It’s incredible to think that it has been less than four years since Tree House Brewing Company first opened its doors. Led by head brewer Nate Lanier, Tree House has quickly climbed to the top tier of breweries in the country thanks to beers like Julius—their American IPA—and Green—their cross-continental IPA, which I’ve been lucky enough to try.
Packaged in a 16-oz. can, Green comes out a dark yellow color with a thick white head that slowly dissipates, leaving a creamy haze of white along the rim of the glass. This beer mimics what has become known as the “Northeastern IPA” appearance—it is hazy in color, and completely opaque.
As soon as it hits your nose, you get mango, papaya, orange, and pineapple. A nose as fruity as this can bring you to a tropical place, even on the coldest days.
Anyone who’s ever had a hoppy Tree House beer has at some point or another asked the question, “What fruits are added to this beer?” But the answer is always the same. None. Green is no different; you get that burst of tropical fruit on the front end, but what follows that initial burst is what separates Green from the proverbial “Juice Bombs.” Green provides a hoppy bite on the back-end of every sip. Its ability to transition from straight juice to a resinous-malt backbone flawlessly is what makes Green so incredibly rounded. In my opinion, this is as good as it gets for an IPA.
Whether you’re on Team Green or Team Julius, there is one thing both sides can agree on: Tree House is making some of the best hoppy beers in the country right now, which is why people line up for hours four days a week. The nearby barbecue joint B.T.’s is an added bonus.
If you can, get your hands on a can or growler of Green or any of Tree House’s beers because they are all incredible in their own way. However, if you can’t, don’t worry; breweries such as Hoof Hearted in Ohio, Tired Hands in Philly, Trillium in Boston and more all over the country can give you that “Northeastern fix.”
Brewery: Tree House Brewing Company
City: Monson, MA
Style: American IPA
ABV: 7.5% ABV
Availability: Rotating
Jason Stein is a New York-based beer nerd. You can find more of his writing on NYC Beer Society.