★ Review: Hill Farmstead Edith (2013)

2013 Bottle, blue label 75CL format enjoyed in the new charcoal Hill Farmstead Stemware at 62 Degrees F on the first 70 Degree + day here in central New Hampshire.

A – Thank goodness this wasn’t a gusher! Pours a toasted black out of the bottle. Dark brown to black in the glass, 1 finger leathery head with a creamy top. Very persistent lacing

S – This is a hard one to place. There is a lot going on, I get faint cherries, a smudge like almost nonexistent level of roasted barley. There’s a nice level of lactic acid nose creating a tartness and a level of floral like rose petals as well.

T – Wow. This is incredibly interesting. The terroir of Hill Farmstead’s Water, Yeast and Oak process that is similar to Sean’s other bottled farmhouse style ales is apparent. It’s a profile I love a lot so I’mg lad to see it so present in Edith. In addition, there is a minor roast / smokiness, navel juiciness and crisp tart finish that’s really nice. In the middle is a sweet grape taste. It’s complex and just enough “black” to make it stand out from arthur yet shares a lot of the same similarities.

M – Very full body on the mouth swish. Tart and dry finish. Medium in body

O – As I said in the taste notes, it reminds me of the 2 most recent batches of Arthur but with additional bitterness and roastiness that you’d expect from a black saison. Very different from Civil Disobedience 4. A delicious beer that I’m glad there are more in the cellar.