Hedonic Adaptation
Tree House Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Stout - Sweet / Milk
Ranked #60 - ABV:
- 9.1%
- Score:
- 93
Ranked #2,105 - Avg:
- 4.34 | pDev: 5.3%
- Reviews:
- 13
- Ratings:
- From:
- Tree House Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 4
- Gots
- 6
SCORE
93
Outstanding
93
Outstanding
Notes:
Hedonic Adaptation is an Imperial Milk Stout brewed with caramel, coffee, and toasted coconut. The beer is rich, with heavy milk chocolate and pure unsweetened coconut flake notes calling to mind the flavor of a mounds bar. Though rich and loaded with flavor, it never weighs down the palate or becomes a chore to drink. This is a delicious beer and one that is sure to inspire conversation and good cheer as you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy!
Reviews: 13
| Ratings: 67
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CraftFan5 from New Jersey
4.16/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
14 September 2020 - Beer #182
ABV: 9.1%
Appearance: 5 - completely black. And look at that stunning head!
Nose: 4 - smells like straight up coffee. No coconut or caramel to speak of.
Taste: 4 - still no caramel, but the coffee and coconut blend beautifully.
Mouth: 5 - quite thick and frothy. An explosion of bubbles.
Overall: 4 - not the best Tree House stout I've had, but not the worst.
Cheers!
Sep 21, 2020
4.16/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
14 September 2020 - Beer #182
ABV: 9.1%
Appearance: 5 - completely black. And look at that stunning head!
Nose: 4 - smells like straight up coffee. No coconut or caramel to speak of.
Taste: 4 - still no caramel, but the coffee and coconut blend beautifully.
Mouth: 5 - quite thick and frothy. An explosion of bubbles.
Overall: 4 - not the best Tree House stout I've had, but not the worst.
Cheers!
Sep 21, 2020
Oh_Dark_Star from Washington
4.29/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
L: Black as a moonless night with a couple fingers of dark tan head with above average retention, settling to a wide ring and splotches of lace on the glass.
S: Sweet caramel overwhelm the dark roasted malts, and a faint note of coconut in its wake.
T: More on the milk chocolate than caramel. Coffee way more obvious and goes well with the coconut. Some notes reminiscent of dark ales also. About as sweet as I tolerate.
F: Satisfyingly light bodied for the ABV. Appropriate carbonation. Well crafted here.
O: In the Tree House world of stouts, I’m finding that I’m most impressed and amazed with what they do with the brews 6.5% ABV and below. The imperial stouts are well crafted but as good as many in a more crowded field. No exception here.
Aug 31, 2020
4.29/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
L: Black as a moonless night with a couple fingers of dark tan head with above average retention, settling to a wide ring and splotches of lace on the glass.
S: Sweet caramel overwhelm the dark roasted malts, and a faint note of coconut in its wake.
T: More on the milk chocolate than caramel. Coffee way more obvious and goes well with the coconut. Some notes reminiscent of dark ales also. About as sweet as I tolerate.
F: Satisfyingly light bodied for the ABV. Appropriate carbonation. Well crafted here.
O: In the Tree House world of stouts, I’m finding that I’m most impressed and amazed with what they do with the brews 6.5% ABV and below. The imperial stouts are well crafted but as good as many in a more crowded field. No exception here.
Aug 31, 2020
DokiDokiLitFam from New Jersey
4.35/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark brown, motor oily black with a half of a finger of dark brown head.
Nose is coffee, chocolate, and that jammy fruit presence all Tree House stouts have. The light nutty coconut wafts in at the back end.
Taste is very similar. Coffee, bakers chocolate, fruit jam, mild coconut. Smooth and mildly sweet, but with an appropriate amount of bitterness.
Mouthfeel is fullbodied with mild carbonation. You know the drill. Very standard fare.
Overall another great Tree House stout. Balanced on a razors edge between sweetness and roasty bitterness. Enjoyable. Not too high of a percentage. Well done.
Jun 24, 2020
4.35/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark brown, motor oily black with a half of a finger of dark brown head.
Nose is coffee, chocolate, and that jammy fruit presence all Tree House stouts have. The light nutty coconut wafts in at the back end.
Taste is very similar. Coffee, bakers chocolate, fruit jam, mild coconut. Smooth and mildly sweet, but with an appropriate amount of bitterness.
Mouthfeel is fullbodied with mild carbonation. You know the drill. Very standard fare.
Overall another great Tree House stout. Balanced on a razors edge between sweetness and roasty bitterness. Enjoyable. Not too high of a percentage. Well done.
Jun 24, 2020
VoxRationis from New York
4.79/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Decanted from a 16 oz (473 ml) can into a Tree House snifter; canned 04/24/20, code ARE WE FOREVER CHASING RAINBOWS?
A: Pours a very dark brown color, basically back, with a two to three finger, foamy, light brown head, strong retention, curtains of lacing.
S: Very inviting. Aromas of milk chocolate, dark roast coffee, and coconut.
T: Sweet. Rich flavors that are a melange of the nose. Relatively light bitterness allows full sweetness to come through.
M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Rich and creamy.
O: This is just so inviting and delicious: it could realistically tempt even the most devout disciple of asceticism.
Jun 16, 2020
4.79/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Decanted from a 16 oz (473 ml) can into a Tree House snifter; canned 04/24/20, code ARE WE FOREVER CHASING RAINBOWS?
A: Pours a very dark brown color, basically back, with a two to three finger, foamy, light brown head, strong retention, curtains of lacing.
S: Very inviting. Aromas of milk chocolate, dark roast coffee, and coconut.
T: Sweet. Rich flavors that are a melange of the nose. Relatively light bitterness allows full sweetness to come through.
M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Rich and creamy.
O: This is just so inviting and delicious: it could realistically tempt even the most devout disciple of asceticism.
Jun 16, 2020
BeerBaronBear from New York
4.29/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 4/24/20, tasted 5/17/20. A very yummy stout, but not one of my absolute top favorites from Tree House. The coconut came through nicely in the taste, but it didn't create the most appealing aroma up front. The mouthfeel was solid - creamy, middle-of-the-road in terms of thickness. Some Tree House stouts I just want to savor in my mouth forever - this one didn't have quite the same appeal for me. Still a yummy beer, and if you like coconut stouts, it's definitely worth trying.
May 18, 2020
4.29/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 4/24/20, tasted 5/17/20. A very yummy stout, but not one of my absolute top favorites from Tree House. The coconut came through nicely in the taste, but it didn't create the most appealing aroma up front. The mouthfeel was solid - creamy, middle-of-the-road in terms of thickness. Some Tree House stouts I just want to savor in my mouth forever - this one didn't have quite the same appeal for me. Still a yummy beer, and if you like coconut stouts, it's definitely worth trying.
May 18, 2020
WunderLlama from Massachusetts
4.43/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
“Those that cannot change their minds cannot change anything”
Canned 2.8.20 opened 3.26.20
Can poured into a snifter, two finger dense brown foam, good lacings, great retention, settles to a solid creamypencil thin layer over black motor oil liquid
Aroma is sweet milk chocolate, roasted malts and a hint of coconut
Taste is milk chocolate, roasts
Slight roast bitterness , low sudsing, almost syrupy, 9.1 abv is well hidden
Good beer
Mar 26, 2020
4.43/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
“Those that cannot change their minds cannot change anything”
Canned 2.8.20 opened 3.26.20
Can poured into a snifter, two finger dense brown foam, good lacings, great retention, settles to a solid creamypencil thin layer over black motor oil liquid
Aroma is sweet milk chocolate, roasted malts and a hint of coconut
Taste is milk chocolate, roasts
Slight roast bitterness , low sudsing, almost syrupy, 9.1 abv is well hidden
Good beer
Mar 26, 2020
brewme from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked-up a single can at the Tree House Brewery in Charlton for $8.55. My ninety seventh brew from these guys. Beer # 1 of my TH stout day (on vacation this week). This good, but nothing stood out.
Feb 18, 2020
4/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked-up a single can at the Tree House Brewery in Charlton for $8.55. My ninety seventh brew from these guys. Beer # 1 of my TH stout day (on vacation this week). This good, but nothing stood out.
Feb 18, 2020
Damian from Massachusetts
4.01/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Drank from a 500 ml (1 pt .9 fl. oz) bottle purchased at Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
Served in a tulip
Outstanding appearance. The beer poured a dark brown/black and medium bodied for the style. The liquid was topped by a tight, creamy, inch-tall, saddle brown head that slowly dropped to a thick, foamy collar. A wall of sticky, drippy lacing cascaded down the glass.
The aroma was pretty unexciting. Very malt forward and quite dark and roasty. Slightly sweet. Subtle milky lactose notes. More sweetness appeared as the beer warmed. Touch of coffee. Creamed coffee came to mind. Hint of dark chocolate too.
The flavor was similar to the nose. Quite roasty and dry. Some milky lactose notes were apparent. Espresso appeared in the center. Moderately bitter. Bit of chocolate syrup too. More dark, dry roastiness on the back end and the finish. Somewhat boozy.
Terrific, creamy, frothy mouthfeel. Amazingly soft and supple. Super slick and smooth on the palate. The liquid contained a fine, frothy, tongue blanketing effervescence.
Coconut? Nope. Caramel? Nope. Coffee? Maybe a touch. Hedonic Adaptation is a solid milk stout that I might appreciate more if I found it on the shelf at my local bottle shop. However, by Tree House standards, it was pretty disappointing.
Dec 22, 2018
4.01/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Drank from a 500 ml (1 pt .9 fl. oz) bottle purchased at Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, MA
Served in a tulip
Outstanding appearance. The beer poured a dark brown/black and medium bodied for the style. The liquid was topped by a tight, creamy, inch-tall, saddle brown head that slowly dropped to a thick, foamy collar. A wall of sticky, drippy lacing cascaded down the glass.
The aroma was pretty unexciting. Very malt forward and quite dark and roasty. Slightly sweet. Subtle milky lactose notes. More sweetness appeared as the beer warmed. Touch of coffee. Creamed coffee came to mind. Hint of dark chocolate too.
The flavor was similar to the nose. Quite roasty and dry. Some milky lactose notes were apparent. Espresso appeared in the center. Moderately bitter. Bit of chocolate syrup too. More dark, dry roastiness on the back end and the finish. Somewhat boozy.
Terrific, creamy, frothy mouthfeel. Amazingly soft and supple. Super slick and smooth on the palate. The liquid contained a fine, frothy, tongue blanketing effervescence.
Coconut? Nope. Caramel? Nope. Coffee? Maybe a touch. Hedonic Adaptation is a solid milk stout that I might appreciate more if I found it on the shelf at my local bottle shop. However, by Tree House standards, it was pretty disappointing.
Dec 22, 2018
Nichols33 from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I did not taste any coconut, at all. I love coconut in beers, so I'm probably looking for more than some subtle hint, but I didn't even get that in this beer. Nonetheless, it was a tasty milk stout. Very similar to other milk stouts they've released over the past 6 or so months (Spiritual Unrest, Nervous Energy, I Will Not Be Afraid)
Dec 06, 2018
4/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I did not taste any coconut, at all. I love coconut in beers, so I'm probably looking for more than some subtle hint, but I didn't even get that in this beer. Nonetheless, it was a tasty milk stout. Very similar to other milk stouts they've released over the past 6 or so months (Spiritual Unrest, Nervous Energy, I Will Not Be Afraid)
Dec 06, 2018
rudzud from Massachusetts
4.1/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Picked up at the brewery and shared with JLindros.
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a nice dark black with a thick two finger mocha head that fades to leave a creamy blanket.
S - Aromas of dark bakers chocolate, light cocoa and some malts. Zero coconut.
T - Taste is similar to the nose nice really sweet coconut. Not toasted but sweet and candy coconut like. The chocolate is pleasant as is the coffee but I feel it detracts from the sweet coconut.
M - Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, little creamy but sticky.
O - Overall this was a very tasty stout, just a shame the nose was so lackluster.
Serving Type: bottle
Nov 30, 2018
4.1/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Picked up at the brewery and shared with JLindros.
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a nice dark black with a thick two finger mocha head that fades to leave a creamy blanket.
S - Aromas of dark bakers chocolate, light cocoa and some malts. Zero coconut.
T - Taste is similar to the nose nice really sweet coconut. Not toasted but sweet and candy coconut like. The chocolate is pleasant as is the coffee but I feel it detracts from the sweet coconut.
M - Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, little creamy but sticky.
O - Overall this was a very tasty stout, just a shame the nose was so lackluster.
Serving Type: bottle
Nov 30, 2018
jlindros from Massachusetts
4.13/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Thanks to rudzud
Thick, very thick rich creamy mocha colored head sticks around forever, great retention, nice soapy lacing too, pitch black thick beer
Nose super rich coffee, fresh nutty mild fruity coffee, a bit earthy, a touch of roast, caramel, condensed milk and cooked lactose, candy notes, touch of cocoa
Taste coconut out front, mild but nice coconut, a little cocoa and dark chocolate, some caramel, condensed milk notes, little nutty coffee, fresh roasted mild coffee, nutty almond like notes, touch of nougat and sweet candy, big coconut chocolate caramel candy, sticky finish and a flash of alcohol
Mouth is med to fuller bod, rich creamy thicker, decent carb, a touch of alcohol
Overall not bad, wish the nose had some coconut but nice coffee, the taste had nice candy coconut and sweet characters but the coffee was a little distracting,
Nov 30, 2018
4.13/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Thanks to rudzud
Thick, very thick rich creamy mocha colored head sticks around forever, great retention, nice soapy lacing too, pitch black thick beer
Nose super rich coffee, fresh nutty mild fruity coffee, a bit earthy, a touch of roast, caramel, condensed milk and cooked lactose, candy notes, touch of cocoa
Taste coconut out front, mild but nice coconut, a little cocoa and dark chocolate, some caramel, condensed milk notes, little nutty coffee, fresh roasted mild coffee, nutty almond like notes, touch of nougat and sweet candy, big coconut chocolate caramel candy, sticky finish and a flash of alcohol
Mouth is med to fuller bod, rich creamy thicker, decent carb, a touch of alcohol
Overall not bad, wish the nose had some coconut but nice coffee, the taste had nice candy coconut and sweet characters but the coffee was a little distracting,
Nov 30, 2018
agreenman19 from Connecticut
4.35/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L - up next, Hum- uh, I mean Hedonic Adaptation! Pour is a dark chocolatey brown that lacks the typical head of Tree House milk stouts. Dissipates quickly to a mocha ring.
S - oh yeah, can definitely pick out the UK malts. Very... malted. Toasted caramel dominates with bready undertones. Coffee with brown sugar and molasses. Maybe the tiniest spec of maple.
T - toasted is the key word here. Lots of naturally bitter flavors with the edges rounded off by a good toasting. Dark fruity coffee beans a la plums and raisins, dry hoppiness, and barley. Of course we have Baker's chocolate and sweet lactose creaminess. At first I wasn't getting any coconut, but the more I drink, the more I realize coconut IS the beer. You know how coconut gives off a semi-sweet, yet tropical flavor that can sneak up on you if you're not expecting it? I completely expected it, but it still caught me off guard. The entire beer emits a playfully sweet fruitiness that can best be described as coconut. It's subtle yet at the same time suffocating. Finishes a bit sticky; I can feel the crusties forming on my lips.
F - par for the course. Medium body with the utmost softness. Zesty carbonation breathes life into this beer.
O - I'm not a huge fan of UK malts, so this is one of my least favorite TH milkies, but it's still a treat to behold. The coco is loco and the lactose gang's all here.
Nov 23, 2018
4.35/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L - up next, Hum- uh, I mean Hedonic Adaptation! Pour is a dark chocolatey brown that lacks the typical head of Tree House milk stouts. Dissipates quickly to a mocha ring.
S - oh yeah, can definitely pick out the UK malts. Very... malted. Toasted caramel dominates with bready undertones. Coffee with brown sugar and molasses. Maybe the tiniest spec of maple.
T - toasted is the key word here. Lots of naturally bitter flavors with the edges rounded off by a good toasting. Dark fruity coffee beans a la plums and raisins, dry hoppiness, and barley. Of course we have Baker's chocolate and sweet lactose creaminess. At first I wasn't getting any coconut, but the more I drink, the more I realize coconut IS the beer. You know how coconut gives off a semi-sweet, yet tropical flavor that can sneak up on you if you're not expecting it? I completely expected it, but it still caught me off guard. The entire beer emits a playfully sweet fruitiness that can best be described as coconut. It's subtle yet at the same time suffocating. Finishes a bit sticky; I can feel the crusties forming on my lips.
F - par for the course. Medium body with the utmost softness. Zesty carbonation breathes life into this beer.
O - I'm not a huge fan of UK malts, so this is one of my least favorite TH milkies, but it's still a treat to behold. The coco is loco and the lactose gang's all here.
Nov 23, 2018
ScaryEd from New Hampshire
4.29/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16.9 oz bottle into a tulip glass.
The pour is pitch black with a finger of tan head. The head leaves a nice ring of lacing before settling into a thin sheet.
The aroma brings notes of chocolate, caramel, roasted coffee and sweet coconut shavings.
The flavor is all about the caramel, with some nougat and sweet milk chocolate. There's a faint touch of coffee and an even fainter touch of coconut.
The feel is medium-full bodied with soft carbonation. Very smooth, creamy and pillowy soft. The alcohol is nigh undetectable.
Overall, a great milk stout that is sweet but balanced. Doesn't bring as much coconut as expected but the flavor is there and is a wonderful compliment to the caramel and chocolate flavors.
Nov 21, 2018
4.29/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16.9 oz bottle into a tulip glass.
The pour is pitch black with a finger of tan head. The head leaves a nice ring of lacing before settling into a thin sheet.
The aroma brings notes of chocolate, caramel, roasted coffee and sweet coconut shavings.
The flavor is all about the caramel, with some nougat and sweet milk chocolate. There's a faint touch of coffee and an even fainter touch of coconut.
The feel is medium-full bodied with soft carbonation. Very smooth, creamy and pillowy soft. The alcohol is nigh undetectable.
Overall, a great milk stout that is sweet but balanced. Doesn't bring as much coconut as expected but the flavor is there and is a wonderful compliment to the caramel and chocolate flavors.
Nov 21, 2018
Hedonic Adaptation from Tree House Brewing Company
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
67 ratings
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