MadTree was started by three maniac homebrewers and aspiring entrepreneurs who believed strongly in their ability to create beer that competes with the best craft brews across the nation but with mad twists. Beers at MadTree are brewed to meet specific flavor profiles, not fit neatly in style definition. For four years they planned, raised money, knocked down walls, reconstructed walls, bought equipment and poured nearly all of their free time into creating the small but quickly growing brewery. They quit their corporate jobs and in February of 2013 the first beer poured on draft. In April they opened their taproom and became the first modern craft brewery to can their beer in the state of Ohio. MadTree is currently brewing on a 15 barrel system with 210 barrels of fermentation capacity. A centrifuge and lenticular filter are used for particle separation and filtration. Given demand, distribution is currently limited to four counties near Cincinnati but they are looking at expansion to surrounding areas soon. The beer and artwork has received national attention. Most recently, draft magazine rated PsycHOPathy IPA a 97/100, the second best score for an IPA they?ve reviewed. PsycHOPathy also grabbed national attention from craftcans.com as one of the ?Six New Craft Can Designs That Belong in an Art Gallery.?
The approach behind MadTree beer focuses on bringing simple and complex flavors together in harmonious balance. Many beers have a rather complex malt bill as well as a noticeable to sometimes sharp hop character from Pacific Northwest, Australian, and New Zealand hops. The brewery has a well on site and runs the water through a water softener, reverse osmosis, and a UV filter to strip almost everything from the water. The water is then built back up with various salts and compounds specific to the beer. Many beers do not fit style neatly however the flavors work together well. This is evident in Identity Crisis, a hoppy porter, Happy Amber, a hoppier citrus flavored Amber, and Gnarly Brown, a American Brown / Robust Porter hybrid.