Cloud Machine
No ratings yet — be the first to log it.
Tasting Notes
Cloud Machine pours from one of Tree House's most celebrated double IPA recipes, built around a dense, hazy body that carries intense aromas of ripe mango, tangerine, and fresh pine resin. On the palate, tropical fruit leads — think papaya and stone fruit — layered over a creamy, almost oily mouthfeel that softens the considerable bitterness underneath. The hop character is forward without being aggressive, and the malt base provides just enough breadth to keep things balanced rather than thin. The finish lingers with a gentle citrus peel warmth and a clean bitterness that pulls you back.
About the Brewery
Tree House Brewing is based in Charlton, Massachusetts, and has operated since 2011. They built a devoted following — and a reputation among the most sought-after breweries in the country — largely on the strength of their hazy, New England-style IPAs and double IPAs. Their flagship Julius is widely credited as one of the defining beers of the NEIPA movement, and their releases frequently draw long lines to their rural Massachusetts taproom.
Food Pairings
Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes pair well here because the beer's tropical fruit sweetness tempers heat without disappearing into it. A lobster roll works naturally given the regional context and the way the creamy mouthfeel mirrors the richness of the seafood. Sharp aged cheddar or a funky washed-rind cheese gives the citrus bitterness something to push against. Grilled chicken with a mango or pineapple glaze echoes the beer's fruit profile and keeps neither element competing for attention.
Style Guide
Imperial IPA — sometimes called Double IPA or DIPA — is essentially a bigger, more intense version of the standard American IPA: more hops, more malt, and a higher ABV typically ranging from 7.5% to 10% or above. The style was popularized in the early 2000s by West Coast breweries like Russian River and Stone, emphasizing aggressive bitterness and resinous hop aroma. The New England interpretation, which Cloud Machine follows, dials back the sharp bitterness in favor of a hazy, heavily dry-hopped approach that prioritizes fruit-forward aroma and a full, soft body over the drier, cleaner finish associated with the West Coast tradition.