Brewery Review: Tree House Brewing Company
Written by: tyler | Experienced by: Tyler, Hanna & Connor
The entrance to Tree House’s Charlton location
Tree House Brewing Company, founded in 2011, began in a small red barn in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Since day one, their goal has been to create delightful beers that contribute positively to life's precious moments, served in a cheerful, communal environment. From a humble five-gallon Coleman cooler brewhouse to a state-of-the-art 60 BBL, German-engineered brewhouse, Tree House remains an independent brewer-owned company driven by the same people with the same energy and intent to bring joy*.
We arrived at Tree House in Charlton around 6 pm on June 22nd, after dodging a wild storm that led to a Tornado Watch warning. We took a detour to wait out the storm and finally arrived in the mist and fog to discover a sprawling campus. There was a designated food truck area, ample indoor and outdoor seating [including covered outdoor spots], and clear signage directing us to beer stations and to-go beer pickup areas. Convenient kiosks for ordering and a central gift shop added to the experience. The atmosphere was further enhanced by a cool wood-paneled Jeep Wagoneer, giant koi ponds, and friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Tree House offers two beer lines: one for IPAs, stouts, and cocktails, and another for lagers and crispy beers. While their lagers were decent, it was clear that their IPAs were the real stars, known for their quality and excellence. On weekends, patrons are limited to three drinks each, so if you want to play it safe, stick with the IPAs.
Although we didn’t try the food, as we were budgeting for a beer-heavy trip [visiting 30 breweries in 9 days!], there were food truck options on-site for those interested in pairing their beers with some bites. The brewery seemed to have no shortage of events and activities. We enjoyed some live music and noticed what appeared to be a walking trail, though we didn't explore it.
Tree House is a must-stop if you love quintessential New England IPAs. Their efficient operation ensures the line moves quickly, despite initially feeling like a rollercoaster queue. The environment welcomes kids and dogs, though there are no designated areas or activities for them. We appreciated the poop bags provided for dogs, which was handy since we forgot ours in the car. With lots of space, it’s easy to reroute a reactive dog if needed, making it a friendly spot for all.
Connor taking in the views
The brewery is family-friendly, and we even saw dogs patiently waiting in line with their owners. If you plan to sit up the hill in the grass, remember to bring bug spray; summer in Massachusetts means bugs! Tree House is a great all-weather brewery with covered outdoor seating and indoor options, reminding us of the Sierra Nevada and New Belgium facilities in Asheville, NC.
Would I go back? Absolutely, with more time to explore and a little earlier in the day. If you are a fan of beer and want to see what a giant in the game looks like, Tree House Brewing Company is a great stop.
*[Direct quote from Tree House Brewing Company's website](source: Tree House Brewing Company's website)