Tree House I Have Promises To Keep

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 7.9%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.46/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.42/5
- RateBeer: N/A

BREWER'S DESCRIPTION
"In 2014, I brewed an American Pale Ale - Beneficiaries of Chance - to celebrate marrying the love of my life, Lauren. Over the years time it has become a perpetual tradition to honor our bond with a new, celebratory beer to mark the occasion. For our fourth anniversary, I am pleased to offer a new Double IPA, I Have Promises To Keep! It is brewed with copious doses of Nelson and Citra in both the kettle and the dry hop. It tastes and smells strongly of citrus, sweet sauvignon blanc grapes, and gooseberries. It is loaded with flavor and yet maintains an easy drinking, mouth watering appeal. As the years pass by, and bonds grow deeper, it’s vital to reflect upon, and give thanks for, the special people in your life. I sincerely hope that this beer may serve as a vehicle to do so."

APPEARANCE
Pours out the typical golden yellow/brilliant orange with that familiar murky body and two fingers of solid, white head.

AROMA
I love that distinct Tree House yeast smell. This is a grapefruit and orange sherbet nuke for sure as this reeks (in a good way) of fresh-squeezed juice and some white whine. Juicy Fruit gum and orange sherbet are fantastic additions to the aroma and again, that yeasty smell is great. Not much in the way of bitterness, but the smell is so pleasant, I can forgive it for not being balanced.

TASTE
The taste retains a lot of the juicy goodness from the aroma, but has the addition of the bitter bite that was missing from the nose. Orange juice is a big flavor throughout and is accented on both the front and back by the aforementioned sherbet and grapefruit. The back end contains even more of that bitter hop flavor and it is what remains in the aftertaste. A Juicy ride with bitter bookends.

MOUTHFEEL
The body is full and creamy, buy maybe not as creamy as you'd expect. It's never watered-down at any point, but it should still feel fluffier. ABV is non-existent and it drinks easy.

OVERALL
I Have Promises To Keep Delivered on the Citra and Nelson in big ways, but a lighter-than-expected body keeps it from reaching elite levels. Still, this is another stellar IPA from a brewery with an entire catalogue of world class offerings. This one fits right in with the family and could be a welcome addition to their rotation.

Rating
8.9/10

Greater Good Pulp Daddy

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.18/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.14/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"PULP DADDY is an 8% ABV IPA created as an extension of the popular PULP (Pauls Ultimate Lupulin Protocol) brand; like PULP, this “juice forward” IPA has a predominant citrusy aroma and tastes like nectar of the hop gods!  We made one modification to the base process for PULP with a single objective in mind:  dial up the haze. Objective accomplished.  PULP DADDY is easy-drinking and refreshing with perfect nebulosity and mouthfeel."

Pours out a glowing orange with hazy body and a finger of white head.

Sweet tangerine is first on the aroma. It has that thick, syrupy presence you get with a lot of big DIPAs, but it isn't too much that it becomes a turn off. Deep down are clean orange zest and grapefruit peel.

If you read my review of GG's Pulp (of course you did), I was pretty harsh on it for being a big, syrupy concoction. Pulp Daddy on the other hand has brought in a lot more juice befitting of the "New England IPA" style.

Fresh oranges burst forth out of the glass and onto my tongue and then there's a THUD of pine coming in like someone dropping an anvil on your head. It's impressive how the flavors changed on a dime. Going back to the sweeter notes from the aroma, I get more tangerines and then there's that creamy orange sherbet flavor that is a hallmark of this style. It has small moments of bitterness, but that isn't the overall goal here. While leveling up the juice with this version, this still lets you know it is a hefty DIPA that shouldn't be trifled with.

Mouthfeel is lighter than standard Pulp, but it does manage to retain some of the thicker and more syrupy feels from the base beer. Still, it drink much easier thanks to a lighter body. While it feels big, the alcohol is never a concern.

Pulp Daddy managed to stay a big, resinous Doule IPA while also morphing into a juice-forward New England IPA. Greater Good Brewing sure does do a great job of making big beers easy to drink and this is one of their best.

Rating
8.8/10

Foundation Galacticon

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA, Triple IPA
ABV: 9.4%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.39/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.47/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Galacticon Triple IPA pours a hazy gold color, showcasing the beautiful flavors of papaya, melon, mango and white grape layered over an underlying dankness that is the hallmark of Australian Galaxy hops. Exclusively and aggressively hopped with Galaxy and Citra both in the whirlpool and the dry hop, Galacticon unleashes all of the intensity of these hops with little bitterness. The flavors and aromas of Galacticon are best enjoyed as soon as possible."

Pours out golden orange in color with a murky body and a finger of white head.

The aroma has a good amount of orange rind and citrus acidity. Some subtle dank bitterness is here too as well as a tiny bit of creamy sherbet and grapefruit.

The taste is bitter up front, bitter in the middle, and bitter in the back. However, it is also balanced with delicious citrus at the same time. Up front the dank Galaxy provides a good hop bite, but that is quickly rushed away by intense citrus zest and pulpy orange juice. As it hits the middle of the mouth, some sweeter citrus notes of clementine and tangerine take over, but the back end goes immediately back to some lingering bitter flavors and a big thud of hops on the finish. There's a minor fusel alcohol taste on each sip, but it is nearly undetectable.

Mouthfeel is full with a creamy texture. It is nearing 9% abv, but the body is in no way syrupy or thick. It drinks more like 7.5% and that can be deadly.

Galacticon was a flavorful and incredibly drinkable Double/Triple IPA. Every step of the way, the bitterness ran rampant, but it was so easy to drink that you forgot this was knocking on the door of 10% abv. The bitterness and citrus matched perfectly in this beer and it has earned its place alongside some of the better New England IPAs out there.

Rating
9.1/10

Trillium Permutation 39: Double IPA with Lactose

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.34/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.24/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Permutation 39 is a Double IPA brewed with lactose that delivers a hazy golden orange hue. A rush of fresh cut pineapple, orange and a sweet Mosaic hop nose set the tone, while the flavor of oranges and grapefruit pith meld into a honey character and creamy, full mouthfeel on the finish."

Pours out golden orange in color with that dirty milkshake body and a finger of slightly off-white head.

Dank hops and berries are most prominent on the aroma. The bitterness is appetizing, but is equally matched by berries, melon, and citrus zest. Lactose is hard to come by.

The taste still retains the citrus from the aroma and I get more grapefruit and other sweeter citrus notes. What else has survived from the nose? The honeydew melon is still clean and juicy, and the bitterness is produced by a delicious hop juice flavor. The lactose is much bigger here than it was on the aroma. The "milkshake ipa" craze has hit the beer scene hard and Trillium is putting their horse in the race. I do find similarities with others of a similar style with subtle vanilla notes which play off the sweet citrus flavors. It isn't the boldest example of an IPA with lactose, but the rest of the beer is fantastic, so I don't care.

Mouthfeel is creamy and so soft. No alcohol is to be found and that 8% is nowhere to be seen. Drinkability is high, but that's not a surprise with these Trillium IPAs.

Permutation 39 was a a subtle entry into the Milkshake IPA world. This one really just dips its toes in the water, but as I said before, the beer is a home run on its own without the lactose, so I am a happy camper.

Rating
9.0/10

Trillium Permutation 33: Double IPA with Vic Scret & Citra

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 7.6%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.37/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.45/5
- RateBeer: 3.49/5

"Permutation 33 present a milky light straw color with a slight orange hue. A dank nose of mango skin, honeydew, bright hop, strawberry, and lemon leads into a palate of cantaloupe, grapefruit pith, and fresh hop. Permutation 33 has a full body and mouthfeel."

Pours out orange in color with that creamy, murky, milkshake body and a finger of white head.

Dank hops, orange juice, and tart lemon come forth on the aroma with orange sherbet, pineapple, and some grapefruit.

The typical Trillium IPA characteristics are all here as this is forward with the big orange and citrus notes from the aroma, and, also like the nose, the orange creme and sherbet flavors are not being shy. The Vic Secret though is what accounts for all the bitterness and it is a smaller dank bite than, let's say, Galaxy hops, but here, they are just as robust as Galaxy complete with mouth-watering dank qualities. Believe it or not, some of that lemon swoops in and adds a refreshing splash of flavor to a beer that is being dominated by sugary sorbet and dank bitterness. The back end finishes with more of that bitter bite and the hops linger for days on the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy. It feels so smooth from start to finish and it is highly drinkable.

Permutation 33 was one of my favorites of the series thanks to the teamwork of heavy citrus and delectable bitterness. Some of the more recent offerings in the series, while good, were a bit too big to be what I would consider easy-drinking beers. This however provides just as much (if not more) flavor, but you can attack this one with ease.

Rating
9.2/10

Trillium Permutation 32: Double IPA with Galaxy

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.2%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.48/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.57/5
- RateBeer: 3.53/5

"Permutation Series #32 beckons with a powerful pineapple, melon, and orange creamsicle nose. A cantaloupe and pithy grapefruit palate with soft bitterness is complemented by a pillowy, full mouthfeel."

Pours out slightly dark orange in color with a murky body and a finger of white head.

I get a lot of ripe stone fruit on the aroma, but it has its fair share of dank hop bitterness and a small kick of sweetness.

The taste is creamy peach puree up front and then dank bitterness on the back end. It opens with big stone fruits like the aroma with the aforementioned peaches contributing the most. The middle of the mouth picks up almost a piney sensation, but not too big. That goes away immediately as a flood of oranges and even mango converge at the apex, but again, the back half belongs to pure hop bitterness and hop juice. That is until another rush of peaches and even a little bit of creamy orange sherbet sneak in to add to the complexity. A honey sweetness creeps in as well to ease up on the thud of bitterness being put out. That honey flavor really lingers in the aftertaste too.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy. At almost 10%, this drinks so easy and the body doesn't weigh the palate down at all.

Permutation 32 was a great display of Galaxy hops. It definitely felt like the big beer that it was and the amount of hops and sweeter flavors made for a complex brew.  I can see how it might be a bit sweet for some, especially near the end, but I enjoyed how it all came together.

Rating
8.7/10

Exhibit 'A' Fifteen

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 7.7%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.22/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.25/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Originally released as Demo Tape Fifteen, this beer has made it into our regular rotation. It features Australian Ella and Vic Secret hops"

Pours out brownish/orange in color (think apple cider, but more on the orange side) with a murkier than murky body and a finger of white head.

The aroma gives off dank hop notes and something reminiscent of rye as I get a distinct kick of spice. A big blast of spruce and even berries are also huge as is a sweet, caramel (malts?) flavor. One of the bigger aromas coming at me smells like a combination of orange sherbet, fusel alcohol, and Juicy Fruit gum.

The taste yields some big orange and pineapple notes, but everything from the aroma also makes a return.  Believe it or not, the spice and sweet malts seem to be the biggest contributors here. You'd think it would be an odd combo, but I am really into it. Not to be outdone, there's a thick, pine sap taste, but the hops also kick in some dank flavors and even some flowers. On the transition, it switches to some more of that orange sherbet with big grapefruit acidity, but the aforementioned Juicy Fruit gum taste comes in to close it out like Goose Gossage. The finish has a clean, bitter bite to go along with a malty sweetness.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy with no sign of the alcohol. The sweeter flavors tend to stick around long after each sip, but so does a delectable bitter flavor.

Fifteen was a unique IPA experience thanks to a wide array of flavors that may not look like a good match on paper, but it all worked out in the end. When an IPA is fun to drink, but also complex at the same time, then you have a winner on your hands.

Rating
8.8/10

Tree House Very Green

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.3%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.71/5 (Top Rated: #11)
- Beer Advocate: 4.68/5 (Top 250: #18)
- RateBeer: 4.05/5

"This classic Tree House Double IPA is created with a massive kettle and dry hop punch of Australian and American hops.  It opens in the glass with huge notes of ripe pineapple, pithy citrus, and dank saturated hops. As it warms it shows its depth and complexity. . . Sweet bits of malt intermingle with straight Tropicana. It has a soft but pointed bitterness and a rich, velvety mouth feel. She drinks much like Green, but with more of everything to love - including a greater potential to get carried away.  Proceed with caution!"

Pours out light orange in color with an incredibly murky body and a finger of white head.

A juicy aroma of pineapple and grapefruit open the show. A sweeter lemon candy and bubblegum note add some diversity. I get lots of oranges and orange rind with each whiff and this is just a glass of citrus juice.

The taste reminds me a lot of the standard Green with its massive pop of tropical fruits and a creamy sherbet character. With each sip, a delicious bitter flavor closes things out on the finish. It's a great transition from nothing but citrus on the front and then bitterness on the back. I'll admit right now that my first few sips were merely ok, but giving it a few minutes has done wonders. Loads of pineapple and oranges swirl around my palate with even some lemon zest and faint bits of lime and kiwi. I mentioned orange sherbet, but there's almost a Milkshake IPA character of vanilla here too. Juicy Fruit gum also comes to mind and mixes in well with the citrus and sherbet feels.

Mouthfeel is full and oh so soft and creamy. Every sip is a tiny hug for my tongue. The abv is nowhere to be seen and this is almost too easy to drink for a Double IPA.

Very Green did the Tree House reputation well. It's a big, drinkable Double IPA with one of the softest bodies you'll experience in a DIPA. I love that creamy, dessert-like orange creme taste and the bitter finish with each sip still lets you know it's not meant to be taken lightly. Stellar stuff as always from these guys.

Rating
9.3/10

Trillium Permutation #27: Double IPA Aged on Peaches & Apricots

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.13/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.21/5
- Untappd: 3.87/5

"Permutation 27 presents hazy orange with a floral nose of pine, pineapple juice, and stone fruit Permutation 27's palate conjures flavors of dried apricot & mango, subtle peach, pineapple, and a juicy yet moderately dry finish."

Pours out light orange in color with a hazy body and a finger of white head. I got a ludicrous amount of sediment poured into my glass.

Orange rind and acidic grapefruit pop on the aroma and they smell like fresh juice. Following that is a heavy stone fruit aroma with a good amount of doughy malts.

The taste retains a lot of the acidic qualities from the aroma and they bring a tart character to this portion. Lemon peel, grapefruit, and zesty orange come to mind first, but it is still influenced heavily by those peaches and apricots as the flavor keeps getting noticeably sweeter as time goes on. Maybe it's acidity of the hops, but some distinct black pepper and spices are definitely here and they mix in with some dank hop juice for a nice little combo. I keep saying to myself that this is "zesty" and my mind has not changed over the course of drinking this. The back end is definitely sweeter with remnants of the doughy malts trying to clink to the back of my tongue. The finish is more bitter than the rest of the beer, but it is nice to see it contributing.

Mouthfeel comes in a little lighter than I'd expect for an 8% DIPA, but it isn't watered down. Sometimes the acidity I get makes my mouth pucker, but there's enough sweetness to neutralize those feelings. The finish has some burning and warmth, but maybe that is the acidity talking.

Permutation 27 was a good Double IPA on it's own, but the apricots and peaches added a little more depth. It seems like the fruited IPA craze has died down, but this is a good example of one that didn't let the fruit aging take over the natural flavors of the hops.

Rating
8.3/10

Sierra Nevada Hop Bullet

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 3.81/5
- Beer Advocate: 3.97/5
- RateBeer: 3.61/5

"Hops are the name of the game with a Double IPA, but we knew we had to take it one step further. With Hop Bullet, we’re using a new technique, hitting the beer with a double-barreled blast of Magnum hops and lupulin dust—pure, concentrated hop flavor—directly into the tank to emphasize the intense pine and citrus flavors of classic West Coast hops."

Pours out rusty and dark orange in color with a moderately hazy body and two fingers of white head.

The aroma is fresh with herbaceous mint and green tea. Some subdued orange rind and faint garlic/onion are also here and it has a good malt presence.

There's a decent amount of pine on the taste, which I didn't pick up at all on the aroma. It is akin to a pine tree air freshener. The other big flavor I get is caramel (probably malts) and it adds a sweet element to the beer. Fruitier notes develop as the beer warms with sugar-sprinkled grapefruit adding flavor and some tartness and it is joined by sporadic moments of pineapple. There's a good shot of bitterness near the back and it has a dank sensation to it, but at the same time, it is a very clean-tasting hop presence with noticeable acidity. This leads into the finish as the back end and aftertaste have that lingering hop oil flavor.

Mouthfeel comes in a bit light for an 8% DIPA, but it's serviceable. Some alcohol rears its head from time to time, but is more spicy than stinging.

How effective would Hop Bullet be as actual ammunition? For comparison sake, I think this would have missed JFK from the book depository, but would have hit him from the grassy knoll.

VOICE IN MY HEAD: What the hell kind of reference is that?
ME: Like, you couldn't hit your target from long distance; you'd have to be in front of your target to be effective.
VOICE IN MY HEAD: Huh?

Hop Bullet may not be the strongest or most bitter Double IPA, but it still has classic elements of West Coast IPAs and still feels like a big beer at the right times.

VOICE IN MY HEAD: Your analogy still sucked.

Rating
7.1/10

Lawson's Finest Liquids Triple Sunshine

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA, Triple IPA
ABV: 10.5%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.63/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.65/5 (Top 250: #31)
- RateBeer: 4.02/5

"This lupulin-laden India Pale Ale is packed with juicy tropical fruit character, bright floral aromas, and exceptional layers of flavor. Store cold, pour carefully, then close your eyes and enjoy a tropical vacation in a glass."

Pours a beautiful sunset orange with a completely murky body and a finger of white head.

Pure orange juice with acidity bursts from the glass to my nose. It's not very bitter, but a citrus hop presence is here as well as orange rind and grapefruit. It has a hop syrup smell to it, but at over 10%, it isn't surprising.

The taste is a showcase of sweet citrus. Mango and tangerine come to me first, but the overall flavor is a thick juice extract. Elements of both earthy and grassy hops are just as influential as the citrus as I get pine, moss, and tree bark as accents to the orange and grapefruit flavors. Like the nose, pure hop juice and syrup seem to be the go-to flavors on this one. This wasn't bitter on the nose, but a bitter hop presence is emerging here, especially on the end of each sip and it even lingers in the aftertaste. A heavy malt presence adds another layer of flavor, and given the overall sweetness, they probably used a lot of it.

Mouthfeel is full and thick at times, but again, it's an IPA clocking in at over 10%, so I am not going to act surprised. There is a touch of alcohol here and there, but it is not going to ruin the beer. That syrupy feel lets you know it is a Triple IPA, but in turn, it doesn't make it the most drinkable offering you'll ever see.

Triple Sunshine came as advertised: A massive Triple IPA with a thick body and plenty of sweet, citrusy hops. The hop presence was subdued due in part to the lupulin powder, but it didn't stop this from showing all the characteristics of a 10 % Imperial IPA. In comparison to other TIPAs, the lack of true bitterness helps with drinkability, but the massive nature of the beer itself still makes it a sipper. I'd say this is better than most Triple IPA's that try to go balls to the wall with the amount of hops as this was easier to drink, but was still flexing its muscles.

Rating
8.5/10

Mystic Post-Apocalyptic Xanadu

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA/Triple IPA
ABV: 10%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.2/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.53/5
- RateBeer: 3.62/5

"This triple IPA is loaded with Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Summer and Ekuanot hops using a mixture of Lupulin Powder and pellets and has strong notes of Papaya and tropical fruit."

Pours out rusty orange in color with a murky body. Got some sediment in the glass, but we like it. I got a finger of white head.

The aroma is sweet and syrupy with a kick of pine. Lots of hop resin and a touch of booze.

The taste is equally hoppy and sweet. Clementines and tangerines kick in sweet fruit flavors, but it is just as big with its resin and pine. The amount of malts used must have been as big as the hops because this is unrelenting in its sweetness. It's not a knock against the beer, but hey, I gotta say it. At the end of each sip, a noticeable spice presence adds a real thud after each swig. I can't help but pick up a hard candy or Jolly Rancher flavor, which only adds to the other sweet flavors. There's a warm, gentle hug of alcohol on this one, but I welcome it here as it breaks up the resin and oils. Citrus acidity also plays a role throughout with some lingering sherbet tossed in for good measure.

Mouthfeel is syrupy, but there's enough carbonation to swiftly move it along the palate. As I said before, alcohol is slightly noticeable with some warming on each sip. This isn't trying to hide the fact that it is 10%, but it works well.

Post-Apocalyptic Xanadu was a big bastard of a Triple IPA with a surplus of sweetness and hops. It's a thick, syrupy, resinous, hoppy 10% beer that manages to be surprisingly drinkable and not too intimidating. You'll have to scrpae the hops off your teeth after each sip, but I enjoyed the ride.

Rating
8.9/10

Night Shift Buzz

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.5%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.05/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.3/5
- RateBeer: 3.75/5

"Double India pale ale brewed with wildflower honey and Lupulin powder."

Pours out golden yellow in color with a hazy body and two fingers of white head.

Lots of lemon and lemon peel dominate the aroma and add some tart acidity. The other star is beeswax with honey sweetness.

The main theme of the taste is sweetness. The wildflower honey is not shy at all about making its presence known as it adds in a sugary component to produce a sweet-tasting IPA. I mentioned beeswax on the aroma and it is just as prevalent here which mixes with the honey itself for a natural honeycomb flavor. In addition to the lemon, a significant amount of orange is also here, but combined with the sweet honey, it makes for a dessert-like orange sorbet. Overall bitterness is dialed down, but that's likely due to the use of the lupulin powder. I think that was a good call as bitter hop juice wouldn't mesh as well with the overwhelming honey flavor. The only indication of bitterness is at the very end on the back end of each sip which has a lingering bitter character, which is a nice final touch.

Mouthfeel is full with a creamy texture and is quite fluffy on the tongue. It doesn't feel like an Imperial IPA and drinks much lighter than 8.5%. Some might not dig on the abundance of honey sweetness, but I personally like it.

Buzz certainly made use of the honey in this IPA and it was a good match for lupulin powder. The fans of the sweeter IPA's will gravitate towards this Night Shift offering. It might be an acquired taste, but I still think everyone can find something to like about this beer.

Rating
8.3/10

Bell's Hopslam

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA/Triple IPA
ABV: 10%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.33/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.46/5 (Top 250: #152)
- RateBeer: 4.19/5 (Top 50: #49)

"Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell's Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell's repertoire.

Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style."


Pours out a darker shade of orange bordering on copper with a transparent body and two fingers of frothy white head that stuck around forever.

Tart grapefruit and pine dominate the aroma. A sweet blueberry or strawberry character and noticeable mossy, earthy qualities also add layers of complexity. Big pine and hop resin resonate as well.

Sweet citrus of tangerines and acidic grapefruit come forth on the taste which is reminiscent of classic West Coast IPAs. A little less pine resin here and more of a straight up pine tree taste. Is the sweetness attributed to the one of many fruity hops they used, or is it the honey that is responsible? Honey might account for that sweetness, but it has more of a caramel or toffee taste (in a good way). This does pack a bitter punch, but it isn't as intense as I thought it would as the hops are providing more sweet citrus rather than dank bitterness. Still, the bitter character is a nice exclamation point on each sip and the overall finish.

The body has a medium feel and is surprising smooth and almost too mild for its own good. I won't go as far as to call it "clean", but I was pleased to see that my palate wasn't destroyed by the hops. ABV gives off subtle warmth, but no real alcohol sting.

Does Hopslam live up to its reputation? I can't definitively make that call. If this was 2011, then this would have been ahead of its time since it is a hop-loaded, 10% DIPA that has remarkable drinkability and flavor. The IPA scene is now geared towards the hazy, juice bomb, New England IPAs, but being able to have a DIPA like this kind of brings you back down to earth and reminds you of the ones that paved the way for drinkable DIPAs. That being said, judging the beer on its own merits, Hopslam masked its 10% abv beautifully and had great hop dankness with sweet citrus and a lot of pine. It's complex and drinkable, but also worthy of savoring over the course of an hour. If this was available locally, it would be worth seeking out every Winter.

Rating
8.9/10

Sand City Infinity Minus One + 2

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.2%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.38/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.51/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Double India Pale Ale, double dry hopped with Galaxy and Mosaic hops."

Pours out golden orange in color with a murky body and a finger of white head.

The aroma is filled with sweet juices of tangerines and clementines with a nice spicy twist of black pepper. Raw, dank hop juice tends to dominate and adds a pure hop juice presence to the entire aroma.

The taste follows the nose well. The juiciness of the hops leans heavily to the sweeter side with the aforementioned tangerines being immediately noticeable with hints of grapefruit and Mandarin orange. Absent from the nose, but noticeable here, are some grassy notes with bits of pine. The sweetness is broken up by the hefty bitterness which announces itself with a thud of dankness. The bitter bite lingers on each sip and is the most prominent flavor on the back end as it is the lasting sensation on the finish.

Mouthfeel is full with a soft texture. At over 8% abv, you cannot taste that alcohol at all. The bitter flavor noticeably sticks to your tongue long after each sip has come and gone, but the sweet juice flavors help combat this.

Infinity Minus One + 2 serves its purpose as a big Double IPA with big contributions from juicy and dank hops. Drinkability remained high thanks to the sweet citrus, but the dank hop juice was what really pounded the palate into submission and left the lasting impression.

Rating
8.4/10

Highland Park Cloud Party

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.3%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.24/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.46/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Cloud Party is a hazy double IPA with huge citrus, papaya, and melon driven aromas. We used Simpsons Golden Promise, unmalted wheat, and oats to soften the palate for a nice round mouthfeel. Citra and Galaxy hops were used at about 4.5 lbs per bbl to impart big orange julius, tropical fruit, grapefruit, and and melon flavors. Enjoy!"

Pours out a light orange color with a murky body and a little over a finger of white head.

The aroma has a nice bouquet of orange rind and lemon along with subtle dank qualities and a creamy, orange sherbet hidden deep down.

The taste produces tart acidity from the citrus, but there's enough of a orange or grapefruit juice to keep it at bay. Citra appears to be the dominating hop as the taste is bookended by pulpy orange juice and orange zest. So what's the cream filling in this cookie, you ask? Well, an appetizing dank character with solid hop bitterness is the monkey in the middle and there's even a solid presence of doughy malts to shake things up. Additionally, a strong lemon zest flavor makes this mighty DIPA refreshing at times. The back end finishes with some more bitter hop oils that stick around after each sip.

Mouthfeel is standard for the style, but does lean towards the lighter (but not watery) side. Alcohol is hidden, and as I said before, the refreshing nature makes drinkability a breeze.

Cloud Party had a lighter feel than most Double IPAs I've had, but it still packed in tons of flavor and had high drinkability. Citra was the star here, bit there was enough room left for the Galaxy hops to lend subtle dankness to the citrus party. Refreshing, drinkable, and tasty. I'll gladly trade for more in the future.

Rating
8.3/10

Wormtown Buddha's Juice

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.5%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.01/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.12/5
- RateBeer: 3.77/5

"We selected the rare Buddha’s hand, a variety of citron with long fingers and no fruit inside, along with grapefruit peel at the end of the boil to reinforce the citrus qualities of our American hops. Intense zest and flavorful but not bitter pith contribute to the juicy hop profile of this unique brew."

Pours to a rusty orange appearance and a finger of white head.

Deep, resinous hops on the aroma give way to mild potpourri and perfume. Heavily acidic grapefruit with spicy hop oils and resins will clear your sinuses.

That big bite of acidity is dialed down a notch on the taste and it leaves a sweet citrus flavor. Oranges and tangerines come to mind first, but plenty of that fresh grapefruit is still here. While some aspects of the aroma stepped aside, that big, resinous, syrupy factor is taking shape and just engulfing my palate. I'm not sure of the hop profile, but there's a seismic spice quality to this that can't be ignored and it was clearly aimed to work off the hop oils and resins. The back end does let up enough to let the aforementioned sweeter, citrus notes take over and help combat the resinous nature of the beer.

Mouthfeel is full with a thick, syrupy body. Some alcohol warming is noticeable with each sip and a little more carbonation would have helped move the body along.

Buddha's Juice is not your typical New England juice or hop nuke. This one comes storming out of the gate as a 9.5% Double IPA and never takes its foot off the gas. It's a massive IPA with a thick body and tons of spice and resin. It luckily has just enough citrus presence to help ease the intensity and assist with drinkability.

Rating
7.8/10

Trillium Storrowed

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.4%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.34/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.41/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Our latest Double IPA serves as a Public Service Announcement to warn against the Boston phenomenon of lodging a box truck under a low clearance overpass on Storrow Drive. While it's a sporadic phenomenon that can snarl traffic for hours, Storrow Drive claims most of its victims during college move in weekend, typically around Labor Day. Be sure to heed the Low Headroom Warnings at the Storrow Drive entry points!
 
Storrowed Double IPA presents as a deeply hazy, warm yellow/orange hue. Leading with a dank nose of sweaty pineapple, mangosteen, and stone fruit and follows with intensely juicy flavors of overripe mango, pear flesh, notes of grapefruit pith, and a background hit of raw sugar. That hint of sweetness is balanced by low bitterness to round out Storrowed as a smooth, delicious, drinkable Double IPA."

The appearance is a gorgeous sunset orange with a murky body and a finger of white head.

The aroma is an explosion of citrus and tropical fruits with a thud of dankness. Oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, melon, some sherbet, hop juice, and a small wheat presence. It smells great.

Vic Secret is basically Galaxy's baby brother and that rings true here on he taste. Dank hop bitterness is immediately noticeable up front with a lighter, refreshing lemon quality to it. Overly ripe peaches and a hefty amount of acidic citrus zest have a significant bite, but it isn't unrelenting. There's a lot of bitterness on the back end which is borderline cloying, but it lets up just enough to let in some sweeter notes of sherbet, tangerine, and even plantains. Overall though, the dank hop juice is what ties everything together.

Mouthfeel is full with a creamy texture despite the bitterness. The abv is nowhere to be seen and the aforementioned lighter side combined with a sweet finish make for easy drinkability. As I said before, the dank bitterness is always here which did leave some residual hop juice. It's noticeable, but it doesn't bother me.

Storrowed adds to the already stellar lineup of hoppy Trillium Double IPA's. In relation to recent new releases, this one stands out thanks to it's dank hop juice combined with lighter, zesty flavors and moments of sweetness. It's one of the more drinker-friendly hop bombs from Trillium in recent memory.

Rating
9.2/10

Tree House Hurricane

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 7.7%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.43/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.26/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Here comes the story of Hurricane... Hurricane is a Double IPA featuring intense kettle and dry hop doses of primarily Simcoe & Citra hops! A pungent aroma of earthy citrus gives way to a beer rich with complexity, conjuring perceptions of papaya, melon, mandarin orange, and stone fruit. By applying years of focused brewing execution, we are able to craft Hurricane - a beer that is neither abrasive or harsh, and features tirelessly refined characteristics. We are welcoming this beer to the family as a proud example representing who we are as a brewery. It is the result of our uncompromising dedication to fresh, progressive, and pleasantly drinkable beer. We invite you to enjoy it with laughter, good cheer, and in the company of those you love."

I seem to have a horseshoe up my ass when I visit Tree House Brewing on my birthday weekend. The last time I did, I was able to grab Very Hazy and that was one of the best beers I have ever had from them (it also made the Top 10 of 2016). Naturally, I had to make another trip for my big 3-3 (thank you) and I did just that last Friday.

Standing in line before open, the employee came out announced a stellar, STELLAR list for the day (Seriously, a year ago, if I had said I was going to Tree House and getting half a case EACH of Julius, Sssappp, Alter Ego, and In Perpetuity, you would have told me to go f**k myself). In addition to what the website had listed, we were treated to a brand new Double IPA named Hurricane. I've never seen 100+ people whip out their phone in unison, but now I can cross that off my bucket list.

So, here I am with another (belated) birthday review of Tree House's newest beer: Hurricane.

Pours out a hazy light orange with a finger of white head.

Mild grapefruit aroma, but the highlights are some earthy notes, berries, and grass. I'm getting something along the lines of pine and tree bark, but it is splashed with intermittent Hi-C and lemon.

Strong earthy bitterness consumes the front of my tongue on the taste. Then as quickly as it appeared, it was washed away (I swear I'm not trying to do weather-related puns) by an intense flavor of acidic orange juice and orange sherbet. More of the earthy flavors come into play as well with wet, mossy grass, and just a sprinkling of flowers. Tree bark, sap, and a pinch of pine encase a ball of citrus juice and orange creme. All throughout, it never loses sight of its bitterness with a pure hop juice and resin component never going away. A fresh, doughy malt quality is noticeable throughout and add a layer of complexity to this Double IPA. The finish still retains the sherbet flavors for a sweeter, dessert taste.

Mouthfeel is relatively light and refreshing. This does't surprise me as this DIPA comes in under 8%, but it still feels appropriate for the style. The lighter body makes drinkability a breeze.

Hurricane is a more balanced offering from Tree House as opposed to some of the juice nukes they are notorious for. This should satisfy old and new fans of this brewery as it contains so many characteristics of a wide range of Imperial IPA's with the citrus, the pine, and the flowers. Complex, tasty, and drinkable. I'm a fan.

Rating
9.1/10

Sand City International Playboy

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 4.22/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.5/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"8% IIPA double dry hopped with a risky amount of Vic Secret & 007 hops."

Pours light orange in color with a completely hazy body and a finger of white head.

The aroma has a good pop of dank bitterness and grapefruit. Sweeter notes of tangerine are also big, but that dankness is overpowering at every turn.

The taste is more balanced with the dank hops and citrus and they each pack a punch. Strong bitterness envelopes the front of my tongue and seems to spread over my entire palate much like a thick stout does. The fruity notes are just as strong as I still get the sweet citrus from the aroma, but big lemon zest is now starting to shine. The flavors are sweet, but also crisp and refreshing. Some touches of flowers and grass are hidden deep down and then a dry malt taste mixes things up. The back end is more of that bitter bite, and not surprisingly, it is what remains in the aftertaste with pure hop juice and resin sticking around for days.

Mouthfeel is full, but also refreshing with some minor drying moments. The abv is hidden well and drinkability is high.

International Playboy let the Vic Secret really shine in this one. Dank notes with tart grapefruit and a zesty kick combined the best of bitter and fruity hops. At the same time, it was balanced out with good sweetness and a dry finish. If you have a Golden Eye for good IPAs, then you should keep an eye on Sand City Brewing...oh come on, you had to let me have one Bond pun!

Rating
9.0/10