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Farm Hand French Style Farmhouse Ale
Brewery Vivant
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Brewery Vivant
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Saison
Ranked #761 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #26,328 - Avg:
- 3.62 | pDev: 13.81%
- Reviews:
- 138
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Aug 09, 2022
- Added:
- Jan 23, 2011
- Wants:
- 23
- Gots:
- 60
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Notes:
There was a time in old world France when nearly every family farm had a brewery. A necessary part of farm life was to provide a ration of beer to laborers, as beer was safer to drink than the water of the time. (Has to do with water carrying bacteria and alcohol killing said bacteria. Yay beer!) Farm Hand is our interpretation of what these rustic beers must have been like. It is slight in body, mildly sweet, and has a slight cloudiness from the simple un-malted grains similar to the period.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Whyteboar from Michigan
3.52/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had on draft at a restaurant.
Color was straw yellow with a few mm of off white head that dissipated quickly and left little lacing.
The aroma was faint, very faint. Even after swirling it in the glass.
The taste was more funk than tart, a bit of cloves, maybe, or I imagined them. It is meant to be something a French farm might brew for its workers, so maybe it’s spot on. But as a wild ale/saison it lacks some elements.
The feel was good, just enough carbonation to keep it lively and provide a bit of bite.
This is an excellent beer for drinking after working outside on a hot day, but that’s not what it is classified as.
Aug 09, 2022Color was straw yellow with a few mm of off white head that dissipated quickly and left little lacing.
The aroma was faint, very faint. Even after swirling it in the glass.
The taste was more funk than tart, a bit of cloves, maybe, or I imagined them. It is meant to be something a French farm might brew for its workers, so maybe it’s spot on. But as a wild ale/saison it lacks some elements.
The feel was good, just enough carbonation to keep it lively and provide a bit of bite.
This is an excellent beer for drinking after working outside on a hot day, but that’s not what it is classified as.
Rated by huston84 from Michigan
3.5/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.5/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Surprised by this. Got it in a can from Meijer. Not as sour as others of its type. A little floral. An easy drinker that's very refreshing.
Jan 13, 2022
Reviewed by MaltsOfGlory from Oregon
3.77/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz can, nearing 3 months old, but a farmhouse should hold up fine
Pours nearly two fingers of dense white head into my snifter. Retention is average, and the head fades within a minute or two, leaving a nice film. Initial lacing looks decent. Body is a cloudy straw yellow. Looks alright so far.
Nose is a little perplexing. Right off the bat there seems to be a big apple aroma, which would nod towards an unfinished fermentation. That cleans up somewhat and the beer showcases some nice fruity esters, notably apricot. Mineral-like, some faint maltiness, light citrus, some spice. Not really sure how to feel about this, but I’m certainly not sold.
The flavor however, brings it home. That apricot is lovely; banana and bubblegum linger in the background. Simple, but quite nice.
Definitely a mineral quality to it, the carbonation is quite high. Because of the carbonation, the body drinks lighter. Definitely pretty dry, but there are brief moments of estery sweetness. Bitterness is low, but present. Overall a nice mouthfeel.
Drinkability is very high, this is light and pretty tasty.
Appearance turned out poor, there was zero lacing.
Overall a pretty mild, sessionable farmhouse. The nose is somewhat off putting, but the flavor helps make up for that, and it has some nice subtle notes.
Dec 12, 2021Pours nearly two fingers of dense white head into my snifter. Retention is average, and the head fades within a minute or two, leaving a nice film. Initial lacing looks decent. Body is a cloudy straw yellow. Looks alright so far.
Nose is a little perplexing. Right off the bat there seems to be a big apple aroma, which would nod towards an unfinished fermentation. That cleans up somewhat and the beer showcases some nice fruity esters, notably apricot. Mineral-like, some faint maltiness, light citrus, some spice. Not really sure how to feel about this, but I’m certainly not sold.
The flavor however, brings it home. That apricot is lovely; banana and bubblegum linger in the background. Simple, but quite nice.
Definitely a mineral quality to it, the carbonation is quite high. Because of the carbonation, the body drinks lighter. Definitely pretty dry, but there are brief moments of estery sweetness. Bitterness is low, but present. Overall a nice mouthfeel.
Drinkability is very high, this is light and pretty tasty.
Appearance turned out poor, there was zero lacing.
Overall a pretty mild, sessionable farmhouse. The nose is somewhat off putting, but the flavor helps make up for that, and it has some nice subtle notes.
Reviewed by BigIronH from Michigan
3.79/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Drank from the can so a neutral rating was given for look. Smell is lemon and orange zest as well as grass and toasted malt. Taste follows suit with crisp, tart citrus up front and earthy natural flavors following up. Truly a crisp and easy drinking beer. Will buy again.
Jul 27, 2021
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri
3.2/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.2/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Gold in color with a fingernail of dishwater white around the rim and covering half of the top. The aroma is of tart peach. I’m tasting peach, lemon, lime and pale malt. It’s rather cloying. The mouth is moderately carbonated and dry.
Oct 04, 2020
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
3.82/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.82/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
2020-05-31
16oz can served in a little glass I don't know how to describe, but is definitely not intended to serve beer. Dated 02/27/2020. Sent to my wife by a friend who lives in some other state.
Pours a moderately hazy light yellow with little head and a lot of carbonation. Smell is mild, slightly funky/woody, a little lemon.
Taste is lightly tart, stronger funk (but not too strong). Something almost peppery about this -- not the right flavor, but closest I can come up with right now. Kind of delicate.
Mouthfeel is light, smooth. Overall, it's a pretty solid beer.
May 31, 202016oz can served in a little glass I don't know how to describe, but is definitely not intended to serve beer. Dated 02/27/2020. Sent to my wife by a friend who lives in some other state.
Pours a moderately hazy light yellow with little head and a lot of carbonation. Smell is mild, slightly funky/woody, a little lemon.
Taste is lightly tart, stronger funk (but not too strong). Something almost peppery about this -- not the right flavor, but closest I can come up with right now. Kind of delicate.
Mouthfeel is light, smooth. Overall, it's a pretty solid beer.
Rated by Shelbyclimber from Ohio
4.57/5 rDev +26.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.75
4.57/5 rDev +26.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.75
An amazing location and an amazing beer. So good we bought four to bring back to Ohio!
Jun 26, 2019
Reviewed by WunderLlama from Massachusetts
3.85/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can poured into pint glass
Slightly translucent yellow liquid , thin white foam layer quickly fades
Faint aroma of bananas and cloves
Slight taste if bananas and cloves
Light sudsing
Good beer
Jun 15, 2019Slightly translucent yellow liquid , thin white foam layer quickly fades
Faint aroma of bananas and cloves
Slight taste if bananas and cloves
Light sudsing
Good beer
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire
3.52/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From the 16 oz. can with no notable canning date. Sampled on March 16, 2019.
The appearance is a slightly foggy light amber-yellow with a fizzy white head that fades fast. No significant lacing.
The aroma is yeasty, buttery, doughy, and slightly fruity. Maybe a bite of lemonzest.
Light to medium mouthfeel.
The taste is sweet but generally clean and crisp with a very minimal tart bite to conclude. It's not bad and it seems to be within the style but it is not anything that stands out.
Mar 16, 2019The appearance is a slightly foggy light amber-yellow with a fizzy white head that fades fast. No significant lacing.
The aroma is yeasty, buttery, doughy, and slightly fruity. Maybe a bite of lemonzest.
Light to medium mouthfeel.
The taste is sweet but generally clean and crisp with a very minimal tart bite to conclude. It's not bad and it seems to be within the style but it is not anything that stands out.
Rated by ChadDaniel from Ohio
3.59/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.59/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
First saisson I ever tried. Still one of the best I've tried.
Feb 04, 2019
Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan
3.75/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy golden amber color with small head that disappears quickly. No discernable aroma Taste is slightly tart with a mild flavor. Good mouth feel.
Sep 29, 2018
Reviewed by beersampler6 from Michigan
3.41/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.41/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Very nice drinkable farm-style ale, tried this one on tap. Light golden color with mild head. Nice notes of fruit, grains, mild yeast spiciness. Clean finish with mild thin mouthfeel and moderate carbonation throughout. Very trace bitterness throughout. Mild sweetness definitely balances out mild spicy hints. Very easy to drink.
Apr 18, 2018
Reviewed by cbutova from Massachusetts
3.41/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.41/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
A- Tallboy into a tulip with a clear pale golden body and a tall, two finger foamy white head. The cap has fairly good retention. Lacing is almost nonexistent.
S- Fruits like white grapes, apple and pears with a hint of lemon and yeast spiciness. Hints at a slight sweetness and definitely on the fruity end of the Saison spectrum.
T- Definitely has the pale fruits covered with the apples, pears and white grapes all opening up in the beer with a decent peppery yeast spiciness. A touch of citrus zest. A hint of clove and banana but they are very subtle. Somewhat sweet for the style.
MF- Silky and lightly creamy medium bodied brew with a moderate level of carbonation. A spicy bitterness in the finish.
A lot of pale fruits with apples, white grapes and pears really coming on with the yeast spice, a hint of lemon and some pale grains.
Mar 27, 2018S- Fruits like white grapes, apple and pears with a hint of lemon and yeast spiciness. Hints at a slight sweetness and definitely on the fruity end of the Saison spectrum.
T- Definitely has the pale fruits covered with the apples, pears and white grapes all opening up in the beer with a decent peppery yeast spiciness. A touch of citrus zest. A hint of clove and banana but they are very subtle. Somewhat sweet for the style.
MF- Silky and lightly creamy medium bodied brew with a moderate level of carbonation. A spicy bitterness in the finish.
A lot of pale fruits with apples, white grapes and pears really coming on with the yeast spice, a hint of lemon and some pale grains.
Farm Hand French Style Farmhouse Ale from Brewery Vivant
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
566 ratings
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