Edward
Hill Farmstead Brewery

EdwardEdward
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From:
Hill Farmstead Brewery
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
Ranked #8
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
98
Ranked #359
Avg:
4.43 | pDev: 7.9%
Reviews:
424
Ratings:
2,994
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 28, 2024
Added:
Apr 27, 2010
Wants:
  689
Gots:
  482
Edward (1917-2002) is our grandfather; Hill Farmstead Brewery rests upon the land that was once home to him and his five children. In his honor, this American Pale Ale is dutifully crafted from American malted barley, a plethora of American hops, our ale yeast and water from Edward’s well. It is unfiltered, naturally carbonated, and dry hopped. Aromatic and flowery, with impressions of citrus and pine, this is the ale that I dream to have shared with Edward.

85 IBU

Pale and Caramel malt; Centennial, Chinook, Columbus, Simcoe, and Warrior hops; House Ale Yeast, and our Well Water.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by 433:
Photo of 433
Reviewed by 433

5/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Serving type: On tap many times. Mostly at the Skinny Pancake Creperie and the Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier. I'm not even sure where I had it first. I had never planned on reviewing it, or any other beer, but it's so good that I've decided to type about it.

Appearance: It looks fine to me. Like a glass of beer. The glasses they serve it in at Three Penny Taproom are great. Sort of like a pint glass, with the Hill Farmstead Logo. Honestly the glass is so nice, it does add something, I think.

Smell: It smells like it tastes, as far as I know. I sort of object to the idea of discounting points for relatively unimportant considerations like appearance, or even smell. As far as I know, it smells like heaven.

Taste: The taste is brilliant. Fresh. Hearty. Hoppy. It's like the best IPA ever.

Mouthfeel: My mouth feels absolutely fantastic when I'm drinking this beer.

Overall: 11.

When I see the detail that some people have put into their reviews, I almost feel apologetic that I haven't labored over the details more. Three Penny Taproom has a lot of great beers (24 taps), but I often get buyer's remorse if I get anything other than the Edward, including other Hill Farmstead beers. From what I've had, a Sixpoint Resin is the only thing close to the heavenly Edward, although a lot of the other Hill Farmstead beers aren't too far behind, like Citra and Abner, which are nice because they taste somewhat similar to the Edward.

All of their beers taste fresh and flowery, that I've had.

From my experience, I've never had a beer with such a good finish as the Edward. In this respect, I think it does outclass the other Hill Farmstead beers I've had. There's just some kind of bonus in the after taste. Dry and inviting. It's such a hearty and delicious beer, and my favorite of all time. The challenge now is to find something comparable. I've never tried Pliny the Elder which I've read is really good. I've seen polls where the Dogfish Head 90 minute is listed as a top five beer. There is absolutely no comparison: the Edward is much, much better than the 90 minute, but then again, I think the 60 minute is better than the 90 minute.

Sorry to go off topic. This is my first and perhaps last review, and it's just odd that no one is giving the Edward all 5s. I see the tips on the side that all 5s are to be used rarely, but come on. If there was ever a beer that deserves it, it's this one. Otherwise it's misleading.

Update: Reading more reviews, it sounds like I would really like Zombie Dust. I'll ask Three Penny if they can get some of that.
Sep 14, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.05 by SouthCrescent from Pennsylvania

Feb 28, 2024
Photo of DavetotheB
Reviewed by DavetotheB from Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
On tap at the Blue Dog Tavern-pint glass.

Gentle pour so very little head. Orange hazy color.

Aromas of pine and citrus.

Taste follows. Pine and citrus balanced by malts. Exceptionally balanced. Not overly hoppy, not overly sweet.

Soft, smooth mouthfeel. Light bitter aftertaste. Low carbonation.

Everything it's labeled to be. Beautiful beer.
Jan 09, 2024
 
Rated: 4.5 by JLaw55 from Missouri

Dec 01, 2023
 
Rated: 4.31 by kodt from Illinois

Nov 15, 2023
Photo of LarryV
Reviewed by LarryV from Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a slightly hazy yellow,but not murky looking like a hazy. Smell is a little fruity, hoppy. Taste is assertive and hoppy, in a very pleasant way. Very well balanced by a moderate malt backbone, but the hops shine through here. The taste lingers on the palate for some time. Excellent beer and one I wish I had easy access to. Excellent!
Nov 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.85 by Ultra-Plinian from Connecticut

Nov 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.49 by TangoJuliet from New York

Oct 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.12 by Andeeee1

Oct 23, 2023
Photo of Hobbs87
Reviewed by Hobbs87 from New York

4.06/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Came very highly rated but I was not overly impressed. Surprised it has a 98 rating. Would not compare this to a Heady or Focal. Just a solid APA. Too citrus and bitter flavor for my taste although preference is more sweeter.
Oct 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.38 by BFCarr from New Jersey

Oct 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.48 by craigbelly from Iowa

Sep 27, 2023
Photo of Thankin_Hank
Reviewed by Thankin_Hank from Texas

4.83/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Tickled shitless my MA friend sent this to me. I have long wanted a Hill Farmstead and I was informed they were hard to come by even in MA. Edward was canned 07/24/23 and pours an orange/pineapple juice color with a monster fluffy head. A beautiful hop juice aroma. The taste is fabulously juicy with orange, pineapple and maybe stone fruit like a peach, nectarine and then you get a little bitterness but not too piney. Mouthfeel is soft and fluffy. Overall, yeah, I'd buy these by the 12 pack but... I guess I have to go to Vermont for that. Outstanding beer. Thank You Jennifer!!
Sep 10, 2023
 
Rated: 4.69 by saymike32 from New Jersey

Sep 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.27 by mando31 from Illinois

Aug 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.32 by Schmaltz33 from California

Jul 21, 2023
Photo of Neelbeer
Reviewed by Neelbeer from New York

4.46/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Backyard in Stowe, VT. Citrus (vaguely), hops are nutty and pungent, with very unique flower and pine notes that I don't know how to describe. Celery/coriander. Loved this (had a few days ago so can't describe all that well). A bit reminiscent of Focal Banger I thought (though different).
Jul 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.51 by WhackoMillah93 from Massachusetts

Jun 30, 2023
 
Rated: 3.98 by QuintusHorace from California

Jun 03, 2023
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.89/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had this on draft 5/28/23 @ the Hopleaf.

Opaque bright orange appearance.

Nice bubbly white head; a thick curtain of lace.

Bright orange citrus, cane sugar & spring water notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Orange citrus, dry grass & dry pine flavors.

Smelled & looked great, but this was too biting on the tongue for me to truly love.

Glad to try it, though!
May 30, 2023
Edward from Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer rating: 98 out of 100 with 2994 ratings