Hill Farmstead (2022)

Dark Lord was mostly shit on for being gross, which it still is.

 

Just because it's hip to act like it doesn't make it true.

It really isn't though.

 

Sorry to drop off a bit.

I do know how their stouts are(and variations) Some I have liked and some I haven’t. For me, it’s the interplay with the roast flavors and the tannins/barrel character that can be specific for my tastebuds. The lower abv and less body might aide in me being more sensitive to certain off putting flavors since I do enjoy a bit more body in big stouts. Say the 11-12.5% or so sweet spot I find. Was just seeking a little input. She very much enjoyed her pour, as well as other pours. I cracked a double Nelson can tonight and am looking forward to opening the stout at some point. Happy to have Susan back in the house as well. They got to try poetica, helles, edward, song of summer, viola, beyond good and evil. All good things to say. Said the only strange part was it being cold in the 60’s. Such a different world up there considering I was on the beach and in the pool all weekend here at home. The little general store off her aunts road on Willougby never disappoints as well from the selection she showed me.

Also, I’m going to stick with “Voila”

Had some of the Dark Lord bottles 10-12 years back and enjoyed them. I get the sweet and big flavor complaint. But, Treehouse as just one example makes plenty you could argue are even more over the top

 

Hype stouts these days are 100x sweeter, stickier and less drinkable than any Dark Lord has ever been.

My problem with Hill stouts, and particularly their barrel aged ones, is that they too often taste like hickory, which is a fairly off-putting flavor when you're looking for oak influences.

 

Can anyone give an idea of the current merch selection in the retail shop? Shirts, glassware etc. I’m heading up there in about a month and just trying to get a pulse on the situation.

 

As of right now I believe there is no merch.

 

If you look in the mirror and say foederman three times, he will come. Beware.

 

Em and I have been calling it that since I typed it!

 

Yeah, we were a bit confused as well when my lady walked all around and couldn’t find any in the shop a week ago.

I feel like they usually have some at most times?

 

I tried that once but my pronunciation was off. I got John Fetterman instead. He brought some fantastic pilsner from his local brewery Brew Gentlemen, though, so it all worked out great.

 

It could have been worse. Josh Stylman could have appeared with misinformation.

 

Will be in VT the week before Labor Day. Wednesday is the only day that I can go, probably right @ open. What should I expect, & what are typical can limits?

 

No glassware or shirts is a bummer. It’s gonna be a rare trip for me so I wanna make the most of it. Maybe I’ll get the chance to go again when my kids turn 18, lol jk

 

no can limits, but probably some bottles will be 1-3 per person. Go on tock now and try to make a reservation, you’ll have much better options for on site

 

I was there a week ago, no merch, I asked why, they said they were changing merch companies so the new stuff wasn't ready yet.

 

Thanks for the information. Odd that they did not have their new supplier up and going right after they dumped the other one. Then again, what do I know

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Looks like they added a glass to their toast site.

 

Going there on Saturday and was hoping to get a glass since I already have a shirt. I also love that you can buy Nietzsche and Kant to go with your 4pks of IPA

 

That's what they told me when I was there last September!

 

Yeah I feel like that's been the status quo for at least 5 years at this point.

 

Nah. Got a sweatshirt there in December 2019.

 

Were glasses available?

 

Bought glassware (tasters) in 2020 online so they’ve had glassware.

 

New glassware posted on their Instagram for sale today.

 

Seems so sporadically available though. Haven't seen any available over at least 5 years during my visits.

 

Maybe sporadic, but the ones I ordered online were likely available on-site too. I’d have to dig deep and 5 years seems like a long time, but it seemed like every time I went or friends went they had a new color tasting glass and or willi.

 

Concur with @Sabtos . In over a dozen trips over the past three years, I've only seen glassware for sale maybe once. And I'm not even sure that was since the beginning of the plague. T-shirts and hoodies, yes, but not glassware. Five years seems a stretch, but could be.

 

They. Are. Listening.

 

So uhh......it sure would be nice if they got some new hoodies up for sale......

 

Love my Hill hoodie, it's a perfectly heavy material and just a tad too big which makes it ideal when I need like 4 layers in the winter.

Chiming in to note that I feel like there's been glassware (willis, mugs) available just about every time I went between like 2018-2020 so maybe it was sporadic (or I could be mis-remembering... pre-COVID times feel so long ago).

 

Reservations @ 12:15 tomorrow. Coming from the Warren, VT area (via Plymouth, MA). Other than the brewery, is there anything else to do in the area? Recommendations on places to eat?

 

Not sure if you’re looking to eat on the way or after, Pie is about 20 mins away (north). They open at 11am.

https://www.parkerpie.com/


Hill could also have a food truck on-site.

 

Parker Pie

 

Beat me by a few seconds

 

If heading back south towards Montpelier you could stop at Bragg farm. It's where I prefer to load up on syrup and get a cup of ice cream.

 

Thinking on stopping in Saturday. Wondering about reservation difference on Saturdays vs not having one. Specifically these questions.
1. Is there still benefit to reservations on Saturdays?
2. Can you buy bottles to go, if so, do you have more options with res?
3. Crazy friendly dog with me, looks like I can only be on the lawn with her? No covered tent or tables?
4. Being L-weekend, should I expect a mad house and if so, will showing up first thing help mitigate it?

Thank you.

 

1) no clue, someone else can definitely help you out, they are very vague about Saturday reservations. I’d personally go for it.

2) bottle shop is separate from the tap room, so no, reservations don’t open up to go options

3) I haven’t been since the spring, the first time I went (with our dog) I sort of was an ass about it, we have a Frenchie, I picked him up and went into the tap room, and ordered. Of course I was told no animals inside, they were cool and poured me a dandelion Aaron. The second time, I brought him but didn’t take him into the tap room, but he hung out on the deck and tables. They may be enforcing that differently now. But they were very nice, they offered to bring out a water bowl. (I had brought one)

4) no idea, someone else can definitely offer help

Man, I need to make a trip soon. This place is wonderful.

 

Don’t need Saturday reservation. The reservations during the week give you a menu with more stuff for on site, but Saturday there’s just one menu.

Takeaway options same w or w/o a res - go on toast in the morning to put your order in.

Never brought the dog, not sure.

I would guess arriving right when or right before they open you’ll get at least one beer from the bar before there’s a crowd. In my experience if it’s a busy day there it’s about 30 min after the doors open that it gets slammed. And even slammed is generally just VT slammed.

 

Get a reservation. There are reservations on Saturday. You can order beer to go at 7AM the day of your visit. It will not be that crowded, because of reservations. It is dog friendly. There is one covered outdoor section.