Society & Solitude #2
Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, Vermont, United States 🇺🇸
IPA - Black / Cascadian Dark Series|
Score
7.96
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Imperial Black IPA. In the spirit of James, this robust, dark ale is hopped with Simcoe and Columbus—highlighted by subtle roasty notes and soft, pleasurable carbonation.
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7.6/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 9
Overall 7.5
Can (5/6/25) from trade with CLW--thanks, Chris! Opaque black with light floaties, decent head with poor retention and light lacing. Aroma is strong toffee over lighter pine. Taste is strong toffee and pine, smoky anise. Frothy, silky texture, soft carbonation, finish as taste. Though getting toffee, which is somewhat unique in my experience of BIPA, there is a borderline dankness (wet doormat) quality that isn't wonderful. As an experimental series, not necessarily the same beer as 4,5 or 10 years ago. Some interesting, unique qualities, but other aspects I miss in a black IPA. Is it possible, while respecting the craft, I'm just not a Hill Farmstead guy?
Tried
from Can
on 01 Aug 2025
at 04:41
8/10
Hoppy and malty, roasty, smooth. Coffee, a bit of cocoa. Beautifully balanced, top in its class, very nice.
Tried
from Can
on 13 Jun 2025
at 21:41
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
On tap at Churchkey. Pours almost black with a tan head. Roasted malt, dark chocolate, citrus, pine, warming finish.
Tried
from Draft
on 16 Oct 2024
at 19:36
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Draught, taster. @Churchkey, Washington DC (DC). 02/09/2024 [#7.730 Global - #1.581 United States of America - #6 Hill Farmstead Brewery] Pours dark brown with a lacing tan head. Aroma: roasted earthy hops, licorice and rossted nuts. Taste: roasted earthy hops. Very nice roasty palate. Next one, please!
Tried
on 08 Oct 2024
at 10:47
8.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 10
Overall 8.5
Roast and licorice. Lavender and lime. Some roast, a little coffee. Black pour with decent head and lacing. Bitter finish with a little caramel. Very nice stuff. Not everyday I try top-rated beer in a given style these days. Some orange peel. Tap at Churchkey.
Tried
from Draft
on 11 Jul 2024
at 21:18
7.8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 9
Can from explosivesog: pours black with beige head. Aroma is pine, dark fruit, roast, chocolate. Intense and complex taste. Not boozy but the heft is felt.
Tried
from Can
on 24 Jun 2024
at 00:24
8.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Can. Pours black with a nice tan froth. Pineapple, pine, tangerine, chocolate, biscuit, grapefruit. Nice smooth body. Very good.
Tried
from Can
on 14 Jun 2024
at 01:42
7.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 9
5-11-24 Shelter
Tried
at
Shelter
on 11 May 2024
at 20:20
7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Goblet at the Roost pours a murky, dark brown with plenty of sudsy white head. Nose has toast and a little rubber, some cracked grains, black pepper and pine. Love the pine. Flavor is malt, toast, dried citrus and pine. Full bodied, bitter finish. Really well balanced and drinks WAY easier than 9%.
Tried
on 10 May 2024
at 20:45
8.3/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8.5
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8
Canned early January 2023. Pours a deep dark, almost black. colour and a small light brown head with a little retention. Aroma's of spruce, drop,/licorice, resin, light roast. Retronasal there's quite a bit of resin, with light sweetness, drop, spruce, bitterness. Flavour is moderate bittersweet with a hint of sour. Medium bodied. Warming alcohol. Good carbonation. Long finish, slightly dry, moderate bitter and roasty.
Tried
from Can
on 26 Feb 2023
at 17:30