Memoria
Hill Farmstead Brewery

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From:
Hill Farmstead Brewery
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Helles
Ranked #1
ABV:
5%
Score:
96
Ranked #1,228
Avg:
4.36 | pDev: 6.42%
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
70
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sunday at 01:46 PM
Added:
Feb 12, 2019
Wants:
  11
Gots:
  3
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Uconnelmo:
Photo of Uconnelmo
Rated by Uconnelmo from Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sep 05, 2019
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.02 by hopley from Massachusetts

Sunday at 01:46 PM
 
Rated: 4.32 by not2quick from Missouri

Feb 16, 2024
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Armsby Abbey

I love how I can just randomly wander into Armsby Abbey after a show at the Palladium and happen to find the highest rated Helles on BA on tap. This place is a goddamn blessing. I haven’t been here for a while either, it’s a shame this has to be a rather short visit before they close. Let’s dive right in

Pours a mostly clear yellow gold with 2 fingers of soapy white head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves nice lacing

Unsurprisingly the nose is gentle, but it’s well done. I’m picking up on aromas of bready malt, honey, orange zest, raw grain, floral hops, grass, dry oak, light white pepper, and lemon zest

It’s more punchy in taste, especially on the back end. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting lemon zesty, bready malt, wildflower honey, orange zest, grassy hops, smooth oak, light white pepper, and raw grain. The swallow brings notes of bready malt, smooth oak, raw grain, lemon zest, orange marmalade, wildflower honey, light toast, and grassy hops

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a smooth and slick beer. Finishes a tad sticky but it doesn’t hurt the drinkability

It may not me my favorite Helles, but it’s still damn good
Feb 11, 2024
 
Rated: 3.92 by AlpacaAlpaca from New York

Feb 09, 2024
Photo of FBarber
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by MDDMD from Pennsylvania

Jul 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by stephenlee93 from England

Jul 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.94 by lakewy17 from New Hampshire

Jun 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.33 by benjaminsa from Vermont

Nov 17, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by SkiBum22 from New York

Nov 04, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Nov 03, 2022
 
Rated: 4.19 by Eman17 from Illinois

Nov 03, 2022
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

4.36/5  rDev 0%
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, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Oct 26, 2022
Photo of ScaryEd
Reviewed by ScaryEd from New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
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, 2022
 
Rated: 4.35 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota

Aug 03, 2022
 
Rated: 4.33 by Acandage from California

Jul 08, 2022
Photo of npolachek
Rated by npolachek from New York

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Good Helles lager - solid beer.
Jun 29, 2022
Photo of bubseymour
Rated by bubseymour from Maryland

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Absolutely amazing Helles Lager. Poured on tap at HF.
Jun 29, 2022
Memoria from Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 70 ratings