A perfect session beer, Hayseed has a tremendous flavor profile without having to ratchet up the alcohol content. The saison/farmhouse ale style is flavorful enough to tantalize with hints of pepper present amongst a slight bit of hop bitterness. The beer opens up considerably after warming up for a few minutes, resulting in a different experience altogether. The bitter elements fade into the background while a hint of wit style sweetness comes into focus.
The wide amount of twists and turns that are present in Hayseed mean that an individual can quaff a few glasses / bottles and never be completely sure about what will be presented in a subsequent sip. As such, this beer would work perfectly no matter whether one pairs it with red meat, chicken, fish, or pork – it is able to accentuate the variety of flavors and elements to a dish while being assertive enough to act as a palette cleanser for even the most heavy and intense of flavor profiles. This is a great stand by the fire sort of beer; get a few six packs, a warm area, and a few buddies and the times will be memorable.
If you are in New Hampshire, make it a point to visit the titular restaurant to have fresh Hayseed, experience some of the rarer Smuttynose beers, and to try out the brewery’s take on dinner.
Rating: 8.0 / 10
Hayseed / 3.8% ABV / https://smuttynose.com/
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
Contact: editor@neufutur.com