Tröegs Mad Elf - Tröegs Brewing Company

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

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served in a snifter glass.

pours a clear dark amber/ruby tone with a finger of off-white head that quickly recedes into a thin collar around the glass; patchy lacing.

nose smacks of sweet malts; lots of candied fruits, cherry, and a touch of honey. nice aroma but makes me worry it will be too sweet. (a concern that fortunately isn't realized.) flavor follows the nose with a strong front of sweet maltiness; however it never crosses into the dreaded cloying realm. cherry presence lasting through the finish, where the 11% ABV (unsurprisingly) is most noticeable. enjoyable brew, if nothing mindblowing.

medium bodied mouthfeel, average carbonation; feels nice in the mouth... drinks dangerously well for an 11-percenter.

originally reviewed: 12-07-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 22:41:36 | More by BostonHops

Flounder57

Massachusetts

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

12 oz bottle was poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance: The beer is amber orange with great clarity. Little layer of foam and lots of bubbles coming up throughout the glass. The mad elf is alive folks. Nice lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: apples, belgian candy, bready yeast, tart cherries, honey, vanilla, spices, and some pears.

Taste: All of the above blended together well. Tastes good and the alcohol is slightly noticeable. This beer is delicious.

Mouthfeel: smooth, medium carbonation, medium bodied, and easy enouugh on the palate to drink.

Overall: Solid beer. I have had this before and happy to have stumbled upon this beer the other day in the back of the store.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 15:23:12 | More by Flounder57

Etan

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Spiegelau tulip. Sent as an extra by Valdieu2.

A: Pours a murky brownish-red with a decent head of off-white, coarse bubbles. No retention or lacing.

S: Aggressive nose of syrupy cherries. Hints of vinous grape, a bit of lactic acid, and sugary fruit juice.

T: Juicy cherries hit the palate, along with a smooth blend of spices, sweet and grainy malt, and Belgian yeast. Hints at cloying cough syrup but is pulled back by the malt and yeast. Bit of a smooth, medicinal honey sweetness. Fruity Belgian esters mix well with the cherries and honey. A bit of alcohol in the finish, but it's barely perceivable.

M: Relatively full body and fine carbonation.

O: This definitely grew on me as the glass drained. Can get a little cloying, but ultimately it's pretty balanced, and the hiddenness of the alcohol is remarkable for 11%.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 05:26:55 | More by Etan

djmichaelk

Florida

2.53/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle into a snifter.

A - Pours a slightly hazy dark amber, with little to no head, and no lacing. Not especially encouraging.

S - Sweet and pretty forward with the cherries. Very much like a typical BSDA, but the cherries are not doing it any favors.

T - The closest I can compare to would be St. Bernardus. It's got that same Belgian spicy yeast, then the cherries really take over. The sweetness is a little cloying. I'm having trouble getting through the glass.

M - Strange. Carbonation is almost too aggressive, making it seem a bit harsh. At the same time, it has such a sweet finish that it almost seems syrupy. I'll give it a pass since they both almost cancel each other out.

O - I wanted to like this, but to be honest it was a struggle to get through the entire beer. I can't say that I'd seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 05:57:42 | More by djmichaelk

pmarlowe

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I've been sitting on this for quite awhile, not sure how long. Tulip glass.

A: Pours medium amber, so-so clarity, with virtually no head.

S: Lots of honey, cherry, amber and caramel malts, cherry apple crumble pie, and there's some subtle spiciness underneath. Kind of interesting, but borders too much on the fruit juice end of the spectrum.

T: Cherry fruit juice, caramel malt, and a little sweetish honey. The malt and honey linger on the finish, and the honey imparts a smoothness (kind of like eating actual honey, in a good way).

M: Full bodied and lightly carbonated. Works well with the beer. Alcohol is very well hidden.

O: The warming quality and hidden alcohol makes this a pretty good sipper for cool evenings. It has just the right amount of sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 04:44:32 | More by pmarlowe

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.15/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle from winter 2007. It's time to start killing the cellar, and this is some low-hanging fruit.

Decanted, this is a clear, copper-colored beer with a thin, tan head that rapidly recedes to a ring. Not much lacing is present, which is disappointing for the style. The nose is pretty decent. Dark honey and cherries are noticeable on the nose, but there's also a moderate malt character, with caramel and a surprising chocolate/cocoa character that makes me think of cherry cordials. Alcohol is well hidden, making this less medicinal than fresh samples. Moderately spicy as well, with the alcohol and yeast playing off each other. Despite its age, this still smells pretty vibrant.

The palate, OTOH, isn't as impressive. Like a mellower cough syrup, there's just something about the cherry character here that makes it medicinal. Moderately sweet with honey and fruit cake. Some cherry skin tannins are present to balance the sweetness. The spices seem a little more muted on the palate, and the mid-palate feels a little watery at times. Sweet on the finish with alcohol, some honey and cherry tartness, there's a lingering yeastiness as well. Carbonation is moderate, making this beer, to my palate and given the style, average at best and not one I'd seek to revisit in a hurry.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 03:20:59 | More by DefenCorps

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Have had this a few times but most recently this weekend at Eatonville in DC. Served in a mason jar type glass.

a - Pours a reddish amber color with one inch of off white head and low carbonation evident.

s - Smells of Belgian yeast, cherries, sweet dark fruits, spices, bready malts, bananas, and light sugar. Pretty nice nose.

t - Tastes of cherries, light dark fruits, Belgian yeast, light spice, and bready malts. Taste is a slight step down from the nose. Not as much fruit or as strong as the nose.

m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation. Smooth and doesn't feel like 11% ABV at all.

o - Overall a pretty nice Belgian Strong Dark. Nose is very nice and full of cherries, though the taste wasn't quite as fruity. Definitely didn't feel like 11% ABV, would have it again next winter.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 17:09:21 | More by mdfb79

Louski

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-Tap Poured into Standard Pint at Brady's in Feasterville, PA.

Appears a nice red-auburn color with immediate smells of cinnamon, cherry, allspice and clove. The taste actually reminds you of the holidays. A warm sensation is felt with the fruitiness and array of spices that mask the high alcohol content really well. I look forward to this beer's release every year and make certain to store at least a 6-pack of bottles for Christmas in July. A must-drink during the holidays both for its great taste and its ability to make shopping interesting after just one or two.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 01:28:46 | More by Louski

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Deep ruby/blood red colour, ring of soapy white head, no lace at all. Smell is fruity and lightly funky, belgian yeast, some sweet cherry notes, spicy with some alcohol heat as well. Taste is spicy at first followed by tart cherry, some funky yeasty flavours, some alcohol in the first few sips but pretty much completley hidden after that. Medium-High carbonation, medium body, good full feel throughout. Not bad but nothing about this blew me away, dont think I would go looking for this but if it was offered its quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 21:06:55 | More by peensteen

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another hook up from Hudak :) Thanks man.

Poured from bottle to Duvel tulip the beer pours a bright red color with a thin off-white head. Edges are red in color. Not much retention or lacing to report. The aroma is sweet and powerful with a lot of honey, cherry, pepper, and belgian yeast character. The flavor is just as the nose let on with a tart cherry sweetness upfront together with honey and belgian yeast character. Hides the alcohol extremely well, not detectable. Rich in flavor and mildly bitter. Medium bodied and well carbonated. Finishes smooth with a lingering cherry tart flavor. Overall, this was a treat to try. Good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 18:27:45 | More by hopfacebrew

jeremy13586

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured in to a Mad Elf tulip

Dark amber in color. Poured a one finger off-white head. The head didn’t last too long. Looks viscous and has a syrupy sheen.

Strong alcohol is in the nose. Totally lets you know that this beer is 11%. tart cherries with a sweet finish.

Tart, hot cherries dominate the flavor of this brew. There is also some good spiciness along with it. Flavor matches the nose, except that it masks the alcohol much better than the aroma. Honey and a bit of nuttiness rounds out the taste.

Medium bodied with a nice carbonation. Smooth, but it does leave a syrupy coating in your mouth.

This is one of my favorite winter brews. It is very drinkable which is the dangerous part. The alcohol content catches up with the drinker before they even notice. Generally a crowd pleaser and a nice one to age for a couple years. Might be hard to find now, so make sure you try it next holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 07:06:58 | More by jeremy13586

Thingus

California

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

Live tasting 12oz bottle into Duvel Tulip...

Appearance; pours a bright and lively pale red color with not much of a head at all, a very thin ring of off white colored head hangs around the edge of the glass... No lacing to speak of...

Smell; smells like cherries and honey, tons of "Belgian-esque" spices..

Taste; definitely tastes as it smells, the cherries add a slight tart demension, with strong flavors of honey and a plethora of the typical Belgian spices (I don't think there's any doubt as to what type of yeast was used here!) also, 11%?! Sure as hell doesn't taste it... Exceptionally well hidden...

Mouthfeel; medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation, goes down easily with no afterburn or warming from the alcohol content... A yeasty, spicy finish that lingers for a few minutes with a slight tartness that I associate with the cherries...

Overall; of all the winter brews I've had, this is unquestionably my favorite thus far... Typically I'm not a big fan of Belgians or the associated yeast but it blends very well with the cherries and honey in Mad Elf... My first Tröegs brew and I was not disappointed!! ISO; Nugget Nectar

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 04:16:20 | More by Thingus