Juice Project - Citra + El Dorado

Tasting Notes

The aroma is loud and tropical — ripe mango, tangerine, and pineapple dominate, with a softer undercurrent of stone fruit that El Dorado tends to push forward. On the palate, the hops read as fruit juice more than bitterness, with a full, almost creamy body that coats the mouth. Citra's sharp citrus zip keeps the sweetness from going flat. The finish is relatively soft for the strength, with just enough resinous warmth to remind you the ABV is substantial.

About the Brewery

Tree House Brewing is based in Charlton, Massachusetts, founded in 2011, and has become one of the most sought-after craft breweries in New England. They built their reputation almost entirely on hazy, hop-forward IPAs — particularly their Julius and Green lines — and maintain a near-fanatical following that drives long lines at their taproom. Their Juice Project series explores specific hop combinations, treating single and dual-hop bills as a kind of ongoing experiment in varietal character.

Food Pairings

Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes work well here because the fruity hop character cools the heat without flattening it. A mango or pineapple-glazed grilled chicken echoes the tropical notes in the beer and keeps the pairing cohesive. Soft, mild cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella let the hops lead without being overwhelmed by competing fat. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw make a natural match, since Citra's tangerine quality mirrors lime-forward toppings.

Style Guide

Hazy Imperial IPAs — sometimes called Double New England IPAs — take the soft, fruit-forward character of the hazy IPA style and push the hop load and alcohol significantly higher, typically landing between 8% and 10% ABV. The haze comes from high-protein grains like oats and wheat combined with heavy dry-hopping, which produces a pillowy body and minimal bitterness despite the intense hop presence. They diverged from West Coast double IPAs by deliberately minimizing resinous bitterness in favor of juicy, tropical fruit expression. The style rewards hop variety transparency, which is why single or dual-hop versions have become popular showcase formats.