Tröegs Hopback Amber Ale - Tröegs Brewing Company

PhantasIPA

Delaware

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

Troegs Hopback has a subtle amber color and has no cloudiness at all. It poured with a 1/2 inch head and leaves a below average lacing on the glass.

The beer smells like malt primarily and has a very slight hop or citrus scent. It is a very weak and one-sided scent, mainly caramel or toffee.

The flavor is very good. The caramel-flavored malt is balanced with a nice combination of lemon citrus and piney hops. Not too many spices are present but the combination and balance of the other flavors are very nice.

The mouthfeel is nice; not too carbonated but enough carbonation to keep you thirsty and to let the flavor settle on the tongue. Very easy to drink, although I would not describe the beer as crisp.

Overall the beer is good. The scent of the brew is really the only average characteristic of the beer. Worth a try as an easy to drink, low ABV (6%) IPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 22:03:36 | More by PhantasIPA

argock

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a 20 oz dimpled clear glass stein at Porter's (Boston, MA).

A: Auburn with frothy, foamy 1-2 finger oatmeal colored head with good retention and solid lacing.

S: Citrus and piney hops with with solid caramel toffee component. There is a subtle infusion of resin in the nose as well.

T: While this beer is not blow-you-away good, it is extraordinarily drinkable on-tap. Blast of orange and grapefruit citrus with pine and resin hoppiness up front with a medium-strength caramel toffee and lightly roasted malt presence. Very well-balanced-- hoppy, malty, bitter, and superb body and feel.

M: The carbonation gives this a creamy feel overal, but the finish is very dry, more dry than the bottled version which enhance the drinkability substantially. It is a very good beer in the bottle, but even better on-tap.

O: I was really impressed with the beer on-tap: while it isn't different it is a better version of the bottled version I know well (I probably buy 1.5-2 cases total per year). The feel is superior to most any amber ale you could pick up, and the hoppiness stresses the resinous and pine character over the citrus qualities, although both are there. It's a great beer either way.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2012 03:50:16 | More by argock

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This seemed like a good choice for a Sunday afternoon. This looks like a malt/hoppy beer.

The smell offers a generous amount of maltiness and good hop presence.

The flavor is consistent with the smell. I get a good amount of malt. The hops come out more prominently. You get some bitterness at this point.

All around this is a good beer. I like the way it comes forward. Good job by Troegs.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 18:48:58 | More by ummswimmin

rangerred

Tennessee

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had on tap.

Poured a clear clear dark amber with a one finger off-white head.

Aroma of piny hops with a little bit of fruit, along with a decent dose of malt.

Flavor had pine and citrus up front from the hops, followed by a moderate bitterness and plenty of malt to balance out the hops. Caramel and roasted malt nicely complimented the fruitiness and bitterness from the hops. Mouthfeel was a little thin which detracts from the beer quite a bit.

Overall, a delicious amber that is somewhat hampered by mouthfeel. It seems like everything is there then all of a sudden, mouthfeel just drops off into a watery nothingness. That aside, I would most definitely seek this out.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2012 01:07:42 | More by rangerred

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got to spend some time with my parents in PA. I'm glad I'm finally getting around to reviewing one off my hads list:

In a pint glass:

A: hazy red colored body. A fair amount of sediment floats around. A two finger white foamy head appears and lasts for twenty seconds before it dies. Minimal amount of lacing forms and slides into the body as the beer goes down. Some light carbonation is seen rising.

S: pine and citrus hops combined nicely with a toffee/caramel/bready maltiness.

T: same flavors from the smell but with a dryer sort of character to it.

M: medium with a good balance between wet and dry on the tongue yet still has a slightly dry finish. I would say this is a fairly drinkable beer.

O: well, this was definitely better than what I posted in my "hads" list. I would definitely have this again and am wishing Troeg's would send to New England. Until then, I just need to visit my parents more until I can get this in Maine.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 16:40:27 | More by kangarooAdam59

billsmorrison

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

overall one of my favorites, from the front of the pallet to the back This one is exceptional on every level. if your just getting into beer this I'd a good one to try if you're not sure about hops yet in your pallets specific journey, this amber encapsulates in my opinion one of the best balances between residual sugars and hop complexion. never had an amber now is the tome for this one!

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 16:05:34 | More by billsmorrison

nickfl

Florida

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured with one finger of white foam on top of a clear, amber body. The head settles fairly quickly and leaves light lace.

S - A moderate,mhoppy aroma of pine and citrus with some toffee and bready malt.

T - Light, toasty bread up front with some pine. A touch of sweaty hops in the middle and a finish of dry malt and lingering toasty character.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - Not bad, the hop aroma is nice but doesn't quite come out as well in the flavor profile. The malt is a little too dry for my taste but not overly harsh.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 01:02:42 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: thin head on a clear amber with golden hues body.

S: nice hop aroma with floral, earthy and some grapefruit and orange peel fruit notes.

T: hops up front provide a nice bitter presence beginning floral and moving to grassy in the finish. the caramel malts are fairly well represented. some orange peel and grapefruit notes as well.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: not bad. amber beers are usually blah. adding hops to beers make them better obviously if done right. nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 01:00:45 | More by kylehay2004

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle, no bottled-on date, poured into a pint glass.

A- Pours a slightly hazy amber color, produces a thin white head, spotty lacing.

S- Sweet caramel malt, bready and a bit nutty, balanced by citric, piney hops.

T- Hops are definitely more forward than on the nose, starts out with a lot of citric, piney, slightly herbal hops which are more bitter than I was expecting. Beneath the bitterness is a nice sweet caramel malt backbone with some toffee and grain.

M- Medium-bodied, very smooth with moderate carbonation.

O- A really nice amber ale, extremely drinkable, I'll definitely pick this one up again.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 05:53:30 | More by WillCarrera

klkatz

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

On drinkability this beer gets a 5...

it poured a dark amber... fairly clear when held to the light...had a white oily head... like my friend Steve at the beach.

Smell was good... hoppy, floral... good for a non-IPA

I think I tasted some malt... but definitely hoppy, spicy... with a great finish...

The mouthfeel was tingly with carbonation... sticks well after the swallow... i'm friends with beer, I like when beer sticks around a little bit.

well done Troegs..

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 19:55:14 | More by klkatz

Etan

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz extra sent by bvdubn. Thanks!

A: Brownish red w/ a sticky white head.

S: Grapefruit, musty yeast, bready malt.

T: Crisp biscuity malt, grapefruit and pine, resin. Grain and hop bitterness in the finish.

M: Tingly carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: Pretty nice hoppy amber.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 15:40:35 | More by Etan

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass. Bottled.

A - clear honey amber with 3 finger khaki head foamy with excellent head retention and excellent foamy lacing

S - amazing caramel malt honey with citrus and grassy hop notes

T - very robust malt caramel tones with rich woody oak and cedar notes followed by massive hop citrus grapefruit grassy meadow and hints of pepper tobacco spiciness. Complex and well balanced. This beer drinks very differently at varying temperatures Perfect alcohol balance.

M - full body moderate carbonation. Sticky

O - great beer at any time and season. Very intense but enjoyable experience. Feels like the bastard of a dipa and American strong ale

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 01:09:44 | More by williamjbauer

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a Brooklyn Brewery snifter. Beautiful clear amber color, but not much carbonation. Had to really manhandle this thing to get a finger of foam. The nose is faint, but does have some nice tropical fruit notes.

Lots of flavor here for an amber ale and lots of body too. Momentary sweet toasted malt flavors are immediately subdued by a really nice blend of lemon and citrus hop bitterness that perfectly meshes with the toasty flavors. The result is a wonderfully dry cedary finish. The sweetness becomes more pronounced as the beer warms, so be sure to drink it while it's chilled.

Amber ales simply do not get much better than this. Most of the amber ales I find tend to be more balanced, malty, and conservative. This one proves that these beers can be really interesting and exciting for those of us who dig the hop. Nugget Nectar's little brother is definitely worth your time. Nicely done Troegs!

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 00:56:29 | More by deadonhisfeet

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Toasted amber color with a coarse plaque of foam. 3.0

Very mildly toasty in aroma with some bold citrus hop notes. Decent nose. Bready malts are inflated. 3.5

Chunky malt backbone withgooey toasted caramel malts. Blast of spicy citrus hops. Flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and orange. 4.0

Medium/medium. Highly drinkable. 4.0

Nicely hopped amber. Best very fresh. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2012 04:18:29 | More by thecheapies

JKuras

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: True to its name, pours a bold, cloudy, dark amber color. Not heavy on the head but there’s a good carbonation present and lacing is good all the way down. Specks of yeast residue floating throughout.

Smell: Got a very nice whiff of sweet biscuity malts. A good backing of hops and dried fruits to follow it up.

Taste: Very nice and smooth malt flavor followed by bitter hops and black coffee flavors. Lots of bitter on the finish that lingers for about a minute but not overpowering. Everything balances very well. Very drinkable.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is just right and it goes down smooth. This beer has a nice thickness to it.

Overall: A solid offering from Troegs that’s good any time of year. Not spectacular, but can’t really find anything wrong with it. This would be excellent with a sirloin steak or a gamey meat.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 01:45:45 | More by JKuras

tobelerone

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I liked this beer out of the bottle and liked it even more from this brewery fresh growler. It’s very much the same but the body felt a little fuller, the carbonation is moderate, and there’s an appealing smoothness and creaminess that’s somewhat absent in the bottled version. Otherwise it’s the same beer at the height of freshness.

Amber color, as expected; decent cap of white foam; solid lacing. Sweet caramel malt and mostly piney hops in the nose; some orange and grapefruit citrus notes as well.

Flavor follows the nose; quite hoppy for an amber and tastes essentially like Nugget Nectar light. Sweet caramel and bread flavors from the malt; a nice mix of pine and citrus hops. Grapefruit and orange mix with emerging floral notes. Very balanced; moderately bitter; semi-dry, with a lingering mix of sweet and bitter in the aftertaste.

A solid hoppy amber that’s even better in a fresh growler!

Serving type: growler

07-11-2012 22:51:23 | More by tobelerone

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

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

This one has a bottled date of 1-26-12, got pushed back in my cupboard and forgot about it.
This one has a nice reddish body with a thick finger white head that lays down the glass leaving nice sticky foam on the side of the glass. The smell is very nice of malty, caramel aromas. The taste has a very inviting hop bitterness to it, with nice malt chararstics to it. Its mouth feel is really nice and rolls off the tongue really nice. Overall a really drinkable and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 03:11:36 | More by chefhatt

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 03/05/12...oops.

A: Amber in color (no surprise here) with an off-white, foamy head that leaves behind little lace and retention.

S: Boozy and malty. Surprising. I wasn't expecting this so I looked at the "bottled on" date...I think it's lost the magic. But, taking it as is, there is roasted, sweet malt and some faint piney hops.

T: The hops have faded while the booziness has increased. As others have said, almost like a "light" strong ale. But as it warms, the fruity hops come through to balance out the sweet malt.

M: Good, smooth, malty flavor with minimal carbonation. This has too much scotch ale/strong ale character to it.

O: Clearly needs to be much fresher. I'd love to try it again within a month of the bottling date. Outside of that, still a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 20:10:47 | More by Gatch

flagmantho

Washington

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: rich amber hue with plenty of haze and a strong effervescence. Head is a thick finger of frothy light-tan foam. Quite good.

Smell: rich malty aroma with lots of caramel character and some earthy hops coming through. Biscuit is on the low side for the style, which I like. Pretty good!

Taste: big caramelly malt flavor with a bigger variety of hop character. There's some citrus here as well as earthy and dank hop flavors. Bitterness is surprisingly balanced. This reminds me of a "light" strong ale. I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good creaminess. Satisfying.

Overall: this is a good and satisfying amber. Not usually my style, but the brewers have toned down the biscuity malt character and come up with a nicely refreshing recipe. I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 17:07:26 | More by flagmantho

david18

New York

3.13/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had a cask of this at the Amsterdam Ale House in Manhattan's Upper West Side. I'm surprised I've never reviewed this beer before. It's not my favorite but the cask version was pretty interesting.

Appearance is a medium amber/red. Carbonation was rather low but it was served from a cask. Very cloudy as well, but, again...

Aroma was balanced, featuring the hops, malt as well as the yeast. Not bad, not overwhelming.

Flavor was also well balanced but not outstanding in any way. I enjoyed it but wasn't inclined to order a second.

Worth trying but, again, not outstanding.

Serving type: cask

06-25-2012 19:34:06 | More by david18

CHickman

New York

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from 6/16/2012: pours a hazy copper reddish color with a 1 finger foamy tan head with tons of bubbles in it that faded slowly, leaving very good lacing and rings as it went down.

Smells of juicy hops up front, with sweet floral hops, piney hops, grapefruit, caramel, cracker, biscuit, citrus hops, herbs and some earthy notes; very nice balance, this is quite hoppy like a pale ale that wants to creep up to the IPA border. Not what I expected from an amber ale, but it is perfect for the name HopBack and I really thought it smelled wonderful.

Tastes like it smells with floral hops, piney hops, citrus hops, grapefruit, orange peel, cracker, biscuit, toffee, caramel, toasted grains, herbs, spices like pepper and coriander, grass, cardboard and some earthy notes and light spices at the end; tasted like dry hops were still floating in the brew, and the balance was excellent leading up to a slightly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel was slick and crisp at the same time, with average carbonation, a medium body and a nice bready grain treat before the hops paved the way for the slightly bitter finish that’s on the dry side.

Very high drinkability, this was complex, balanced and tasty, and for me could be a year round session beer. A definite recommendation.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 04:09:05 | More by CHickman

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

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

Picked up at the brewery several weeks ago. Pours a clear brownish amber with delightful; small bubbled carbonation streams, decent head and lacing.

Aroma of caramelized malts with a mild citrus undertone. Hops are more apparent in the bitterness of the finish, which transitions from sweetness to dryness abruptly but well. Less citrus than I'd personally choose, but enough going on to warrant the praise.

A beer (and a brewery) I'd recommend to any American Amber fans!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 17:11:49 | More by hopsolutely

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Was lucky enough to have this for the first time this evening–one of the only redeeming things about this evening, what with the Celtics coming apart in Game 7 of the Eastern Conf. Finals. Twelve ounce bottle into a snifter style glass my buddy bought over at TrueBeer.com (good place for inexpensive glassware). Review is from notes.

Appearance (4/5): Tröegs Hopback Amber Ale pours a dense, bubbly, two and a half finger, white head of foam, which sits atop a clear, deep amber body of beer. It looks a tad darker to my eye than most amber ales I've had. The beer looks great in the stemmed snifter.

Smell (4.5/5): One of the best aspects of this beer, hands down. First whiff lets you know what you're in for: strong hop aroma that lend a beautifully piney and fruity quality to the overall smell, which is rounded out by a light caramel sweetness. I always know a beer has a special nose on it when it makes me want to share it with others–I immediately tell my buddy, "you've GOT to smell this," and I don't care how geeky that is. Whatever.

Taste (4.5/5): Sharp, piney hops hit first and give way to a slightly resinous, bitter, fruity flavor that calls to mind apricot. Caramel flavors from the malt flex as well and lend a sweetness to balance against the bitterness, but the malt is clearly meant to play a VERY subordinate role to the hops. And no complaints here; the beer tastes just as good as it smells. Finishes dry. I really am enjoying it, and liking how it warms. Room temperature Hopback is just too good. No alcohol flavor to be noticed, except a little warming in the (late) finish.

Mouthfeel (4/5): The mouthfeel is medium, due mainly to its slightly resinous quality. This doesn't put a damper on its drinkability, and the tongue/tastebuds don't get tired of being coated with this somewhat sticky, hoppy elixir. Good carbonation–right where it should be–and a nice creamy feel on each sip. Good stuff, and quite nice for the style.

Overall (4.5/5): Hopback really was a very pleasant surprise–I wasn't really expecting such great hop flavor from an amber ale, but boy, does Hopback bring it. Tröegs did a great job with this refreshing take on an amber ale. Now that I've tried it, I'll have to seek it out. Yes, most people are drinking wheat beers, saisons, and IPAs during the warmer months, but I honestly think Tröegs Hopback should get consideration, despite its being an amber since it's nice and light and features a refreshingly juicy hop bite. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 05:26:33 | More by hagbergl

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured on cask and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a vibrant, crystal clear, ruby copper coloring with a thin, filmy, off-white head. Aromas of rich caramel malt and a subtle, wet hops to balance. Flavors are resiny hops and dark, sweet, roasted caramel on the forward tongue blended masterfully together. Roasty and smooth throughout. Bitter and slick aftertaste, with a roasty and resiny feel. Great lacing along the glass as you drink. The smooth, rich body leaves a resiny, slightly bitter finish. Solid beer.

Serving type: cask

06-06-2012 22:41:34 | More by GarthDanielson

jtingue

New York

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip.

Appearance. Perfectly clear amber in color, as you would expect. Pours with 2 fingers of stiff head, which hangs over the top of the tulip glass but never overflows. Sheets of lace stick to the side of the glass.

Smell. A surprising amount of biscuity malt comes first. Some herbal and citric hop aroma. Very balanced.

Taste. Starts with a mix of grassy hops and sweet, biscuity malt. Some restrained bitterness cuts through these flavors leading into slightly metallic, medicinal, bitter and dry white grape flavor. It continues to dry out, bringing out a lot of strong, slightly resinous hop flavors, again grassy and medicinal. A relatively clean yeast, comes out at times to give a bready essence. The finish is dry and contains a lingering resinous bitterness.

Mouthfeel. Thin to moderate body. Quite low carbonation. For me the weak link in this beer.

Overall this one is very balanced, and hugely complex in the flavor department. Some of the hop flavor and aroma is hard to nail down for me. It verges on citrus and some of the more west coast hop flavors, but is definitely defined more by the herbal/grassy component. Very drinkable and very complex... not bad.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 23:15:51 | More by jtingue