Liquid Julius

Tree House·New England IPA

★ 5.0 (1 rating) 1 log on Brewskipotatoes

Tasting Notes

Liquid Julius pours into the glass carrying a dense, tropical aroma dominated by tangerine, fresh orange juice, and mango, with a faint undercurrent of vanilla softening the edges. On the palate, the fruit character is expansive and juice-forward, leaning heavily into citrus with minimal bitterness that lingers quietly rather than asserting itself. The body is full and almost creamy, a hallmark of Tree House's house yeast and water profile, giving it a smooth, pillowy texture. The finish is clean and moderately dry, leaving the citrus oils coating the palate without any harsh resinous bite.

About the Brewery

Tree House Brewing Company is based in Charlton, Massachusetts, founded in 2011, and has become one of the most celebrated craft breweries in the United States largely on the strength of its hazy, New England-style IPAs. The brewery operates on a direct-to-consumer model from its large Charlton campus, where fans routinely queue for can releases. Tree House is widely credited with helping define and popularize the modern NEIPA aesthetic, and its core lineup — Julius, Green, Haze — has earned consistently top-tier ratings on beer-tracking platforms.

Food Pairings

The beer's tropical citrus intensity pairs naturally with spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, where the juicy fruit character tempers chile heat without a clash of bitterness. Sushi and raw fish preparations work well because the light bitterness and citrus oils cut through fat and highlight delicate flavors. A ripe mango or peach-based salsa alongside grilled chicken bridges the fruit notes in the beer to the plate. Soft, mild cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella complement the creamy body without competing for attention.

Style Guide

The Hazy IPA — often called New England IPA or NEIPA — is defined by its opaque, cloudy appearance, soft bitterness, and pronounced juicy or tropical hop aroma derived from heavy dry-hopping rather than bittering additions. It emerged from Vermont and Massachusetts breweries in the early 2010s, with Heady Topper and the Tree House lineup among its defining examples. Unlike West Coast IPAs, which emphasize clean bitterness and resinous pine, Hazy IPAs prioritize aroma and mouthfeel, often using oats or wheat to build body and a water chemistry profile that softens perceived bitterness.