What's This Orange Julius Everyone Talks About?!

Tree House Brewing Co. embarked on its journey as a quaint local brewery housed in a charming red barn. Established in 2015 in Monson, MA, the brewery's foundation was laid upon the shared passion for friendship and beer among its founders.

After a period of success, the founders decided to elevate their brewing venture by relocating to a sprawling 70-acre plot in Charlton, MA. According to Nate, one of the founders, the new brewery aimed to enhance its beer selection and make popular brews more accessible. The overarching goal was to create a welcoming space for locals and beer enthusiasts, a goal they undoubtedly achieved.

The transition proved to be more than just a simple expansion – it became a New England obsession, drawing pride from the locals. Throughout the process, Tree House Brewing continued to pour dedication into perfecting their beer and ensuring a memorable experience for their guests.

Stories of Tree House's popularity abound, with tales of people patiently waiting in line for hours, risking beers selling out at any moment. Some enthusiasts would arrive even before the brewery opened, contending with lines of 50+ people. I've even encountered Maryland beer enthusiasts who traveled to Massachusetts solely to savor Tree House's offerings.

So, what's the deal with the perpetual lines at Tree House? Part of the allure stems from the brewery's unique approach – from the daily tap announcements and can sales to the distinctive brewery layout. Walking into Tree House, the layout is unlike any other brewery, with crowds dispersed in various sections. Upon entry, a merchandise store awaits to the right, accompanied by three distinct lines for beer purchases, can acquisitions, and draft pours. For those seeking bar service, the hostess stand is the starting point, providing answers to queries and facilitating payments.

Tree House manages can and draft sales in a distinctive manner. Cans are packaged Tuesday through Friday and are available until they run out, often happening by Saturday. Draft pours are exclusively served on Saturdays, with only pint service during slower retail times during the week – timing unpredictably decided to maintain a manageable environment for guests and staff.

My visit to Tree House in September coincided with my assignment for a blog in my social media class. The term "Beersperience" spontaneously came to mind during discussions with Christian and my family. Prompted by my dad's mention of local breweries, we decided on Tree House, joining their private Facebook group for daily beer line-up updates. The brewery constantly updates its social media pages due to the ever-changing beer selection.

Situated conveniently close to my dad's house, the drive was a breeze. The brewery's location boasts acres of land, featuring a wooded area, a pavilion, and diverse sections for patrons to relax. The outdoor space usually hosts food trucks, with a notable highlight being the giant koi fish pond, a mesmerizing feature for my 2-year-old niece. The brewery's kid and dog-friendly environment added to the overall appeal.

To avoid the infamous lines, we chose a Thursday at 2 PM. Despite being a weekday and mid-workday, the brewery, though still busy, was pleasantly spread out both indoors and outdoors, creating a more laid-back atmosphere.

Opting for beers at the bar, we learned that Tree House doesn't offer flights and isn't big on sampling. Christian and I settled on a beer each, only to find our initial choices sold out. Undeterred, we sampled their Orange Julius, a popular choice among my family. After savoring our beers, we explored the merchandise section for glasses and grabbed some cans to take home.

That being said, here is my rating:

Atmosphere - ★★★★★ - The atmosphere at Tree House was phenomenal. I loved everything from the outside section to the inside of the brewery. I really enjoyed that they stayed true to the wooded treehouse aesthetic from their first brewery.

Beer - ★★★★ - The beer here was good but I really wish I got to try the ones I really wanted. In my personal opinion, how they go about selling

their beer was just strange to me but then again, maybe that's what works best for them.

Employees - ★★★★ - The employees were friendly and helpful but nothing out of the extraordinary.

Location - ★★★★★ - I absolutely LOVE the location of Tree House. They own 70 acres of land that they can do whatever they want! They have a large spacious parking lot, with plenty of lawn for guests to relax outside and spacious building for the brewery.

Social Media - ★★★★★ - Tree House is extremely particular when it comes to their social media platforms. They post different posts on each site while targeting different markets. They're website is set up nicely as well. I do think that Tree House could benefit from updating their Facebook and Instagram a little more frequently.

Total: 4.6 STARS!

Cheers!!

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