Tröegs Mad Elf - Tröegs Brewing Company

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - ruby amber with a soft, off white head

S - sugar, faint belgian yeast, some spice

T - cherries, sugar, belgian yeast, faint spice, faint alcohol

M - medium bodied, warm, good carbonation

This was a really nice beer. I thought it had great balance and flavor. The cherries were a nice touch to the Belgian yeast and spice. They aren't tart or sour. I was very impressed. I would have given a higher score if the flavor was more than cherries with underlying notes meaning I wish it had more of a Belgian character. As it is this is a very good beer that is definitely worth your time.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 23:53:29 | More by tdm168

tastymug

Ohio

3.39/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: This beer pours a beautiful ruby red color (a clear, red amber) with a half finger head, about half of which retains while drinking.

Smell: Primary aroma is cherries, sweet, fruity.

Taste: Very sweet, yeasty, definitely tastes like cherries, which is kind of funky (but a good funky), syrupy, chocolate, and there’s also a bit of spice that hits the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, syrupy consistency, carbonated but smooths out at the end.

Overall: This is a complex beer but I think it could be a little more balanced for more drinkability. However, considering the alcohol content in this brew, it surprisingly doesn’t override the taste. It’s an interesting beer, but probably not for everyone. I personally find it a nice switch from the more traditional, spicy winter warmers or Christmas ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 00:53:44 | More by tastymug

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Beautiful clear, light red color with a light pink head that fizzes up quickly and fades quickly. No lace and a thin ring of retention.

S: Sweet, sugary booze, deeply roasted malt, dark fruits, candy sugar, some citrus, and more booze at the back. Effervescent and inviting.

T: Dark fruits and honey shine when the beer is warm. Boozy, fruity, malty...delicious. This beer needed to warm up to allow the proper flavors to show themselves.

M: Sweet and smooth as it should be, properly boozy, and full of flavor. Very Belgian but plenty of American character. A pleasure to drink near room temperature.

O: Troegs pulls of a fantastic American interpretation of the style. Perfect for sipping.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 06:10:27 | More by Gatch

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 fl oz brown bottle served in a chalice.
Vintage 2012-2013, batch #120913.

Tea-tinted oak in color. Carbonation-filled off-white head that disappears to a broken sheet after only a moment leaving no lasting lace.

Sweet, Belgian candied sugar marry beautifully with the cherry, fig, raisin, and plum fruity esters. Spicy anise, brown sugar, and nutmeg add another layer of depth to the already deep aromas.

Slightly tart fruit flavors: orange and cherry, come through initially. The Belgian candied sugar is a bit heavy with a touch of an artificial taste. The yeast adds a hefty dose of spiciness along with the strong anise flavor. All of the individual flavors are bold and do not quite make for a balanced sip; including a hefty alcohol presence.

A full, medium in body. The body, much like the flavor, is a bit out of balanced creating a rather slick, slightly unpleasant mouthfeel particularly for the style.

A bold ale in more ways than one. I can really envision this one only improving with age, allowing the flavors and alcohol character to mellow.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 02:13:58 | More by NEhophead

microbrewlover

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This brew pours a dark almost ruby red color with a 1/2 inch mocha head and thin lacing.

The smell is strong on cherries and kind of a wheat/wet hay smell. Sweet malts, honey and some type of spice. Possibly peppery hops.

The taste is a sip of heaven, sweet cherries, wheat, sweet malts and honey. There is also some type of spice which I can not identify. The cherries are the dominant taste throughout however the other flavors are well balanced.

The mothfeel is very smooth and creamy. A spicey residue remains on the tounge after swallowing.

This is a very spicey and sweet winter warmer. I would never guess that this brew is 11% ABV, one can not taste the alcohol at all. Everthing mixes nicely, and the 11% alcohol, along with the spice, gives a warming feeling. I could easily drink a case of these.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 02:04:35 | More by microbrewlover

SawDog505

New Hampshire

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass. Pours a beautiful amber, with a half inch of off white head, that leaves some lacing. Smell is cherry, banana, clover, and biscuit. Taste is all of those things, really well balanced. Body is maybe medium, not much life, a little dry, and very approachable for its heft. This isn't my favorite style, but I do enjoy this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 03:53:29 | More by SawDog505

Bills453

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into my Duvel tulip glass.

This is a year aged 2011 edition...very curious to see how it aged!

Appearance - bright orange-red, off white head. Full of delicious sediment!

Smell - cherries very prominent, can smell the alcohol packed into this one too. Heavenly!

Taste - cherries and honey mix together so deliciously in this beer, it is always one of my favorite winter releases. The aging really worked well! Recently tried frosted frog by hoppin frog, just too much with the cinnamon and nutmeg, Mad Elf is what Xmas brews is all about!

Mouthfeel - nice

Overall - like I said, one of my very favorite winter/Xmas offerings...keep up the good work Troegs Brothers! Again aging works nicely in this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 19:27:29 | More by Bills453

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

3.56/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Poured into chalice; dark orange to red, slightly cloudy, with a single-finger fizzy head that dissipated quickly leaving no lacing. Smell is yeasty and wheaty, maybe a bit of some spicyness or fruit (could be the cherry it's brewed with). Taste is smooth and sweet, finishing pretty cleanly with warming alcohol. Quite drinkable, but best in slow sips. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth and full.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 08:13:16 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours deep copper with ruby highlights and a thin tan head. Aromas of yeast, banana esters, bubble gum, and spices. Present in the background are sour cherries, dark fruits, and orange-poppy seed muffins. Cherries become more pronounced as this warms. Flavor is sour yeast and cherry, astringent spices, and a sour/spicy finish. Nice sweet and tangy mouthfeel, medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 21:42:43 | More by SeamusDoyle

tkelley

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bought a single 12 oz bottle at Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont. Poured into a tulip glass.

A -- Beautiful deep ruby color with a nice white head. Bubbles are visible coming from the bottom of the glass. Lacing sticks around on the sides of the glass.

S -- Cherries. Delicious, delicious cherries. And alcohol.

T -- The cherries are, somewhat surprisingly, not overwhelming. They are, however, the dominant flavor (if that makes sense). Its like a good european ale, but with emphasis on the cherries and other fruits. The alcohol from the nose is pretty much absent on the tongue. Belgian yeast as well.

M -- Smooth. I would say... on the heavy side of medium bodied. Not syrupy, but with a noticeable heft. The visible bubbles tickle the lips and again on the back end, but not in the front. It feels good in the mouth. Even though mine was a little cold, it warmed up nicely on each sip.

O -- Really enjoyed this beer. I don't know if I would shell out the big bucks for a case, because I'm pretty cheap, but this would be great at Thanksgiving or Christmas -- just nice to relax with and go through slowly. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 01:40:39 | More by tkelley

Dave1999

Virginia

4.11/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a rich red colour looks like wine.

The smell is very sweet both the honey and cherry are very obvious. There's also sweet malts, actually smells very good.

The taste is like the smell honey and cherries with some sweet dark malts.

This beer is slick like a honey drink for cold with very low carbonation.

Overall very original and fairly enjoyable not sure I'd buy it again though once this 6 pack is done. Hide the alcohol very well.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 22:49:23 | More by Dave1999

GeezLynn

Minnesota

2.65/5  rDev -31.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2010 bottle

A: Cloudy reddish orange with a soft white head.
S: Sour cherry, orange, Belgian yeast. Fairly nice but a slight vegetal tone.
T: The yeast is very fruity and assertive – apple and pears. Very sweet. Cherry is present midway through, but takes a back seat to the yeast. Finish is sweet and slightly bitter.
M: Moderate, sharp carbonation. Medium body.

Did not enjoy this. Came across as an overly sweet, sub-par tripel. Could have used a stronger cherry presence to offset the sugar. Finishing was somewhat of a chore and not a beer I would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 04:29:58 | More by GeezLynn

brother_kenneth

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle, poured into a snifter glass.

A- This beer pours a nice deep red, with a foamy head that dissipates very quickly.

S- Notes of cherry, Belgian yeast, spices, honey, and cherries. Did I mention cherries?

T- Lots of cherry in the taste, along with a noticeable amount of alcohol and a sweetness from the honey. The spices and yeast have a large impact here, but the cherries are in the forefront. It almost gets close to making me think of a sour, but not quite. It is not really boozy, but the alcohol is there.

M- Not very carbonated, kind of syrupy and thick.

O- This is one hell of a seasonal beer. I am about finished with a 22oz now, and let me tell you....it will sneak up on you! I love the cherry flavor in such a big Belgian brew, and think it is somewhat original for a "holiday beer". I would highly recommend this one!

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 03:26:00 | More by brother_kenneth

Roland45s

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Reddish ale with a 1" head,

S: Smells fruity with a hint of cherry/honey

T: Smooth, honey flavored fruity goodness.

M: Clean, Crisp, carbonated and not too much bite at 11%

Overall: This was a first try and this beer was really good. Even at $20 for a 6 pack (whole foods) or $15 at (total Bev)

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 14:25:52 | More by Roland45s

Roose13

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

22oz bomber poured into a glass

A: A dark ruby red with a two-finger off-white foamy head.

S: Smells like cherries, yeasty

T: Cherries, some honey flavoring. Very malty as well.

M: Crisp, carbonated and hides the 11%

Overall: This was a first try and this beer was amazing. Wow!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 03:48:22 | More by Roose13

brewsadedotcom

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice...

A: Has a dark red color, pours with a thin film of foam that disappears quickly. Nice lacing.

S: Strong smell of cherries. The aroma makes it immediately apparent that this is a big beer.

T: The taste of cherries evolves into a pruney taste and finishes with a sour aftertaste.

M: Carbonation is faint. Leaves a sour aftertaste.

O: I don't think my description of this beer is particularly flattering, however I did enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 23:22:15 | More by brewsadedotcom

gabedivision

New York

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from a 12 oz bottle to a tulip glass

A- Pours a deep reddish chestnut, crystal clear, visible carbonation, 1/2 finger inch white tight bubbled head.

S- Very sweet, cherries right up front, dry belgian yeast, maybe some oak? apples, raisins, slightly medicinal, but not in an offensive way at all, dry red wine alcohol blush on the end.

T- Syrupy cherry soda flavor, followed a bomb of sweetness, honey, cane sugar, apples, pears, dark fruits. Nice bready malt, that almost gets completely overwheamled by alcohol on the finish.

M- Full bodied, lightly carbonated, smooth, very dry.

O- Overall, i like this beer alot, though, some age does do it alot of good, just a tad boozy when fresh but it definitely settles down as its sipped on. Has a great bite, and ton of complexity, i always look forward to this beer come this time of year.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 02:54:24 | More by gabedivision

Uniobrew31

Pennsylvania

1.63/5  rDev -58%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

This is the most over rated beer going right now. I have never been so disapointed in my life in a beer purchase. I have never met anyone who actually enjoys this. I love belgian beers and winter beers but this one just doesn't qualify as either. do yourself a favor and leave it on the shelf

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 02:34:57 | More by Uniobrew31

CloudStrife

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. 2012-2013 dated on the bottle.

A: Pours a clear ruby with a 2 finger off white head that is real quick to fizzle away. Not too much visible carbonation. Leaves a little lacing on the sides of the glass.

S: Cherry and roasted malt on the nose. Nice belgian yeast that has a fruity orange aroma.

T: Reminds me of a blend of a tripel and a dubbel. It has the carbonation and mouthfeel of the tripel but more of the sweetness from a dubbel. Can certainly pull some cherry through. Lots of belgian yeast too. Honey keeps it light.

M: Sort of a thin body, low carbonation. Booze is fairly well hidden in the background.

Overall a tasty winter beer that I always look forward to. Nice american take on a belgian beer. Would love to try a few years of this in a row.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 22:07:32 | More by CloudStrife

2x10

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a hazy brown with a lovely red tint which makes its appearance very enticing.

Tastes of chocolate, honey, and apple with a very bready nose.

as the beer warms, the cherries become very evident and a true warming feeling comes across. The alcohol is truely hidden in the taste, but is felt throughout the body after about 2.

This is by far, my wife and I's favorite beer because of the combination of belgian strong ale, the fresh cherry honey flavor and the fact that its not a beer that compares to the "winter" versions of other beers. You can drink this one year round and we LOVE to save it for the summer time.
This beer also gets better with age and can be stored for several years and is surprising refreshing aged and great in any weather.

Its unfortunate that the mix and match beer stores are buying it all up and limiting the cases that can be bought. It just came out last week and is pretty much sold out in pittsburgh or is being hidden in the back of distributors for special customers.
Get it while you can and savor the yummy goodness that it brings.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 20:16:11 | More by 2x10

socon67

New York

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Bobbique in Patchogue, NY

A - Orange color with some light red tint. White foam is bubbly and lively. Slight lacing.

S - Semlls of belgian yeast, candied fruit, and cherries. A bit of acidic phenols is present as it lingers. Has a scent of holiday spices (pine and cranberry).

T - Tart initial taste that switches gears and has a sweet cherry flavor. There is a slight warming feel at the end, as if warning the drinker of the high potency. Very similar to Ommegang Three Philosophers even though they are different styles.

M - Insanely drinkable for the style and boozy feel. Really would be best as a sipper after a heavy meal.

O - Troegs nailed this one. I'd love to get two bottles and cellar each for different periods. This is a great holiday beer to share.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 23:26:57 | More by socon67

cfrances33

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A little Christmas in July comparing 2006 (10/24/06) and 2008 (no date) vintages. Served on 7/14/12 in tulips.

Pour -
2006: Hazy amber brown with some ruby hints. Quarter inch khaki head that recedes to a film
2008: Clearer than 2006, more ruby brown than amber brown. Less head.

Smell -
2006: Cherries, chocolate, and dark fruits
2008: Belgian yeast with cherry. No chocolate this time.

Taste -
2006: Identical to the nose with Belgian yeast mixed in. Very subdued spiciness. Subdued flavors all around honestly.
2008: Belgian spiciness with tart cherries. Maltiness is strong with caramel but not much chocolate.

Mouthfeel -
2006: Very light and subdued. Would never know that it is 11%.
2008: More carbonation and crisp bite. No alcohol.

Overall: Enjoyed the 2008 more, but the beer in general isn't my style

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 16:14:25 | More by cfrances33

Reaper16

Alabama

3.28/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

*thanks to stephenjmoore for the extra!*
12.oz bottle -- 2011 vintage -- served into a tulip glass

Pours a sort of burnt copper color. Not at all "ruby red" like the label claims. Lots of clarity to the body. There was about a finger of buttermilk colored head at first, but it quickly dissipates to a tiny ring. Not really any lacing.

This is a strange beer because the severity of my smells gives me a different profile. If I lightly take in air through my nose, then Mad Elf gives off notes of cherry pie, flower petals, and sugarplum (Seriously. Though they aren't dancing in my head or anything). But a full-on deep sniff is way more earthy and yeasty: lots of botanical notes and lots of clove. There's a bit of an oxidized character to the nose too. I wish the two dynamics would come together more seamlessly.

The flavor is very fruity upfront. There's dark cherry for sure, along with the more figs-and-dates dark fruits that you expect from a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Lots of sweetness. The yeast gives off lots of clove and, like, a flavor that reminds me of the aftertaste of a dish that uses allspice. The yeast helps to balance the sweetness. The finish is the most surprising aspect of this beer. It quickly goes from being fruity and yeasty to a more dry, amber malt-based flavor. This is an amber malt flavor that I want to say I've tasted in other Troegs beers before, but I might only be thinking of Nugget Nectar. But yeah, the finish on Mad Elf is very much like an Amber Ale to me. In fact, this beer is in some respects like an Imperial Amber or something, just with a Belgian yeast strain.

The mouthfeel is pretty light for all of the fruitiness. I realize that the yeast is contributing to the relatively dry finish, so the mouthfeel is accomplishing some positive things. Overall, this is a different take on the style. I appreciate it, but it's not really my thing.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 01:58:00 | More by Reaper16

Duff27

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear amber body on a collerish white head.

Fruity nose.

Cherries. Dry finish. Boozy, but what do you expect from an 11% Belgian?

Carbonated, thin-medium mouthfeel. Little disappointing.

Ah it was alright, disappointing. Everything but the nose was less than I was hoping for. Thanks TATURBO.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 01:38:01 | More by Duff27

mfc

2.3/5  rDev -40.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Let me first off say, they get one full point for their label art. Pretty cool. Sadly, the rest of it wasn't so great.

A: It looked decent. Dark orange, almost red with a hint of cherry color. Almost no carbonation (I assume because of how alcohol-heavy it is?)

N: Lots of cherry, syrupy

T: No bueno. Sorry. It is flat and alcohol city, USA. Reminds me of cherry schnapps.

M: Flat flat flat and way too heavy on the booze without any balance or attempt to mask.

Addendum: Reading other people's reviews, I think I may have gotten a bad bottle. Mine had nearly zero carbonation. I'm going to bump the mouthfeel up to 2 for that, but I stand by the fact that it is too syrupy and tastes a bit like cherry cough syrup.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 17:03:10 | More by mfc