Transcendental

Tasting Notes

Tree House Transcendental is a New England-style IPA built around intense tropical and stone fruit character — think ripe mango, peach, and a hint of pineapple up front in the aroma. The flavor follows suit with a lush, almost juice-like quality, kept honest by a moderate bitterness that never dominates. The body is full and pillowy, a hallmark of the style, with a soft mouthfeel that comes from the heavy use of oats and wheat in the grain bill. The finish is relatively clean for how fruit-forward the nose is, fading gently without a harsh resin bite.

About the Brewery

Tree House Brewing is based in Charlton, Massachusetts, and has built one of the most devoted followings in American craft beer largely on the strength of its New England IPAs. Founded in 2011, the brewery operates a destination-style taproom that regularly draws long lines and sells out of cans quickly. Their flagship Julius set an early benchmark for the NEIPA style, and their broader IPA lineup — including rotating and small-batch releases — has kept them consistently near the top of enthusiast rankings on platforms like Untappd and BeerAdvocate.

Food Pairings

The tropical fruit intensity here works well alongside spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, where the soft bitterness helps cool the heat without clashing with fish sauce or lime. A classic cheeseburger with sharp cheddar is a reliable match because the fat and salt pull the beer's sweetness into focus. Grilled shrimp with mango salsa mirrors the fruit notes and bridges the gap between food and glass naturally. Soft, mild cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella let the hop aromatics do the talking rather than competing with them.

Style Guide

New England IPA — sometimes called hazy or juicy IPA — is defined by its intentionally cloudy appearance, low perceived bitterness relative to its hop load, and an emphasis on aromatic hops added late in the brewing process or after fermentation. It originated in New England in the early 2010s, with breweries like The Alchemist and Tree House helping establish its character and popularity. Unlike West Coast IPAs, which lean on resinous bitterness and a drier finish, NEIPAs prioritize a soft, full body and fruit-forward aroma. ABVs typically run between 6% and 8%, though the style can skew higher in double or triple iterations.