Raven
Tree House Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- IPA - Black / Cascadian Dark Ale
Ranked #62 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #8,005 - Avg:
- 4.04 | pDev: 6.19%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- From:
- Tree House Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 0
- Gots
- 1
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
Raven is a Black IPA inspired by the changing of the seasons and the cravings of heartiness that come with it. It is an excellent companion to any cool weather occasion. It is brewed with Simcoe, Centennial, and Amarillo hops paired with a carefully considered addition of roasted malt.
Raven’s recipe and process were designed with the balance between resinous hop character and gentle roasted malt bitterness as the most important characteristic to make this beer as interesting and enjoyable as possible.
Following extended cold-conditioning, Raven pours a super dark brown to black color in the glass, leaving behind a dense and rocky head. In its aroma and taste, it conjures perceptions of citrus and pine balanced by sturdy light chocolate and roasted malt character. In spite of its relatively simple construction, it presents with a hefty amount of character and intrigue.
Raven is a beer at the heart of who we are, and what we aspire to do. It delights with its tastiness, drinkability, and hearty construct. It drinks well on its own, but it drinks particularly well with seasonally appropriate meals like smoked meat or beef stew. We expect it to age well and evolve over the next several months while being stored away in the refrigerator.
Raven’s recipe and process were designed with the balance between resinous hop character and gentle roasted malt bitterness as the most important characteristic to make this beer as interesting and enjoyable as possible.
Following extended cold-conditioning, Raven pours a super dark brown to black color in the glass, leaving behind a dense and rocky head. In its aroma and taste, it conjures perceptions of citrus and pine balanced by sturdy light chocolate and roasted malt character. In spite of its relatively simple construction, it presents with a hefty amount of character and intrigue.
Raven is a beer at the heart of who we are, and what we aspire to do. It delights with its tastiness, drinkability, and hearty construct. It drinks well on its own, but it drinks particularly well with seasonally appropriate meals like smoked meat or beef stew. We expect it to age well and evolve over the next several months while being stored away in the refrigerator.
Reviews: 30
| Ratings: 101
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Reviews by sulldaddy:
sulldaddy from Connecticut
4.3/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Sampling a cold 16 oz can poured into my snifter. The beer pours a bright clear cola brown color with little to no light passing through my glass when I hold it to the light. A light beige fluffy head of 2 cm foams up easily even with a gentle pour.
The aroma is apparent right off the pour. Some roasted malt and caramel mix up front and then a good dose of pine sap and grapefruit note comes through as well. A pretty nicely balanced nose on this brew.
First sip reveals a smooth textured and average body with very fine and tingly carbonation. The beer drinks very easy and I find my glass to be almost empty much quicker than I would have anticipated when I poured it out this evening.
Flavor is expected for a black IPA.
I get some caramel and roasted malt with just a hint of brown sugar up front, with the roasted being dominant. This gives way to citrusy grapefruit hops and a dose of earthy or piney flavor that lingers a bit after each swallow. The finish is very dry and the ABV is completely hidden.
I find this to be a bit of a crushable brew and a very well balanced one at that. Glad I got to try this one and think TH did a good job with an underbrewed style.
Nov 15, 2019
4.3/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Sampling a cold 16 oz can poured into my snifter. The beer pours a bright clear cola brown color with little to no light passing through my glass when I hold it to the light. A light beige fluffy head of 2 cm foams up easily even with a gentle pour.
The aroma is apparent right off the pour. Some roasted malt and caramel mix up front and then a good dose of pine sap and grapefruit note comes through as well. A pretty nicely balanced nose on this brew.
First sip reveals a smooth textured and average body with very fine and tingly carbonation. The beer drinks very easy and I find my glass to be almost empty much quicker than I would have anticipated when I poured it out this evening.
Flavor is expected for a black IPA.
I get some caramel and roasted malt with just a hint of brown sugar up front, with the roasted being dominant. This gives way to citrusy grapefruit hops and a dose of earthy or piney flavor that lingers a bit after each swallow. The finish is very dry and the ABV is completely hidden.
I find this to be a bit of a crushable brew and a very well balanced one at that. Glad I got to try this one and think TH did a good job with an underbrewed style.
Nov 15, 2019
More User Reviews:
smi69 from New York
4.15/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Dec 08, 2019
4.15/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Dec 08, 2019
DucksFan16 from Alaska
3.54/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Aug 30, 2020
3.54/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Aug 30, 2020
EatonHops from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 16, 2020
4/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 16, 2020
rab53 from Washington
3.98/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Mar 24, 2020
3.98/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Mar 24, 2020
smaddock from Massachusetts
4.17/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
May 01, 2020
4.17/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
May 01, 2020
wip998001 from Massachusetts
4.02/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 03, 2020
4.02/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 03, 2020
jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Dark brown pour with light and thin cream colored lacing, no carbonation.
S - Chocolate with some citrus and light peat buried down under.
T - Chocolate malt along with a citrus mixture, finishes balanced with a light lingering char in the back of the mouth along with a little citrus.
M - Thick and viscous body with light pricklies.
O - Not a fan of this style but it works.
Dec 07, 2019
4.1/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Dark brown pour with light and thin cream colored lacing, no carbonation.
S - Chocolate with some citrus and light peat buried down under.
T - Chocolate malt along with a citrus mixture, finishes balanced with a light lingering char in the back of the mouth along with a little citrus.
M - Thick and viscous body with light pricklies.
O - Not a fan of this style but it works.
Dec 07, 2019
Ssippisam from Minnesota
4.18/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Feb 15, 2020
4.18/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Feb 15, 2020
Kendo from New York
4.12/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Poured from the can into a tulip glass. Body is black. Even when backlit: black. Nice 1+ finger tannish head on top, which retains well.
S: Let down here - not a big, roasty and bitter nose like I like in a Black IPA. Some roast, a hint of dark chocolate. It's a good profile, but far too tame. Gotta stick my whole nose in the glass and to get anything.
T: Follows the nose, with roasted malt up front followed by slight char/charcoal and modest dark chocolate/bitter bakers' chocolate. Finishes with some juicy, fruit hops underneath. It's good. Very good.
M: A little on the thin side at first blush, it finishes more juicy in feel, oddly enough.
O: A bit of an enigma. I love this style and yet haven't seen many of these beers in the last year or two - so I was very excited when I saw that Tree House had one available today. . . . I'm happy with this, but had higher hopes. It's probably better than I'm suggesting, a victim of high expectations.
Dec 12, 2020
4.12/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Poured from the can into a tulip glass. Body is black. Even when backlit: black. Nice 1+ finger tannish head on top, which retains well.
S: Let down here - not a big, roasty and bitter nose like I like in a Black IPA. Some roast, a hint of dark chocolate. It's a good profile, but far too tame. Gotta stick my whole nose in the glass and to get anything.
T: Follows the nose, with roasted malt up front followed by slight char/charcoal and modest dark chocolate/bitter bakers' chocolate. Finishes with some juicy, fruit hops underneath. It's good. Very good.
M: A little on the thin side at first blush, it finishes more juicy in feel, oddly enough.
O: A bit of an enigma. I love this style and yet haven't seen many of these beers in the last year or two - so I was very excited when I saw that Tree House had one available today. . . . I'm happy with this, but had higher hopes. It's probably better than I'm suggesting, a victim of high expectations.
Dec 12, 2020
WhackoMillah93 from Massachusetts
3.8/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Dec 02, 2019
3.8/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Dec 02, 2019
Jps715 from New Jersey
4.1/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Feb 17, 2020
4.1/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Feb 17, 2020
alexsergio from New York
3.99/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 23, 2020
3.99/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 23, 2020
acurtis from New Jersey
3.53/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nov 30, 2019
3.53/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nov 30, 2019
Knapp85 from Pennsylvania
4.09/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 29, 2019
4.09/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 29, 2019
paulish from New York
4.25/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 03, 2020
4.25/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 03, 2020
brewme from Massachusetts
4.25/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Picked-up three cans at the Tree House Brewery in Charlton for $3.80. Brand-new brew from TH. Not usually a black IPA fan, but this was a pleasant surprise, and tasted better the more I drank. Very-well balanced.
Oct 11, 2019
4.25/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Picked-up three cans at the Tree House Brewery in Charlton for $3.80. Brand-new brew from TH. Not usually a black IPA fan, but this was a pleasant surprise, and tasted better the more I drank. Very-well balanced.
Oct 11, 2019
PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 29, 2019
4/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 29, 2019
scotorum from Massachusetts
4.21/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bought at the brewery 11/26/19. Poured from the 16 oz. can into a Tree House willi.
a; Mostly opaque black with clear ruby at the bottom, inch and a half thick tan head receded to thick surface foam and dense lacing.
s; Slight roasty malt.
t: Nicely balanced malt and hop combo with hardly any roasty char, coffee or chocolate notes except as a slight aftertaste. Moderate hop bite with some subtle char which lingers on the mainly dry finish.
m; Medium, very good body and some carbonation tingle.
o: I have not seen or had many black IPAs in my six plus years in craft, but this is the most IPA-like one I can recall. Usually when the style is attempted some aspect of the roasted barley dominates over the hops. This one seems nicely balanced and perhaps the most drinkable of its type. High marks for accomplishing that!
Dec 02, 2019
4.21/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bought at the brewery 11/26/19. Poured from the 16 oz. can into a Tree House willi.
a; Mostly opaque black with clear ruby at the bottom, inch and a half thick tan head receded to thick surface foam and dense lacing.
s; Slight roasty malt.
t: Nicely balanced malt and hop combo with hardly any roasty char, coffee or chocolate notes except as a slight aftertaste. Moderate hop bite with some subtle char which lingers on the mainly dry finish.
m; Medium, very good body and some carbonation tingle.
o: I have not seen or had many black IPAs in my six plus years in craft, but this is the most IPA-like one I can recall. Usually when the style is attempted some aspect of the roasted barley dominates over the hops. This one seems nicely balanced and perhaps the most drinkable of its type. High marks for accomplishing that!
Dec 02, 2019
Wizzman from Massachusetts
4.03/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Nov 03, 2019
4.03/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Nov 03, 2019
GregSemenza from Connecticut
3.79/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Dec 30, 2019
3.79/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Dec 30, 2019
edthehead from New York
3.96/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 06, 2020
3.96/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 06, 2020
ScaryEd from New Hampshire
3.98/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can into a tulip glass.
Pours a dark brown color with a 2 finger fluffy khaki head. The head is stubbornly persistent and leaves a crown of lacing as it ultimately settles into a thick cap of foam.
The aroma brings notes of pine and citrus up front; namely grapefruit and orange rind. Then comes a rush of roasted malts, bringing notes of medium roast coffee and milk chocolate. There's a slight smokey note on the back.
The flavor starts off with notes of orange and grapefruit pith, with just a faint lingering spiciness. Then there's some roasted malts, chocolate, and caramel. Finishes smokey and leathery.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth. Very drinkable.
Overall, this is a great Black IPA that comes pretty much exactly as advertised. You get the hops and the malts and the yada yada yada. Good beer.
Oct 23, 2019
3.98/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can into a tulip glass.
Pours a dark brown color with a 2 finger fluffy khaki head. The head is stubbornly persistent and leaves a crown of lacing as it ultimately settles into a thick cap of foam.
The aroma brings notes of pine and citrus up front; namely grapefruit and orange rind. Then comes a rush of roasted malts, bringing notes of medium roast coffee and milk chocolate. There's a slight smokey note on the back.
The flavor starts off with notes of orange and grapefruit pith, with just a faint lingering spiciness. Then there's some roasted malts, chocolate, and caramel. Finishes smokey and leathery.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth. Very drinkable.
Overall, this is a great Black IPA that comes pretty much exactly as advertised. You get the hops and the malts and the yada yada yada. Good beer.
Oct 23, 2019
agreenman19 from Connecticut
4.04/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L - pours a coffee cola brown with a Double Shot-esque head... at least at first. Two tone dark and light tan, but quickly blends into lighter, almost white ivory.
S - faint cereal grains and grape must. More vinous that I think was intended. Dry pinot gris with hints of tangerine sweetness.
T - definitely hoppy and herbal. Fresh and crisp. Lightly toasted grains and coffee ground bitterness. Sweet lemon-lime candy, nectarine citrus, and bittering grapefruit rind. Finish is as hoppy as it begins with some serious lasting power on the bitterness.
F - full, almost overly so for the flavors and general vibes of this beer. It's on the lighter, subtler side, but a good amount of heft is still present. Blends well with the bitterness.
O - the BLIPA is definitely an underutilized style of late. Raven is overall subtle, but hoppy out the ass. Caramelized and citrusy, it is a good example of the style, but much like Ma, isn't anything to write home about.
Oct 26, 2019
4.04/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L - pours a coffee cola brown with a Double Shot-esque head... at least at first. Two tone dark and light tan, but quickly blends into lighter, almost white ivory.
S - faint cereal grains and grape must. More vinous that I think was intended. Dry pinot gris with hints of tangerine sweetness.
T - definitely hoppy and herbal. Fresh and crisp. Lightly toasted grains and coffee ground bitterness. Sweet lemon-lime candy, nectarine citrus, and bittering grapefruit rind. Finish is as hoppy as it begins with some serious lasting power on the bitterness.
F - full, almost overly so for the flavors and general vibes of this beer. It's on the lighter, subtler side, but a good amount of heft is still present. Blends well with the bitterness.
O - the BLIPA is definitely an underutilized style of late. Raven is overall subtle, but hoppy out the ass. Caramelized and citrusy, it is a good example of the style, but much like Ma, isn't anything to write home about.
Oct 26, 2019
Mjmoney23 from Connecticut
4.11/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Nov 16, 2019
4.11/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Nov 16, 2019
Raven from Tree House Brewing Company
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
101 ratings
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