approachable.beer

Tree House Brewing – Green

August 19, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

I decided to bookend my week of Tree House beers with another Green beer, this time the American IPA Green. There is no doubting the traditional juiciness of a Tree House IPA is present but there is certainly a more pronounced bitterness. It doesn’t detract from the drinkability like some hops bombs but it is a noticeable difference.

What surprises me most about this beer is the first word I have written in my notebook from when I last had this beer, resin & grapefruit. Most people associate Tree House with juicy tasting profiles. The citrus flavor of this beer comes second to the hoppy-ness. This IPA is a great blend of citrus and pine. I am much more a fan of fruity, juicy IPAs than bitter earthy ones but when combined correctly that extra complexity is really what makes IPAs so much fun to try.

This beer is done right, it’s smooth from start to finish and gets a 4.60 out of 5.

Tree House Brewing – Doppelganger

August 19, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

Our next entry is the dank and pungent Doppelganger. This DIPA version of Alter Ego is another winner from Tree House. I’m running out of ways to praise their beers and now realize doing 5 in a row may have been a bad idea. Hey, I’m new at this blogging thing. Usually I just drink beer I really like and love getting to repeatedly drink the best ones.

Cracking open one of these cans is like entering a citrus orchard. The level of hops and citrus you get is absurd. In my tasting notes I wrote oranges, tangerines and pineapples. Poured into a tulip glass it appears cloudy golden and has a thick white head that lasts. The mouth feel is surprisingly light and nicely carbonated. The heavy, almost sweet, aroma carries into the taste along with some additional notes. I tasted bitter orange zest, pineapple and a slightly piny at the end.

Yet another great beer from Tree House. A solid 4.65 out of 5 on my scale.

Tree House Brewing – Haze

August 18, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

Continuing my week of Tree House beers is Haze. This is the beer I was most excited to try. I have heard nothing but great things about it. I was not disappointed.

This is a luscious brew. Of all the beers I’ve tried from Tree House this one seems the most luxurious. It’s rich with dank fruity goodness. Pungent sweet tropical and stone fruits come to mind, think nectarines and peaches. The smell is juicy as expected with a touch of bitter grapefruit and a floral, pine aroma that is just enough to make sure you know this is a IPA. It pours a cloudy pale yellow and lives up to its name. Julius (Link to previous post) may be the beer that really put Tree House on the map but Haze is what sets them apart. The mouth feel is silky smooth but the amount of flavor that has been packed into this beer is awesome. As with the way it smells Haze tastes of tropical fruits like pineapple and passion fruit with a faint dry finish.

Of the beers I’ve had from Tree House this is my favorite so far. If I ever do a top 10 list this will be on it and may even crack my top 5.

I’m giving it a 4.80 out of 5.

Tree House Brewing – Sap

August 16, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

My second beer from my Tree House Brewing haul is Sap. Having had several Tree House beers I think I can safely say this is the least Tree House-y beer I’ve had from them. It verges into traditional American West Coast IPA territory. It’s still hazy but there is more of a pine, resin presence and it’s a dryer less juicy beer. This is not to say the traditional Tree House juice forward flavors are missing they just aren’t as pronounced. It pours a tight white head that dissipates quickly leaving a lite lacing of little bubbles around the side of the glass. The color is a hazy pale yellow. My nose picked up hints of tropical fruits like pineapple, and sweet mango with a clear presence of earthy pine.

This is the first beer from Tree House that I saw scores dipping near the lower world class line and while waiting in line this was the beer that was generating the least interest. Maybe some Tree House regulars have been spoiled. I still found it to be really enjoyable. I will admit that it does seem just a step below their other offerings but this American IPA is still far better than many of its rivals.

I give it a solid 4.55 out of 5.

Very Green – Tree House Brewing

August 16, 2016 / approachable beer / 1 Comment

Luck was on my side on a recent trip to Tree House Brewing as several beers were available for growler fills that I had not been able to try before. This week I’m going to try and fill my writing quota with nothing but Tree House Beers. The first of those beers I’m writing about is Very Green. Having had Green in the past, and really enjoyed it, I was excited to try its bigger DIPA brother. While standing in line for cans and growlers this beer was the most discussed. Several times I heard people asking if they were far enough toward the front to score a growler, a few others discussed how good it was or how excited the members of their party should be who hadn’t had it before.

This juiced up version of Green aromatically exploded out of my growler with copious amounts of juicy hops. This DIPA truly embodies everything that makes Green awesome and improves upon them. It smells of juice and resin. The color is an opaque yellow, milky haze. The mouth feel is thick to the point of almost being creamy. Flavors are pungent tropical fruits with a slightly bitter/pine/resin note on the backend, especially as it warms. This refreshingly drinkable DIPA is yet another pleasing beer from Tree House. I cannot stress enough how remarkably balanced their beers are. You never get hung up on something or feel overwhelmed by another.

Very Green gets a 4.70 out of 5 from this guy.

See you tomorrow for Sap

Jack’s Abby and New England Brewing Co. Tasting

August 11, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

Today I’m writing about a Jacks Abby/New England Brewing Co. tasting on July 27th in The Armonk, NY DeCicco’s. This is a little gem of a craft beer spot. It’s in a grocery store with shelves and coolers full of craft beer offerings. I almost always find something I’ve never had and/or want to try when visiting there stores. When in Armonk, do not neglect the large selection in the mezzanine. My first visit I only perused the coolers on the main floor. What a mistake. There are several more rows to see upstairs and the entire area is ringed with tables and boxes of great options to choose from.

They were hosting a Jack’s Abby Brewing and New England Brewing Co. (I’m going shorten to NEBCO from here on) event. I sampled 4 beers, 2 from each brewery. From Jack’s Abby I chose Cucumber Basil Sour and Brandy Barrel-Aged Framinghammer. From NEBCO I took advantage of this being my first opportunity to taste Fuzzy Baby Ducks and Double Fuzzy Baby Ducks.

Before I get to the beer I want to acknowledge how smooth this event was. These folks at DeCicco’s know what they are doing. Promptly at go time they started pouring. In minutes everyone was enjoying their beers. New arrivals were handled quickly and refills were easy to come by. There was no delay when ordering a flight vs single glasses. Only difference was you got a sheet of paper with everything on tap and you were asked to circle your four options. That was it. A few minutes later the flight was in front of me ready for tasting.

Here are the beers listed in the order that I drank them, ABV lowest to highest:

Jack’s Abby – Cucumber Basil Sour

This was one of the most unique flavor combos I’ve ever seen. I am still pretty new to sour beers so take my views with a grain of salt. I thought this was a very delicate beer. It lives up to the cucumber name. I was little surprised they were able to bring that very light vegetable flavor forward as much as they did. It is a light, crisp beer. The earthy basil levels out the almost vinegar/fruity tartness. This is not some huge funky beer. It was light, smooth and enjoyable.

NEBCO – Fuzzy Baby Ducks

This lite hazy New England style IPA has gained a serious following. After missing out a few times on visits to their tap room I was determined to get a taste of FBD on this day. It did not disappoint. This beer has bitter, grapefruit and citrus rind on full display in the aroma. It was surprisingly smooth in flavor, the bitter hops fade nicely on the back end rather than just punching your taste buds relentlessly. Another thing I really enjoyed was that there was none of that malty-ness you sometimes get from higher ABV IPAs.

NEBCO – Double Fuzzy Baby Ducks

Delicious. I could just leave my notes at that and it would be completely accurate. It’s a wonderfully smooth, juicy New England IPA. It’s got a similarly lite haze like its forbearer but it takes everything up a notch. It’s silky smooth, lightly bitter and a complete juice bomb with notes of citrus that leave you looking for pulp at the bottom of your glass. Easily my favorite beer of the day and NEBCO beer overall.

Jack’s Abby – Brandy Barrel-Aged Framinghammer

The biggest surprise of the day for me had to be Brandy BA Framinghammer. I had a Bourbon BA Framinghammer a few years ago that was OK but nothing especially noteworthy. Here in my notes on Brandy BA Framinghammer I have written WOW as the first entry. This Baltic Porter comes off more like a Stout. The slight thinness reminds you that it isn’t a stout but otherwise it might as well be. There is a deep roasty smell and there is no missing the brandy either. It might be a bit boozy for the uninitiated but overall this is a fantastic BA beer. If I had to make one critique it would be that it was a little over carbonated. I could do with a little less of the effervescent mouth feel so the dark fruitiness of the brandy and the smooth roasted flavors could have presented better. Still, this was probably my second favorite beer of the day and easily the biggest surprise.

Coriolis – New England Brewing Company

August 5, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

On this IPA Day I’m cracking open my review on Coriolis from New England Brewing Company. If your curious what Coriolis means here’s the wikipedia link, I believe I slept through this chapter of Physics. I kind of remember the term “Coriolis Force” or “Effect” but I don’t know if it has anything to do with this beer. The can has a Tyrannosaurus Rex eating an elf holding hops. I doubt the inertial force of an object in circular motion and the perceived direction of the motion/force is related… unless it’s because Superman forced the Earth to reverse its spin in an attempt to turn back time and totally screwed the space time continuum but I digress. Back to the beer.

Coriolis is a nice. Double India Pale Ale. I haven’t had a lot of IPAs that use Nelson Sauvin hops, let alone exclusively. It’s a pretty bold flavor. Initially the smell is all resiny hops. There is definitely a citrus/juice note that brings a little sweetness but also a dryness, like a wine. It pours almost clear and gave a tight white head that dissipated in a few minutes but did leave lacing behind on the glass as I sipped and swirled. With each sip I kept expecting it to get bitter but it never happened. There also isn’t a huge malt character considering it’s a DIPA, which pleases this drinker! This combination of bold hop flavor without being overly bitter, not malty and juicy citrus makes for a really enjoyable tasting experience. At 8.2% ABV you’re not going to down a 6 pack in one sitting.

Overall I give this beer a solid 4.25 out of 5.00

Follow Me on a Beer Run

August 4, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

I’m on my way to Tree House Brewing Company. As I head there to pick up growlers and cans I am going to attempt to keep this post updated throughout. Let’s see how this goes. So far Waze led me right into a 20 minute back up and the WordPress app completely screwed the pooch. Off to a great start.

Off the highway but still driving.
3:45pm – The Line

4:55pm

cans are in the car but now I wait for growlers. I’ve learned a few things. Take note of your number. If you forget, hope the people around you in line stick around so you can watch for them to be on the move. Waiting for growlers is less organized and more boring. There’s no progression or movement unlike with their can line. I regret not grabbing my headphones or a book now…

6:08pm

Growlers bought and in the car about to pull out. Next time I need to bring food and entertainment. Must say the staff is amazing because that place cranks full throttle. Wow. Quite an operation here. Until next time Tree House.

Newburgh Brewing Company – Cream Ale

August 3, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

Today I’m writing about Newburgh Brewing Company ‘s Cream Ale.

Let me start by saying I love this can. I don’t know what it is exactly but it’s just got so much going on. The first time I saw it my reaction was “this is kind of busy and tacky.” Then you start noticing all the little things. There is a fermentation tank, what appears to be a picture(s) of the brewery, and the description of the beer running around the entire bottom of the label. There are so many details that make you keep turning this can around in your hand. I am not unique in this opinion. I’ve tried to capture those details below.

: Newburgh Cream Ale Side1

: Newburgh Cream Ale Side 2

: Newburgh Cream Ale Side3

: Cream Ale – Believe

I’m not going to over-complicate this post. It’s an enjoyable beer to sit back with on a hot summer evening or whatever occasion you find yourself making up an excuse for. I like to drink mine while watching baseball.

According to their description there is no rice or corn used in brewing this beer, it’s straight malt and it’s delicious. It pours a nice, almost amber, clear straw color with a nice white half inch head. The smell and taste is delicate and crispy with hops playing a secondary role to the grain/malt flavors associated with cream ales. This is a good choice for the beer menu at your next backyard BBQ. It will mostly satisfy the more persnickety craft beer fans but isn’t so in your face as IPAs, or farmhouse ales, so your average beer drinker will enjoy it as well.

In terms of overall enjoyment for this style? I give it a solid 4 out of 5.

Alter Ego – Tree House Brewing Co.

August 2, 2016 / approachable beer / 0 Comments

Alter Ego – Tree House

On a previous trip to Tree House I picked up some cans of Alter Ego. I have yet to encounter an IPA there I didn’t enjoy. This one is no different. The first thing I got from this beer once opening would best be described as dank, with a nice side of grapefruit.

This beer, like many of their best IPAs, seems rooted in the Julius tradition but a little more complex and tart. I noticed more tropical fruit/grapefruit flavors but it is still very juicy. I don’t know if it’s the mosaic hops or what but after the juiciness subsides an almost evil delicious dank flavor takes over. I can’t think of any other way to describe this beer besides dank and by dank I mean the craft beer term meaning pungent, funky and odoriferous not that wet musty smell you get from a basement. Maybe I need a dictionary or thesaurus but that’s the word I’m using. It strikes a perfect balance on several levels. It’s so citrusy and yet not bitter. It’s sweet and pungent but not malty . The mouth feel is effervescent without being over carbonated.

Of the Tree House beer I’ve had this is my second favorite behind Julius. I still have to post my reviews of Green and Doppelganger so look for those in the near future. Hopefully until I get around to posting those write-ups I’ll be able to squeeze in another trip with some additional beers to add into the mix.

Alter Ego gets a 4.70 out of 5