Hill Farmstead (2020)

Samuel was $40 I believe. This was bottle conditioned as said above 3years! Plus in barrels that held an unreleased beer “Double Honey Ann”, Art & Flora. I think last small format Art was even $40-45

 

Correct.

I’ll be curious how long this one lasts. Given the long term aging, I wonder much was bottled. Plus, the lineage, Shaun’s praise of the outcome, and no stated limits to the public, I doubt the price is a deterrent for many. It wouldn’t be for me. The beer sounds amazing.

 

I'm definitely in the romantic barrel camp. Each barrel as an individual has been slumbering for quite some time with a more or less stable mico-fauna. To even get to that point takes an enormous amount of effort shepherding the yeasts and bacteria. The art of blending and tasting anything (from cognac to rum to wine) necessitates a library of flavors and the wisdom of time. How will this "tell" flavor interact with that one etc, is all through trial and error. I have the utmost respect for folks with talented palates, but to use that gift/skill, you need good barrels.

A relevant interview
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-about-beer/e/50169422

Brett is still mostly mystery, I try to follow Crooked Stave and all the work they are doing, but Brett specific research (everything from how it behaves in environments to flavor perception) is still young.

A shot in the dark: The act of blending stresses the fauna out and they need probably at least to 6 months to acclimate to their new home, with new food and under pressure. Then another 3ish months to stabilize and allow the Brett to clean up any off flavors from the roused sacc strains and bacteria. Then a little bit longer for some crazy bio transformation and protein digestion.

Long Video but worth it

 

I’ll be more concerned with HF pricing when the core farmhouses go above their $10 and $12 price tags. I’m less distraught shelling out for a couple expensive bottles when the ‘non special’ stuff is amazing and priced right in line with or cheaper than everyone else.

That said I noticed it seems like the 375 ml bottles are smaller now, not sure exactly what the deal is with that.

 

Smaller than 375 ml? Or the shape of the bottle has changed? Or suggesting it’s 375 ml, but not really the correct oz., smaller?

Pictures of current 375s, look no different than old ones to me.

 

My bottle of Self-Reliance: Czech Saaz appears to be the same size as my bottle of Allagash Coolship la Mûre.

 

Czech saaz seemed to be fatter than Anna Val to me, will take another look. The former was definitely same bottle as normal and as allagash uses, latter potentially narrower.

 

Looks like people weren't too concerned about the price, cd30 just sold out.

 

Not totally surprised.

 

1. Hill farmstead might be the best brewery in the world. Love their beers. However I have a price limit for beer. I’ve been up there a couple times and have the opportunity to get beer through my sister a couple times when she’s gone up and I normally pass on the really expensive bottles. However they’re probably worth it in a lot of ways and I do not blame anybody who purchases them at that price. Everybody has to set limits but I hope everybody who buys a bottle enjoys it. If there’s one brewery I’m gonna spend that kind of money on it would be Hill farmstead. They take incredible pride in the beers they brew and everything they sell is exceptional. You never have to worry about getting a sub par beer. If I made more money or did not have a couple of kids I would definitely splurge on some of the more expensive bottles. I normally just buy a case of their large format saison $10 for 750 mL for those beers is incredible.

 

I would love to know how many people bought bottles especially because they were so expensive. Meaning "wow, this beer was 40 bucks a bottle; it must be amazing- I better get 6 bottles!" Again, I am sure it is a great beer but I am seeing a lot of cost creep in craft beer and I think a lot of it is being pushed by resellers and wealthy hypsters. Beer should not cost that much. Period. Lets stop the madness.

 

I feel that they/many people justify the cost of the beer based on how long it has been bottle conditioning. Like- lets add 10 bucks to the cost because we have been monitoring the bottles in our cellar for two years. I feel like that could be an email newsletter. I love HF but the most recent beer description/price on CD30 is a bit much for me.

 

How do we stop the madness?

I mean, let's be real here, this isn't "beer." This isn't some macro lager mass produced with the most basic, sugar rich product sourced at the cheapest price in mass quantities with the most efficient centuries old yet modern technology enhanced process developed with countless millions of dollars of investment.

It's the best brewery in the world making an incredibly unique blend of hand crafted barrel aged saison at comparatively very small volume. I'm not sure how $40 can even be seen as the ceiling here.

In the middle of a pandemic, no less.

 

not that complicated. If Hill doesnt charge that much, someone else will. Hill might as well get as much of what people think the beer is worth as he can. I don't begrudge that a bit.

 

Especially when it sells out in a day

 

which means he didnt charge enough

 

Should we tell them that earlier this year, HF sold another beer for twice as much as this $40 one—and charged $2 for just the chance to be able to buy said beer?

 

Just out of curiosity, what do you think would be a reasonable price for it?
It can’t be compared to a 3 week ale. It spent years in barrels and years in the bottle. It should be placed on the same level as wine/bourbon and acknowledge the time spent aging and blending. It’s like buying a handcrafted chair from a VT craftsman and wondering why it isn’t priced like IKEA.
And secondary needs to stop being brought up. I can guarantee that Shaun Hill isn’t pricing his beer based off of the secondary market. He’s gone to great lengths over the years to deter resellers.
Art 750’s were $60 at initial release if I remember correctly. If CD30 had an abbreviated ancestor as it’s name instead would it be worth $40 then?

 

The latest two 750 mL Art Releases were $40/bottle.

 

Pretty sure the most recent Art 375ml onsite was around $45-55 as well. Almost 3 yrs bottle conditioned, 2 yrs in barrels.