August Trip: The Hill Farmstead Experience

Hill Farmstead welcome sign.

By Carl

Since joining the beer scene, I have been to a number of different breweries and seen a lot of different ways these places set up shop, but by far the most intriguing experience I've had so far has to be that of Hill Farmstead in Greensboro Bend, Vermont.

As the second leg of our early-August trip, Hill Farmstead immediately became one of the biggest highlights. With doors to the retail shop not scheduled to open until noon on Thursday, August 6, we naturally arrived promptly just after 10 a.m., but not before rolling down the over two-mile gravel road leading up to the brewery, which is an experience in itself.

Now Mark and I had already been to Hill Farmstead once before a couple months back, so we knew what we were getting into, but this was Eric's first time, and as we made our way up to the brewery sitting in the middle of this huge farm out in nowhere Vermont, I made sure to gauge his reactions. Needless to say, I can only imagine I was the same way as Eric's head continued to dart back and forth just checking out the vast landscape.

Where the magic happens.

Anyhow, as I said, we arrived shortly after 10 a.m., thinking we very well may have been the most eager people to get there so early. However, with Hill Farmstead's huge following, there were a few people already forming a line, begging the question of how early they actually got there! Much like when lines form outside other breweries, people awaited the opening of the doors accompanied with their coolers and growlers that would soon be filled with some of the best of what Vermont, and even the country, has to offer.

Thinking we were going to have to wait about two hours for opening, we were pleasantly surprised when a staff member opened the doors around 10:45 and welcomed us much earlier than expected. Now the experience was truly set to begin!

We were handed card Nos. 4-6 and were asked to place our orders on said cards. With a number of bottles (including their much-anticipated $40 bottle of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup) available paired with an allotment of brews on tap for growler fills, we filled out our cards (with Eric and Mark ordering much more than I did) and handed them in.

While the orders were being processed and filled, we meandered over to the brand new tasting room. This is where we officially started our tastings for the day. As we each were only allowed two glasses at $5.50 a glass, it was decided we would all get something different so we could try all five of the Farmhouse Ales they were offering that day.

Samples with a view.

With Clara, Nordic Saison, Brother Soigne (I think everyone's favorite), Florence and Dorothy available, we started sipping and enjoying the beautiful views of the green countryside of the farm. In about 20 minutes, we were called back into the retail shop to pick up our orders. We grabbed our boxes and dropped them off at the car before returning to our glasses.

With our orders officially being completed around 11:15, it was time to just sit back and enjoy ourselves a bit longer before heading out to our next leg of the trip.

Back in the tasting room, we continued with our samples when I saw one of the cooler things I saw all trip. Shaun Hill, the owner of the brewery, was behind the counter washing and drying the various glasses being used for the tastings.

I really don't know why, but this amazed me. This guy, who is responsible for helping create some of the best beer in the world, was just like everyone else on staff that day. He was assisting with everything when he could very well just stay behind the scenes and watch the money roll in. Good on you, Shaun!

As the final sips out of our glasses were consumed, it was time for us to bounce. At around 12:30, we hopped back in the car and it was on to the next destination approximately 40 minutes away. We were off to Morristown, home of Lost Nation Brewing!