Barrel Chested Barleywine Ale

Barrel Chested Barley Wine, Upland Brewing Company, Bloomington, IN
(Barley Wine, Rated 91)

Pours a deep burgundy color. Sweet aroma of molasses, light dark fruits, and just a bit buttery. Tastes of melted cherries, roasted malts, little nuttiness, and sweet caramel. Nice bourbon warming with a thin, oaky finish.

Curiosity Twenty-three

Curiosity Twenty-three, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(IPA, Rated 94)

Continuing Tree House's hop exploration with Curiosity Twenty-three using Galaxy and Amarillo. Pours a hazy orange with a thick, white head. Aroma is such a fresh fruit bomb with citrus, mango, pineapple, and apricot. Pungent fruit flavors explode in the mouth. Ripe oranges, mango, and apricot sweetness. Little bit of melon. Medium mouthfeel with a dry finish. Those hops though! Typical Tree House amazingness!

King Julius

King Julius, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 99)

Don't mind the white label, this is King Julius. Not sure if the ink was so fresh it rubbed off during shipping or what. What really matters is what's in the can! If Julius is one of the best IPAs around, his big brother, King Julius, is one of the best IIPAs around.

King Julius pours a cloudy, murky orange that looks like glass of fresh, pulpy, orange juice. Light, pillowy, white head. Pungent citrus aromas, tropical, and a bit dank. The flavor is like a glass of juice, light sweetness, little bit of bitterness, not harsh at all. So smooth, creamy mouthfeel, and super juicy.  Tad dry in the finish. Cannot tell this is 8.3% abv. Fantastic! Tree House continues to kill it!

Zoe

Zoe, Maine Beer Company, Freeport, ME
(Amber Ale, Rated 99)

Is there anything from Maine Beer that isn't good?  This amber ale pours a clear, auburn, rust color with a thick, pillowy head. Aroma is piney, fruity, with bready malts. Taste is piney, citrus, bitter dominant, but not overwhelming. Sticky resin with an earthy, lemongrass maltiness. Creamy, smooth finish. Fantastic amber/red ale!

Lil One

Lil One, Maine Beer Company, Freeport, ME
(American Strong Ale, Rated 98)

Pours a clear reddish, copper. Aroma has a caramel sweetness, citrus hops, and an earthy quality. Taste is bittersweet with hops up front followed by that caramel sweetness and a sticky, resin finish. Complex flavors reminiscent of a barley wine. At 9.1% abv, this one packs a punch too.  Another fantastic beer from Maine!

Beer III

Beer III, Maine Beer Company, Freeport, ME
(Black IPA, Rated 94)

Dark brown pour with a thick, tan head. Aroma is mild citrus, roasted malts, and a touch chocolate brownie. Definitely get some chocolate in the flavor along with mild citrus hop.  Light mouthfeel with a dry finish. Easy drinker at 5.5% abv, but lacking in taste. Not my favorite from Maine.

Hustle

Hustle, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial Porter)

Everything I have had from Tree House has been nothing short of spectacular. Why would this one be any different?  Pours nearly black in color with a thin, mocha head. Rich aromas of chocolate and dark roasted malt. Taste is rich with chocolate, molasses, and sweet brown sugar. Creamy smooth mouthfeel. 7.8% abv.  A really delicious porter!