Tree House Brewing 2022 Emperor Julius Double Ipa

So, there I was, staring into my fridge, a wasteland of wilted lettuce and questionable leftovers. You know the feeling, right? The one where you're simultaneously starving and completely uninspired? Then, like a beacon of hop-infused hope, I spotted it tucked away in the back: a glorious can of Tree House Emperor Julius from 2022. It was practically yelling, "Drink me! You deserve it!" (Okay, maybe that was just the low blood sugar talking, but still...). It got me thinking, this can has been patiently waiting for almost two years. What's the story here? Is this aged juice still any good? Let's dive in!

Emperor Julius. Even the name sounds impressive, doesn't it? It’s the bigger, bolder, slightly more sophisticated older brother of Tree House's famous Julius. We’re talking double IPA territory here, folks. Double the hops, probably double the trouble if you aren't careful. And that's precisely what piqued my interest about cracking open a can from last year.

Now, let's be honest. IPAs, especially the super hoppy ones like this, aren't generally known for aging gracefully. The vibrant hop aromas that make them so irresistible fade over time, turning into something… less appealing. Think of it like letting a bouquet of flowers sit out for a week. Still kinda flower-shaped, but definitely not the same vibrant punch.

The conventional wisdom is to drink your IPAs as fresh as possible, preferably within a month or two of canning. Tree House themselves even encourage this. So, why did I have a 2022 lurking in the depths of my refrigerator? Well, because… life happens. Sometimes good beer gets forgotten. And sometimes, that forgotten beer becomes a fascinating experiment. I wonder if anyone else had this happen?

So, what was it like? Okay, full disclosure: I wasn't expecting a miracle. I figured the hop aroma would be muted, maybe a bit of that cardboard-y oxidation creeping in. But… I was pleasantly surprised!

The pour was still a gorgeous, hazy orange, typical Tree House perfection. The head was decent, not as fluffy as a freshly canned Julius, but respectable. The aroma? Still there! Not the explosively fruity hop bomb of a fresh Emperor Julius, but a mellowed-out, more subdued citrus and tropical fruit presence. Think orange marmalade instead of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Still delicious.

The taste was where the real magic happened. The bitterness, which can sometimes be aggressive in these high-ABV IPAs, had softened considerably. It was smoother, more rounded, with a subtle sweetness that I don't recall being as prominent in the fresh version. (Okay, maybe my memory is failing me. It happens.)

It wasn't the same experience as drinking a fresh can, but it was different in a good way. It was like Emperor Julius had mellowed out, traded his crown for a comfy armchair, and decided to enjoy a quiet evening of reflection.

The body remained creamy and full, a testament to Tree House's brewing prowess. And that alcohol? Still packing a punch, but surprisingly well-integrated. Which is dangerous, because it went down smooth. Really smooth. Drink responsibly, kids!

The Verdict? Look, I'm not going to tell you that aging your IPAs is the new hot trend. It's not. And I definitely wouldn't recommend cellaring a stash of Emperor Julius with the express intention of drinking it two years later. However, this experience proved that even an aged IPA can offer something unique and enjoyable. A less intense and more nuanced take on a modern classic.

So, the next time you find a forgotten can of IPA lurking in the back of your fridge, don't automatically toss it. Give it a try! You might be surprised. Just be prepared for a different experience than you were expecting. And maybe, just maybe, you'll discover a new appreciation for the art of beer aging (even if it was accidental).

One final thought: Was it worth it? Absolutely. It was a fascinating experiment, a tasty beer, and a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are the unexpected ones. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go check the fridge for any other forgotten treasures. Wish me luck!