I've Seen Bigger Than Yours

I've Seen Bigger Than Yours, ToOl, Copenhagen, Denmark
(Fruit Beer, Rated 94)

Though categorized as a fruit beer, this is more of a barley wine with some amazing flavors added. Pours a reddish-brown color. Aromas of oranges, raspberries, dark fruits, raisins, and breaded malt. Tastes like a fruit cocktail mixed drink with those same oranges, raspberries, light citrus, dark fruit sweetness, and caramel malt. Medium mouthfeel and juicy as hell. The 14% booze is surprisingly subtle. Absolutely delicious!

Peach Jungle Boogie

Peach Jungle Boogie, Marz Community Brewing, Chicago, IL
(Wheat Ale)

Cloudy, orange pour with a nice, frothy, white head. Huge aromas of peaches and apricots. Taste is predominantly peach throughout with a lingering, earthy, grassiness. Medium mouthfeel with a mildly dry, bitter finish.  Delicious beer!

Chilly Water Pale Ale

Chilly Water Pale Ale, Tighthead Brewing Company, Mundelein, IL
(American Pale Ale, Rated 87)

This wheat-based pale ale pours a clear, golden-yellow with a nice thick, white head. Smells of citrus, orange zest, and a faint grassiness. Taste is fruity, light grapefruit, earthy pine, with a slight dank finish. No bitterness. Clean and crisp. At 4.8% abv, this is one delicious Session IPA!

Ruby's Tears

Ruby's Tears, Marz Community Brewing Company, Chicago, IL

(Grodziskie/Gose/Lichtenhainer)

Pours a color reminiscent of pink grapefruit juice. Subtle aromas of must, yeast, and floral notes. Bitterness is light in the nose. Taste is lemony-citrus up front with some sweet berries. A nice, tolerable acidic, salty, tartness. A very mild, tasty gose and crushable at 5.1% abv. These are great for hot, Summer days.

Very Hazy

Very Hazy, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial IPA)

Pours a cloudy, golden-yellow, with a thick, frothy head. Right away you are hit with an immense amount of pungent tropical and citrus aroma from mango, pineapple, oranges, and muted grapefruit. Taste that mango and pineapple sweetness upfront with orange and grapefruit zest. A fantastic balance between sweet and bitter.  That earthiness is there. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a sticky resin. At 8.8% abv, this is one dangerous juice bomb!  Hats off to Tree House for another amazing beer!

Double or Nothing

Double or Nothing, Oak Creek/Lawson's Finest Liquids, Middlebury, VT
(Barley Wine, Rated 95)

This collaboration pours a deep mahogany. Fantastic aromas of caramel malt, dark fruits, and sweet maple syrup. Taste burnt sugar and dark fruits up front, buttery caramel, sweet maple syrup, and finishing with a nice, mild whiskey warming. Well balanced. A nice 10.5% abv kick as well. I really enjoyed this beer!

Old Man

Old Man, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Premium Bitter/ESB)

Here's a style that is definitely a departure from the more regular pungent beers in Tree House's portfolio. Pours a dark, amber with a thin head. Aromas of sweet malts, caramel, little bit of clove and banana. Taste follows suit. Sweet caramel malts, bready, with notes of cloves and bananas. Very smooth and lightly bitter at the finish. Well done!