Mini Waffles
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Tasting Notes
Typical of Tree House's hazy IPA lineup, expect a dense, pillowy aroma built around tropical fruit — think ripe mango, tangerine, and a whisper of vanilla that likely informs the waffle-adjacent naming. Flavor follows with low bitterness, a soft wheat-driven body, and a creamy midsection that leans more dessert-like than resinous. The finish is gentle and round, without the sharp hop bite of West Coast counterparts. Hop-forward but not aggressive, it rewards slow sipping.
About the Brewery
Tree House Brewing Company is based in Charlton, Massachusetts, and has operated a flagship campus there since expanding from its original Brimfield location. Founded in 2011, the brewery built its national reputation almost entirely on hazy, New England-style IPAs — Julius being the most celebrated — and has maintained a devoted following that regularly draws long lines on can-release days. Their approach prioritizes hop freshness and soft mouthfeel, and the brewery is widely credited as one of the defining forces behind the New England IPA's rise to mainstream prominence.
Food Pairings
The soft tropical character pairs well with spicy Thai curry, where the beer's low bitterness tempers heat without clashing. A classic buttermilk waffle with fresh fruit plays directly into the beer's dessert-leaning aroma. Mild, creamy cheeses like brie or burrata work because they mirror the beer's pillowy body without competing with it. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop notes and keep the pairing feeling light. Lemon pound cake makes a natural bookend, matching the citrus brightness and the vanilla undertone in the finish.
Style Guide
The Hazy IPA — often called New England IPA or NEIPA — is defined by its deliberately unfiltered, opaque appearance and a flavor profile that skews toward tropical and stone fruit rather than the piney, resinous bitterness associated with West Coast IPAs. It typically falls in the 6–8% ABV range, with a full, soft body produced by heavy additions of oats or wheat and a technique of adding hops late in the brewing process or during fermentation. Originating in New England breweries in the early 2010s, the style prioritizes hop aroma and juiciness over bitterness, setting it apart from both the drier West Coast IPA and the more balanced American Pale Ale.