Cheese Steak Soup and Troegs Pale Ale (Tastin' The Nation)

Decadent super-cheesey cheese steak soup... accompanied gloriously by a happy, hoppy, dry Pale Ale by Troegs. Definitely a great way to cut through this savory, salty, cheeeeeesey rendition of a liquified Philly favorite.


Check out this cheese steak soup recipe!

Troegs Java Head Stout

Troegs Java Head Stout:

I have shared with El Presidente as well as some beer-smart co-workers that Troegs might be my favorite Eastern Pennsylvania regional brewery.  Sure, I am a fan of Victory and Weyerbacher, but I think with Nugget Nectar, Hop Back, and Dreamweaver, and Sunshine Pils on their roster, they make for one hell of a team.  So, being a fan of the roasty, toasty, dark beers, I welcomed the chance to review a Troegs Brothers creation I have never sampled before.

With my first sniff and opening sips, I am not tasting or smelling much in the line of coffee.  I am drinking out of a bottle, so my second experiment will have to be in a glass to see if there is a difference.  When I first started drinking this "stout brewed with coffee beans", which coincidentally, weighs in at 7.5% abv, I couldn't help but think it had a full-bodied, straight-up "beer" taste to it, and I immediately thought of Victory Yakima Twilight, but I may need to drink another one of those, because I might be thinking of a different beer altogether.  As I am half way through the beer, I am now starting to get the slightly bitter aftertaste, which is not altogether unpleasant.  I am finally tasting the coffee here, which is a relief.  On the bottle neck, Troegs writes, "Java Head Stout passes through a blend of coffee beans and whole flower hops - akin to a French press - releasing cocoa, citrus and java flavors."  This is making for an interesting and tasty beer, just not a very coffee-flavored beer according to my tastebuds.

With bottle number two, I decided to pour this one into a pint glass, and there was quite a difference.  The bouquet really opened up in a glass, the roastedness, the coffee, all quite nice.  Here is the thing, though.  When you compare this stout with other dark coffee beers, it just doesn't measure up in the boldness and daring department.  I think as a stout, this is a nice beer, but you can't take the beer out of its context.  Troegs did not have to put "Java" in the title, they didn't have to put coffee beans and a death's head on the label (by the way, the label art is pretty kick-ass).  So, I guess what I am saying is that if this beer wasn't a "coffee" beer, I would be singing its praises, but as it stands, it is an okay "coffee" stout.

Troegs Java Head Stout:

Representation: .75
Accessibility: .85
Style: .70
Personal Preference: .8

Total: 3.1 Flags

Troegs HopBack Amber Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Troegs Hop Back Amber Ale 6.0% abv
Where: The Blue Monkey Tavern (Merchantville, NJ)
When: April 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Blue monkey. HopBack Firkin is awesome! Leftover from the spring beerfest, Troegs HopBack in a Firkin is smooth and infinitely drinkable."

Tröegs Round-Up

Tröegs Brewery Beer Round-Up:

Here at The Ferment Nation we like to shine the spotlight on some worthy breweries that have brought us some really great beers: to drink and to review.

Troegs Nugget Nectar:

Imperial Amber. Does that say it all? Not exactly. That can't possibly tell you how the sweet floral scent of hops rise up to greet you before your first sip. [Read the Full Review]

Troegs Hop Back Amber Ale:

Listed as an amber ale, I think of Hop Back as an IPA by virtue of its crispness and hoppy bite. Actually, it doesn't bite so much as nibble gently. [Read the Full Review]

Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter:

I fell in love with this beer before I even drank it. The logo is so cool that upon my diplomatic voyage toTroegs last year I purchased a t-shirt bearing its likeness even though the stores had been depleted. [Read the Full Review]

Troegs Mad Elf

Troegs Mad Elf Ale:

Troegs Brewing Company chooses to celebrate the holidays with a cup of cheer that differs slightly from the normal wintry mix. Troegs Mad Elf Ale is brewed with honey and cherries, going straight for the sweet tooth. But it's still an ale, and Troegs brews some fine beers, so the balance is pretty remarkable. Yes, it's sweet, but the cherries aren't quite candy-- there's a tartness there beneath the sweetness. And honey is sweet, too, but in an earthy, woody kind of way. And with a warming kick at 11% abv, Troegs Mad Elf makes the perfect after dinner drink.

I heard a crazy story about Mad Elf. A friend of a friend was buying beer for a party at his sister's house. Her favorite beer is Mad Elf, but there were no six packs to be found. So that big-ass bottle (.8 gal) got purchased and the party began. Not realizing the Elf's punch at 11%, the party got started, got crazy, and got done a lot earlier than expected. So be careful.

I would definitely pour Mad Elf into a tulip or a thistle glass. It's ruby red color and slightly viscous consistency give it a magic potion kind of quality. Sip it slowly, and don't worry about it warming up a few degrees. Unlock the holiday mysteries with Santa's cock-eyed helper, the Mad Elf.

Troegs Mad Elf:

Representation: .9
Accessibility: .9
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .925

Total: 3.675 Flags

Troegs Sunshine Pils (Citizen Review)

Troegs Sunshine Pils:

"A little more interesting than
a typical pilsner,
but not complicated"

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style Points: .50

Personal Preference: .85

Total: 3.35 Flags

--Reviewed by Citizen Cheryl

Troegs Nugget Nectar

Troegs Nugget Nectar:

Imperial Amber. Does that say it all? Not exactly. That can't possibly tell you how the sweet floral scent of hops rise up to greet you before your first sip. Does the description "Imperial Amber" tell you about the color of this magnificent beverage -- an amber so rich and deep that it could very well hold an insect whose DNA could unlock the secrets of prehistory? Does "Imperial Amber" conjure up images of Hop Back Amber Ale and then raise your expectations? do the words "Imperial Amber" whip your senses into a fury? How about the words "Nugget Nectar"? Yeah, me too. So I don't even have to tell you about how Nugget Nectar packs a powerful hoppy punch in a smooth and drinkable amber package. And I don't have to tell you that the sweet, clean flavor is magnificent whether poured into a glass or drunk straight from the bottle. (Get this brew on tap, by the way, and really get the nectar experience as your glass may be a little sticky from the nectar residue). I really don't have to review this beer at all.

Refer back to previous Troegs reviews to see how solid their offerings are. Nugget Nectar is probably my personal favorite. If you like Troegs Hop Back, then Nugget Nectar is a must-try! IPA lovers will get into it too. If you've enjoyed some wet hopped ales or "harvest" style brews with highly floral hoppy aromas, give Nugget Nectar a go. I love it and you will too.

Troegs Nugget Nectar:

Representation: 1.0

Accessiblilty: .95

Style: .975

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.925 Flags

Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter

Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter:

I fell in love with this beer before I even drank it. The logo is so cool that upon my diplomatic voyage to Troegs last year I purchased a t-shirt bearing its likeness even though the stores had been depleted. I managed to have just one or two last year before it disappeared into Davey Jones's Locker. Now, out of the depths, Dead Reckoning rises once more to spice up your fall.

This porter from Troegs has a mediumish body (a little on the lighter side of medium) and a dry, chocolate zest. Crisper and drier than many porters, the toastalicious malty notes are still there, but a hoppy essence complexicates things just a bit. It's a smart brew that's versatile enough to quaff from bottle or glass. I usually go bottle. I feel like its effervescence keeps the dryness in a little longer.

This is a winner for backyard BBQs. A little too expensive to chance at a tailgater where any old swab might shanghai this gem. You know what I'm in the mood for? Gouda cheese. Get creative with a burger and add some smoky goodness. Let me know what you think.

Batten down the hatches, put on your slicker, and fire up that meerschaum. Nauti by nature, Dead Reckoning Porter could make for a salty night.

Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter:

Representation: .95
Accessibility: .925
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.875 Flags

Troegs Hop Back

Troegs Hop Back Amber Ale:

Listed as an amber ale, I think of Hop Back as an IPA by virtue of its crispness and hoppy bite. Actually, it doesn't bite so much as nibble gently. But the hops are most definitely present and as alive as any flavor in any amber ale I'v ever tasted.

There are spicy things going on during the entire tasting process here, though I can't put my finger on them. The gentle sweetness at the end allows the interesting finish that constantly keeps the drinker's eyebrows raised in pleasant surprise. Just this side of mild, its crazy Uncle Nugget Nectar lays in waiting, chained up in the attic.

If you were at Hopstown University, prepare to be educated by graduating from pale ales to IPAs, or in this case, amber ales that happen to be hoppy. Perhaps then this ale is the missing link! Either way, it's versatile (bottle or glass or draft) and mellow and very drinkable at 6% abv. The first one goes down really fast, so watch it. If you've mastered the pale ale and are looking for some adventure, this brew is perfect. Embrace Hop Back and you will be lurking in dark corners in search of more. Hop Back is soooo close to Victory's Hop Devil. Sooooo close...

Troegs Hop Back Amber Ale:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: .90
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.9 Flags

Why it's OK to be Pale in the Summertime - Troegs Pale Ale

Troegs Pale Ale:

I've been thinking alot lately about the summer season coming up. The Presidential grill has just been fired up for the first time, and the upcoming barbecue season is heralded by the warm weather on its way to this great nation soon enough. Some beers are specifically designed for the summer season, like summer ales, summer fests, and farmhouse ales. But I refuse to leave out the traditional pale ale as a dynamite summer treat.

Troegs Pale Ale is a classic pale ale with just enough hops to intrigue the tastebuds. Dry enough to keep the drinker thirsty and clean enough to satisfy. Hot days stand no chance against this ghostly pale Troegs offering. "Holy-Cow" type drinkability with smooth flavor and light to medium body. 5.4 % abv won't kill you (unless you aren't properly hydrated in the heat of the summer, or on a crabbing trip. For the love of God, bring some water or Gatorade if you go crabbing!) so drink up. The folks at Troegs have even admitted that this beer is one of their flagship brews, noting that the Troegs name is incorporated into the logo, appearing smack dab in the middle of the label on this special beverage. I might even go so far as to say that Troegs Pale Ale qualifies as a "gateway" beer. If you want to enroll in Craft Beers 101, be sure to notice this one on the syllabus.

Actually, here's a thought: The Troegs variety 12 pack available in these parts contains 3 each of Pale Ale, Hop Back IPA, Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale, and Dreamweaver Wheat; Show up to a barbecue with this assortment of easy-drinking craft beers and be a hero. Save the barbecue and convert beer drinkers into citizens of the Ferment Nation!

Troegs Pale Ale:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: .90
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.8 Flags

Rock Out With Your Double Bock Out - Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock

Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock:

There's only one way to begin reviewing Tröegs's beers: You gotta grab the elderly bearded gentleman by the horns. Wow! This double bock appears to me (although it's dark in here and I'm kind of colorblind) to be ruby red. Poured from bottle to glass, the clean and mellow taste of Troegenator won't let me put it down. There's a bit of dryness to Troegenator that other double bocks usually lack. There is less wheatiness in this Pennsylvania beer than its German counterparts, which changes up the scoring a bit. Just a tad dry with medium body, Troegenator is a smidge easier to drink than say, Celebrator. Style points may register a bit lower, however. The American signature is stamped on this, one of the Troegs brothers finest selections, but the old world spirit lives on in this seductive American craft brew.

But don't get too Troegenated: Look at that guy on the label. He's telling you, "Drink up, my friend. 8.2% abv isn't that much. And my satyr friends won't do anything to you when you pass out...honest."

The Cabinet and I went on a "Beercation" this past fall. On a whirlwind tour of the Beermuda Triangle, Tröegs was a magical step along the way. Troegenator was naturally one of the highlights. I suggest drinking it straight out of the horn. That's how I roll.

Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock:

Representation: .85
Accessability: .90
Style: .80
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.55 Flags