Tree House Brewing (2023)

Had one last night, still stunning. In a very very interesting way.

 

I did not like it much. I got an unpleasant ‘greasy diesel’ taste from it which, at the time, I attributed to fusel - although, on reflection, I think that’s unlikely? At any rate, no one else complained about it so it was probably just me being me.

 

Epic weather for Halloween weekend

 

Holy crap, there are over 100 different beers available at TH in Sandwich today! Those 6-hour trips to Charlton, waiting in line for an hour ("line is at 6th pole"), filling out the order slip with the golf pencil, & praying for a surprise Juice Machine drop seem like a lifetime ago.

 

Not just any horse races, BYOB horse races.

 

Evil Julius is by far my favorite of the family.

Happy Halloween

 

Just wanna throw a shout out to the non alcoholic seltzers. They are really fucking good!

 

It is SO unique. Reviewed the beer over the weekend but just put it on IG. I split the 4 so I only have a can left but I hope it makes it into the rotation. Having a Phantasmagoric and I wish it tasted and felt as good as it smells.

 

Glad they bottled a bunch of Julius, looking forward to grabbing at least a 4 pack.

 

I’ve had a hard time drinking their hoppy beers over the last few years.. I’ve poured more down the drain after a few sips than I’ve finished. They all taste/smell the same to me. So yeast driven and no actual hop character. The mouthfeel is always pretty crazy but it’s not enough to make them interesting anymore unfortunately.

That being said they continue to make some of the most interesting lagers I’ve had. Had a Behind The Times tonight and it’s hands down the best smoked beer I’ve ever had. The smoke integrates perfectly and doesn’t come off as a phenol. Went to Schlenkerla and Spezial this past spring and this is more enjoyable than anything I’ve had from them and I tend to enjoy Rauchbier. Had an At Ease the other night and it was a crazy complex yet well balanced, drinkable beer. Clearly not many people headed to Treehouse care about these beers but I’ve been thoroughly impressed by their darker lager offerings.

 

I'm with you on their lagers - I never would have expected the day would come when I go to tree house and avoid most of their hoppy beers but outside of some of the core ipas and pale ales most of them I find just too sweet for my palate.

Curious have you tried any of the trail series? I avoided them for awhile because I am usually not a fan of new school hops in pilsners but have really enjoyed the past few versions I've tried. Its best to think of them more as an IPL than a classic german pilsner. Its a cleaner hop flavor without any of the bubble gum yeast expression from their hoppy ales.

 

The last two posts are exactly why the Eureka series are such great beers (no different than the reference to the recent efforts with Trail).

 

I had a Trail w/Nelson and it was a pretty unique experience. You get the nice lager you're expecting up front, then get punched with a big hit of unmistakable Nelson as if it was in a single hopped IPA. I liked it, but didn't love it. I think lagers are too delicate for the amount of hopping treatment it probably got. I think it was just that Nelson is such an aggressive hop. I've had some other dry hopped lager offerings at the brewery (unfortunately I can't remember the names or hops) and thought they were world class

 

Trail w/ Australian Cascade on draft was the one that first impressed me. I might have to make a trip soon to try some of the wet hop versions.

 

Tree of Possibility at Charlton went quickly.

 

Trail Wet Hop Pink was not that great. Very Tea like. Trail Wet Hop Idaho Gem was decent. Agreed Trail Aussie Cascade was good. I’ve enjoyed other variants in the past. Big fan of new school hops in lagers. Fresh Timbo at HPB might be the best hoppy beer experience I’ve had in the last 4 years.

 

Trail Fresh Hop Strata is good, and the super fresh hop strata I had on draft awhile back was fantastic. Pink not so much. It does get better as it warms, but has some odd flavors that’s hard to love. Still Treehouse do a great job overall with their hoppy Pilsners in my opinion.

 

A month ago I asked about which German lagers were tasting good and no one answered. The Marzen (Whisper) was the best one I picked up. Probably one of the best beers I’ve had in months.

 

I thought God of the Forest was ok, nothing spectacular. I think Viridescense by Fox Farm is similar, but more flavorful.

Very Hhhazyyy is still outstanding.