Biére de Norma: Elderberry
Hill Farmstead Brewery

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From:
Hill Farmstead Brewery
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Bière de Garde
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
91
Avg:
4.25 | pDev: 7.29%
Reviews:
2
Ratings:
14
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 19, 2019
Added:
Mar 03, 2018
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  0
SCORE
91
Outstanding
Notes: Norma (1939 - 2011) was my maternal Grandmother, my Guardian Angel, and the woman that nourished the laughter and innocence of my youth. In her honor, we chose a single barrel of "Norma" and conditioned it on elderberries from our next door neighbors at Thornhill Farm. We realize the influence of those closest to us only after having left their presence. At Hill Farmstead, our spirit is forever defined by Norma and the memory of our loved ones.
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Rated: 4 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts

Jun 19, 2019
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Rated by Phineasco from Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Amazing unique beer
Jun 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by Trio2shine from California

May 06, 2019
 
Rated: 4.35 by doremite from Vermont

Oct 13, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by CTJman from Connecticut

Aug 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by t2grogan from Arizona

Jul 19, 2018
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Reviewed by Alieniloquium from Florida

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle at the brewery. Deep ruby red with an off white head. Smells of oak, red wine, and elderberry herbal notes. Taste has a deep tartness, like black currant and red wine acidity. Herbal elderberry and a bit of the green pepper flavor it always seems to have. Red wine and oaky finish. Medium body, but dry and full flavored. Delicious and robust beer.
Jun 30, 2018
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Reviewed by kevanb from Illinois

3.62/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
375ml bottle, 2018 release, poured into a Hill Farmstead oversized wine glass. Enjoyed on 04.15.18, reviewed from Tasting Journal.

The beer pours a bright garnet color, ruby and blood hues that is hazy with a bit of clarity and an off white head that hardly rises with minimal retention and no lace. The aroma is nice, strong elderberry, tart and ripe, a bit of astringent bitterness with some earthy leather and tobacco, strong dark grain, light funk, oak and pitted stone fruits. The flavors are good, very tart elderberry fruit, ripe but also bitter with a bit of smoke, tobacco, leather, oak, dark grains, light funk, stone fruits linger underneath. The mouthfeel is good, medium body, lower carbonation that is slick and wet with a tart and dry finish.

Verdict: A good Biere de Mars from Hill Farmstead. The elderberry is an interesting addition, the berry adds some tartness and fleshiness that brings out some unusual characteristics, like a more amplified smokiness. I've encountered this similarly with blueberry beers, and it's not the most pleasant flavor, but it works a bit in this beer as it's darker and heartier to begin with. Not my favorite but still a nice beer.
Jun 28, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by petermethot from New Jersey

Jun 22, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by chippo33 from Vermont

May 18, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by Rifugium from North Dakota

May 16, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by Jhfinn from New York

Apr 16, 2018
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Rated by acurtis from New Jersey

4.19/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On prem at HF
Mar 17, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by Sk8sean86 from Massachusetts

Mar 12, 2018
Biére de Norma: Elderberry from Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 14 ratings