer got even better as it warmed and stayed smooth throughout. Bitter, chocolate notes, coffee notes, roasted notes. Intoxicating in more than one way, that's for sure.

Mouthfeel was standard imperial stout. Thick and creamy. Not unpleasant at all, but nothing exceptional here.

Overall an awesome beer, I'm glad I got to try this collaboration and I'm strongly considering going back for some more!
Aug 25, 2011
Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tap at Armsby Abbey

Pitch black beer, med dark creamy 1 finger head fades slowly with lacing.

Nose loaded with chocolate, Belgian fluffy choc, bit of dark, cocoa, choc syrup, then some light roast and even a hint of smoke, creamy malts, bit luscious and oats.

Taste starts with various dark malts, bit of smoke, bit of roast, chocolate, luscious oats, creamy, also lots of chocolate again, cocoas nibs, milk choc, dark choc, Belgian creamy choc, caramel, some warming booze, dry biter black patent like roast and light spicy hops, bit of chewy hops as well. Finishes dry with a sticky luscious mouth, very bitter with more spicy earthy hops and bitter roasted malts.

Mouth is heavy, luscious, creamy, bit of warming booze and decent carb.

Overall good, nice choc, dark malts, good bitterness esp the finish, creamy.
Aug 25, 2011
Photo of tigg924
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: minimal head, dark brown in color, clear

Smell: chocolate, molasses, and cream

Taste: sweet cream and dark coffee dominate, some dark chocolate, floral hops, caramel, and alcohol

Mouthfeel: medium carbonation, medium-heavy body, sweet start with a creamy middle, and a bitter dark coffee finish

Overall: This beer is super complex. So many different flavors are going on here. I am glad I got a growler of this. I could drink it all day. It drinks like a fine and complex black ipa.
Aug 17, 2011
Shaun B-day (Hill Farmstead 1st Anniversary) Imperial Stout from Mikkeller ApS
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 32 ratings