Tröegs Nugget Nectar - Tröegs Brewing Company

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.49/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Re-reviewing this one. 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a lighter copper color. The head is a two finger pale yellow shade. I love how creamy the head looks in particular. Retention is pretty solid, and lacing is plentiful.

S: Well this bottle is over two months old, so the big grapefruit notes have faded somewhat, replaced with tons of caramel malt. Right now, I'd say it's a 3.5 - but of memory of fresher bottles, I'll give it a 4.5.

T: Obviously, the hop qualities aren't going to be the best here due to the age. But, they still exist in a decent capacity. Grapefruit opens the flavor profile, while the finish is pure caramel malt. A distant aftertaste of pine, black pepper, and toffee also shows up. The trump card here is the balanced finesse - no, it doesn't have the enchanting hop profile of some other IPAs, rather it features superb hop/malt integration. Just amazing.

M: I really like the balance between sweet and dry here on the finish. Many times, IPAs loaded with crystal malt create a rough palate; this has a softness to it most (really, just about all of them) lack. It goes down easily enough, to be sure.

O: Honestly, I know why this has a few detractors - it doesn't have a shouty hop personality, fresh or otherwise. Rather, it features a degree of elegance just about unheard of in the style (whether it be IPA or imperial amber). Hands down, still the best amber ale on the planet.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 19:34:34 | More by ThisWangsChung

pjkelley82

New York

3.36/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

This beer was very hyped. A lot of people told me to try it so I did. Hoppy but does not stick around. Great mouthfeel, good on smell... thought it would taste better to me. Overall excellent beer that I would recommend to try but far from my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2013 05:43:29 | More by pjkelley82

YeastEnthusiast

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-23-2013 01:11:37 | More by YeastEnthusiast

billbeers

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -31.7%

05-23-2013 00:03:43 | More by billbeers

smitty5245

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-22-2013 22:38:40 | More by smitty5245

morefackinghops

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-22-2013 21:58:45 | More by morefackinghops

davesway10

Iowa

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-22-2013 18:14:29 | More by davesway10

NJBeer265

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-22-2013 15:49:51 | More by NJBeer265

pknyc

New York

3.75/5  rDev -14.6%

05-22-2013 14:37:03 | More by pknyc

kizyle

Georgia

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-22-2013 13:27:31 | More by kizyle

grover37

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-22-2013 04:25:18 | More by grover37

barczar

Kentucky

4.23/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a clear amber with a frothy one inch light khaki head that slowly dissipates, leaving sheets of lacing.

Grapefruit, pine, fresh cut grass, and sweet, bready malt form the initial aroma. Tropical notes of pineapple and mango emerge.

Flavor is a bit more subtle than anticipated at first, with underpinnings of citrus giving way quickly to bitter hops, all amidst a bready caramel malt backbone. Subsequent sips reveal sticky resin, lime, and a muddled general citrus character, which has become far more dominant. The finish is decidedly resinous and bitter. The malt backbone caves to the hop barrage.

Body is moderate and smooth, with moderate carbonation and a fair amount of alcohol warmth.

Expected more malt presence, but great hop character. Verges on being too bitter for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:21:12 | More by barczar

Birdmarg741

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-22-2013 00:33:46 | More by Birdmarg741

dcloeren

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-21-2013 20:54:49 | More by dcloeren

Busker

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -20.3%

05-21-2013 17:59:25 | More by Busker

PlinyBeMiney

California

3.5/5  rDev -20.3%

05-21-2013 07:13:23 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-21-2013 04:25:15 | More by CosmoHopHead

joejost

New York

5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-21-2013 01:30:23 | More by joejost

Angkistrodon

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-21-2013 00:00:47 | More by Angkistrodon

skiking1163

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-20-2013 23:34:06 | More by skiking1163

MGodduclan5

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -14.6%

05-20-2013 21:43:39 | More by MGodduclan5

tipfortap

New York

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-20-2013 17:16:34 | More by tipfortap

surfrogue1

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-20-2013 03:01:41 | More by surfrogue1

PlayitAgain

New York

3.75/5  rDev -14.6%

05-20-2013 03:01:17 | More by PlayitAgain

1sophrosyne1

District of Columbia

4.23/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Started in a cold English dimpled pint glass and allowed to warm over 30 minutes of tasting.
A pleasing warm amber-orange color; rather weak retention that was partly but not completely due to the cold.
Aroma brings to mind a copper-dipped pine cone nestled in clover and dandelion.
Taste experience is a little short, overall, but builds up to a bitter burst from a foundation of caramel-smoked hemp. There is a nutty nose blended in the back half of the flavor that I just can't place...
It sits heavy on the middle of the tongue, but falls off the sides quickly into an almost tannic sort of creaminess.
There's more length on draught than out of the bottle.
Overall, it's one of the best regularly available consistent products from a favorite independent brewery.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 02:45:37 | More by 1sophrosyne1