Aaron
Hill Farmstead Brewery

 

 

 

 

Continuing to honor their family heritage, Hill Farmstead gives a tasty nod to their past publican and the strong British-styled ale to portray complexity, strength and charm.

Rusty and hazy garnet, Aaron foregoes much of its froth in favor of a still, port-like appearance. As the sultry scent of chocolate, vinous spice and dark fruit fill the nose, the early taste is a molasses-wrapped sweetness akin to spice cake fruit cake and honey.

That sweet tone settles onto the tastebuds while bold suggestions of prune and raisin flood the middle palate. A slow stewing of sweet malts invite a rich caramelization with toffee, coconut, vanilla, nuttiness, toasted oak and bourbon spice adding balance and intrigue. A modest bitterness arises as the session fades, and suggests a sweet earthiness of pipe tobacco, sun tea and fragrant woods.

Full bodied, malt-dominant and finishing decidedly sweet, notions of port wine and sherry come to mind as the ale recedes into a warming bourbon taste with dark fruits in hand.

 

The perfect barleywine ale. Enjoyed this pour at Hill Farmstead in March 2024. The vintage was 2019, then aged two years in bourbon barrels. Copper colored liquid with the most minimal trace of bubbles around the glass. The nose brings out caramel, bourbon and oak, but the flavor...! Deep, deep flavor. Dark fruits--raisins, figs, dates with a mild woody backbone--I dare you not to close your eyes while sipping. Absolutely brilliant barleywine experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 bottling.