Tree House (2025)

My son picked up an order at Charlton for me on a Saturday in mid-July. I just placed the order online and texted him the order details. When he got there he walked in, told them the order number, and they brought it out to him with no wait. The order form does ask for a pickup time but I assume they’ll hold it for you for a reasonable amount of time. So you’ll want to get an approximate time from your friends of when they intend to leave. And make sure they have a way to keep it cold!

https://treehousebrew.com/faqs

 

I haven't been to Charlton in

There is no grab and go / self service in Charlton (unless it's changed since last time I was there). You can either pre-order online, or at kiosks on site. There is a separate line for the packaged to-go beer, but they don't bring them out to your car, you do need to park and go get in line (to my knowledge they haven't done the car service in Charlton since covid).

In Charlton, on the weekends, they used to meet you outside the building, id you, and give you a bracelet. Then there are two separate pour lines (hoppy to the right and "traditional" crispies to the left).

It's pretty straightforward but can be a little overwhelming for a first timer.

 

This is all accurate. Hand carts are available I'll add. As I recall we got wristbands bc there were draft limits PP. But that's gone so I think you just order the draft online as always and you're good to go.

 

It's very straightforward to order to go. It sounds like you aren't going to be with the group that is going to be there. If that is the case, just order online when they arrive and email / text one of them your order number. They will have to go to the can pick up line (which is separate from the bars). If you are there personally, you can either order at a kiosk or order on your phone and then go to the can pick up line. In Charlton, there's no difference between what is available online vs. at the kiosk. I think that's not true in some other locations (was definitely not true for me in Deefield a year ago where the selection online was greater than in person).

As said, bars are separate line from the can to-go line. You just walk up, usually get carded (sometimes not) and order off the menu. In Charlton, the different bars have different menus. The two biggest are basically what I'd call IPAs / Stouts at one (called the Main Bar) and the other is lager focused (but has the pale ales, brown ales and a few other styles) - called the Classic Style Bar.

On a Saturday / Sunday, they may see lines in each spot. If so, they are allowed to drink a draft in the can line if they desire to limit their time.

 

There's tons of staff walking around who will answer any questions. There's also signs pointing you where things are, and a giant light-up sign that says "CANS" which is where you go to pick up your to-go order. The bar is like a normal bar. Walk up, order what you want to drink and then pay. I haven't been on a weekend for a while, but there will probably be anywhere from 20-50 people in line for a pour if it's a nice weekend. The line to pick up cans will be very small these days, if there even is one.

 

For fun, they should take a random weekend day and put 4 can limits on their core beers and watch people lose their minds.

 

A Throwback Saturday! You can get 6 cans of Bright and 4 Alter Ego.

 

The lobster roll in sandwich is absolutely legit. Pizza was closer to the best tewks pie I’ve had, too.

 

How about they go back to single can orders and make the world right again?

 

They’ve brewed like 3000 beers the last five years. They can’t all be winners kid.

 

The pour process has been dramatically streamlined since the beginning. Just get in line at one of the 2 bars and your server will take care of it. If you look 45+, they probably won't even card you, and just give you the wrist band. They used to mark the wristbands as a means to limit pours by putting a sharpie "X" on the band each time you went up. Limits have since been eliminated so now it's just an ID thing. Lines could be near non-existent to 10-15 minutes. Pretty reasonable, considering.

To go orders can only be placed day of pick up so order the same day your friends will be there. They will be asked for your order number and name. There's usually no line. Maybe a 5 minute wait, tops, while they put your order together.

There is a small grab and go cooler at the merch stand. Usually only Green, Julius and Haze with some seltzer or coldbrew cans thrown in for diversity. I've never really checked it out that thoroughly.

I find that the biggest hassle on the weekends now is parking, especially if you're old like me and have any aches and pains. That said, if you're parked far away, and have a big load that you'd rather not truck up to your car, they have fancy electric shuttle carts and they're more than willing to take you and your beer to your car.

 

I'm just far too fat and lazy to go to Charlton and carry 25+ pounds of beer out to my car in the upper lot. I'd want to use a hand cart for a single case lol but then I couldn't be assed bringing it back.

It literally cannot be more "first world problems" than this.

 

This could be a fun little social experiment. Just release a normal batch of Alter Ego but make it 2 cans pp and call it "DDH Julius". 4.7 on untappd in a week.

And I would absolutely fall for it.

 

with 3 prosaic paragraphs on back of can basically saying
"brewed with crystal malt and galaxy hops"

 

Or no hops listed at all

 

I gotta say in the many many times we’ve been to Charlton on weekends or any day. The main lot always has parking spots. It’s like people just assume and go to the upper lots. We’ve literally monitored this on our trips. Which doesn’t mean a fucking thing. But it’s good, though absolutely useless, knowlege. Make sure to check in Charlton. I’ve also seen folks try to carry loads they absolutely shouldn’t be. Never an issue to lend a quick hand, we’re in it for the same reason. Have had someone offer to help me when I was juggling some uneven box of cold brew, cans, bottles and an additional four pack or two lol.

Brimfield parking was fine.

Monson was next level fuck off.

 

I just noticed the "description" on the Mirror Image can says it is a "Double IPA, yet it's listed as a 6.8% IPA on the site...and on the can.



Also not a single mention that it's literally Alter Ego with fruit. Smdh what is Nate's handle on here again I DEMAND a refund for this amateur hour nonsense.

 

@DigitalNate

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