-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Memoria
Hill Farmstead Brewery
- From:
- Hill Farmstead Brewery
- Vermont, United States
- Style:
- Helles
Ranked #1 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,115 - Avg:
- 4.29 | pDev: 13.52%
- Reviews:
- 11
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 22, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 12, 2019
- Wants:
- 11
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding
In October of 2018, we brewed a batch of Marie—our single-decocted, unfiltered, German-style Helles—and lagered a portion of it at 3º Celsius, as we have with Poetica, in our now cherished French oak puncheon. After three months of conditioning, we moved the beer to stainless steel and krausened with fresh-fermenting Mary to provide natural carbonation.
Following more than a month of slow, gentle carbonation, we now proudly pour for you an elevated expression of Marie, one that demonstrates our progressive pursuit for refinement while honoring and ennobling the most inspiring elements of classical brewing tradition.
Soft. Sincere. Simple.
Following more than a month of slow, gentle carbonation, we now proudly pour for you an elevated expression of Marie, one that demonstrates our progressive pursuit for refinement while honoring and ennobling the most inspiring elements of classical brewing tradition.
Soft. Sincere. Simple.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by cravenmoorehead from California
1.72/5 rDev -59.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.75
1.72/5 rDev -59.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.75
So bland.
Nov 22, 2023
Rated by HaywoodJablome
1/5 rDev -76.7%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
1/5 rDev -76.7%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
This is awful what happened? Only 3 months old. Expected it to be great seeing these reviews but it tastes like a sour grain drink. Drain pour.
Nov 22, 2023
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois
4.47/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a growler.
Pours a perfectly clear, very pale gold color. There is a good three to four finger head on the beer as its poured, but that dissipates pretty quickly. No real residual head remains, just some blotchy foam. Aroma is lovely - It's got that rich, doughy, bready malt that only the best helles lagers have. There is a touch of honey and sweet bread along with some fleeting whiffs of grass.
Taste is a bit unexpected. So there is that rich bready, doughy character along with some sweet bread. The first unexpected character comes from this strong oaky character. This clearly comes from the oak puncheon it spends time in, I just am kind of surprised at how much of that oaky character remains in the beer now. The next surprise is the finish on this. The flavor is kind of mild - dried grass and a slight hint of herbal notes from the hops, but there is a stronger bitterness that lingers beyond the finish. The overall profile is not necessarily a traditional helles lager, but it does taste delicious. Feel is medium bodied, doughy, and smooth. Carbonation is gentle, smooth and lightly prickly. Trends a bit dry on the finish.
Overall its a lovely helles lager, even if it is not strictly traditional. Delicious and a joy to drink.
Aug 06, 2023Pours a perfectly clear, very pale gold color. There is a good three to four finger head on the beer as its poured, but that dissipates pretty quickly. No real residual head remains, just some blotchy foam. Aroma is lovely - It's got that rich, doughy, bready malt that only the best helles lagers have. There is a touch of honey and sweet bread along with some fleeting whiffs of grass.
Taste is a bit unexpected. So there is that rich bready, doughy character along with some sweet bread. The first unexpected character comes from this strong oaky character. This clearly comes from the oak puncheon it spends time in, I just am kind of surprised at how much of that oaky character remains in the beer now. The next surprise is the finish on this. The flavor is kind of mild - dried grass and a slight hint of herbal notes from the hops, but there is a stronger bitterness that lingers beyond the finish. The overall profile is not necessarily a traditional helles lager, but it does taste delicious. Feel is medium bodied, doughy, and smooth. Carbonation is gentle, smooth and lightly prickly. Trends a bit dry on the finish.
Overall its a lovely helles lager, even if it is not strictly traditional. Delicious and a joy to drink.
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
4.36/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.36/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Lightly foggy burnt straw yellow, and like Autumna before it, with a thick, level white head leaving beautiful layers of lace after sipping through the persistent blanket.
Light corns present as a little toasty, and while less bitter than Autumna, it's still in the same vein, and just absolutely bone dry. Over time, floral qualities develop. Both that and the dryness keep it from expressing any sweetness, as well as what seems may be mild oak tannins.
Oct 30, 2022Light corns present as a little toasty, and while less bitter than Autumna, it's still in the same vein, and just absolutely bone dry. Over time, floral qualities develop. Both that and the dryness keep it from expressing any sweetness, as well as what seems may be mild oak tannins.
Reviewed by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
4.43/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured on draft at the brewery.
Pours a cloudy pale gold color with a large, creamy white head. Great retention and lacing as always.
Aromas of honey and fresh biscuits, as well as grassy, floral hops. There's a faint oak character throughout. Very nice.
The flavor follows the nose. Lots of sweet biscuits and honey balanced by grass and hops and a bit of earthy oak.
The feel is medium-light bodied with good carbonation. Crisp and drinkable yet creamy and smooth with a dry-ish finish.
Overall, this is definitely one of the best lagers I've ever had. Maybe it's because it's on draft at the source, and HF beer just hits different on draft, but this is such an amazing beer that I hope to try again.
Oct 20, 2022Pours a cloudy pale gold color with a large, creamy white head. Great retention and lacing as always.
Aromas of honey and fresh biscuits, as well as grassy, floral hops. There's a faint oak character throughout. Very nice.
The flavor follows the nose. Lots of sweet biscuits and honey balanced by grass and hops and a bit of earthy oak.
The feel is medium-light bodied with good carbonation. Crisp and drinkable yet creamy and smooth with a dry-ish finish.
Overall, this is definitely one of the best lagers I've ever had. Maybe it's because it's on draft at the source, and HF beer just hits different on draft, but this is such an amazing beer that I hope to try again.
Rated by npolachek from New York
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Good Helles lager - solid beer.
Jun 29, 2022
Rated by bubseymour from Maryland
5/5 rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Absolutely amazing Helles Lager. Poured on tap at HF.
Jun 29, 2022
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota
4.61/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.61/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
On tap at Hf.
Thick creamy white head with lace. Clear straw yellow.
One of the best helles I’ve had. So smooth and soft. Earthy, but creamy. Biscuit and toasted crackers. Grassy hops. Faint bitterness. Light bodied, so incredibly drinkable.
Jun 24, 2022Thick creamy white head with lace. Clear straw yellow.
One of the best helles I’ve had. So smooth and soft. Earthy, but creamy. Biscuit and toasted crackers. Grassy hops. Faint bitterness. Light bodied, so incredibly drinkable.
Memoria from Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
68 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!