Hedonic Adaptation
Tree House Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- English Sweet / Milk Stout
Ranked #94 - ABV:
- 9.1%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #3,998 - Avg:
- 4.35 | pDev: 5.29%
- Reviews:
- 6
- Ratings:
- From:
- Tree House Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 4
- Gots
- 5
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
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: 6
| Ratings: 32
4.01/5 rDev -7.8%
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.
1,288 characters
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.
1,288 characters
4/5 rDev -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)
335 characters
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)
335 characters
4.1/5 rDev -5.7%
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
627 characters
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
627 characters
4.13/5 rDev -5.1%
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,
855 characters
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,
855 characters
4.35/5 rDev 0%
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.
1,383 characters
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.
1,383 characters
4.29/5 rDev -1.4%
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.
733 characters
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.
733 characters
Hedonic Adaptation from Tree House Brewing Company
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
32 ratings
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