Scratch Beer 42 - 2011 (Razz-ma-dizzle) - Tröegs Brewing Company

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Bright, crystal clear ruby tinted copper with a thin off- white head that reduced to a thin cap of retention and left spotty lace.

S-Spicy Belgian yeast character with a light twinge of tart raspberries, and a subtle dusting of cocoa. Very similar to Mad Elf with just a slightly different nod.

T-Spicy yeast up front melding nicely with the tart raspberries and mildly bittersweet chocolate. Some earthy mustiness on the backside.

M-Medium bodied with a soft feel and easy going down. fruit tartness is not overwhelming but does add a touch of character to the yeast.

D-My quote....like Mad Elf light with tart raspberries instead of cherries. So similar to the venerable Mad Elf it is scary. While this is certainly a good solid beer the lack of originality and uniqueness is a let down. With the offering of a chocolate/raspberry dubbel I wasn't expecting this...good but, I think I have seen this one before.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 23:26:28 | More by Deuane

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A growler fill from this afternoon. Served in a mini tulip.

A: The dubbel is lighter than most, more like a Belgian dark ale. It's brownish hue has redder tints that may or may not be related to the added raspberry. I've convinced myself of the redness, so let us move on. A small, off-white head lingered for 15 or so minutes before disappearing.

S: A bit of smoke and raspberry puree - the strongest aspects of the nose. Orangesol nails the Mad Elf with raspberries aspect, with vanilla lingering under the surface. Interesting, again much more of a dark ale in the nose department.

T: More raspberries, this time around through there are plenty of supporting characters. Cinnamon, musty Belgian yeast, vanilla and cocoa all follow in short order. The whole package has the same filling fullness of Mad Elf, only with raspberries instead of cherries. Cacao comes through in the finish, a dry chocolatey flavor. Good but I think that I prefer the cherry version.

M: The mouthfeel is Belgian, spicy with plenty of sweet additions. Raspberry and vanilla are most prominent, with chocolate lingering near the finish.

D: Too sweet and filling. A few sips, maybe a glass or two, are more than enough for me.

Serving type: growler

02-26-2011 23:24:02 | More by akorsak

pecokid

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

I got a growler off the first keg in the tasting room and cracked it open the next day. Appearance is orangish-amber and very clear. One finger of head. Smell is all berry and no cocoa or vanilla. Very complex taste with the berry, cocoa and vanilla coming through. I also picked up some smokiness. I am not a fan of fruit beers and usually find them cloyingly sweet. While I appreciate the fact that the cocoa and vanilla easily apparent on this brew it is still too sweet for me. Mouth feel is moderate to moderate-thin with good carbonation. Drinkability is low for me. It is just too sweet. If I were a sour connoisseur I could easily imagine some interesting things to do with this beer in a barrel.

Serving type: growler

02-26-2011 21:10:53 | More by pecokid

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap in the Troegs tasting room into a goblet.

A - Pours ruby red, with hints of brown around the edges, with a small half finger tall white head, dissipating down to nothing at all, leaving little to no lacing down the glass.

S - Plenty of belgian yeast, raspberries, and some faint chocolate up front. Very similar to mad elf but with raspberries rather than the typical cherries. A bit of booze comes thru as it warms up but not as much as in mad elf.

T - Heavy dose of bready yeast up front giving way quickly to a mix of tart raspberries and some light chocolatey sweetness. The vanilla comes thru a bit more as it warms up a bit. Finish is pretty chewy with some lingering raspberry tartness. Very similar to mad elf but a bit more yeast in this one. I enjoyed this one but it really wasn't anything mind blowing.

M - Medium body and flavor with moderately low carbonation. Very chewy feel with a good bit of it mixing with the raspberry tartness to linger on the pallet for quite awhile.

D - Pretty good. I actually had a sample of this one before they added the chocolate and it was quite good. Now with the chocolate and vanilla added I think it took a step in the wrong direction. Still very good tho.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 22:14:46 | More by orangesol