Mega Radiant

Tasting Notes

Typical of Tree House's hazy imperial IPA output, Mega Radiant leads with a dense wave of tropical and citrus aromatics — think ripe mango, tangerine, and a undercurrent of stone fruit — built on an aggressively dry-hopped base. The flavor is full and juicy with a soft bitterness that lands late rather than upfront, characteristic of the New England approach to the style. Body is substantial without being syrupy, and the finish is moderately dry with lingering hop oils. The high ABV is well-integrated, making the beer drink smoother than its strength suggests.

About the Brewery

Tree House Brewing is based in Charlton, Massachusetts, and has operated since around 2011. The brewery built a devoted regional following through its hazy, hop-forward IPAs and has expanded to multiple taproom locations in Massachusetts. It is widely regarded as one of the defining breweries of the New England IPA movement, with releases routinely drawing significant crowds and commanding attention in craft beer enthusiast circles.

Food Pairings

The beer's tropical hop character and full body pair well with spicy Thai curry, where the fruit-forward hops temper the heat without fighting it. Grilled shrimp with mango salsa echoes the beer's citrus and stone fruit notes in a complementary rather than competing way. Rich, fatty foods like a double cheeseburger or carnitas tacos benefit from the late bitterness cutting through the fat. Aged cheddar or a washed-rind cheese can also stand up to the beer's intensity while drawing out its softer, fruity mid-palate.

Style Guide

Imperial IPAs — sometimes called Double IPAs — are defined by a higher grain bill and significantly amplified hop presence relative to a standard IPA, typically ranging from 7.5% to 10% ABV or beyond. The style originated in American craft brewing in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA often cited as an early touchstone. Compared to a standard IPA, the imperial version delivers more concentrated bitterness, more pronounced hop aroma, and a fuller, sometimes sweeter malt backbone to balance the load. The New England variant of the style, which applies here, further emphasizes juicy, haze-forward qualities over sharp or resinous bitterness.