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Friday, December 29, 2017

Transition

Transition, Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
(Sour/Wild Ale)
Yes, Tree House brews sour ales too! First in a series of seasonally inspired country beers. Aged in oak barrels for three months, this beer pours a clear orange-brown color. Aromas of muted fruit, floral, earthy. Taste is a mellow mix of cherries, raspberries, and blackberries. Not overly fruity and not uncomfortably sour. Delicious tart, sour finish.

Sssappp

Sssappp, Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
(IPA)
Cloudy, yellow-orange pour. Aromas of fresh lemon and orange pulp. Taste has tropical flavors, citrus peel, with an orange finish. Light, malty, and biscuity. Smooth body, very juicy and dank.

Doubleganger

Doubleganger, Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
(Imperial IPA, Rated 100)
If Doppelganger was Alter Ego's big brother, Doubleganger is the eldest of the three. The commercial description reads: "This beer was conceived with the intent to push the concept of Doppelganger to the limit of flavor and intensity." Cloudy orange pour with a thick, white head. Pungent citrus aromas like fresh squeezed oranges, grapefruit zest, and light grass. Fantastic flavors of oranges and mango. Medium mouthfeel. Light, dry, lemony finish. 8.2% abv  This beer is amazing!

The Jones Dog

The Jones Dog, Pipeworks Brewing Company, Chicago, IL
(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)
Brewed with cacao nibs and vanilla beans, aged in Heaven Hills barrels. Pours deep black. Inviting aromas of sweet vanilla, chocolate and bourbon. Taste has sweet vanilla, mild roasted malts, and bourbon. Has a sweet molasses finish with a delicious bourbon warming. 13% abv

Bright w/Citra

Bright w/Citra, Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
(Imperial IPA, Rated 99)
Orange-yellow pour with a white head. Nose is a bouquet of citrus aromas, oranges, lemon peel, mango, and bread. Tastes of fresh orange pulp, mango, honey, and juicy fruit gum. Medium bodied with a soft mouthfeel. Smooth and sweet. 7.8% abv

Curiosity 42

Curiosity 42, Tree House Brewing Company. Charlton, MA
(IPA)
Curiosity 42 was fermented with Tree House's classic house yeast and brewed with a blend of experimental hops. Pours a hazy, yellow with a frothy, white head. Aromas of lemongrass, honeydew melon, and light tropicals. Flavor profile is similar. Light mouthfeel. Earthy. Mildly sweet with a dry, dank, bitter finish.  6.8% abv

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Yellow Belly Peanut Butter Biscuit Stout

Yellow Belly, Buxton Brewery, Stockholm Sweden
(Imperial Stout, Rated 100)
Pitch black pour. Strong, rich aromas of peanut butter and chocolate. Super delicious flavors of roasted dark malts, thick, peanut butter, dark chocolate, peanut brittle. Little molasses at the finish. Full bodied and silky smooth. A Reese's Peanut Butter cup fan's delight!

The Chosen One

The Chosen One, Tilted Barn Brewery, Exeter, RI
(Imperial IPA)
This hot, little brewery out of the smallest state in the union is producing big, quality beer. Pours a hazy, turbid orange with a nice, thick white head. Pungent aromas of tropical and citrus fruits, mango, and pineapple. Flavor follows suit with tropical and citrus along with a light piney resin. Medium mouthfeel and a surprising 8.5% abv.

Mad River 25th Anniversary Old Ale

25th Anniversary Old Ale, Mad River Brewing Company, Blue Lake, CA
(Old Ale, Rated 93)
Ruby red pour with a thin head. Aromas of dark fruits, cherries, light butter. Tastes like cooked cherries and sweet bread. Light mouthfeel with a thin finish. I had to remind myself that this wasn't a barrel-aged beer. Quite tasty for a three-year-old beer. 7.6% abv.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Double Shot Double Black

Double Shot Double Black, Bent Paddle Brewing Company, Duluth, MN
(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)
Pitch back pour with a light, mocha colored head that dissipated quickly. Strong coffee nose with dark roast and sweet vanilla. Taste of melted dark chocolate, espresso, vanilla sweetness, and bourbon. Silky smooth, medium viscosity, with a nice warming, bourbon finish. 10% abv. Super delicious! Up there with some of the best beers I've had this year.

Fractal Ekuanot

Fractal Ekuanot, Equilibrium Brewery, Middletown, NY
(IPA)
Hazy, straw-yellow pour. Aroma and taste is light, tropical, herbal, earthy, corn maize. Light mouthfeel with a dry, slightly dank finish. Fairly new brewery, Equilibrium has exploded onto the scene and quickly become a favorite of mine. Their hazy, New England style IPAs rival any competitor. If you get a chance, seek them out!

Curiosity 41

Curiosity 41, Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
(IPA)
Typical hazy, orange-yellow pour with a frothy white head. Aroma is hay, biscuity, honeydew melon, and citrus. Taste has grapefruit, oranges with earthy tones. Has a muted sweetness almost no bitterness. Soft, smooth mouthfeel and tasty. 6% abv.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Sweet Potato Souffle Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Ale

Sweet Potato Souffle Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Ale, Odd Side Ales, Grand Haven, MI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 94)
Copper, burgundy colored pour. Nose is hit with aromas of candied yams, cinnamon, and sweet rye whiskey. Tastes of sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted marshmallow glaze. The booze is prevalent at 11% abv and has a nice spicy rye whiskey finish. A tasty sensory overload!

Multichorus

Multichorus, Hudson Valley Brewery, Beacon, NY
(Sour/Wild Ale)
Cloudy, orange-yellow, pour. Not much head retention. Aromas of lemon merengue tart, citrus, vanilla, light funk. Tastes of sweet tarts, lemongrass, subtle spices including ginger, orange pulp. Medium mouthfeel, chewy, with light acidity. Definitely more of a sour IPA (as it is advertised) than a sour/wild ale (as it is categorized). The sweetness from the citrus and vanilla balance well with the sour lemon tartness. I wasn't sure what to expect here, but this is delicious!

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Curiosity 40

Curiosity 40, Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
(IPA)
Brewed with Galaxy and Simcoe hops, Curiosity 40 pours hazy, yellow with a frothy white head. Pleasant aromas of pineapple, lemon, and faint pine swaft the nose. Taste is similar with juicy pineapple and lemon peel. Silky smooth mouthfeel. Light and easy drinking for 7.2% abv.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Curiosity 39

Curiosity 39, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA)

Brewed with a blend of Vic Secret, Citra, and Simcoe hops. Pours a hazy yellow-orange with a frothy, white head. Aromas of dank grapefruits, sweet citrus, pineapple, and lemongrass. Tastes of grapefruit zest, oranges, and pineapples. Has an earthy, grassy finish. Medium mouthfeel and mild hop bitterness. 8% abv.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Curiosity 38

Curiosity 38, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA)
Brewed with a blend of Vic Secret, Galaxy, and Citra hops. Pours a hazy orange with a nice frothy, white head. Enticing aromas of citrus, grapefruit, oranges, mangos, and pineapples. Taste offers similar citrus flavors along with passion fruit and mangos. Silky, soft body and well balanced. Bit of a light, earthy, dry finish. 6.9% abv.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Curiosity 37

Curiosity 37, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA, Rated 97)
Brewed with a blend of Northwest American hops. Pours hazy, orange with a medium white head. Big fragrant aromas of oranges, mangos, and peaches. Flavor is well balanced with lots of citrus and tropical fruits. A little bit of a biscuity note. Smooth mouthfeel, medium body, and a light, bitter finish. Excellent! 6.6% abv.

Monday, September 4, 2017

Curiosity 36

Curiosity 36, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA)
Curiosity 36 is a blend of multi-continental hops. Turbid, orange pour with a thick, white head. Aromas of fresh orange juice, peaches, and citrus rind. Has flavors of oranges, tangy melon, and a sticky resin. Medium mouthfeel with a nice effervescence. Finishes with a light, citrus, bitterness. 6.7% abv.

Curiosity 33

Curiosity 33, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA, Rated 98) 
Cloudy, gold pour with a nice, thick, white head. Aroma of lemongrass, orange rind, ripened tangerine pulp. Taste has a bready sweetness along with mild tropical fruit and citrus. Not as chewy. Has a lighter mouthfeel and finishes dry. 7% abv.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Super Sap

Super Sap, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA)
Hazy, yellow-orange pour with a fluffy, white head. Aroma is lemony, piney, and faint, dull grass. Flavors of grapefruit, lemon zest, and a touch of pine. Has a biscuity, cracker that lends to sweetness though it is assertively bitter toward the finish. Medium mouthfeel and dry.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Curiosity 32

Curiosity 32, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 96)
Here's another intensely kettle and dry hopped double IPA featuring Citra and Nelson. Pours a glowing, golden orange. Aromas of tropical fruits, mangos, tangerines, and grapefruit. Taste is a bit dank and dry up front followed by a wave of citrus juices. Some grapefruit rind and orange zest. Silky, smooth mouthfeel with a soft finish.

Curiosity 31

Curiosity 31, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 98)
Curiosity 31 is kettle and dry hopped with Simcoe and Nelson hops. Pours like fresh squeezed orange juice. Look at that color! Aroma of sweet, juicy, citrus pulp. Taste is an incredible blend of tangerines, clementines, grapefruit, and orange zest. The alcohol is hidden well in this double IPA. Medium mouthfeel with a dry finish. Cheers!

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Curiosity 30

Curiosity 30, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA, Rated 96)
Single IPA kettle and dry hopped with a combination of classic and American hops. Pours a hazy, golden orange with a nice, thick, white head. Zesty aromas of tropical fruits, pineapple, mango, and tangerines. Same flavors follow through in the taste. Starts off with a gentle tropical sweetness which is followed by a quick bite of of mild bitterness. Light, fluffy mouthfeel and a dry finish. Crushable!

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Curiosity 29

Curiosity 29, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial IPA, Rated 98)
Curiosity 29 is a double IPA kettle and dry hopped with Simcoe and Amarillo hops. Pours that typical cloudy orange-yellow color expected with this style and a frothy, white head. Aroma is faint, dank citrus and melons, with mild grapefruit and orange zest. Taste is light tropical fruits, grapefruit pulp, hints of apricots and peaches, and finishes thin and earthy. Creamy mouthfeel and a medium body. Cheers!