Dark Horse Crooked Tree 6Pk

Dark Horse Crooked Tree 6Pk is a heavily dry-hopped American IPA from Dark Horse Brewing Company in Marshall, Michigan, packaged as a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles at 6.5% ABV. Scoring 89 on BeerAdvocate across more than 3,370 ratings, Crooked Tree has earned recognition for its aggressive hop profile and surprisingly clean, balanced finish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  IBU: 46  |  Origin: Marshall, Michigan  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Dark Horse Brewing Company operates out of Marshall, Michigan, where it has built a loyal following for bold, uncompromising beers. Crooked Tree draws inspiration from West Coast IPAs but channels a distinctly Michigan sensibility — heavily dry-hopped using specialized techniques that amplify fresh hop aroma without pushing the body into overly heavy territory. The result is a cloudy, thick amber beer with pronounced hop intensity at 46 IBU, balanced by enough malt backbone to keep things drinkable.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A rush of pine resin leads the nose, followed closely by bright citrus — predominantly grapefruit — and a subtle floral quality from the dry-hopping. The hop aroma is intense yet inviting, without any harsh vegetal edges.

Taste: The entry is crisp and citrus-forward, with grapefruit dominating the early palate. At mid-palate, pine notes emerge alongside a moderate malt sweetness that provides structure without heaviness. Unlike many IPAs that lean malty and thick, Crooked Tree stays lean and focused, allowing the hop flavors to carry through clearly.

Finish: Dry, clean, and refreshingly crisp with lingering grapefruit pith and pine. The bitterness is firm but well-integrated, fading steadily without coating the palate.

How to Drink Crooked Tree

Crooked Tree is best served cold, around 45–50°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to concentrate the hop aromatics. It drinks well straight from the bottle for casual sessions, though a pour reveals the beer's attractive cloudy amber body and creamy off-white head. For food pairing, its citrus hop character and dry finish make it a strong match alongside spicy Thai or Mexican dishes, grilled burgers, or sharp aged cheddar.

Best For

• IPA enthusiasts seeking a West Coast-inspired beer with Michigan character
• Stocking the fridge for a backyard cookout or game day
• Introducing a hop-forward but balanced IPA to craft beer newcomers
• Pairing with bold, spicy food where malty beers fall flat

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crooked Tree taste like? Crooked Tree delivers bold grapefruit and pine hop flavors with a moderate malt backbone, finishing dry, crisp, and clean rather than heavy or sweet.

How does Crooked Tree compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are acclaimed Michigan IPAs, but Crooked Tree runs more aggressively hoppy and dry compared to Two Hearted's rounder, more balanced malt-to-hop ratio. Crooked Tree at 6.5% ABV and 46 IBU leans closer to West Coast IPA territory, while Two Hearted (7% ABV, 55 IBU) presents a more centered, single-hop Centennial profile.

Is Crooked Tree good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — despite its hop intensity, Crooked Tree is well-balanced and finishes clean, making it a satisfying standalone beer that avoids the palate fatigue common in heavier IPAs.

Where is Crooked Tree made? Crooked Tree is brewed by Dark Horse Brewing Company in Marshall, Michigan, a small city in the south-central part of the state known for its growing craft beer scene.

What foods pair well with Crooked Tree? Spicy tacos or Thai green curry complement the citrus hop character. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar match the beer's malt backbone. Fish and chips benefit from the dry, crisp finish cutting through fried batter. A citrus-dressed arugula salad echoes the grapefruit notes nicely.

What sizes does Crooked Tree come in? Crooked Tree is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for this IPA.

Is Crooked Tree worth the price? Crooked Tree positions as a solid mid-range craft IPA, delivering hop complexity and drinkability that compete with more expensive single-batch releases — its BeerAdvocate score of 89 reflects strong community consensus on its quality-to-value ratio.

Why Crooked Tree?

What separates Crooked Tree from the crowded IPA field is its commitment to dry-hopping intensity without sacrificing drinkability. Where many aggressively hopped IPAs turn thick and cloying, Dark Horse's specialized dry-hopping methods deliver maximum aroma and flavor while keeping the body lean and the finish dry. An 89-point BeerAdvocate rating backed by thousands of reviews confirms this isn't just regional loyalty — it's a genuinely well-built IPA. For drinkers who want bold West Coast hop character brewed with Midwestern pragmatism, Crooked Tree remains one of Michigan's most reliable flagships.