Hill Farmstead Brewery

Finally made the pilgrimage here, and unfortunately it was a year and a half into the pandemic, which seemed to be slowing when we originally booked the trip. HF is currently open 12-5 Wednesday through Friday, with advance reservations required, and we were there from 3:30 to close on Friday. The weather was perfect, luckily. The location is a ways down a gravel (pretty smooth) road in the central-north Vermont countryside. Rolling hills, mountains in the distance, lots of green in every direction. The buildings look like farm buildings, with weathered wood shingles. The taproom has a porch on two sides, and there's a roped-in lawn with some tables and chairs, and one small pavilion. There were only about 6 things on draft when we visited and 8 bottles (4 sold out), plus a couple other things available for bottle pours. The beer is obviously world class. Service was good but the line system could be better (Vermont's 2-beers-per-person is annoying, too, for a group that wanted to split some bottles). There's a separate building for bottle sales, which fortunately did not have any line when we were there. But offerings were also fairly limited at the time. This place is great, and absolutely worth the trip. Wish we had some more time to air it out here.

Took a detour going from Portland to Burlington to get some beers to trade for Tree house beers. I was lucky that I was only one buys beer to go when I got there. Found out why, no hoppy beers available. Had to wear a mask and it kept fogging my glasses and could not read the list well. I got some my friend wanted. Even though I did not reserve a $5 seat in tasting room they left me buy a draft and stand at bar, I drank most of it while waiting in line for the one bathroom they have. One Bathroom after that loooong drive we have to make to go there!!!

Great tap-room at the back for draft deep cutz. Ryan came back from brewing to help out serving. The queue system needs to be improved. It's a very long wait. I had a really nice time but was put off by the three hours it took to get beer. Great place just I don't understand the ticket system. Visited in 2015 with some friends from MA and RI.

We reached Hill Farmstead on 21.12.2019 at 4 pm. We knew some of their IPA’s and saw pictures of the brewery, hence we had high expectations, which were absolutely exceeded. Two wooden farmhouses attached to each other, one for the brewery/tap room and one for the bottle shop. The snow and the cold temperature amplified the unique atmosphere of the whole place. Great tasting room with a hand made wooden bar and friendly and knowledgeable service. The beers were outstanding. The Pilsner tapped with the right amount of foam comes super close to an unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell. The Rhetorica (dark lager) was on the same level. In addition to the great lagers they have fantastic IPA’s for which they are famous for. With the beers we enjoyed their home made cheese and bread. Through a few windows you can look down to the brewery. Only the 6th place I have rated with 100 points.

Hill Farmstead Unique for a number of reason, but chiefly because this place is located in the sticks! Farmland, trailers, dirt roads and banjos abound (and this coming from a guy born and raised in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky). Once you’re there, you know you’re there. While it has wood-sided facilities that have a rustic appearance and in no way seems out of place given the surroundings, the billion cars parked out front along the dirt road is a dead give away. An attractive stone slave fence lines part of the parking row. I arrived a half hour before opening, but there were already 20 people in the retail and bottle shop line. Oh! While their website says they open at noon, the tap room was already serving beer at 11:30 and the retail/bottle shop opened a little early too. The way you buy your to-go cans and bottles is to stand in a line, then order and pay with the cashier, then stand over by the barrels full of aging beer, one of which bearing no fewer than 15 Best of Ratebeer medals, and the order filler guys fetch your goods and bring them out to you. Best to order yourself two beers (that’s all you’re permitted to order and take to your taxable or outside) from the tap room to make standing in line more fun. The taco truck serves nice soft tacos that hit the spot. The brewery facilities are surrounded by a meadowy lawn with oak barrels strewn around for sitting glasses on as you stand and talk. Cornhole and some other game where wooden sticks are thrown are out there. There is seating both inside and out, but not near enough available to accommodate all patrons. Beer pours and growler fills are done in different sections of the bar. No tabs; pay as you go. But there is no tipping. Which, is nice, because as proud as Hill Farmstead is of their beer, you’ll pay an arm and a leg for them. Staff are pleasant and helpful. One thing that concerned me is that after one of the staff poured a bottled beer into a glass and filled the glass with an inch and a half head, she dumped the remaining contents into the drain. They’re overly concerned with presentation there if appearance is favored over having more beer in my glass. I understand if you’re pouring from the tap, but give me all the beer I overpaid for that is in my bottle you won’t allow me to have.

Let’s start by saying this place is off the beaten path. Absolutely gorgeous views. Had to wait in line for about 20 minutes but the beer was worth the wait. Can’t wait to go back

Beautiful spot to go and get a beer. Much like the other reviews the only issue is that logistically its a nightmare. Besides that...cant say enough good things. Parking is easy. Beer is good. There was a food truck but I didnt eat. Even for mid Friday in September it was crowded. This place is banking some "mula". Beer is expensive, service was friendly. Overall... great spot