Alter Ego
Tree House Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- IPA - New England
Ranked #26 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 100
Ranked #103 - Avg:
- 4.55 | pDev: 6.15%
- Reviews:
- 344
- Ratings:
- From:
- Tree House Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 513
- Gots
- 854
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
Notes:
A beer brewed in the spirit of experimentation and the celebration of our 3rd anniversary… ! What we did here is we took a whole bunch of Mosaic and Amarillo hops, a classic punch of citrus purveying goodness, and added them to the Julius dry hop. The base beer is exactly the same, but the dry hop is altered tremendously. The result is a beer with all the deliciousness of the base beer with a layer of added citrusy complexity. Like devil Julius or something. A real treat!
Reviews: 344
| Ratings: 2,532
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Reviews by Tidesox28:
Tidesox28 from Maine
5/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Seriously? This is like the next level of where a single IPA can go. Citrus is bursting with this. Upon opening the can, the room fills with the most delicious hop aromas. Way too easy to drink. Could pair perfectly with your morning cereal, a total OJ substitute. Have not yet had Julius. Not sure how it could be better.
Aug 21, 2015
5/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Seriously? This is like the next level of where a single IPA can go. Citrus is bursting with this. Upon opening the can, the room fills with the most delicious hop aromas. Way too easy to drink. Could pair perfectly with your morning cereal, a total OJ substitute. Have not yet had Julius. Not sure how it could be better.
Aug 21, 2015
More User Reviews:
cbutova from Massachusetts
4.44/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750ml filled July 11th.
A- Semi hazy golden yellow body with a large creamy white head. Good retention eventually leaving a large ring and plenty of lace webs.
S- Nectar of the fruits. Melon, cantaloupe, mango, stone fruit, tropical and a bit of the TH bubblegum sweets. Juice.
T- This beer might take nectar to a whole new level. Fairly sweet but it suits the intense nectar fruit hops. Juiced melon, cantaloupe, melon, apricot, pineapple, passionfruit, peach, mint, bubblegum. Juicy and mostly clean of malts and yeast. Some zesty citrus and floral hints.
MF- Creamy and frothy. Medium bodied with moderately high carbonation. Somewhat bitter but very smooth.
This beer might be second to Green for me. Juicy and somewhat sweet but it really does work. Bubblegum TH burps and every stone and tropical fruit you can imagine. Really brings nectar/juice/pulp to a new level and probably better than the original in my eyes.
Jul 17, 2015
4.44/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750ml filled July 11th.
A- Semi hazy golden yellow body with a large creamy white head. Good retention eventually leaving a large ring and plenty of lace webs.
S- Nectar of the fruits. Melon, cantaloupe, mango, stone fruit, tropical and a bit of the TH bubblegum sweets. Juice.
T- This beer might take nectar to a whole new level. Fairly sweet but it suits the intense nectar fruit hops. Juiced melon, cantaloupe, melon, apricot, pineapple, passionfruit, peach, mint, bubblegum. Juicy and mostly clean of malts and yeast. Some zesty citrus and floral hints.
MF- Creamy and frothy. Medium bodied with moderately high carbonation. Somewhat bitter but very smooth.
This beer might be second to Green for me. Juicy and somewhat sweet but it really does work. Bubblegum TH burps and every stone and tropical fruit you can imagine. Really brings nectar/juice/pulp to a new level and probably better than the original in my eyes.
Jul 17, 2015
MyThoughtsExactly from Virginia
4.64/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a growler filled the same day.
L: Bright, hazy yellow. Half finger of head. Great glass lacing.
S: Over ripe papaya, mango, orange, and pineapples. Marmalade. Fruit pulp. Candied fruits
T: Follows the nose. Lots of over ripe fruit (mostly papaya and mango). Very tropical and sweet with no bitterness. Similar to Julius but with papaya instead of orange.
F: Creamy, siky. Great feel and very easy to drink.
Overall this is similar to Julius, as expected, but with one fruit subbed for another. Great addition to the Tree House lot.
Nov 22, 2015
4.64/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a growler filled the same day.
L: Bright, hazy yellow. Half finger of head. Great glass lacing.
S: Over ripe papaya, mango, orange, and pineapples. Marmalade. Fruit pulp. Candied fruits
T: Follows the nose. Lots of over ripe fruit (mostly papaya and mango). Very tropical and sweet with no bitterness. Similar to Julius but with papaya instead of orange.
F: Creamy, siky. Great feel and very easy to drink.
Overall this is similar to Julius, as expected, but with one fruit subbed for another. Great addition to the Tree House lot.
Nov 22, 2015
Greyvtrayn from New Jersey
4.49/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Canned 12/21. Looks like carbonated orange juice, substantial lacing and nice ring of foam. Citrus and peach smell. A little more floral than citrus fruit flavor. Very soft, mouthfeel and smooth finish. This is one of my favorites.
Jan 04, 2018
4.49/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Canned 12/21. Looks like carbonated orange juice, substantial lacing and nice ring of foam. Citrus and peach smell. A little more floral than citrus fruit flavor. Very soft, mouthfeel and smooth finish. This is one of my favorites.
Jan 04, 2018
themind from New Jersey
3.14/5 rDev -31%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
This one is overrated! good mouth feel, good look but after that...meh. It has a floral thing to it and aftertaste, I just don't like. How is is a 100 is beyond me.
Jun 07, 2016
3.14/5 rDev -31%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
This one is overrated! good mouth feel, good look but after that...meh. It has a floral thing to it and aftertaste, I just don't like. How is is a 100 is beyond me.
Jun 07, 2016
StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.59/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
this is definitive proof for me that the east coast ipa has overtaken the west coast, at least for my palate and what i like. these hazy, rich feeling, juicy, seemingly wheat based hoppy beers that lack any real bitterness, its just a totally different take, and i love it. this is only my second beer from these guys, but its easily the better of the two. a very pale washed out looking straw colored brew with an inch of white head that slowly relaxes but is easily brought back with a gentle twirl of the glass. the nose, oh baby the nose. tons of hops on it, juicy and tropical, pineapple and lemon, amarillo for sure, the mosaic a little less obvious i think, but both there working together beautifully. dry cereal malt base, light in aroma and flavor but with a lot of structure for the feel. its creamy and bigger feeling, expansive but pillow soft, well carbonated but not explosive. its about as well refined as any ipa out there, and certainly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as beers like heady topper and abner and the trillium stuff. its just fantastic, the best use of these two hops i have known, and i am absolutely frothing for more tree house beers. this is nothing short of stunning. nearly perfect ipa really, i could drink 100 of these.
Jan 03, 2016
4.59/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
this is definitive proof for me that the east coast ipa has overtaken the west coast, at least for my palate and what i like. these hazy, rich feeling, juicy, seemingly wheat based hoppy beers that lack any real bitterness, its just a totally different take, and i love it. this is only my second beer from these guys, but its easily the better of the two. a very pale washed out looking straw colored brew with an inch of white head that slowly relaxes but is easily brought back with a gentle twirl of the glass. the nose, oh baby the nose. tons of hops on it, juicy and tropical, pineapple and lemon, amarillo for sure, the mosaic a little less obvious i think, but both there working together beautifully. dry cereal malt base, light in aroma and flavor but with a lot of structure for the feel. its creamy and bigger feeling, expansive but pillow soft, well carbonated but not explosive. its about as well refined as any ipa out there, and certainly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as beers like heady topper and abner and the trillium stuff. its just fantastic, the best use of these two hops i have known, and i am absolutely frothing for more tree house beers. this is nothing short of stunning. nearly perfect ipa really, i could drink 100 of these.
Jan 03, 2016
Jarhead6541 from Connecticut
2.32/5 rDev -49%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 4 | overall: 1
Got this the other day. Latest release.. Had it once before and was a solid drinkable just really nice IPA. It would be an understatement to say that this most recent batch is awful and borderline undrinkable. The yeast flavor is overwhelming. The only way I can properly describe the taste is by equating it to waffle or pancake batter. Absolutely awful. I made this account just so I can post this review and voice my disappointment with what is becoming more hype than consistency.
Jul 10, 2017
2.32/5 rDev -49%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 4 | overall: 1
Got this the other day. Latest release.. Had it once before and was a solid drinkable just really nice IPA. It would be an understatement to say that this most recent batch is awful and borderline undrinkable. The yeast flavor is overwhelming. The only way I can properly describe the taste is by equating it to waffle or pancake batter. Absolutely awful. I made this account just so I can post this review and voice my disappointment with what is becoming more hype than consistency.
Jul 10, 2017
ChinaskiWMA from Massachusetts
4.93/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Julius Topper. I had this from a can in a glass. The look and the head are pretty much Julius, i.e opaque orange, nice thick white head, lacing on the glass, etc... The smell is packed with fruit and citrus. You get all of the juiciness of Julius to start, but then the flavor gives way to waves of bitter hops which in turn give way to more citrus, grapefruit aftertaste - very nice. Nice silky mouthfeel.
Aug 22, 2015
4.93/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Julius Topper. I had this from a can in a glass. The look and the head are pretty much Julius, i.e opaque orange, nice thick white head, lacing on the glass, etc... The smell is packed with fruit and citrus. You get all of the juiciness of Julius to start, but then the flavor gives way to waves of bitter hops which in turn give way to more citrus, grapefruit aftertaste - very nice. Nice silky mouthfeel.
Aug 22, 2015
TheElectricOne from Rhode Island
4.3/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a week old can into a tulip:
Appearance: looks exactly like Julius, perhaps a smidgeon darker in color. Head is still puffy, off-white, and lingering, along with the signature New England haziness.
Aroma: A little more muted than Julius, with a tad more cracker evident. Still, tons of citrus and hop aroma here.
Taste: all fruit, with a little herbaceous bite on the finish. I got pomegranate (!), TONS of grapefruit and bitter rind, along with some young peach. Excellent throughout.
Feel: soft to medium bodied. Smooth and thick, just like its counterpart, Julius. Lingering sticky finish with tons of fruit that remains on the palate.
Overall: I didn't like it AS much as Julius, but I'm not sure I've liked any IPA as much as Julius, so whatever. Its a goddamn fantastic beer, and is worth the time to seek out.
Nov 04, 2015
4.3/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a week old can into a tulip:
Appearance: looks exactly like Julius, perhaps a smidgeon darker in color. Head is still puffy, off-white, and lingering, along with the signature New England haziness.
Aroma: A little more muted than Julius, with a tad more cracker evident. Still, tons of citrus and hop aroma here.
Taste: all fruit, with a little herbaceous bite on the finish. I got pomegranate (!), TONS of grapefruit and bitter rind, along with some young peach. Excellent throughout.
Feel: soft to medium bodied. Smooth and thick, just like its counterpart, Julius. Lingering sticky finish with tons of fruit that remains on the palate.
Overall: I didn't like it AS much as Julius, but I'm not sure I've liked any IPA as much as Julius, so whatever. Its a goddamn fantastic beer, and is worth the time to seek out.
Nov 04, 2015
ryno6616 from New York
4.88/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Really? Really?? How do they do it? How is every damn beer this damn good. Not as juicy as Julius...has a little more "bite" to it. Just an incredible brew and well deserving of its 100 rating. I drive 5+ hrs round trip to come home with 8-12 beers depending on the day and it's so worth it.
Nov 17, 2016
4.88/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Really? Really?? How do they do it? How is every damn beer this damn good. Not as juicy as Julius...has a little more "bite" to it. Just an incredible brew and well deserving of its 100 rating. I drive 5+ hrs round trip to come home with 8-12 beers depending on the day and it's so worth it.
Nov 17, 2016
ELS from Florida
3.67/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This beer in my opinion is way overrated. Take Julius, which is a very good yet one-dimensional IPA (in other words, it lacks complexity). Dry hop it with 2-3 varieties of hops and you've made a murky tasting Julius, not a complex Julius. There is no defined hops flavor, just a bitter mediocre flavor that isn't that enjoyable to drink. Still, all in all, an above average IPA, just nothing to get hyped up about.
May 04, 2016
3.67/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This beer in my opinion is way overrated. Take Julius, which is a very good yet one-dimensional IPA (in other words, it lacks complexity). Dry hop it with 2-3 varieties of hops and you've made a murky tasting Julius, not a complex Julius. There is no defined hops flavor, just a bitter mediocre flavor that isn't that enjoyable to drink. Still, all in all, an above average IPA, just nothing to get hyped up about.
May 04, 2016
JeffGuilly from Massachusetts
5/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Hands down best beer I have had. 100% opaque in glass, two finger head, bright orange / yellow color that you would swear is emitting light. Treehouse has many fantastic beers, this is no exception.
Sep 23, 2016
5/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Hands down best beer I have had. 100% opaque in glass, two finger head, bright orange / yellow color that you would swear is emitting light. Treehouse has many fantastic beers, this is no exception.
Sep 23, 2016
DefenCorps from Oregon
3.57/5 rDev -21.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Can from psweendogg. Thanks, Patrick!
A hazy copper with a dense off white head with good retention and lacing, this looks great. The nose is, eh, hoppy. Honey, mango and gobs of tropical fruit are present. Very fruity, frothy. Doughy, grainy malt is present. Dominated by fruity and aromatic hops, bitterness is mild. Cooked peach. Messy. The palate opens hoppy with plenty of hop flavor, fruity and intense. Tropical fruit milkshake like with mango, a gritty sapota like sweetness, passionfruit and a definite cooked dough, mildly cereal like. They hop flavor had a mild yogurt like tartness as well, instead of a cleaner bitterness. Medium in body, mildly chewy, creamy carbonation. Solid though a little too messy for my liking.
Nov 28, 2015
3.57/5 rDev -21.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Can from psweendogg. Thanks, Patrick!
A hazy copper with a dense off white head with good retention and lacing, this looks great. The nose is, eh, hoppy. Honey, mango and gobs of tropical fruit are present. Very fruity, frothy. Doughy, grainy malt is present. Dominated by fruity and aromatic hops, bitterness is mild. Cooked peach. Messy. The palate opens hoppy with plenty of hop flavor, fruity and intense. Tropical fruit milkshake like with mango, a gritty sapota like sweetness, passionfruit and a definite cooked dough, mildly cereal like. They hop flavor had a mild yogurt like tartness as well, instead of a cleaner bitterness. Medium in body, mildly chewy, creamy carbonation. Solid though a little too messy for my liking.
Nov 28, 2015
gatornation from Minnesota
4.53/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Days only canned on, Pours a murky cloudy sunset yellow color , citrus notes with some tangerine , and mandarin, Taste again and again is superb , super juicy tropical hops of mango papaya and citrus mix well together with just minimal caramel malts, mouth fell is smooth with a high hop assault and little bitterness, highlt drinkable and oh so tasty.
May 15, 2016
4.53/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Days only canned on, Pours a murky cloudy sunset yellow color , citrus notes with some tangerine , and mandarin, Taste again and again is superb , super juicy tropical hops of mango papaya and citrus mix well together with just minimal caramel malts, mouth fell is smooth with a high hop assault and little bitterness, highlt drinkable and oh so tasty.
May 15, 2016
Hhops from Massachusetts
4.86/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Sampled the same day it was canned. Open can greets you with hops aroma. Pours cloudy. Mouth feel is soft and juicy; taste is perfect balance of malt body and citrusy hops.
I've never had a better beer. Ever. Anywhere.
This is it.
Dec 01, 2016
4.86/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Sampled the same day it was canned. Open can greets you with hops aroma. Pours cloudy. Mouth feel is soft and juicy; taste is perfect balance of malt body and citrusy hops.
I've never had a better beer. Ever. Anywhere.
This is it.
Dec 01, 2016
leroybrown10 from Missouri
4.76/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours golden orange and super hazy. 1 finger head is dense and creamy with good-ish retention. Moderate lacing but short lived.
Smooth, fruity aroma. Pineapple, mango, orange, and melon. Very light biscuit-y malt.
Big mix of citrus and tropical flavors. Orange, pineapple, lemon, and mango. Cantaloupe and honey dew. Just light edges of sweet malt.
Medium mouth feel with moderate carbonation. Incredibly smooth with very low bitterness. Lingering tropical notes in particular.
This is an amazing IPA. Huge fruity hops with superbly blended flavors. Juicy with only hints of bitterness. My new favorite IPA.
Sep 24, 2016
4.76/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours golden orange and super hazy. 1 finger head is dense and creamy with good-ish retention. Moderate lacing but short lived.
Smooth, fruity aroma. Pineapple, mango, orange, and melon. Very light biscuit-y malt.
Big mix of citrus and tropical flavors. Orange, pineapple, lemon, and mango. Cantaloupe and honey dew. Just light edges of sweet malt.
Medium mouth feel with moderate carbonation. Incredibly smooth with very low bitterness. Lingering tropical notes in particular.
This is an amazing IPA. Huge fruity hops with superbly blended flavors. Juicy with only hints of bitterness. My new favorite IPA.
Sep 24, 2016
Vonerichs from Colorado
4.3/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 24, 2018
4.3/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 24, 2018
baybum from Pennsylvania
4.67/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Nov 11, 2015
4.67/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Nov 11, 2015
TJRoar from Connecticut
3.98/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Nov 18, 2015
3.98/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Nov 18, 2015
sooty1432 from New York
4.97/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jul 26, 2016
4.97/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jul 26, 2016
ImHoppyNow from Massachusetts
4.16/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 02, 2017
4.16/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 02, 2017
BrownBottle from Maryland
4.74/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sep 18, 2016
4.74/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sep 18, 2016
joshdaut from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Oct 08, 2015
4.5/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Oct 08, 2015
osseo222000 from Illinois
4.77/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Sep 18, 2017
4.77/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Sep 18, 2017
zulbok from Pennsylvania
4.58/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jun 15, 2017
4.58/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jun 15, 2017
Alter Ego from Tree House Brewing Company
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
2532 ratings
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