if you could only

Larger selection, but not nearly as good (in my opinion). Pot & Kettle is quite good as an oatmeal stout; Double Shot is also very good. So if our friend here wants darker options ... well, it's a toss up.

 

I counted 13 Trill pales/IPAs and DIPAs w/over 200 ratings -- all averaging around a 4.5 score. Data speaks for itself-- at least w/regards to the world class quality, variety, and ease of acquisition of their beers. I know this has all been said and the debate will continue -- but strictly speaking juicy hoppy beers -- TH is on the podium but Trill is the king of NE. IMO.....

 

Trillium makes great beer but I've tasted world class beer that is similar. I've still yet to taste anything quite like fresh Julius, Haze, King Julius, Green, etc... I've lost count of the number of people that I've shared a sample of Julius with and have said something to the effect of "I didn't now beer could taste like that".

 

Right, but Beer Advocate ratings aren't playing into my opinion. That's not what beer is to me. So the critics liked Godfather II more than the first one. I disagree. Hence, my opinion.

Also, larger selection does not always denote greater quality. I'd rather go to a restaurant that does five things really well than 15 dishes where some are great, some are so-so, some aren't very good.

 

What is with all the pissy Treehouse fans? Every conversation I have with one at a bar they MUST state that treehouse is the best and then they roll their eyes if I mention any other beer not brewed by them; like I have no clue what I'm talking about (which I usually dont)

 

Proclivity to divert from the Boston-centric sphere of influence. (I also have no clue what I'm talking about).

 

You know more than me. I had to look up "proclivity"

But seriously, I really just want easier access to Tipo Pils. All these other beers are here for entertainment.

 

I think Trillium and Tree House are so close quality wise on hops that it's crazy to have a strong preference either way. I can't remember the last Trillium IPA/DIPA/PA I had that wasn't fantastic - I have my preferences but it's borderline splitting hairs. There has always seemed to me a small resistance on this site to put Trillium up there with the other bests which is pretty crazy to me. Ease of acquisition? I don't know.

 

I'd say this plays a role. I hate going into Boston. Hate it. I'd never go south of Andover if I didn't have to.

Either way, just giving my two sense. Sorry if that was making me "pissy." I'm on team Jacks Abby anyway! Best brewery in the state. Framingham is just as crappy to get to, though. But they distribute so well.

 

cambridge brewing company, especially if any sours or barrel aged beers were on.

 

for a true brewery experience, CBC. Diversity, atmosphere, quality, price. They have it all

 

Do we know what kind of beer this guy likes? If he mentioned it I didn't catch it - just some unhelpful comment about "the best". One of the great things about MA is the variety that we have access to. Hell, we even have a Trappist brewery. Frankly, renting a house in Monson with a bbq pit doesn't sound like the greatest use of my time, but if OP wants to bang out a growler of a juicy IPA while burning hot dogs and still have some cans available to take on a walk than have at it.

My favorite brewery in MA is currently Jack's Abby, although this "honor" has changed hands several times. I'm also a big fan of Idle Hands, but wouldn't exactly refer to their retail space as a vacation destination.

 

If Tree House was easy to get to and had less lines it would lose it's coolness factor in a hurry IMO. People tend to overrate things that are smaller scale and hard to get beer. This is not a knock on TH because I've been out there and have had several of their wonderful beers. That being said I love their beer and Good Morning might be the best beer in the state.

 

I think someone mentioned it but 45 minutes east of Tree House check out Armsby Abbey, they generally always have Hill Farmstead on tap, just check their tap list on their website before you go. Good food as well. And in Sturbridge you can check out Yankee Spirits for some of the stuff you missed out on.

 

I agree w your analogy and want to state that I enjoy Tree House beers. If you don't love all of the Trill hoppy beers - that's cool and I get letting your palate guide your beer purchases vs blindly consulting BA ratings. I do think it is worth pointing out that the BA data is overwhelming w regards to Trill hoppy beers. Aside from HF -- there may not be another brewer w/ the combination of ridiculously high ratings/large number of reviews/qty of beers. Makes me laugh when TH devotes make the "not even close" statement -- or as you said-- "not really as good".

 

I totally get it. I think it's divisive (where it absolutely shouldn't be) between TH and Tril. Some people lean one way; Some the other way. That being said, it's 90% location for me. As much as TH is in the middle of nowhere, I'd go there 100 times out of 100 versus going into Fort Point. Just my preference.

But here's a question: Do you think the overwhelming high ratings for Trillium's hoppy beer are a product of the over-hopping of craft beer? That is, the more hops the better? I had a DDH Congress St recently. Took me two hours to drink, traded away the other one. Too much for me. For some people -- in fact, for many people -- it's perfect. Or even not enough hops. Seems to me that's the trend. Hype drives things too. If 9 out of 10 people I talked to gave this beer a 100, then I should be in that range lest I be considered a moron.

 

This thread is funny. It asks for opinions, people give them, and then other people try to pick apart opinions they don't agree with as if any of this is objective.

 

I live equidistant from Tree House and Trillium. That being said, I tend to go to Tree House a lot more since they started canning because I can get more beer and it will last longer. Both breweries produce excellent beers and you'll be happy with either choice.

 

this thread? sir, you have just described every thread on BA...

 

I think Trill's ratings are so high because they have developed a technique that produces a truly unique hop/flavor/aroma profile. Is it the yeast? hopping and dry hopping process? some kind secret sauce? Who knows -- but there are very few breweries that can produce that intense juciness and not one that I can think of west of Monson or north of Greensboro Bend. 3 Floyds? TG? great hoppy beers -- not close to Trill on the juicy scale. West coast? I like Nelson from Alpine - it has that cloudy and super fresh hop flavor -- it's close -- as are some of the beers from Societe that I've tried. I'm sure there are new up and comers all over the country that will figure it out but for now - it's precious few.