Madness & Civilization #2
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
- ABV:
- not listed
- Score:
- 98
- Avg:
- 4.5 | pDev: 7.11%
- Reviews:
- 19
- Ratings:
- From:
- Hill Farmstead Brewery
- Vermont, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 177
- Gots
- 28
SCORE
98
World-Class
98
World-Class
Notes:
Madness & Civilization is a panorama of our barrel aging program—oak-aged beers that emerge from their individual silences to find structure and voice as a unified composition. This is the result of an unpredictable state of permanent happenstance—a dialogue with our evolving approach to blending that challenges convention and circumstance. Each release will include multiple threads and is likely to approximate the style of an imperial stout.
Release #2 A single bourbon barrel that housed fractions of the following: Buckwheat Rye Porter, Everett, Damon, Birth, and Port Barrel Damon.
Release #2 A single bourbon barrel that housed fractions of the following: Buckwheat Rye Porter, Everett, Damon, Birth, and Port Barrel Damon.
Reviews: 19
| Ratings: 146
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Reviews by Kelp:
More User Reviews:
JoEBoBpr from Missouri
4.65/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Prohibition Pig (Waterbury, VT) tulip glass from a 375ml bottle.
Batch: 2
Bottled: 05/2013
Pours a dark ink slightly viscous liquid with minimal head after an aggressive pour. S little swirl kicks up some slight carbonation but it barely rises up to anything. The liquid is sexy and it hugs the glass very well. No light can get through the brew.
Aroma starts with delicious and awesome caramel and molasses sweetness. Some mild butterscotch notes with some whiskey sweetness and heat follow. Underlain sweet chocolate fudge notes are present with some nice balancing vanilla notes. There is also some dark fruit notes in the nose. Some raisins and prunes linger around on the back end. There is definitely some slight boozy heat perceived in the nose.
Flavor is amazing! Sweet, sweet and super sweet but also quite approachable and delicious. Notes of sweet caramel and molasses dominate. Not as chocolatey and fudgey as the nose might suggest. There is more of the caramel and whiskey type sweetness as opposed to the darker malts. There are some notes of raisins and definitely prunes in the flavor. There is some good heat that somewhat cleans the palette. The finish has some more caramel sweetness and some more of that milk cocoa notes. Mouthfeel is delicious but seems a bit lighter than expected; its definitely thicker than most brews and carries a nice silky finish to it.
HF has done well with these BA stouts. This is sweet and yummy but not overwhelming has good heat but is not too crazy. Definitely a sipper though. The barrel notes are present but well balanced with the base beer.
Aug 14, 2013
4.65/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Prohibition Pig (Waterbury, VT) tulip glass from a 375ml bottle.
Batch: 2
Bottled: 05/2013
Pours a dark ink slightly viscous liquid with minimal head after an aggressive pour. S little swirl kicks up some slight carbonation but it barely rises up to anything. The liquid is sexy and it hugs the glass very well. No light can get through the brew.
Aroma starts with delicious and awesome caramel and molasses sweetness. Some mild butterscotch notes with some whiskey sweetness and heat follow. Underlain sweet chocolate fudge notes are present with some nice balancing vanilla notes. There is also some dark fruit notes in the nose. Some raisins and prunes linger around on the back end. There is definitely some slight boozy heat perceived in the nose.
Flavor is amazing! Sweet, sweet and super sweet but also quite approachable and delicious. Notes of sweet caramel and molasses dominate. Not as chocolatey and fudgey as the nose might suggest. There is more of the caramel and whiskey type sweetness as opposed to the darker malts. There are some notes of raisins and definitely prunes in the flavor. There is some good heat that somewhat cleans the palette. The finish has some more caramel sweetness and some more of that milk cocoa notes. Mouthfeel is delicious but seems a bit lighter than expected; its definitely thicker than most brews and carries a nice silky finish to it.
HF has done well with these BA stouts. This is sweet and yummy but not overwhelming has good heat but is not too crazy. Definitely a sipper though. The barrel notes are present but well balanced with the base beer.
Aug 14, 2013
doremite from Vermont
4.59/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Jul 02, 2013
4.59/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Jul 02, 2013
oriolesfan4 from Maryland
4.22/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jul 24, 2016
4.22/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jul 24, 2016
Caleb from Colorado
4.71/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I poured from the bottle to a Hill Farmstead Tulip glass and compared it simultaneously with Madness and Civilization #1 (my second bottle of M&C#1), and enjoyed over a savory well paired dinner.
Appearance: As expected being aged longer, M&C2 is less carbonated and produces less froth, less head. Otherwise it appears very similar, darkly opaque, black with hints of dark brown.
Aroma: It has a big luxuriant aroma that leaps from the glass inviting you in for every drink. It carries a similar aroma to M&C1 but bigger, fuller, with stronger notes of vanilla, roasted malt, roasted coffee, and chocolate. As expected, it has a stronger booze aroma than M&C1.
Taste: Super rich, intense, and luxuriant, even more than M&C1, however, it is also a bit more syrupy. The notes of fig, dark fruits and smoke are somewhat hidden in M&C2. The vanilla and roasted flavors are bigger as well as the bourbon.
Mouthful: It is distinctly less carbonated that M&C1, which, although still full prevents it from fully exploding in the mouth like M&C1. The loss of carbonation removes the marshmellow fluffyness of M&C1. The mouthful provides terrific flavor throughout the entire drink. It is chewy and complex. It is more syrupy.
Overall: A truly special beer that strikes the taste buds on so many levels. The taste and aroma are definitely improved by the increased aging in comparison to M&C1 but that aging also detracted from the appearance (lost some of the pleasing rich chocolate colored froth rimming the surface of the beer) and mouthful. There's probably a perfect beer to be found somewhere in between #1 and #2.
Jul 04, 2013
4.71/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I poured from the bottle to a Hill Farmstead Tulip glass and compared it simultaneously with Madness and Civilization #1 (my second bottle of M&C#1), and enjoyed over a savory well paired dinner.
Appearance: As expected being aged longer, M&C2 is less carbonated and produces less froth, less head. Otherwise it appears very similar, darkly opaque, black with hints of dark brown.
Aroma: It has a big luxuriant aroma that leaps from the glass inviting you in for every drink. It carries a similar aroma to M&C1 but bigger, fuller, with stronger notes of vanilla, roasted malt, roasted coffee, and chocolate. As expected, it has a stronger booze aroma than M&C1.
Taste: Super rich, intense, and luxuriant, even more than M&C1, however, it is also a bit more syrupy. The notes of fig, dark fruits and smoke are somewhat hidden in M&C2. The vanilla and roasted flavors are bigger as well as the bourbon.
Mouthful: It is distinctly less carbonated that M&C1, which, although still full prevents it from fully exploding in the mouth like M&C1. The loss of carbonation removes the marshmellow fluffyness of M&C1. The mouthful provides terrific flavor throughout the entire drink. It is chewy and complex. It is more syrupy.
Overall: A truly special beer that strikes the taste buds on so many levels. The taste and aroma are definitely improved by the increased aging in comparison to M&C1 but that aging also detracted from the appearance (lost some of the pleasing rich chocolate colored froth rimming the surface of the beer) and mouthful. There's probably a perfect beer to be found somewhere in between #1 and #2.
Jul 04, 2013
Jeffo from Netherlands
4.2/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Part two of the M&C series from jbeatty. Thanks again man!
From a 37,5cl bottle into a snifter
Drunk right after part one of the series.
APPEARANCE: A clear black pour yields a 1+ finger, fuller looking, creamy head with great retention. Head slowly fades to a bubbly cap and wisp. Black body with no carbonation evident. A bubbly ring and a light swirly wisp remain leaving dots of lacing down the glass.
SMELL: Oak, bourbon, coconut, sweet vanilla cream, with both milk and dark chocolate on the nose. Caramel notes as well. Similar to part one in the series but slightly milder.
TASTE: Really nice. Bourbon, oak, vanilla cream and coconut up front. Caramel sweetness wraps it all up as well. Big finish of alcohol, bourbon, coconut, vanilla cream, some milk chocolate and heat from the alcohol as well. Very flavorful and the aftertaste lingers and lingers.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Fuller on the palate, enough weight, creamy and smooth going down and finishes sticky. A touch of heat lingers. Fuller, creamier and more weight than part one.
OVERALL: Really good. This was similar to part one for sure, though the nose was a little milder while the feel was definitely superior. Since feel is more important to me than nose, I'd probably take this one over part one if given the option. Nevertheless, both are fantastic and I'm happy to have had the chance to try them. Thanks again jbeatty. World class stuff.
Jan 21, 2014
4.2/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Part two of the M&C series from jbeatty. Thanks again man!
From a 37,5cl bottle into a snifter
Drunk right after part one of the series.
APPEARANCE: A clear black pour yields a 1+ finger, fuller looking, creamy head with great retention. Head slowly fades to a bubbly cap and wisp. Black body with no carbonation evident. A bubbly ring and a light swirly wisp remain leaving dots of lacing down the glass.
SMELL: Oak, bourbon, coconut, sweet vanilla cream, with both milk and dark chocolate on the nose. Caramel notes as well. Similar to part one in the series but slightly milder.
TASTE: Really nice. Bourbon, oak, vanilla cream and coconut up front. Caramel sweetness wraps it all up as well. Big finish of alcohol, bourbon, coconut, vanilla cream, some milk chocolate and heat from the alcohol as well. Very flavorful and the aftertaste lingers and lingers.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Fuller on the palate, enough weight, creamy and smooth going down and finishes sticky. A touch of heat lingers. Fuller, creamier and more weight than part one.
OVERALL: Really good. This was similar to part one for sure, though the nose was a little milder while the feel was definitely superior. Since feel is more important to me than nose, I'd probably take this one over part one if given the option. Nevertheless, both are fantastic and I'm happy to have had the chance to try them. Thanks again jbeatty. World class stuff.
Jan 21, 2014
Alieniloquium from Florida
4.18/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
375 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Black but not inky. Medium khaki head.
Smell - Bourbon is strong. Distinct bourbon aroma. Vanilla and oak.
Taste - Bourbon is the strongest flavor. Chocolate. Vanilla. Super oaky. Coffee.
Mouthfeel - Sharp alcohol. Not really heavy. Aids in drinkability.
Overall - Had this before Madness & Civilization #1. Maybe shouldn't have, but this is great.
Dec 17, 2013
4.18/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
375 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Black but not inky. Medium khaki head.
Smell - Bourbon is strong. Distinct bourbon aroma. Vanilla and oak.
Taste - Bourbon is the strongest flavor. Chocolate. Vanilla. Super oaky. Coffee.
Mouthfeel - Sharp alcohol. Not really heavy. Aids in drinkability.
Overall - Had this before Madness & Civilization #1. Maybe shouldn't have, but this is great.
Dec 17, 2013
Rifugium from North Dakota
4.4/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle from the brewery. Had this side by side with M&C1, and this was the clear winner.
"A single bourbon barrel that housed fractions of the following: Buckwheat Rye Porter, Everett, Damon, Birth, and Port Barrel Damon."
Poured into a HF etched-logo fest glass, opaque black, with some dark brown around the edges, topped with a thin cap of mocha head that sank to a ringlet; lacing was minimal, with the thicker liquid leaving a few legs on the glass. In the nose, dark malts, bourbon/vanilla, toasted marshmallow, cocoa. A little chalky at first, but this faded after a couple minutes of breathing. In the taste, fudge, caramel, molasses, smooth roasted coffee, bourbon-soaked oak with a good vanilla/coconut quality coming through, lighter notes of dark fruits and licorice. Smooth and tasty, with the bourbon very well-integrated, and the port being a subtle afterthought. Smooth mouthfeel, full body, appropriately lower carbonation, easily sippable. Overall a very nice blend and a great beer. How really can you go wrong with Everett and two Damon varieties in the same bottle?
Apr 02, 2014
4.4/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle from the brewery. Had this side by side with M&C1, and this was the clear winner.
"A single bourbon barrel that housed fractions of the following: Buckwheat Rye Porter, Everett, Damon, Birth, and Port Barrel Damon."
Poured into a HF etched-logo fest glass, opaque black, with some dark brown around the edges, topped with a thin cap of mocha head that sank to a ringlet; lacing was minimal, with the thicker liquid leaving a few legs on the glass. In the nose, dark malts, bourbon/vanilla, toasted marshmallow, cocoa. A little chalky at first, but this faded after a couple minutes of breathing. In the taste, fudge, caramel, molasses, smooth roasted coffee, bourbon-soaked oak with a good vanilla/coconut quality coming through, lighter notes of dark fruits and licorice. Smooth and tasty, with the bourbon very well-integrated, and the port being a subtle afterthought. Smooth mouthfeel, full body, appropriately lower carbonation, easily sippable. Overall a very nice blend and a great beer. How really can you go wrong with Everett and two Damon varieties in the same bottle?
Apr 02, 2014
Madness & Civilization #2 from Hill Farmstead Brewery
Beer rating:
98 out of
100 with
146 ratings
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