Hill Farmstead (2024)

It's really a bummer, I used to really love their beers, but this tasted like straight up onions and peppers.

 

What's wild is I get that in a lot of hype IPA that people currently do dumb things for because it's the shiny new thing, but when the old guard does it, people (rightly so) actually acknowledge their distaste of it. Sometimes I do enjoy an element of allium, but in balance.

 

It's something that I notice (to a lesser degree) in a lot of Bissell Bros IPAs too. I just stopped seeking them out.

 

Unfortunately most bars hold onto kegs for too long. We do not serve hoppy beers beyond 3 weeks from their packaging date.

 

When you receive a keg of hoppy beer do you tap it right away?

Cheers!

 

A bar I frequent and really respect for their options just tapped Swish. Isn’t that a winter brew? Seeing how long IPAs listed as “on deck” sit on Untappd before they’re tapped is depressing.

 

Last batch I think is from 4/26 (no idea if that keg is from that batch or not). Still, that's over two months old and I certainly wouldn't wanna drink it.

 

Mystic Station in Malden had several HF beers on draft (4 I think) including Difference & Repetition, which was fantastic.

 

Listen man, sure, that isn't 100% ideal, but if it tastes so bad after two months then it was never a good beer to begin with. Sometimes I buy a few cases of hops I may not have intended to drink all by myself, but my beer group doesn't end up taking as much as I guessed they might, and I'm not trying to consume 72 pints of NEIPA in a single month. The good brews always still taste good, some quite deliciously so, long after release.

 

I try to drink my NEIPAs within 2 mos but I fully agree with this. Most well crafted hazies last long beyond that. I do believe the fresher the better, but there’s zero reason to panic after the 60 day mark.

 

I'm happy to drink 6+ month old Heady or Focal. Still almost just as good as fresh.

 

Mystic Station seems like the best option for HF beers in the Boston area. I was pumped to have Everett there 2 weeks ago.

 

Made my annual trip on Friday. Wound up getting pours of Poetica (obviously), Fear and Trembling (2018), and Juicy.

Here was the list if anyone's curious:

 

I'm going to be up in Vermont at the end of September (I'm aware of the concerns about peepers clogging up the roads). If we find a good spot around the area that has a solid handful of HF taps, is that sufficient enough or is the brewery really necessary to go to for a good HF experience? Timing wise we'd only have a shot at going at opening on Wednesday, and we're not super keen on doing so, unless it's really that worth it. Any sort of views or nice taproom aren't much of a concern to us, as we'll be at plenty of other scenic places and breweries throughout the trip. I was eyeballing Blackback, but it seems like there's a handful of options around there and Burlington that will have a good selection of HF.

 

I would say it's definitely worth going to the Brewery. The selection of beers and special cellar offerings in the taproom are worth the visit alone -- while you will get a ton of draft beers at Blackback (btw also a must visit - along w/3 Penny in Montpelier)- but miss out on aged stuff. The taproom is small but it's generally quiet depending on when you visit -- if the weather is nice - the outdoor seating is grand -- w/gorgeous views from the hill. Paring your visit w/a stop at the Willey's GS and/or nearby Parker Pie for local cheeses/a pizza - and more HF offerings is a good idea to truly get the vibe of Greensboro and the surrounding area. Good luck - I might see you there

 

I can't imagine being next to one of the world's most renowned breweries and choosing not to visit simply because a bar has a keg of theirs. I have a friend that does this every year and it really blows my mind.

If you want to have a belly up to the bar, elbow rubbing pub experience, go to Blackback. If you want to experience Hill Farmstead, go to Hill Farmstead.

 

I echo all of the above.

 

HF is pretty much the only brewery I actually ever drink at. The experience there has improved over the years - in all ways - various pour sizes, number of options, etc. - a far cry from the flight you could get there back in the day.

Definitely go, and enjoy the special offerings and drink the more regular options at the places you mentioned. This said, draft Edward at HF hits different.