Bière de Norma
Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, Vermont, United States 🇺🇸
Farmhouse - Bière de Mars Spring|
Score
7.96
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Norma (1939 – 2011) was my maternal grandmother, my guardian angel, and the woman that nourished the laughter and innocence of my youth. In her honor, we craft this Bière de Mars and condition it in oak barrels with our resident microflora, allowing it to develop indefinitely until it is ready for release. We realize the influence of those closest to us only after having left their presence. At Hill Farmstead, our spirit is forever defined by Norma and the memory of our loved ones.
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8.6/10
Vinous, red white with a bit of vinegar and barnyard funk. Quite nice indeed.
Tried
on 29 Mar 2026
at 18:20
7.3/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle shared by Chalumeaux--thanks, TJ! at OT Camp tasting. Hazy light brown with ring of head, trace lacing. Aroma is strong funk/barnyard with tart fruit. Taste is strong, earthy tart fruit and mild caramel. Smooth, frothy texture, average carbonation and finish as taste. Well done but more tart/funky than I like.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Sep 2025
at 01:54
9.3/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
2015 bottle drunk 7/24/15.
A brilliant, rich amber hued beer showing good clarity and topped by an off-white head that shows strong retention.
Wow. Not to take anything away from the flavors, but I’ll be damned if HF dosent have some of the most aromatically pleasing beers out there. After the disappointing incredibly over-barreled SP Saison du Ble, the wonderfully balanced and integrated barrel character in the nose here, was supremely refreshing. Soft, aged red wine character, minerals, light chalk and very low tannin character all build complexity, as dry toffee and brown bread-like malts creep in from the edges, adding just a touch of sweetness and allowing the wild character to present itself cleanly and clearly. Limes, hickory, cobwebby cellar, mild lactic influences and peppery phenols all dance about on the nose, with the wood both softening and deepening as it warms. I smelled this thing for about 5 minutes before even trying a sip. No alcohol, no flaws.
Flavor does not disappoint in the least. Soft, dry barrel character and soft, sweet malt character balance each other, while tight, ample carbonation further amplifies the softness/creaminess of the palate. Lightly acidic red wine notes, bits of oakiness and some dry mineral/chalk character build up slowly on the palate, as tart, lemon-lime-like brett notes add brightness and a bit of sharp acidity, as well. Lactic acids soften things, adding a pinch of mild yogurt/cheese-like character and it ends with soft malt and wood character trailing off, with pleasant, not-overdone acidity lingering lightly, as well.
Whew. What a beer! Over the course of this amazing weekend, trying all kinds of delicious, highly rated beers, I think this one would only be matched by Ann itself. And to think this beer had only 4 months in the bottle at this point. All signs point to this beer with 1-2 years of age on it being absolutely divine; the light touches of sharp acidity from the yeast/bacteria should soften, as well as allowing for the wine/barrel character to integrate just a little more. As it is, though, I’d be happy to drink this fresh any day of the week. Rating is for this bottle I had, but also the potential I think this beer has for being even better aged. Could very easily trying an older bottle and giving it a 5. Hope that happens!
Huge thanks to Adam C for opening this!
A brilliant, rich amber hued beer showing good clarity and topped by an off-white head that shows strong retention.
Wow. Not to take anything away from the flavors, but I’ll be damned if HF dosent have some of the most aromatically pleasing beers out there. After the disappointing incredibly over-barreled SP Saison du Ble, the wonderfully balanced and integrated barrel character in the nose here, was supremely refreshing. Soft, aged red wine character, minerals, light chalk and very low tannin character all build complexity, as dry toffee and brown bread-like malts creep in from the edges, adding just a touch of sweetness and allowing the wild character to present itself cleanly and clearly. Limes, hickory, cobwebby cellar, mild lactic influences and peppery phenols all dance about on the nose, with the wood both softening and deepening as it warms. I smelled this thing for about 5 minutes before even trying a sip. No alcohol, no flaws.
Flavor does not disappoint in the least. Soft, dry barrel character and soft, sweet malt character balance each other, while tight, ample carbonation further amplifies the softness/creaminess of the palate. Lightly acidic red wine notes, bits of oakiness and some dry mineral/chalk character build up slowly on the palate, as tart, lemon-lime-like brett notes add brightness and a bit of sharp acidity, as well. Lactic acids soften things, adding a pinch of mild yogurt/cheese-like character and it ends with soft malt and wood character trailing off, with pleasant, not-overdone acidity lingering lightly, as well.
Whew. What a beer! Over the course of this amazing weekend, trying all kinds of delicious, highly rated beers, I think this one would only be matched by Ann itself. And to think this beer had only 4 months in the bottle at this point. All signs point to this beer with 1-2 years of age on it being absolutely divine; the light touches of sharp acidity from the yeast/bacteria should soften, as well as allowing for the wine/barrel character to integrate just a little more. As it is, though, I’d be happy to drink this fresh any day of the week. Rating is for this bottle I had, but also the potential I think this beer has for being even better aged. Could very easily trying an older bottle and giving it a 5. Hope that happens!
Huge thanks to Adam C for opening this!
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Sep 2025
at 01:26
8.6/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
Drunk 9/20/25.
Wow this smells fucking fantastic. Rich Brett and big cherry (which is also the Brett). Rich malt with honey and vanilla notes. Intense Brett and light lacto with light orange and such. Bright and intensely aromatic.
Juicy and toasty with lacto and very light Brett. Tart with big lemon. Not as much Brett from the nose in the flavor. But this is still a flavorful, intense fruity, amber saison/BdG. Vanilla, citrus and such.
Wow this smells fucking fantastic. Rich Brett and big cherry (which is also the Brett). Rich malt with honey and vanilla notes. Intense Brett and light lacto with light orange and such. Bright and intensely aromatic.
Juicy and toasty with lacto and very light Brett. Tart with big lemon. Not as much Brett from the nose in the flavor. But this is still a flavorful, intense fruity, amber saison/BdG. Vanilla, citrus and such.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Sep 2025
at 01:20
8.6/10
Very nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Sep 2025
at 21:10
8.8/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 8.5
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 9
2014 draught, Fofa, 8/2/25.
Clear, bright, well-carbed.
Toast, bright red fruit and tartness without any excessive acidity or too much specialty malt. Mineral, earth, hints of vanilla. Very rounded and engaging.
Dry, hints of toast but still some malt depth/softness and a touch of honey, vanilla and a pinch of caramel. Rich mineral and bright red fruit with easygoing, well-aged fruit. Engaging and flavorful and still in great shape.
Clear, bright, well-carbed.
Toast, bright red fruit and tartness without any excessive acidity or too much specialty malt. Mineral, earth, hints of vanilla. Very rounded and engaging.
Dry, hints of toast but still some malt depth/softness and a touch of honey, vanilla and a pinch of caramel. Rich mineral and bright red fruit with easygoing, well-aged fruit. Engaging and flavorful and still in great shape.
Tried
from Draft
at
Hill Farmstead Brewery
on 03 Aug 2025
at 17:43
8.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottle, 750 ml at my Grande. 2017 vintage. Reddish orange with white head. Some brett, red fruit, cherries, nice funk, medium sourness, nice balance. Medium bodied.
Tried
from Bottle
on 09 May 2025
at 22:00
8.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Pours hazy dark amber into a tulip. Tan head with little retention recedes to nothing. Tart apricot and pit fruit aromas. Soft with tart apple, apricot and mild cherry front to back. Medium length dry oak finish. Santé, Norm.
Tried
on 25 Dec 2024
at 19:07
8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
Bottle at share: pours copper with white head. Aroma toffee, lemony, lightly funky, some malt. Taste smooth, fruity, funky. Excellent. Aged well.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Apr 2024
at 20:17
8.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottle, at share, 2017 vintage, thanks to Julie. Pours amber. Lemon, biscuit, apple juice, pear, toffee, prune. Nice spritz. Excellent.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Apr 2024
at 20:07