Hill Farmstead Brewery Aaron: Riserva

Aaron: Riserva

 

Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, Vermont, United States 🇺🇸

  Barley Wine - Barley Special
Score
7.84
ABV: 10.0% IBU: - Ticks: 6
On rare occasions, during the continuous course of evaluating, following, and projecting forward our barrel-aged beer program, a remarkable instance comes into focus by happenstance, one that excels unexpectedly and sets itself apart. Thus, a Riserva selection emerges.

‌From its inception in June of 2016, the journey towards this blend has been extraordinary. We assembled three instances of Aaron’s namesake barleywine-style ale with projected optimism that it would achieve uniquely.

The first portion was brewed in June of 2016 and spent two years in Bourbon and an additional five years in freshly emptied Tawny Port barrels. A second selection was brewed in December of 2019, and it rested for more than two years in Bourbon and then an additional year in Port. The final segment, brewed in July of 2020, was conditioned in freshly emptied Cognac barrels for nearly two years and then a following year in Port.

The result expresses finely sustained integration, balance, and nuance. Exhibiting depth and richness throughout the experience, this iteration of Aaron delightfully balances subtle notes of each barrel with satisfying sensory integration.
 

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8.1
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Bottle shared at the craft beer junction bermondsey tasting. Many thanks. A sticky chewy d as rk mahogany brown coloured pour with a halo of tan head. Aroma is medium sweet, chewy, raisin. Chewy.. Flavour is medium sweet, chewy. Brown sugars, raisin, gooey raisin, and banana bread. Lovely.

Tried from Bottle on 17 Oct 2024 at 20:48


8.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

Bottle shared at CBJ - big thanks to Aslam. Pours mostly clear, deep brown with a small, creamy off-white head. Medium sweet flavour with rich dark malts, layered dark berries, wood, toasted malts, earth. Full bodied, chewy, with fine carbonation. Lightly warming finish, rich and layered. Solid.

Tried from Bottle on 17 Oct 2024 at 20:48


8.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

17th October 2024
Bottleshare at CBJ. Thanks to the chap at the bar. Clear deep amber beer, small tan head. Snooth malts, nice toffee caramel and cream with a light woody vibe. Nice tawny port fruits. Light finish. Lovely. Best HF I've had in many years.

Tried from Bottle on 17 Oct 2024 at 20:48



8.1
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Brewery draught, 8/30/24. Clear, muted caramel-chestnut. Small, off-white head steadily to ring. Rich caramel-toffee. Plentiful fortified wine with a lovely acidity, pepper and wood dryness on the finish, to balance. Lingering dates, plums, raisins....no booze. Wow, yeah that has the balancing acidity that was somewhat lacking in the DB, DB B/C and B/C versions. Still richly malty with plums, raisins and toffee for days. No booze. Big body, though not off-puttingly so. Lingering pepper, various acid, wood and grape. Never any alcohol or other aggressive notes.

Tried on 30 Aug 2024 at 16:53


9.1
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 9.5

On tap at HF during FOFA week. Pours a dark brown with small beige head that lasts. The aroma is strong bourbon, licorice, raisin, wood, prune, date. Slick body, similar flavors to nose, nice sweetness, cognac and port are so balanced, enjoyed this.

Tried from Draft on 01 Aug 2024 at 16:19