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Ma
Tree House Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Tree House Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- American Amber / Red Ale
Ranked #4 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #6,282 - Avg:
- 4.1 | pDev: 7.56%
- Reviews:
- 78
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 22, 2022
- Added:
- Mar 28, 2013
- Wants:
- 34
- Gots:
- 112
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
In commemoration of our head brewer and co-founder’s grandmother’s birthday, we have once again brewed this super fruity yet balanced amber ale! Hints of oranges, tangerines, and stone fruit grace the palate before a sweet malty caramel character provides balance and depth. A real treat that drinks well on any occasion. Happy Birthday, Ma. We love you!
Ma is a very special amber ale brewed in remembrance of Nate’s grandmother. A fiery Irish spirit who imparted deep values of dedication to family and love, Ma was one of a kind. This beer mirrors her spirit with bright notes of citrus, pine, and soft fruit boosted by a rich caramel base and a medium body. A wonderful beer to celebrate the New England transition to cooler weather. We encourage you to drink to honor Ma, and to those whose souls we carry deep in our hearts.
Ma is a very special amber ale brewed in remembrance of Nate’s grandmother. A fiery Irish spirit who imparted deep values of dedication to family and love, Ma was one of a kind. This beer mirrors her spirit with bright notes of citrus, pine, and soft fruit boosted by a rich caramel base and a medium body. A wonderful beer to celebrate the New England transition to cooler weather. We encourage you to drink to honor Ma, and to those whose souls we carry deep in our hearts.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by thebeers from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a murky, rusty-amber color with two fingers of dense tan head. Good retention and rings of lacing.
Fruity NEIPA hops — I get mostly sweet tangerine, maybe a little ripe plum, too — mask whatever kiss of sweetness exists in the nose.
Wow. The taste is nothing like the aroma. There’s a strong rye spiciness to it, earthy bitterness and a hint of molasses. Hints of pine show with the hints of citrus.
Medium bodied with peppery carbonation.
The disjointed parts make for a totally incongruent drinking experience, but it ultimately tastes pretty good if you ignore the look and smell.
Dec 22, 2022Fruity NEIPA hops — I get mostly sweet tangerine, maybe a little ripe plum, too — mask whatever kiss of sweetness exists in the nose.
Wow. The taste is nothing like the aroma. There’s a strong rye spiciness to it, earthy bitterness and a hint of molasses. Hints of pine show with the hints of citrus.
Medium bodied with peppery carbonation.
The disjointed parts make for a totally incongruent drinking experience, but it ultimately tastes pretty good if you ignore the look and smell.
Reviewed by farrago from New Jersey
3.73/5 rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a full three finger head, light tan in color with good density as well as retention, solid lacing ring left at the surface line. To my eyes the liquid is as amber as red, densely hazy but manages to stay translucent. The green hops hit you first in the nose to remind you with IPA specialists the apple never falls far from the tree, more tobacco ash and pine sap than malted milk ball, caramel or granola notes, not discerning any distinct fruit aromas. Medium-bodied, carbonation right-sized and adds the correct amount of creaminess to keep it fresh as well. Citrus and pine upfront, almost minty at times, here the general hoppiness better knit in. Scone, toffee, root beer notes bring it into better balance for the beer category. Then turns bitter through the finish. A stylistic interpretation. (Canned 9/29/01)
Nov 04, 2021Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
4.22/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Canned 9/29/21. “Yo yo” stamped on the bottom of the can. I get it, Yo-Yo Ma
We’re back with another deviation from TH’s typical IPA output, this time with an amber ale. This is a style that can be great if done correctly, but is also quite easy to screw up. Let’s hope that Tree House’s take on the style is more of the former than the latter but we will soon find out
Pours a turbid amber orange with 3 fingers of soapy off white head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing
Things are starting off promising in the nose with some spicy hop complexion, though there's also a bit of their tropical vibe running through it as well. I'm picking up on aromas of toasted red malt, piney hops, white pepper, caramel, honey, light cantaloupe, and some grapefruit pith
It sticks to more of a spice and malt driven vibe in taste, and it's definitely for the better. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting peppery hops, toasted grain, caramel malt, pumpernickel, and light wood. The swallow brings notes of piney hops, black pepper, doughy malt, toasted grain, pithy grapefruit, and rye bread
A medium body pairs with moderate zippy carbonation, resulting in a crisp and refreshing beer. Finishes off dry with a nice bready sweetness to balance the spice
This is a solid amber ale, just hopped to shit as expected from TH. Definitely tasty and easy drinking, but Maine's Zoe still remains my favorite of the style, and it will take better balance than this to dethrone that
Oct 25, 2021We’re back with another deviation from TH’s typical IPA output, this time with an amber ale. This is a style that can be great if done correctly, but is also quite easy to screw up. Let’s hope that Tree House’s take on the style is more of the former than the latter but we will soon find out
Pours a turbid amber orange with 3 fingers of soapy off white head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing
Things are starting off promising in the nose with some spicy hop complexion, though there's also a bit of their tropical vibe running through it as well. I'm picking up on aromas of toasted red malt, piney hops, white pepper, caramel, honey, light cantaloupe, and some grapefruit pith
It sticks to more of a spice and malt driven vibe in taste, and it's definitely for the better. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting peppery hops, toasted grain, caramel malt, pumpernickel, and light wood. The swallow brings notes of piney hops, black pepper, doughy malt, toasted grain, pithy grapefruit, and rye bread
A medium body pairs with moderate zippy carbonation, resulting in a crisp and refreshing beer. Finishes off dry with a nice bready sweetness to balance the spice
This is a solid amber ale, just hopped to shit as expected from TH. Definitely tasty and easy drinking, but Maine's Zoe still remains my favorite of the style, and it will take better balance than this to dethrone that
Reviewed by johnnnniee from New Hampshire
3.77/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can from tfontana, thanks again!
Lightly hazy deep amber in color with a tightly bubbled beige head that persists. Bready toasty maltiness with bits of earthy citrus to counter.
Feb 08, 2021Lightly hazy deep amber in color with a tightly bubbled beige head that persists. Bready toasty maltiness with bits of earthy citrus to counter.
Reviewed by BEERMILER12 from Maine
4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours a dark ruby red/mahogany color with 2 fingers of head that fades down to a thin cap that leaves decent lacing
S: Caramel, citrus, pine, and a touch of toasted malt
T: Follows the nose. Starts off a bit fruity with some caramel maltiness. Citrus and pine stand out. Moderate sweetness balanced by some earthy bitterness. Finishes with lingering caramel and citrus
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth
O: A very solid hoppy amber that is well balanced and super easy to drink. Candied hop/malt combo works well together. Worth a drink
Jan 19, 2021S: Caramel, citrus, pine, and a touch of toasted malt
T: Follows the nose. Starts off a bit fruity with some caramel maltiness. Citrus and pine stand out. Moderate sweetness balanced by some earthy bitterness. Finishes with lingering caramel and citrus
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth
O: A very solid hoppy amber that is well balanced and super easy to drink. Candied hop/malt combo works well together. Worth a drink
Rated by Ajtucker350 from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Not my fav but still amazing from TH
Jan 14, 2021Reviewed by VoodooBear from Puerto Rico
4.39/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.39/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Presentation: 16 oz. can with the canning date on the bottom. Served in a Teku.
Appearance: The dense, off white, one finger head stays around for a while and leaves behind a lot of patchy lacing that covers the entire glass. It's a beautiful, slightly hazy amber color.
Smell: There's a strong citrusy grapefruit aroma followed by a delicate pine scent and a musty, malt note in the background. They all mix together beautifully to create a wonderful bouquet.
Taste: It starts with a strong, fruity grapefruit and lemon presence which is kept in check by a soft, malty caramel flavor that comes in right after. There's a soft bitterness that makes it interesting but not uncomfortable to drink.
Mouthfeel: It's full bodied, creamy and with just the right touch of medium carbonation crispness.
Overall A fantastic amber ale, plain and simple. Heaping on praise for Tree House in this day and age seems redundant so we'll just leave it at this: You'll be hard pressed to find something better, or even as good, within the style than Ma.
Jan 06, 2021Appearance: The dense, off white, one finger head stays around for a while and leaves behind a lot of patchy lacing that covers the entire glass. It's a beautiful, slightly hazy amber color.
Smell: There's a strong citrusy grapefruit aroma followed by a delicate pine scent and a musty, malt note in the background. They all mix together beautifully to create a wonderful bouquet.
Taste: It starts with a strong, fruity grapefruit and lemon presence which is kept in check by a soft, malty caramel flavor that comes in right after. There's a soft bitterness that makes it interesting but not uncomfortable to drink.
Mouthfeel: It's full bodied, creamy and with just the right touch of medium carbonation crispness.
Overall A fantastic amber ale, plain and simple. Heaping on praise for Tree House in this day and age seems redundant so we'll just leave it at this: You'll be hard pressed to find something better, or even as good, within the style than Ma.
Reviewed by bret27 from California
3.97/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Can courtesy of p025757.
L: Dark amber fluffy head with retention and lace.
S: Caramel malts, stonefruit
T: same as smell.
F: appropriate for style.
Overall: Tasty. Balanced.
Jun 22, 2020L: Dark amber fluffy head with retention and lace.
S: Caramel malts, stonefruit
T: same as smell.
F: appropriate for style.
Overall: Tasty. Balanced.
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
3.87/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.87/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can dated 3/9/20.
Pours clear, dark copper with a big, off-white head. Unrelenting retention with fat ropes of lacing. Almost proper Belgian-level carbonation. Sweet malt with a minerally undertone in the nose. Medium bodied with a tacky mouthfeel. Malty and bitter on the palate. Finishes bitter and sweet.
May 13, 2020Pours clear, dark copper with a big, off-white head. Unrelenting retention with fat ropes of lacing. Almost proper Belgian-level carbonation. Sweet malt with a minerally undertone in the nose. Medium bodied with a tacky mouthfeel. Malty and bitter on the palate. Finishes bitter and sweet.
Reviewed by mnj21655 from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear reddish copper in color with nearly two fingers of off white head. Aroma is a little citrusy, some sweet malts, with stone fruit notes. Taste has tangerine, peach, nectarine, a little caramel malt underneath, and a moderate bitterness in the finish. Medium-light bodied with moderate carbonation. Overall a good beer, tasty and drinkable but isn’t totally what I expect from and Amber. It’s a lot fruitier than typical ambers which is in keeping with the House character of TH.
Apr 09, 2020Reviewed by BeerBaronBear from New York
4.62/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.62/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I love you, Ma! Of Tree House's offerings that are NOT IPAs or stouts, this one's my hands down favorite (so far). The look is a clear, reddish-brown (my daughter thought it was beautiful, hence the perfect 5!). The smell isn't incredible, but the taste is wonderful. It still manages to have a lot of the fruit character present in Tree House's IPAs, but with a nice malty backbone. Very balanced and smooth. Eminently drinkable but with a ton of flavor to boot. A really great red/amber ale. Unless you're an IPA only snob, pick some up the next time you visit Tree House!
Mar 29, 2020Reviewed by odenbr12 from New Jersey
4.06/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Super crushable, love the palette. Very juicy, a great beer for when you’re sitting on the couch after working ten hours and ur watching The Office for the 80th time, and despite the fact you’re a Predictable Patty, you can still be distinct, lively, and own that distinct sense of uniqueness. That palette of this beer - this lovely array of fruit, hops and fizz - helps you feel as if you have a real control of your life. One sip everyone knows the rules.
Nov 29, 2019Reviewed by SawDog505 from New Hampshire
4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a 16 Nordic pint glass canned on 9/03/19. Pours a very attractive cloudy rusty ruby with a finger off white head that leaves thick streaks of lace all over the sides of the glass, with solid retention. 4.25
Smell is caramel, toffee, sweet rye, tangerine, pine, apricot, pineapple, and some hints of grapefruit rind. 4.25
Taste follows malty caramel, rye, and toffee upfront with and explosion of apricot, pineapple, and tangerine in the bold yet balanced finish. 4.25
Mouthfeel is big, soft and gentle on the palate, slightly sticky not dry, and at 6.8% big on flavor and feel, but really drinkable. 4.25
Overall I always like a hoppy red during the Spring and Fall and seriously this one is exceptional. So balanced and crazy tasty, really impressed. 4.25
Oct 02, 2019Smell is caramel, toffee, sweet rye, tangerine, pine, apricot, pineapple, and some hints of grapefruit rind. 4.25
Taste follows malty caramel, rye, and toffee upfront with and explosion of apricot, pineapple, and tangerine in the bold yet balanced finish. 4.25
Mouthfeel is big, soft and gentle on the palate, slightly sticky not dry, and at 6.8% big on flavor and feel, but really drinkable. 4.25
Overall I always like a hoppy red during the Spring and Fall and seriously this one is exceptional. So balanced and crazy tasty, really impressed. 4.25
Ma from Tree House Brewing Company
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
474 ratings
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