Manor Hill Brewing

Discussion in 'New England' started by ThisWangsChung, Jan 5, 2016.

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  1. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Just thought I'd mention that Manor Hill in Ellicott City, Maryland - even though I haven't been impressed with them - has started canning their beers. So far it's the IPA and the Grisette available, and they're both leaving the shelves like mad from what I've heard.

    My desperation for an 'it' brewery from Maryland (that isn't Union :wink:) has convinced me to look for their six-packs, despite my reticence toward their products.

    So what say you, fellow BAs? Are the cans an improvement over their first few batches?
     
    #1 ThisWangsChung, Jan 5, 2016
  2. DeutschesBier

    DeutschesBier Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2009 Maryland

    I haven't tried the IPA yet (in cans). I bought a 6 pack of the Grisette, and it's okay. It's very turbid, and is a little too yeast-forward (fruity esters and bubblegum), which doesn't leave it as easy-drinking as it should be. Tastes like the Wyeast French Saison strain, fermented warm. I can see people digging it, though.

    The grisette wasn't terrible by any means, and I think they show some promise. I had their IPA on tap over the summer, and it was solid.
     
    #2 DeutschesBier, Jan 5, 2016
  3. VincentFrey

    VincentFrey Initiate (0) Jul 30, 2011 Maryland

    I really enjoy the IPA, but haven't had the cans.

    Best beer I've had from them is the Inspiration: Vermont offering. Not really like a Vermont DIPA honestly, but damn tasty and only $5 a pint (I guess since tester batch) at Victoria's.

    Worst was the Mojito Sour or The Gathering. Mojito just had that inescapable cheese rind funk and not in a good way (more Parmesan than anything) and The Gathering just...wasn't an IPA? Had it fresh, clean lines, into a crowler and drank that day. Maybe the wet hops didn't yield the expected oills. It was an okay table beer but I wasn't buying a table a beer.

    All in all though, more hits than misses. I like Farm Fuzz decently well, 4 Grain was solid, Citra Splendor leans on malt too much but reminds me of older style east coast IPAs just with a newer hop varietal.

    Plus Ben is a super guy.
     
    #3 VincentFrey, Jan 6, 2016
  4. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    I still can't believe how underhopped The Gathering was. There was no excuse for Manor Hill to call that a wet hop ale and have it be less hoppy than a Blue Moon, none whatsoever. Still, better than their Mojito Cheese Bomb :stuck_out_tongue: Citra Splendor was okay, but also pretty underhopped.

    I really hope Manor Hill is dialing things in with their canned offerings. My hopes are high, but cautiously so - you can be sure when I pick up some Manor Hill cans they'll get a proper review. I can't tell you how much I want to be a fan of this brewery, and how much it breaks my heart that I'm not just yet.

    As a side note, my friends are comparing Manor Hill's quality as being a small step below breweries like Tree House or Other Half :confused: I shall be the judge of that!
     
    #4 ThisWangsChung, Jan 6, 2016
  5. singlespeed

    singlespeed Pundit (765) Sep 17, 2005 Delaware
    Trader

    I just picked up a 6-pack of the IPA. I will report back with my findings.
     
    #5 singlespeed, Jan 6, 2016
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  6. LanguedocRocks

    LanguedocRocks Zealot (702) Aug 21, 2014 Virginia
    Trader

    I had a 6er of the IPA last week. Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg has some. It was around 2 weeks old when I had them I beleive.

    I would definitely drink it over DC Brau's Corruption. I like the use of Mosaic in it. Still, it doesn't even come close to what TH or OH are doing. The quality being a small step below those breweries is being very generous.
     
    #6 LanguedocRocks, Jan 6, 2016
  7. jacewg

    jacewg Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2012 District of Columbia

    Manor Hill is releasing a Passionfruit version of their IPA this week that I highly recommend checking out.
     
    #7 jacewg, Jan 6, 2016
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  8. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Brewery-only or will it hit distribution (if only in a nominal sense)?

    Looking at their site, they'll open the brewery to the public this Saturday from 12 to 4... :sunglasses:
     
    #8 ThisWangsChung, Jan 6, 2016
  9. jacewg

    jacewg Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2012 District of Columbia

    Will hit distribution, but draft only I believe.
     
    #9 jacewg, Jan 6, 2016
  10. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Aha.

    Calvert Brewing Company in Upper Marlboro is also open to the public now...what a great day to pick up some beer!
     
    #10 ThisWangsChung, Jan 6, 2016
  11. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Okay, I managed to find a sixer of Grisette - and it's ridiculously good. Rustic yet hoppy, and substantial/rich/complex for 4.7%. This is far, far, FAR better than their earlier batches, that's for certain. @DeutschesBier , I do kind of agree about the turbidity, though; this feels a little too chalky at times.

    But if their IPA ends up being this good, I'm jumping on the Manor Hill bandwagon once and for all.
     
    #11 ThisWangsChung, Jan 7, 2016
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  12. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Bumping this thread because Manor Hill will be releasing Citra Splendor tallboy cans next Saturday. *SUPPOSEDLY* it's similar to a Northeast IPA. Supposedly.

    Have they tweaked the recipe some? I had a sample of it several months ago, and it was a total malt bomb.
     
    #12 ThisWangsChung, Feb 21, 2016
  13. wd09601

    wd09601 Crusader (416) Jul 29, 2012 Maryland

    I had it months ago and thought it was pretty good, but not, in any way, similar to a Northeast IPA.
     
    #13 wd09601, Feb 21, 2016
  14. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Yeah. I'm a bit skeptical (I'm going up to central MD next weekend to stock up on Double Duckpin, mainly) myself, but I'll gladly give it a second chance.
     
    #14 ThisWangsChung, Feb 21, 2016
  15. TedStrosser

    TedStrosser Pundit (795) Jun 19, 2015 Pennsylvania

    Was just there yesterday. Tried the Pale Ale, IPA and Passion Fruit IPA. Picked up a six pack of the IPA as well. Great site and tasting room set-up. Felt the IPA and Passion Fruit IPA were slightly above average, but not by much. Really would like to try the Citra Splendor. Went to Union afterwards and stocked up on Double Duckpin - Quickly turning into one of my favorites...
     
    #15 TedStrosser, Feb 21, 2016
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  16. jon432

    jon432 Initiate (0) Mar 30, 2014 Maryland

    was there yesterday for the can release of their double ipa, citra splendor. great tap room, but man,they were swamped!

    not only was the canned release yesterday, they released on draft a BA RIS. i was able to try one sip prior to the keg kicking-it was incredible!

    manor hill-if you read this-please bottle that stout, amazing!

    they had a tart saison on tap also, fantastic! look forward to heading there when the weather is warmer, great spot, and the staff was all very friendly and helpful.
     
    #16 jon432, Feb 28, 2016
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  17. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    I was there yesterday, also - got a case of Citra Splendor (partly for some friends who really want it, and partly because Manor Hill improved the recipe tremendously compared with the first time I tried it). The barrel-aged RIS was decent, but not exceptional - a bit too oaky for me. On the other hand, the drinkability and alcohol concealment were excellent. Sorry @jon432 :stuck_out_tongue:

    I also bought a growler of Hawkwind (a Mexican-style porter), so I'll be sure to let you guys know how it turns out.
     
    #17 ThisWangsChung, Feb 28, 2016
  18. Rickythejeweler

    Rickythejeweler Initiate (0) Dec 1, 2009 Maryland

    Their Latte beer blew my mind, it's the best MD beer I've ever had. I really liked their Hayes Saison too, it had a nice tartness to it that is unique compared to most other saisons. Their Passionfruit IPA is also worth seeking out.
     
    #18 Rickythejeweler, Feb 28, 2016
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  19. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Damnit guys, stop making me regret not getting ANOTHER growler of Hayes Creek :wink:
     
    #19 ThisWangsChung, Feb 28, 2016
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  20. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've been revisiting the IPA and Grizette in cans many times over last couple months. IPA is my current #1 MD IPA and Grizette is such a great tasting low ABV, tart funky Belgian table beer with citrus hop flavors. I agree with others, the finish is a touch chalky / dry though not quite as thirst quenching/slick finish as I'd prefer to pound in warm weather. Still a great tasting brew.

    On tap, I loved the Passionfruit IPA and 4 Grain Saison is one of my favorite saisons anywhere. A few other samplers I tried on tap at Victoria's about 6 months ago were misses/just ok though.

    Hopefully their can releases will continue to expand and be as impressive as the first 2.
     
    #20 bubseymour, Feb 28, 2016
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