Crooked Tree IPA is from the Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall, MI; we had this beer on tap at the South Park Tavern during their Dark Horse brewing special event. As you can see, they had Dark Horse glasses, and we got to take them home with us. New free glassware is always a plus, especially when it comes in pint glass form.
Crooked Tree has floral and citrus hop aromas that cover over the minimal malt sweetness of the nose, and a cloudy topaz color with a generous head that laces the glass nicely. It has a light malt sweetness at the start, moving into an abundantly bitter middle with some low level floral hop flavors, and a lingering bitter finish. With a smooth, substantial mouthfeel and a well-carbonated body, Crooked Tree does have the substance to carry the large hop load present in the beer and that 
emerges in the slight curling at the back of the tongue. There is a solid hop bitterness present throughout the beer, one that, while sharp, is also pleasant and enjoyable. Crooked Tree is certainly much more of an American than a British IPA; while it would benefit from more hop flavors in the body of the beer, the aroma and bitterness levels are well-balanced.From Dark Horse’s website: “Inspired by West Coast I.P.A.’s, but brewed with Michigan style. The Crooked Tree is heavily dry hopped to give it a big aroma of pine and citrus. The flavors are big, yet very balanced between fresh hops and malt. Often described as "grapefruit" our hops give this beer an excellent fruit flavor that finishes dry, crisp, and clean. It will pour a nice deep copper color with a bit of haziness. Because of our almost patented ‘Intense Transfer Methods’ our Crooked Tree has won several medals in the India Pale Ale category.”
ABV: 6.0%
(8/7/2009)
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