Trillium Melcher Street
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Tasting Notes
Melcher Street opens with a dense, resinous hop aroma — dank pine and tropical fruit layered over a faint doughy malt base. On the palate, the hops hit hard with mango, grapefruit pith, and a sticky resin quality that coats the tongue. The body is full without being syrupy, and the malt backbone is present but deliberately restrained, keeping the bitter, juicy hop character front and center. The finish lingers with resin and a mild warming heat appropriate for the ABV.
About the Brewery
Trillium Brewing Company is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and has operated since around 2013. They built their reputation on heavily hop-forward New England-style IPAs and double IPAs, and helped define the hazy, juice-forward aesthetic that became a national movement. Their Fort Point and Congress Street locations draw consistent lines, and their beers — many named after Boston streets — are closely tracked in the craft beer trading community.
Food Pairings
Bold, fatty foods work well here because the resinous bitterness cuts through richness — a double smash burger with sharp cheddar is a natural match. Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes find a counterpoint in the tropical fruit character of the hops. Aged gouda holds up to the beer's intensity while echoing its slightly caramelized malt underpinning. Wood-fired or charred meats, like a smoked brisket or grilled lamb chop, play off the pine and resin notes without being overwhelmed.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial IPAs are essentially an amplified version of the American IPA — more hops, more malt to balance them, and an ABV that typically runs from roughly 7.5% to 10%. The style originated in the early 2000s as American craft brewers pushed hop intensity further, and it distinguishes itself from standard IPAs primarily through its weight, bitterness load, and complexity rather than any single defining ingredient. Compared to a West Coast DIPA, a New England-leaning take like this one tends to prioritize lush hop aroma and juicy flavor over sharp, dry bitterness.