Baby Tree - Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project

hagbergl

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a nice, big glass of Pretty Things' Belgian Quad, Baby Tree at Brookline's stellar beer bar, The Publick House, on August 31, 2012. It was served in a one of those oversized Pretty Things branded goblet–I like. As usual at PH, a quality pour. Review is from notes.

Appearance (4/5): Baby Tree pours a deep, dark brown with some red highlights. By the time it got to our table, the head had dissipated to a small, off-white layer. This is a pretty imposing dark ale, if I may say so. One of the cool things about the look of this beer is the sheet of off-white lacing residue that is left behind on the side of the glass after you take a sip and put the glass back down. Good looks, all the visual signs of good, fresh, well-carbonated beer are there.

Smell (3.5/5): I pick up some yeast, a faint sourness (probably from the yeast), some malt sweetness that is a little cocoa-like, dark fruits (blackberry and plum), and not boozy at all. Overall, though, this is not an exceptionally pungent Belgian-style ale. An okay nose, nothing offensive at all, but nothing special. It does seem to take a page from the Belgian Trappist ales with the very well-hidden alcohol content. This is definitely not like Urthel Samaranth!

Taste (4/5): Baby Tree's taste follows the nose, for the most part, though the fruitiness is more apparent. Now, I know this beer is no longer being brewed with dried plums, but man, there's a lot of dark fruit going on here: plums, raisins, blackberries. I detect a nice nice yeasty quality that adds a touch of spice. Some dark chocolate lurks deep within this brew, too. This is a very balanced beer–not highly sweet, the hops do a good job of balancing the malts while still allowing the malt character to command the show. Don't let the word "balance" fool you; this is still one very rich and strong beer.

Mouthfeel (4/5): Baby Tree has a nice moderate carbonation, is full bodied, and feels very smooth. Unlike some quads, it doesn't have any booze "heat" to it, so it's a fairly easy drinker that you won't tire of after getting halfway through it. It has some nice creaminess going on and never feels syrupy.

Overall (4/5): Pretty Things has a good beer here in Baby Tree, though I wouldn't say it's on a par with their other creations. Still, it is a tasty, fairly drinkable Belgian-style Quadruple ale that really hides its alcohol presence well and is loaded with good dark fruit flavors. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2012 18:38:52 | More by hagbergl

Maxwell

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark brown fruity color with some nice ambering that reminds me of raisins. The head is very compact with nice little white cream head and some excellent carbonation running up the sides. Lacing is a dribbling sheet of white on the edges of the glass, leaving behind slight tendrils to suggest its passing. The beer smells sweet with dark candy sugars and dark fruit notes like raisin. The malt profile in the nose is sweet and the yeast is slightly souring and pear-like but nicely Belgian and definitely influenced by the trappist beers. There is a great syrupy sweet tinge to the nose which suggests a big sweet Belgian body. There is also a sweet alcohol smell lingering beneath everything else in the smell and suggesting the beer’s 9%. The beer tastes wonderfully complex with an interesting splash of pear-like esters in the initial sip rounded with dark fruits and the sweet malt blanket that gives the beer a creamy feel. The pear flavor actually continues into the aftertaste after a slight lull and gives the mouth a slight pucker when mixed with the hops bitters at the end of the sip. The beer is a little cloying on the mouth with the sweets. The hops are surprisingly there in the flavor with a nice dry bittering in the mouth and some slight earthy spice in the middle of the taste. The mouth is left slightly wet on the sides with saliva after the beer has passed but the roof and tongue of the mouth are quite dry. Overall this is an interesting take on the quad style, but I’m not sure I like the bittering that they did to the style. I see what they were going for in and American interpretation of the quad, but I wasn’t really blown away by the interpretation. Pretty Things is an awesome brewery, I love what they do but this one just didn’t do it for me. The beer is an average quad overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 23:59:40 | More by Maxwell

Kendo

New York

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle says it was bottled in July of 2011. Consumed on August 31, 2012.

A: Poured from the bomber into a Duvel tulip. Body is chestnut brown with a small whitish head. Some splotchy lace.

S: Malt and yeast, with some spice and I'm getting a touch of wet cardboard.

T: Dark fruits, brown sugar and a touch of cocoa powder. Finishes with a lingering dryness, but it's also a bit sweet - fruity sweet. Alcohol is well-hidden.

M: Nice feel to it, with a good light fizziness reminiscent of the better Belgians. Call it medium to full-bodied.

O: Decent.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 02:09:47 | More by Kendo

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer is fairly hazy and chestnut brown with a small tan head that leaves sparse lacing. The aroma malt, raisins, plums, a touch of yeast. The flavor is quite good, much better tan expected. A fine example of the style. Not on the level with the greats of the style, but a solid brew nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 02:52:01 | More by Huhzubendah

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on draft at Ciro's (Tavern on Cherry) in Woonsocket, RI to kick off their new Mug Club.

A - Pours a deep, brownish amber. Tan colored head is frothy and creamy. A bit of lacing. Looks pretty nice in my snifter, almost too good to drink, almost.

S - Aroma is a bit muted, but smells pretty sweet. Plums and cherries notes. Yeasty too, kind of like sourdough bread.

T - Fruity and sweet (neither overpoweringly so) with a malty backbone. Tasted acidic at first but much less so as the beer warmed up a bit. Plum flavor is definitely there, particularly in the finish. A cloying beer that stays on your tongue.

M - Medium bodied with a medium carbonation level. Lighter on the tongue than I expected.

D - This is not a style that always ranks high on the drinkability scale, but this beer definitely does.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2012 00:06:17 | More by ExtraStout

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Maudite snifter. Bottle clearly dated May, 2011, on the neck lable; how totally responsible and helpful is that? Pours a very dark ruddy brown amber with some dark floating particulates. One finger light tan head fades to a ring around the glass, leaving lacing. Dark Belgian aroma, dark and dried fruit, Belgian yeast, little bit of grape and brown sugar. Flavor follows with sweet dark fruit; plums and cherries, dried fruit; raisins and dates. Belgian yeast. Finishes somewhat dry, which is nice to offset the sweet start. A very pleasant take on a quadrupel, perhaps closer to a Berlgian dark, but tasty either way. A bit light in body and flavor for a quad with a medium body with light creaminess. I've yet to not fully enjoy a Pretty Things Ale. This was great.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 03:27:01 | More by LiquidAmber

Greywulfken

New York

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well, got a June 2012 bottling, so apparently this beer is no longer brewed with plums - kinda stinks because that was what I was looking forward to...

A: amber brown with a small head that'll slip away quickly

S: some caramel maltiness and orchard fruit notes

T: here's my only problem: it's a quad, but there's nothing about it to really set it apart from other quads - had typical quad tastes - the fruits, the sugars - but nothing really charismatic.

M: a little thinner than some quads I've had, low carbonation, fairly inert on the tongue

O: I can't give too bad a review, but I also like quads and BSDAs, and this was a good beer, so I am glad I bought it, but it does not displace my other (favorite) good quads

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 02:30:10 | More by Greywulfken

far333

Connecticut

2.85/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Mahogany colored, not quite opaque, with some ruddy orange at the edges. An off-white head rises up to a half-inch of foam that settles out way too quickly.

Low aroma of sweet malt and yeast funk.

Flavor fairly matches the aroma, full of rich malt, some dark fruits, and an overpowering yeasty and phenolic flavor that detracts from the whole experience. Somewhat one-dimensional.

Watery mouthfeel, a bit slick. Overall could be darker, richer and maltier for me, with reduced phenols.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 18:14:32 | More by far333

lovindahops

New York

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I first tried baby tree at Meade hall in Boston and I lost my mind with how much I enjoyed it in draft. I made a mental note to grab some of these when I next say them in cuse

A- a dark brew that meshes between black and brown with fluffy white foam that lingers and stays on the edges of my surly tulip. Slow carbonation races to the top of the glass while the ruby hue edges gleam

S- massive dark raisins, fig, plum scents, molasses, and brown sugar. And not to mention a bready yeast scent that completey ties together this darkened fruit scent. Good scent profile for a quad

T- delicious raisin flavor that is both sweet and dry as the sweet sugars and syrupy molasses coates with flavor. Not too heavy and not too light. Just enjoyable with all the flavor

M- the flavor lambastes your mouth leaving layers of fig and raisin. Good flavor all over

O- baby tree is an amazing American Belgian quad of flavor that is so dangerously drinkable. The flavor is so complex and enjoyable that I can't say enough about it. Pretty things is an amazing brewery that has yet to put out a sub par brew

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 01:04:27 | More by lovindahops

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark cloudy amber/brown. Head dissipates quickly. Slight alcohol smell but true to this style. Strong beer, but not over-powering. Still a beer to have one of for the night and move onto something else. Taste is sweet - Belgian candy or brown sugar.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 22:00:14 | More by Oakenator

merc7186

New York

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at Scholars in Boston MA poured into a pilsner glass.

A: Dark Amber/Brownish Hue, Passes Mild Light, Off White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Sweet Malts, Raisins, Red Plum

T: Raisins, Sweet Malts, Plums, Cherries

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Semi Sweet

Overall, a really nice well balanced quad with good malt/fruit nose and taste.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2012 23:49:52 | More by merc7186

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

A: Deep reddish/copper with ruby red highlights. Moderate carbonation. Excellent clarity.

N: Cherry pit, fig, candy sugar and concord grape.

T: Big flavors from dark fruits ranging from cherry, concord grape, figs and dates. This is backed by molasses and dark candy sugars. Belgian yeast characters are present bringing in some subtle barnyard and dried hay.

M: Light-medium bodied, silky, smooth and warming.

O: This is a very nice American brewed Quad. Big, sweet and slightly warming yet drinks incredibly smooth with a well masked abv.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 22:56:35 | More by justintcoons

farrago

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light half finger coating across the surface of a dark tan color, mostly mid-sized bubbles, average retention, nothing unique either way, the lacing is basically a thin solid sheet which glides down the glass sides. The liquid is a dusky brown base, shifts into orange and yellow hues nearer the glass sides, actually notable for the lack of chunks floating about and general cleanliness, not many bubbles visible but when you swirl the glass it foams up again rapidly. The nose is dry and lean but not lacking, grass, yeast and packed dirt appear first, yielding to honey, brown sugar, maple syrup and orange peel, even as apricot, fig, date fruit appears never seems sweet, not getting a lot of spice scents, stays properly mannered and focused. Medium-bodied, very creamy and gently carbonated mouth texture which helps in distracting from the dryness, mouth almost gets parched as the glass gets drained. Again, not for any lack of chocolate, molasses, maple syrup, toffee or licorice flavors, even some coffee hard candy notes in there. Touch of ginger, the citrus element diminished. Fig, golden raisin, yellow apple, apricot fruit stays measured. Minimal traces of clove or banana, some yeastiness. Smooth, wears its alcohol level well, nothing to complain about.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 23:02:33 | More by farrago

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Got this as an extra from one of you generous fellows but I have forgotten who to thank so thank you all! Clear amber color, interesting wispy head that still laces the glass. Smells strong, alcohol, esters, a hint of apple, not bad. Taste is sort of ester, alcohol, fruit, and for a second I got a hint of chocolate which was cool. Overall not bad but not my favorite for the style. then again I don't usually seek out quads so what do I know?

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 02:51:03 | More by ArrogantB

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap @ the Fridge -thanks Erik! Enjoyed chilled in a Three Philosophers goblet.

The color is deep burgundy with translucent clarity and thin quickly falling cap of tight tan beads. The smell is vinous and slightly pruny with a hint of raisin and spice. The hint of woody aroma from the hops comes out as it warms with a mild alcohol ester. The feel is good -substantial body with moderate sweetness and slightly spicy and bitter balance with tinges of warming alcohol in the finish.

I like the way the malt and yeast bring forward some toast and slightly dried fruit flavors together with a pine/herbal hop flavor. There is a slight currant/vinous tinge with a mellow element of raisin and fragrant wood accent with some mild sugar and alcohol in the background with spice and other hop flavors appearing mid-taste. I like the flavor and it is pretty drinkable for the strength-not the best quad I ever tried, but certainly high in drinkability-welll worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 16:59:03 | More by Slatetank

larryi86

Delaware

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thank you DrewShal9 for this!
22 oz bottle, July 2011, poured into a Chimay glass

A- A deep clear ruby red with a small off white head.

S- Dark fruits, plums, figs, yeast, spices, hints of chocolate, very enjoyable.

T- Lots of dark fruits, plums, hint of cherries, some chocolate, a good amount of earthy spices in the finish, pretty well balanced.

M- Smooth, medium body, a little creamy.

O- A solid Quad that I am very happy the I got to try. I have not had too many American Quads, but right now this is my favorite. This is only my second beer from Pretty Things and can't wait to try.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 01:31:52 | More by larryi86

SHODriver

California

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

May 2011 batch

A: pours a deep brown with a finger of light tan head that fades to about 1 cm
S: smells of dark fruit, plums and alcohol. very sweet with notes of caramel as well.
T: sweet caramel and dark fruit flavor kicks things off with flavors of alcohol soaked cherry and more fruitiness toward the end. a bit of candi sugar comes in as well. aftertaste is more candi sugar, dark fruit, and some somewhat medicinal spice that I can't quite place but plays very nicely, almost licorice like.
M: slightly prickly carbonation lends to a medium mouthfeel.
O: I can't help but want to keep smelling this beer and it tastes fantastic. Pretty Things is quickly becoming one of my favorite East Coast breweries.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 16:29:23 | More by SHODriver

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a deep mahogany pour with about a finger of head which quickly diminished.

smells of dates, nutty, banana, a slight hint of alcohol comes through in the end.

sweet taste of brown sugar up front, followed immediately by a roasted nut/caramel flavor, raisins. very tasty!

medium body with slight creamy feel on lips, nicely carbonated throughout pour keeps it fizzy on palate/cheeks.

a very nice sipper! comes in a beautiful looking bottle, pours very nicely with a very reflective (in the light) deep shade of mahogany. smells and tastes wonderful with a nice even balance of fruits and nuts. a great beer by pretty things.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 06:40:03 | More by facundoCNB

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A-black with a nice tan head

S-malty. Nice cinnamon and peppercorn. Slightly roasted dark Belgian malts. Good scent

T-comes in with a great taste of dark roasted Belgian malts, dark fruits, and peppercorn. It's a great taste that forms a matching after-taste with a touch of bitterness. 

M-medium carbonation with a crisp finish. A little bit more smooth than I like my quads.

O-this is pretty impressive for an American quad. The flavors are all pretty decent and it's extremely drinkable. It does become less and less complex though not any less enjoyable. 

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2012 04:29:41 | More by AdamBear

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice.

A: Light, frothy head. The beer is dark mahogany, barely translucent.

S: Very yeasty! Light, Belgian, and spicy, if a bit grainy and muted. Smells more like a tripel than a quad.

T/M: Interesting! Lively yeast and very light body. This does not feel like a quad, but it tastes great. Dancing fruit (grape, plum, apple, banana) is full of depth and spice (clove, cardamon, cinnamon, administered with a light hand. A delicate, floral, yeast-forward 'quadrupel.'

O: An intriguing, engaging beer, and probably the best example of the style made in America that I've ever tasted. Highly recommended. Would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 05:39:33 | More by AgentMunky

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap and served in a tulip, the beer is a dark, vibrant, chestnut brown coloring with a thin, small bubbled, dense, beige head. Aromas are subtle, with some dark sweetness and earthy characteristics. Flavors are heavy in old world fruit sweetness, with raisin, date, and fig flavors giving a heavy, layered, and earthy tang for the backbone. Slightly spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon characteristics, the beer has a solid, balanced, and smooth body. The aftertaste is rich and earthy, with a slight tropical fruit highlight. Smooth, rich, and roasted finish. This is a tasty, strong brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 17:13:16 | More by GarthDanielson

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber served in an oversized wineglass. bottled june 2010 (batch six).

pours a deep mahogany tone with a fair amount of clarity to it; a solid finger of beige head that quickly dissipates into a collar around the glass... some lacing, though not to the level i generally look for in a quad.

nose is sweet, heavy with yeast and dark fruits; bready malts also evident... flavor profile follows through with a lot of bready/malty-ness; a bit bitter up front, followed by a fruity sweetness, then on to a dry, almost hoppy finish. noticeable plum presence. not bad; perhaps a little more bitter than i would prefer, but a nice take on the style.

medium bodied mouthfeel, a bit of chew; style-appropriate carbonation. pretty drinkable.

original review on: 10-11-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 23:08:15 | More by BostonHops

beagle75

Iowa

3.43/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Slightly hazy, medium brown color with a peripheral ring of off-white bubbles. No lacing remains on the glass.

S: Generally mild, with suggestions of brown sugar and dried dark fruit, especially plum. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins off-dry, with vinous fruit, vanilla, and refined grain that is slightly spicy. Acidity is moderate for the style into the middle where flavors marry to suggest cola, benefiting from the residual sugar and spicy qualities. The finish is sparse and peppery, minimally bitter. No alcohol is detected.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, creamy on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: More than the sum of its parts, this quadrupel is understated from start to finish but still manages to capture the essence of the style. The smell over-prepares the palate perhaps, coming across as traditional with plenty of fruit. Flavors are nuanced, but the most interesting elements are those that are buried under a layer of traditional fruit and malt, and not normally associated with the quad sensory profile: spice that is herbal and peppery.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 19:31:45 | More by beagle75

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml poured into chalice.

A - Dark ruby brown with a small creamy head. Hazy.

S - Plum, black cherry, belgian yeast. Sweet and inviting.

T - Sweet plum, raisin, bready malts, and peppery spice. Touches of brown sugar, wheat, and Belgian yeast come through. A light bitterness tends to creep in along with a hint of alcohol. Delicious.

M - Medium bodied, creamy and smooth. Average carbonation, warming alcohol.

O - A great take on a Belgian quad. Not the most complex quad available but very solid. Great flavor and drinkability. Amazing artwork.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 04:30:27 | More by mooseo

DirtyPenny

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Coochy coochy coo. Who's a good beer? Who's a good beer? It's you, Baby Tree! Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Duvel snifter. Bottle "born on" July 2011, for what it's worth.

A: Poured with an inch and a half of eggshell-white head that dissipated over the course of several minutes. Baby Tree was born into the glass with a pretty teak sort of color and ruby highlights. Heavy lacing along the sides. Thin little island of foam in the middle of the glass after the head dissipated.

S: Big, bold nose of fruit and sweet candy/bubblegum fills the immediate area when poured. Bubblegum and booziness become bombastic as beer begins to warm to room temp. Smells much nice than either babies or trees.

T: Heady dark fruit. Sweet and brandy-like with a sort of wood rosin background, giving way to alcohol vapors and a medicinal taste.

M: Medium and a little syrupy but velvety smooth. At first it feels like it's going to cling to the insides of your mouth forever, but it only leaves a little substance behind, seeming to evaporate as it goes to college and never calls you except to ask for money.

O: A fantastic and pretty easy-drinking quadrupel that has confirmed to me that I love this style.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 12:56:46 | More by DirtyPenny