When MadTree brewing opened their doors in 2013 they made big beer news by being the first craft brewery in the state of Ohio to put their beer into cans.  That seemed for a bit to be all that people wanted to talk about “did you hear about the guys putting their beer in cans?” – “Cans, cans, cans.” – It’s no surprise, or maybe a big surprise then that as they enter into their first ever series of bottled beers that it is making all of us talk about bottles in much the same way.  MadTree’s Trunk Series has changed the way people thought about the brewery, and their beer as well.

The bottles all read:

“When you scrape away the bark of a tree, you start to discover its age and character. Ring after ring, nature reveals the kind of magnificence that only the passage of time can bring. Savor this beer and enjoy the many layers of MadTree.”

Each bottle in MadTree’s Trunk Series also features a different quote on the label as well as a description of the beer, and some of the meaning behind it all.  The bottles so far are all barrel aged offerings and come in at a 1 pint, 0.9 fluid ounce size.  They have said that they could release bottles as quickly as one each month, but have leaned more towards a slightly more relaxed release schedule so far.

Bourbon Barrel Aged Axis Mundi

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” – Leo Tolstoy

Tasting Notes: Full of big roasty flavors and some nice vanilla and bourbon character when you drink it fresh, this is most definitely a bottle that will age well.  This is a big beer, and is begging to be shared with some friends on a cool night sitting around a fireplace.  The notes of chocolate and vanilla play well with food, especially with a sweet desert.

Ancient Siberians believed there was a ‘World Tree’ called the Axis Mundi that connected the different worlds through its roots and branches. Within this bottle is the undeniable proof of a link discovered between the worlds of brewing and distilling. Repurposed American oak bourbon barrels are filled with Russian Imperial Stout which digs down to its ancestral roots and is tucked away until the proper time to be unearthed, releasing the flavors as rich and dark as the soil the World Tree thrives in.

Debut Release Date: 5/28/15

Gin Barrel Aged Joon

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to savor the world.” – E.B.White

Tasting Notes: This is a really fun offering – the beer itself feels fresh and refreshing, while still having a big presence that you expect from the Trunk series.  It’s a perfect beer for a warm afternoon, almost like a gin cocktail in it’s flavor profile.  The Juniper and the Ginger meld together well with a slight bourbon character that holds it together.  Delicious.

Joon, with its unmistakeable citrus and pine characteristics, is the solution for those longing to be amidst the evergreens.  Aged in Watershed Bourbon Barrel Gin barrels with juniper berries and ginger, this refreshingly tart beer takes a break from traditional bourbon barrel beers, lifting it to another level.  As the days grow long and your spirit years for adventure, take time to drink in your surroundings.

Debut Release Date: 7/02/15

Coffee and Vanilla Bourbon Barrel Aged Axis Mundi

“I live off a motto that says, ‘yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery’.” – Vanilla Ice

Tasting Notes: Much like the original Bourbon Barrel aged Axis Mundi, this is big and full of massive roasty flavors.  However the sweetness of this one from the added vanilla makes it even more desert-like alone.  The coffee sits on the top of the other flavors providing a seasoning to the full bodied flavor of the beer.  This is extremely nice, and I’m curious how it ages with some of the coffee and vanilla possibly dropping out over time.

“Ancient Siberians believed there was a ‘World Tree’ called the Axis Mundi that connected the different worlds through its roots and branches. Within this bottle is the undeniable proof of a link discovered between the worlds of brewing and distilling. Repurposed American oak bourbon barrels are filled with Russian Imperial Stout which digs down to its ancestral roots and is tucked away until the proper time to be unearthed, releasing the flavors as rich and dark as the soil the World Tree thrives in.”

Debut Release Date: 7/30/15

Tequila Barrel Aged Tequila Tiamet

“I accept chaos.  I am not sure whether it accepts me.” – Bob Dylan

Tasting Notes: If I call this a sort of watered down tequila drink it will sound not very good.  But in the best way possible that’s what this is.  It screams tequila in the flavors, but without the punch of the alcohol from tequila.  I love the peaches ability to smooth it out and give that slight hint of flavor to it.  Great beer for a warm day.

“¡Ser aún, mi Corazon! The Mesopotamian goddess Tiamet, queen of chaos and oceans, rises from the primodial salt water depths.  After taking rest in tequila barrels for half a year’s time, she is now read for all to witness her transformation.  Salty notes, hints of peaches and a dry finish bring you along shore to gaze out and enjoy the splendor her creation has to offer.

Debut Release Date: 9/17/15

Rum Barrel Aged PumpCan

“A merry life and a short one shall be my motto” – Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts

Tasting Notes: This has a fantastic rum sweetness that rounds out the beer… the autumn spices have faded, or possibly been covered up by the character of the rum barrel…but it changes this beer into an entirely different character.  There is a dessert like quality to this, with some banana flavors playing around with brown sugar.

Plundering his way down the Ohio River, fending off the mutinies from his crew, and indulging in all the spoils of rum on board, The Great PumpCan is now sailing straight for your pie hole.  Be sure to steer clear of the plank.

Debut Release Date: 10/22/15

Bourbon Barrel Aged PumpCan

I’m a master of fright, and a demon of light, and I’ll scare you right out of your pants.” – Jack Skellington

Tasting Notes: There is a lot of whiskey playing around in this… some sweet brown sugariness playing with a smooth vanilla character.  Very nice.  This is a neat example of a bourbon barreled beer, and it’s fun to see how the bourbon plays along with the pumpkin spices.

Nourished by bourbon barrels, the Great PumpCan continues to grow bigger and stinger than ever before.  Picked when the time is ripe, it thrives on crisp fall evenings.  Throw another log in the fire pit, share a scare, and stay awhile.

Debut Release Date: 10/22/15

Bourbon Barrel Aged Under My Plum

“Lose your dreams and you might lose your mind.” – Mick Jagger

This changes things up for the MadTree Trunk Series a bit, as it will make the first beer in the line of bottles that is a collaboration with another brewery.  Under my thumb is a beer done with the Quaff Brothers line of “gypsy beers”, which usually means good things for what is held inside the bottle’s glassy confines.

Quaff Bros. represents and stands for brotherhood within our local brewing community.  These small batch beers reflect passion and respect for artisan barrel-aged Ales as well as showcase the talents of the men and women that make up our wonderful industry.  Cheers!

Debut Release Date: 01/25/16

Bourbon Barrel Aged Are You Ready For The Darkness

“When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

A beer that has a had a vocal group of fans clamoring for a release ever since the Trunk Series was announced, Are you ready for the darkness is an Imperial Stout brewed with an addition of Hemp seeds.  The flavor of the original beer is roasty, chocolatey and has a nice herbal hoppy character as well.

Luring those in from the light with it’s silky chocolate, slight nuttiness, and smooth burning bourbon taste, the darkness eventually engulfs everything in it’s path. It’s easy to get lost in this abyss so be prepared because ready or not, here it comes.

Debut Release Date: 11/27/15

Bourbon and Red Wine Barrel Aged Rubus Cacao

“Real love changes and grows with time and discovers new ways of expressing itself.” – Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

Taking their fan favorite Rubus Cacao and stashing it away into bourbon and red wine barrels, only to release it out to the masses might be considered a stroke of genius.  This beer is earthy and full of full bodied fruit flavors, with notes of oak and vanilla as well.

Aged in bourbon and red wine barrels, Rubus Cacao will give you warmth and tingling reminiscent of a passionate kiss.  Fruity notes grace your lips with a roasty chocolate backbone holding you tight followed by a slow, smooth sweet molasses finish.  Take a breath; take another sip.

Debut Release Date: 2/11/16

Boubon Barrel Aged Ye Olde Battering Ram

“I will make a battering-ram of my head and make a way through this rough-and-tumble world.” – Louisa May Alcott, The Selected Letters

Yes, yes, yes.  I’m in love with this. Ye Olde Battering Ram is a fantastic Barleywine on it’s own – but stash it away in Barrels and suck some of that delicous MadTree magic out of the wood into it, and this beer becomes a beast, in the absolute best way possible!

Dark as the ages it thrived in, Ye Olde Battering Ram bursts forth with toffee and hazelnut flavors.  Gaining momentum, it swings with power and precision hitting the palate sending huge notes of charred oak and vanilla everywhere.  Pull it back and let it fly again and again.

Debut Release Date: 9/1/2016