New Holland Brewing Company- Farmhouse Hatter India Pale Ale: Hatters Gonna Hat (Part 3)
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 5:32PM | by Jason 
With two more Hatters to go in the series it was a choice between the Rye Hatter or the Farmhouse Hatter. I’m not typically a fan of Belgian style beers but I think tonight I’m in the mood to see how with one stacks up to another Belgian style IPA I’ve been drinking a lot of lately and that is Clown Shoes Tramp Stamp. Despite the fact that I haven’t reviewed Tramp Stamp yet, I’m all about going Farmhouse Hatter this evening in an attempt to expand my horizons and hope that I will be thoroughly impressed. I’ve liked the Oak Aged Hatter and Loved the Black Hatter so the bar has been set for Farmhouse Hatter. So here goes #3 in the Hatter Gonna Hat Series.
New Holland Brewing Company classifies this brew as a Belgian-Style Pale Ale (Belgian IPA) and their website briefly describes Farmhouse Hatter India Pale Ale as, “Fermentation character from Belgian-born yeast, envelops bright hop character with a spicy, tart Farmhouse funk.”
Farmhouse Hatter India Pale Ale pours a sunset orange with a 1” eggshell white head. The aroma is a strong Belgian yeast with hints of lemon, soggy bread, wheatgrass, slight citrus and tiny scent of spice.
Farmhouse Hatter is interesting to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good but interesting. The Belgian yeast character is very up front and the carbonation seems a little high to me. Despite not being a fan of Belgian style beers, I like this one. The flavor is full of character with tastes of Belgian yeast, fruit, citrus (lemon and grapefruit), spice and slight bready presence. Just my opinion but I feel that Farmhouse Hatter would be much better if the carbonation was less than it is. It’s about the only complaint I have about this brew and it is really the only thing keeping me from truly loving this beer. I’m really digging the 2011 Hatter series and with only the Rye Hatter left to go, I’m kinda sad to see it over so fast.
ABV: 5.07%
Consumed: Mother Earth Brewing Globe Glass
Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack
