Phenomenology Of Spirit (2010)
Hill Farmstead Brewery

Phenomenology Of Spirit (2010)Phenomenology Of Spirit (2010)
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From:
Hill Farmstead Brewery
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
7%
Score:
94
Avg:
4.24 | pDev: 8.73%
Reviews:
31
Ratings:
114
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 07, 2023
Added:
Oct 03, 2010
Wants:
  86
Gots:
  19
Our Dark Saison.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by abuliarose:
Photo of abuliarose
Reviewed by abuliarose from New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a rich red-brown with thick and lightly tanned head. Smells sweet and slightly roasty with earthy undertones. Hints of molasses.

Tastes as it smells: barely sweet with a pleasant and refreshing roastiness and light molasses qualities. Carbonation is quick and small-nucleating on the light body. Some savory edges to the flavor, dry and tannic. Totally quaffable. An awesome table beer.

Overall I really like this offering. Would love to serve it up with just about anything, even a rich smoke.
Jun 21, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.24 by MDDMD from Pennsylvania

Apr 07, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by Kurmaraja from California

Jan 10, 2017
 
Rated: 3.96 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Oct 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by goldspire from California

Aug 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by danwho from California

Feb 17, 2014
Photo of Skrip
Reviewed by Skrip from New Jersey

4.56/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
750ml corked and capped bottle poured into a Carton Teku.

A~ dark oak like brown with a huge fluffy head and a lot of lacing. Very surprising for it's age.

S~ dark tart cherries rush the nose followed by roasty dark malts, finishing with oaky wine barrel funk.

T~ a little less tart here, otherwise it pretty much follows the nose. I get a little burnt coffee and a lot of charred oak mid palette. Finishes where it started with a nice tart black cherry after taste that I never want to end!

M~ perfect carbonation for a saison! Smooth as can be, a little thick and very refreshing.

O~ this is surprisingly drinking great right now! Any more age though and I can see this getting a little watery like the early CD's seem to be getting. So drink it now if you have it! Less tart than the newest version but the coolship would explain that haha. I believe this is the oldest HF I've had, maybe...? And the only beer that HF has corked? Absolutely amazing for it's age! I really hope they do this again but slightly different every time. I'd have to say that "dark saisons" have to be my favorite hard to come by style. CD4, Edith, and this have blown me away. I love the complexity!
Nov 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by iatethecloudsfor from Vermont

Oct 15, 2013
Photo of Huhzubendah
Reviewed by Huhzubendah from District of Columbia

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle shared by yourefragile. Thanks a lot Michael!

The beer is chestnut brown and fairly hazy. Small beige head. The aroma offers oak, malt, fruit, wild yeast. Funky with Flanders characteristics. Smooth with low carbonation. Currants and brown bread. Really tasty.
Oct 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by VTBeerTrade from Vermont

Oct 03, 2013
Photo of danedelman
Reviewed by danedelman from Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bought this bottle at the release.

A- very dark brown with huge 3 finger tan head.

S- very acedic, dried fruits, cherries, figs. Oak tannins in the background.

T-tons of bitter almost harsh tannins. Tastes reminiscent of a cherry sour patch kid when swirled in the mouth. All other flavors from nose come into play. Very sour with no real balance. Not very complex of a sour. Really just tart with no funk. Hoping this will develop in bottle but heard that wine yeast was used to bottle condition so we shall see.

M- prickly carbonation with medium light body. Perfect for style to not allow the tartness to settle on the tongue.

O-good beer that needs to develop a bit more to reach that greatness I have learned to love about HF.
Sep 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Rainblows from Illinois

Sep 17, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by oglmcdgl from Pennsylvania

Sep 17, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by POTABLE83 from New York

Sep 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by DrewGingras from Vermont

Sep 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Quackus from New York

Sep 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by LambicKing from Germany

Sep 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by monitorpop from Michigan

Sep 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by diverite from Connecticut

Sep 01, 2013
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

4.16/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
375ml capped bottle from June 2013.

Pours opaque dark brown with a quarter inch head of creamy tan. A few whisps on the surface with errant dots of lacing for the duration.

Aromatics lead off with a blast of roast and bakers chocolate. Shades of coffee beans, balsamic, and apples follow though.

Medium bodied with an oily, slickish mouthfeel. Creamy with a crisp edge.

Soured fruit dusted with burnt malt starts the palate. Tart apples, coffee grounds, singed chocolate, and a hint of rhubarb runs underneath.

Finishes with lingering roast and soured fruit.

The roasted, chocolaty character overshadows the funk and essence of a wild ale, and the beer could use a higher carbonation level to reveal it's true potential. Otherwise this beer comes off as a soured porter.
Aug 31, 2013
Phenomenology Of Spirit (2010) from Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 114 ratings