Hill Farmstead in NYC

Small bar area, you don't have to buy food to drink and there is a huge outdoor patio

I work 2 blocks from john brown. I feel like I won lotto

 

I actually had the same reaction — but with Susan bought directly from the brewery about a month ago, not poured in NYC. It was far less cloudy, with a far less juicy aroma, than I recall from previous batches. Has anyone else noticed substantial variation recently, in Susan or other HF beers? Maybe it's related to their scaling up or tinkering with recipes?

 

Selfishly would have preferred DW or OF. But glad it went somewhere like here, vs somewhere like Torst

 

This is amazing news. My climbing gym is a block from this amazing bar/bbq spot! Given that I have a beer there almost every time I go climb anyways, my life is about to greatly improve...

 

I was about to bitch about it not being in Manhattan... then I realized it's actually closer to me than most good bars in Manhattan...

 

my wife is going to be like... you really really must like the barbecue here.

 

And she'd be right.

 

and if you are coming from manhattan on the E or M train stay in the back of the train and exit from there. You'll be about 2 blocks away.

Big Alice is also a stones throw away. Might be good for them too

 

Looks like I have a solid reason now to go to John Brown's. I've heard good things but never made the trek. Good for them.

 

I'd much prefer to be wrong on this than right, but I know that beer pretty well and it was definitely off. Hopefully it's just a less than great batch or something along those lines.

I'm really hoping it isn't a product of scaling up, that would be a shame. It was definitely less juicy and it also seemed to be darker in color. This was my first time with an off beer from HF, whether it was from the brewery or in NY, so I'm writing it off as a fluke for now.

 

One of my favorite IPAs. Hope it's just a less than stellar batch. Going to Bridge View tomorrow and will have a few and see if it's the same issue.

 

Susan at Torst is definitely off. Less juicy, not hazy, lacking that good hop punch of Susan. Had it a few days ago and was disappointed. Hopefully just an off keg..

 

I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong if that's the case. Admittedly, as I said in original post, I have never had Susan from HF directly. The only other time I had it was at Armsby Abbey as I mentioned, and while it tasted the same in both places (still a very good beer, don't get me wrong), I was pretty disappointed in it at AA too in comparison to the Edward that I had been drinking there too. So it's definitely not just a NY thing, and hopefully it's not an issue of scaling up production, as you mentioned. I have been very excited to see random one off kegs finally circulating through NY again and filtering into NYC. But as good as the beer currently being served still is, it certainly doesn't taste like what I expected HF to taste like, and it paled in comparison to any recent Trillium or Tree House APA/IPA/DIPA I have had fresh from the source. That Edward though....now that was a beer....

 

For another data point, I had susan at three penny in montpelier last weekend and it was every bit what i remember susan to be, so I don't think it's a scaling up issue. hopefully just an off keg...

 

Susan at John Browns today according to beermenus. Looks like I'll be having bbq for lunch.

 

Had Susan at John Brown's last night and it was absolutely wonderful.

 

Had it there today. Agree it was less hazy than I remember (but this was Jan 2011 at the brewery, so who knows), but goddamn that's so juicy.

The burnt ends sandwich is crazy good there too.

 

Just another data point on Susan. I had it last Friday at Armsby and noticed it wasn't as bright as when I had it last there on June 20. Not a huge difference, but I did take notice, as did my wife who was with me both times. The Legiitimacy was the by far the best they were pouring out of the 6 HF. Would drink gallons of that.

 

Abner at Lupolo, unfortunately I will be out of the city by the time they open at 5.

 

Great selection at Lupolo. Prices are pretty wild though