Tree Brewing Co.

- Microbrewery, Independent 4 stars - above average

1083 Richter Street
Kelowna
www.treebeer.com
info@treebeer.com

After a series of ownership/management/image changes over the years, Tree seems to have settled into the 'beer with character' theme that appears to be quite successful. Through all the changes, the beers have remained solid and the line-up includes some of the more distinctive beers in BC. The "Character 8-Pack", featuring a couple of bottles of each of their major brands, is a handy option when you want a well-rounded selection of craft beers.

The brewery was started in spring of '96, using Shaftebury's original brewing equipment, which was no longer needed due to Shaftebury's move to larger premises. It originally billed itself as a lager house, with the intention of standing out in a sea of craft-brewed ales. They soon came to realize, as Okanagan Spring did 10 years earlier, that "ale" is the magic word for B.C. beer enthusiasts.

(06/12/2008) More Comments [3 3.5 stars

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Brands

Amber Ale (Amber Ale, 5%) - [Renamed 'Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale' in 2005] 25/10/2005 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Beach Blonde (Unspecified, % unknown) - Rumours on the street, but haven't seen/tasted myself and there's no mention on their fairly uninformative website.
30/01/2010 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Blonde Lager (Lager, 4.5%) - (Discontinued in favour of Fireweed Pilsner but reintroduced in 2005, then phased out shortly thereafter.) 25/10/2005 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Captivator Doppel Bock (Seasonal, 8%) - Reputedly to be deliciously deceptive of its high alcohol content. Available for a limited time in 650ml bottles.
03/04/2010 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Cutthroat Pale Ale (Pale Ale, 5%) - Formerly known simply as 'Pale Ale', this is a fairly typical Pale Ale - light hop aroma, gold colour, slightly sweet, mild hop finish - launched in the Summer of '99. I'll have another. 25/10/2005 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Fireweed Honey Pilsner (Pilsner, 5%) - [Renamed 'Honeycomb Pilsner' in 2005] 25/10/2005 More Comments [1] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Hefeweizen [Limited Edition] (Wheat beer, 5%) - Easy-drinking, mild wheat ale that goes down well on a sunny summer afternoon. Being unfiltered, there is some yeastiness in the aroma and taste that adds some character, though not to the extent of a classic German hefeweizen. Available in 650ml bottles for a limited time. 27/08/2006 More Comments [1] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Honeycomb Pilsner (Pilsner, 5%) - [Discontinued in 2007 in favour of Kelowna Pilsner.] Formerly known as 'Fireweed Honey Pilsner', this is a nice enough lager, though a bit sweet and full-bodied for me to buy the label's claim that it is in the "classic pilsner" style. Low bitterness in the finish. 25/10/2005 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Hophead Double IPA (India Pale Ale, 8%) 5 stars - superb!

Brewmaster Stefan Buhl ups the ante with an extra-hoppy version of the Hophead IPA, already appreciated by hop lovers for its satisfying smack of bitterness. Originally a limited release in Dec '08, 650ml bottles. Sold out quick and then a new, equally delectable batch released in Jan 2010. Use with caution, though, the amped up alco content gives it some extra kick.

12/06/2008 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Hophead IPA (India Pale Ale, 5%) - Copper in colour, with a rich head throwing off fragrant hop aroma and a deeply bitter finish, there's no doubt that this is a heavy-duty IPA. If you like the big hoppy beers, you won't be able to walk away from this one. More Comments [10] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Kelowna Pilsner (Pilsner, 4.8%) - Very nice drinking beer when you want something a bit lighter, but still with some life to it. Pale golden color, quite highly carbonated, with an inviting herbal hop aroma. Touch of graininess but mostly light hoppy flavour and finish. And at under 5% means you don't have to feel guilty about having another! 04/07/2007 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Lager (Lager, 5%) - (Discontinued in favour of Blonde Lager.) Yellow, but not as clear as expected. Slightly hoppy, yeasty aroma. Clean flavour with well-balanced bitterness. More flavour than the average lager. More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Old Stumplifter (Seasonal, 6.5%) - (Winter 1999/2000 only) This year's model of the Spiced Winter Ale that Tree has produced the last two winter seasons. An enticing and very clear reddish bronze colour with a sweet, fruity aroma with malty background. Relatively mild-tasting beer with some interesting but not over-powering fruit and spice flavours. Perhaps even deceptively tame, as quaffing one of the 650ml bottles is easy enough, and sure to give anyone a nice Christmas glow. Undoubtedly a good match for some heavy-duty fruitcake. 650ml bottles only. 07/12/2008 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Pale Ale (Pale Ale, 5%) - [Renamed 'Cutthroat Pale Ale' in 2005] 25/10/2005 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Raspberry Porter (Porter, 5%) - This beer has been available on tap for years at Doc Willoughby's pub in Kelowna, but is now (as of Oct 2008) available in 650ml bottles. It's a robust porter that leans just a little to the fruity side for my taste, but I know lots of folks who love it. 06/12/2008 More Comments [1] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Rebel (Lager, 5%) - Introduced in Spring, 2007. A bit more of an amber hue than would be expected of a lager, this has refreshing taste and easy drinkability. Not sure I'd go so far as to say 'distinctively different and original', as the label does. 28/06/2007 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Red Ale (Amber Ale, 5%) - (No longer available) Clear garnet red, strong roasty aroma with flowery hops in background. A rugged beer with rich malty and hop flavour that do not seem particularly well-balanced. Higher than average bitterness, but somewhat harsh. When I had this beer on tap, it seemed to be less rough and better balanced than the bottle version, and much more delicious as a result. 07/12/2008 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Spiced Mid-Winter Ale (Seasonal, 6.5%) - The 2008/2009 version is again a deep dark brown, big bold ale with a warm spicy aroma. Full flavour with a bit of toffee, cinnamon, a little punch from the alcohol, and a nice bitter finish. Not super-filtered, which means a bit of yeasty goodness that added to the whole package. Available in limited quantities, 650ml bottles. 12/06/2008 More Comments [1] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Spiced Winter Ale (Seasonal, 7%) - (Winter 1998/99 only) A wicked, robust ale spiced liberally with cinnamon, orange peel, and coriander(?). Available in limited quantities in the depths of winter only. Replaced in the 1999/2000 season by Old Stumplifter. More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Spy Dark Lager (Lager, 5%) - (Discontinued.) Black beer with reddish highlights. Very rich and malty, backed up by a clean lager bitterness. One heavy duty beer. 07/12/2008 More Comments [0] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Spy Porter (Porter, 5%) - Originally produced as a winter seasonal called 'London Spy Porter' in 1999/2000, this fine beer is now permanent part of the lineup. The porter style is one of my favourites and this one measures up pretty well. A deep dark reddish-brown with a somewhat effervescent head. Warm malty nutty aroma and slight flavour of chocolate with lots of roasty malt, yet not overly heavy. Smooth and well-rounded, the finish is nicely placed between bitter and sweet. An excellent accompaniment to a hot steak and kidney pie on a cold winter's night. Does seem a tad over carbonated, though. Available in 650ml bottles only. 03/03/2006 More Comments [1] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale (Amber Ale, 5%) - Formerly known simply as 'Amber Ale' this beer is lighter in color than might be expected, it is more bronze than amber. Mild malty nose, with hops in the background. Not exactly a subtle beer, it offers some sweet maltiness, with a dry, slightly rough hop finish. Nice all-arounder when you're looking for something with a little more weight to it than your average pale ale. Look for the sporty cartoon packaging. 25/10/2005 More Comments [2] Add Comments/Rate this Beer

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