Tröegs Mad Elf - Tröegs Brewing Company

stakem

Pennsylvania

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

Second review of mad elf for the year, this time on tap.

Pours a very clear orange color with a bit of redness about it and a minimal amount of white head that is quick to dissapear. Nose is your typical belgian including phenols, clove, spice, fruity sweetness and a warming kick of alcohol astringency in the end. Where this beer deters from the normal belgian is in the sweetness of the aroma. It is quite reminescent more of honey and cherry. Taste includes just about everything you would expect from the aroma: a bit of clove and spice, sweetness exaggerated by cherry/honey and a quite warming finish. Feel of this beer is light and moderately carbed. Overall it is a nice sipper and I enjoy this beer while looking forward to it again each holiday.

The noticable differnces from this beer on tap verse the bottle is that the mouthfeel is significantly lighter but that is probably mostly in part due to the higher level of carb than the bottle version.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2010 15:43:36 | More by stakem

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

Pours amber with just a slight head. Smells of sour cherries and sweet malt with some oak tannins on the back end. Tastes quite tannic with a lip puckering bitterness that carries through to the finish when more sour cherries kick in and help balance the tannins. Not quite what I was expecting, but unusual enough to be enjoyable and interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 15:37:35 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 Vintage

Poured into town hall chalice.

Pours hardly and khaki tan head. Fades down fast. Color is a ruby red copper.

Aroma: Cherries right away. Then I get some spice notes. I'd have to say it is ginger. A nice dose of honey with some biscuit flavored malts. This is a perfect holiday beer.

Taste: Lots of cherries and honey up front. Ginger and spice notes. Bready malts. Maybe some plums and molasses as well. This is a great treat for the holidays.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and refreshingly creamy. A very hint of heat. Medium bodied with a lower amount of carbonation, but that is fine since it is a year old. Ends pretty dry though.

Overall, I was impressed with this one and very drinkable for the abv and the little hint of booze that showed. I really enjoyed this one and it is a great seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 00:10:36 | More by mothman

JohnGalt1

Idaho

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

Edit: Please read this entire review before making any decisions about the worth of Mad Elf.

***

Tonight is a big night for me thanks to Hophead101 ... I was lucky enough to win the Mad Elf LIF that contained a solid 4 year vertical of the much sought after Mad Elf. I am too big a pussy to try all 4 years side by side... soooo.. tonight I am gonna do an '08 and an '05 together. The '08 is in my trusty New Belgium snifter.. the older brother is in a nearly as trusty Chimay goblet.

The pour on both were identical... the sediment stuck alot better on the '05... both had a very short lasting 3/4" head.. both have very clear deep amber red brew (sediment was left in the bottle).. no appreciable difference in appearance. (3.5)

The '08:

Nose: clean belgian ale with fruitiness that may be identified as cherries... but I'm having a time.. lite pale malts and slight but definitely there spicy EtOH... actually really very mild. (3.5)

Palate: Really pretty standard BSDA flavors with a sorta punch of cherry essence mid palate with I guess what could be described as a honey sweetness that has a fairly mild fruity finish.. interesting but not what I would say is something that I would really hunt down.. a little too phenolic toward the end... as it warms.. the cherries show up quite a bit more.. and the honey notes really meld better.. but it still leaves something to be desired. (3.5)

Body: lite side for a brew this big.. belgian or not.. carbonation is surprisingly lite with a more smooth small bubble envelope... (3.5)

Drinkability: Honesty.. I could easily drink "one" or two of these relatively easily.. but again, I wouldn't go out of my way.. easy drinking for a beer of this magnitude.. but it would smack me in the brain fairly quickly. (3.5)

The '05:

Nose: Bready and estery.. slightly oxidized in a good way.. sorta like a fruity tawny port.. toasty.. (4)

Palate: The flavor is much more complex.. MUCH. and amazingly the cherry is much more pronounced.. sorta like a refined Maraschino essence.. like a tablespoon of kirsch in a nice goblet of a good BSDA.. very nice.. the phenolic aspect of the '08 is nearly gone.. the alcohol component is also pretty much completely melded into a much more complex brew.. the finish is more dry with a nice lingering cherry smack (4.5)

Body: The body even feels more refined.. pretty much the same viscosity with a delicate bubbliness (word?) .. (4)

Drinkability: The drinkability actually takes a hit (in theory) with some age.. only because I wanna savor it more.. very nice.. much much more of a sippin beer.. (3.5)

***

Wow.. this was a lesson in beer aging.. Huge thanks Greg.. this seriously made me think.. had I thrown in the '06 and '07, I think the differences would have gotten lost in translation.. this is one of the most generous LIF's that I've seen.. again.. thanks.

I don't know how to review this one.. I have to do the fresh review, but if I had this locally.. I would buy 6 or 12 every year and have a few and probably cellar the rest and not touch them for at least a couple of years.. remarkable what some time can do.

Had I reviewed the '05 here is the standing at 2:00 am MST on 1/28/09

A- / 4.05
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 3.5
rDev: +3.2%

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2009 08:49:34 | More by JohnGalt1

tavernjef

Minnesota

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

Clearish glowing coppery red color, small ivory head that diminishes quickly leaving no lacing. Aroma has a fresh rose semi sweet malty tingle with light phenol and cleaning alcohol notes. Taste has a mild malty start with some slight fruityness that builds into the middle where the fruityness of cherry becomes evident mixed with light raisin and fig, finishing with a slight spicy burn of alcohol which unleashes some more sweet fruityness with nice dry molasses and a slight touch of phenolic yeast and spice notes. Simple in taste but effective in its layering keeping a certain level of complexity. Feel is close to full but falls off quickly, some light chewy and sticky smoothness and malty sweetness throughout with a nice mix of light cake-like drying aspects and even lighter spices and phenols. A nice warmer-upper and actually pretty drinkable even with its 11% due to its smoothness and milder tone.
Thanks to feloniousmonk for saving me a bottle!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2004 03:24:24 | More by tavernjef

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to bs870621345 for this one as a part of a thanks box! Serve from bottle into a Delirium Tremens snifter. Poured a brilliant red-orange with a one finger off-white head to a half finger slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma is comprised of sweet malt, honey, cherries, bananas, and alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, honey, slight cherries, and very subtle alcohol. It had a light feel on the palate with low-mild carbonation. Overall this was a pretty excellent brew. I can't believe this thing is 11%! Excellent aroma and nice flavor that was balanced quite nicely. Definitely a nice fruit aspect going on here to mask the alcohol. This is a must try without a doubt.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 14:23:22 | More by thagr81us

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On draft at Zella's in Baltimore, MD. Served in a Chimay goblet.

A: Virtually flat. Perhaps 1/16 inch head that left no lacing. The color is a pretty ruby-tinged brown. The beer is light enough to see through easily, which I found rather surprising.

S: cherries, sweet malt, Belgian yeast, alcohol

T: A delicious take on a Belgian Strong Dark beer, this brew has an assertive sweet cherry flavor. Belgian yeast and a pleasant malty taste make this an enjoyable beverage. The beer definitely has an alcohol kick, though it is surprisingly not harsh. Well done.

M: more carbonation needed. ABV hidden fairly well

D: A bit too sweet for me to drink more than one. Also, the cherries, while great, would become excessive after a while.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 00:31:03 | More by Huhzubendah

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Mad Elf ontap

Pours a nice reddish brown with a solid, crackling head and some lace. In the nose, caramel malts, cherries and brown sugar sweetness. In the taste, belgian yeast, honey, and soft cherry. Almost tastes like a quad with more fruit notes. Medium bodied, easy and fun to drink. Still one of my favorite seasonals.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 05:11:09 | More by Stinkypuss

ccrida

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, cellared 1 year, poured into my Mad Elf snifter. I've had this beer way to many times, from bottles and draft, but this is the first time I've had one with any significant age.

Appearance is a bright, clear dark ruby, with a 1 finger light khaki, large bubbled head quickly recedes to a decent collar, leaving moderate lace. I'm impressed with the amount of effervescence it still has, and I love the color.

Aroma is dark fruit, classic BSDA, but more figgy then the bright cherry it exhibits when young. Sweet honey like with the slightest bit of a metallic tinge to it, as well as a punch of alcohol. Overall, very sweet and thick.

Taste is incredibly rich, but I'm immediately struck by how rounded out this has become, in a most enjoyable way. Seems likes it's gotten softer yet thicker. There's still a nice spicy yeast character...young, I though it tasted a lot like Dupont's yeast, but now I'm leaning more abbey, with the mild phenols. I'll have to reassess that when I have this year's...While I like the punch from the cherries when fresh, I'm really like how it's softened, but I think it's still got more potential to run. Luckily I've got quite a few left! Overall, I really like the complexity, in spite of the fact that it's really quite assessable for a big ass Belgian style noel. Still, the richness dominates, although paradoxically, it seems less so as it warms, where the fig morphs into more grapelike notes. Strange though, since I served this at cellar temps! The alcohol warms the back of the throat and lingers on the tongue, but is easily lost in the depth of taste.

Mouthfeel is very thick, in spite of the spritz and lighter color. Very cloying from the honey, which is not really my style. Belgians should be digestible, and that's probably the biggest knock here, especially as I think it's thickened with age. But again, as it warms it seems to lighten up, crazy. Guess I'll get to know for sure soon enough, when I visit my folks for the holidays...This cellar sample tonight has got me in an xmas state of mind...bring on the noel's!

Drinkability is fairly low, in spite of how much I really enjoy this special treat, as it's so thick and rich. You don't want to rush it, and you probably shouldn't have more then one, or maybe 3! That being said, when I lived in Pittsburgh and it was readily available, I pigged out on it more then once, and it still has a fond spot in my heart...So I'll say average.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2007 09:53:59 | More by ccrida

RoyalT

Ohio

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

Appearance – Clear and bright orangish-red in color with a very shallow head, probably from the high ABV.

Smell – Big mix of cherry and orange juice, mostly cherry, with a dash of cranberry and yeast. There’s a noticeable but very easy whiff of alcohol as well.

Taste – The yeast comes out more at the taste and mixes well with the cherry juice and booze. This is a sipping ale in every sense. Some spices come out at the finish, making this one a very complex and interesting ale.

Mouthfeel – This one is light for a BSDA but with a strong alcohol sting, probably too much for most. It is smooth as glass though, so watch out!

Drinkability – I enjoyed this one, as did many of my BA Bros, but I wouldn’t offer this to a friend unless they can appreciate the style interpretation. This is for the serious-minded only, but if you’re up for it it’s one hell of an experience.

Comments – OldFrothingSlosh sent this one to me out of the blue, and boy was I ever glad that he did. A big THANX for getting this one out to me – BeerAdvocates rule!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2004 03:28:55 | More by RoyalT

largadeer

Kentucky

2.58/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle received from dyan in our latest trade. Thanks.

Appearance: Auburn in color, good clarity, reddish highlights. The head disappears within seconds of pouring, a byproduct of the 11% ABV and cherries I'd guess.

Smell: Fruity, sweet, bready, and a bit yeasty and medicinal. There's a touch of cherry, but it blends in with the malt and yeast.

Taste & mouthfeel: Malty sweetness paired with fairly reigned-in fruity esters. Cherry is evident in the taste but actually well balanced with the malt, more a subtlety than a dominant flavor, lending a mild tartness as well. This tastes like a bastardized Belgian quad. Some spicy phenols appear in the finish. Very medicinal and cough syrup-like. Bitterness is non-existent. Pretty tough to drink, not my favorite Troegs beer by a long stretch.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2008 03:40:27 | More by largadeer

avalon07

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a ruby color and a cloudy consistency. Almost no head to speak of. Very little lacing either.

S: Lots of cherry in the aroma, along with yeast as well.

T: Tasted of malt, cherries, yeast, and some indeterminate spices. This is a very boozy beer - especially in the finish - and it almost derails the flavor.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a harsh (because of the alcohol) finish. Full-bodied.

O: An uneven beer, to say the least. It has some good qualities, but others are less impressive.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 13:10:25 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clean orange-ish/ amber color with a tan head. In the aroma, cherries and a small honey and alcohol hint. In the taste, honey/ more sugar thean clove, and sweet dark cherries. A smooth, medium bodied mouthfeel and a small honey and cherry mixture in the aftertaste. Good flavor, small alcohol in the nose, and quite easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 20:28:41 | More by OWSLEY069

gford217

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What better time to drink this one than on Christmas Eve? Bottles courtesy of lackenhauser and ClockworkOrange, poured into a snifter.

Pours a very clear copper with a small off-white head that dissipates pretty quickly leaving a tiny ring and no lacing.

The aroma is extremely sweet and dominated by the Belgian yeast and honey. There are hints of chocolate in the background.

The taste is sweet as well, but a little more well-balanced than the aroma. It's got the yeast and honey sweetness throughout and I can actually get some cherries in the taste that I couldn't find in the aroma. The alcohol definitely plays a part in the finish with a strong burn.

The mouthfeel is fairly full and definitely sticky sweet with low carbonation. Almost chewy.

This is certainly a unique offering from Troegs and I really enjoyed it. A tasty holiday sipper to enjoy this Christmas eve.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2008 00:44:06 | More by gford217

ZAP

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Fantastic brew....pours a cherrywood color...nose is spicy..body is medium...carbonation seems low....very few hints of the high ABV...extremely drinkable....some spicy alcohol notes on the flavor... Taste is very interesting...kind of an experimental Belgian Dubbel with soft sweet cherry notes...the cherry is not overdone which would have wrecked the beer....instead it adds a subtle elegance to the final product...also hints of oak, and brown sugar in the flavor...

This is outstanding....this is what all breweries should put out for their winter beers....On my dream tap list this would occupy one of the season lines during the winter months....a must try...lived up to its considerable hype ..

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2004 23:29:25 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I had a pint of this on tap at Brewhouse grille in Lemoyne, PA.

A - A very clear bright crimson w/ amber highlights and a very thin white cap w/ ultra fine bead. The clarity is very transparent w/ carbonation visible as it quickly rises

S - the smell is sweet and honey-like w/ an aroma that has mild fruit notes and subtle malt aroma. The mild hint of alcohol is apparent

M - A srong vinous feel w/ smooth full and thick body w/ slight alcohol warmth and moderate carbonation w/ gentle sweetness

T - A crisp, fruit taste at first followed by a slight honey flavor and strong alcohol flavor w/ a mild creamy malt taste. There is very light cherry tinges which are dry and have a mild tannic element w/ honey-like sweetness that coats the palate after the glass is drained

D - Let's be honest this is a strong beer and the taste only hides it slightly w/ little real fruit flavor to speak of and lots of alcohol which isn't something I personally find to be all that drinkable. I admit it is pretty smooth for the abv, with honey not overpowering, but too much for more than 1 IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2009 17:56:08 | More by Slatetank

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: Funky 12 ounce bottle. A rather annoying big eared wazzack is sneaking over the bannered word “Tröegs”. Seems like the Elves have some kind of rights these days, so now they have to properly scare children and not appeal to them when on a beer label, nice. Listed as a “Holiday Ale” and a weed-whacking 11% abv.

Appearance: Dark orange with ruby pomegranate hues. Watermelon flashes have a lovely soft red sunset feel. Minimal head, little pockets of smattered white lacing and some very lazy carbonation.

Nose: Light malts licked with a faded cherry cough syrup. Creamy grainy malts are here also. Malty aromas build and dominate with a dark skinned fruity aspect. Light on the cherries but it has some tasty fusel alcohol too.

Taste: Sharp fruits, acidic grapefruit and a star-fruit entrance the beginning. Middle has some cherry but it is soaked in a pink grapefruit body. Weird brew that likens to an English Bitter soaked in a resilient Cold fighting Cherry Cough syrup. Sweet finish with yet more grain and hints of spices. Erm....weird but sort of nice.

Mouthfeel: This one has a mixture of alcohol and mixed fruit blended with a rather thick body. Feels big, I’m sure the alcohol helps out here too.

Drinkability: For a double digit brew this one is rather a monster missive but it is not that hard to drink which surprise me. Neither is it sickly sweet, in fact it is rather clean overall.

Overall: Not sure what I make of this one, it’s a strange brew indeed………OK, I thought about it, I still don’t know what I make of this one. It’s one of those beers that is hard to ascribe a style to.

Thanks to OCBrewFish for this one!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 21:47:01 | More by TheLongBeachBum

dirtylou

Washington

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

split 12oz with some sam adams schwillin dude, named blackie

appearance: a full amber, cranberry, bubbly white head with bubbly lacing around the rim...bright and lively

smell: very floral, belgian yeast characteristics, sweet and fruity, light cinnamon and other holiday spices

taste: pretty nice...alcohol noticeable but not offensive, bursting with sugary sweet fruit...apple, plum, grape. lightly toasted malt, light yeast, some tart cherry, a touch of chocolate, slight cinnamon, holiday spice

mouthfeel: medium bodied, well carbonated, slick, not as full as I'd like

drinkability: for the style, a little above average

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2006 03:18:53 | More by dirtylou

jrallen34

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I drank this from the bottle into a chalice.

The beer pours a bright amber that is unbelievably clear. The head is white, doesn't have much retention or lacing.

The aroma is great, it smells like alcohol and christmas. Lots of spice, nutmeg and cinammon.

The taste is surprsingly light and refreshing for a seasonal. I can't believe you can't taste the alcohol considering how high it is.

The mouthfeel is light and the drinkability is very high.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2009 03:35:25 | More by jrallen34

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I tried this from a 3L bottle on Dark Lord Day (thanks Todd). This is one of only 2 beers I'll rate from that day (out of God knows how many others I tried "splashes" of), because it really stood out and I was able to get a decent sized glass of it...

Deep brown color with a wispy almost-foam on top (bearing in mind it was poured into a cognac glass). Delicious aroma of cherries and dark fruits, not unlike a lightly muted Trois Pistoles but with a spice component. The flavor was much better than I'd hoped, lots of fruit and fruity esters, definitely cherry comes to mind.

The beer was thick enough to coat my mouth and keep the flavor long after each sip. Outstanding, I was really glad to have tried it.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 12:21:50 | More by TurdFurgison

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle of the 2008 vintage...so this one is maybe a little older than 4 years. Pours a hazed crimson-copper color with a small, limpid tan head. No lacing and retention fails at this age.

Nose is fairly oxidized at this point but the cherries are still prevalent. Caramel and toffee are the main malt contributors.

Taste is definitely past its prime at this point, but I am surprised at how long the cherries have held on. Malts are somewhere in between a Belgian dubbel and a carmely barleywine. The yeast makes its mark and is a good choice for this beer, feels very 'Belgian' with more age. The alcohol is well disguised and well integrated with the heavy malt. I like this beer better when around the 1-2 year mark, but this was a fun experiment nonetheless. This beer seems to have plenty of detractors, but I find it to be quite delicious at any point in the aging cycle.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 02:14:41 | More by twiggamortis420

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

this is the quintessential holiday brew for me, i look forward to it each year, and have been cellaring different vintages for experiment. i find a year really cools down the alcohol heat and lets the flavors develop. the fresh one im drinking now pours a rich cherry amber color, with a sexy frothy pearly white head nearly three inches tall. the nose is lots of fruity, cherries, plums, baked pears, lots going on. also some honey or molassas sugar, a lot of booze, and a curious blend of winter spices, a little heavy on the clove. the flavor is identical to the nose, if a bit less fruit forward. its very balanced, and you dont taste the alcohol as much as you smell it, but you sure do feel it. whew. belgian yeast and candy sugar work magically together, creating a velvety grog that is sure to warm up the coldest bones in the winter time. relaxed carbonation and about as full a body as you can have in a beer that still lets some light pass through it. it gets really hot in terms of booze as it warms up, but thats just fine by me. overall one beer that is not to be missed come christmas time, and one that i keep going back to again and again. if you get youself a case, put a few in the basement until next year too, youll be glad you did!

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 20:35:57 | More by StonedTrippin

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

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

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

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
11% ABV, 2007 Vintage, Serve in chalice or tulip at 50-55° F

Thanks Onenote81! I've been hanging onto this one for a while!

A - Minor rust has developed around the cap but it's no cause for alarm as this beer pours, without sediment, a mostly clear ruby amber color with a fleeting ivory head. It comes as no surprise the head disappears with how high in alcohol this is. Dots of lace delicately cling to the glass above the ring of loose bubbles.

S - Despite it's aged, this 2007 vintage of Mad Elf remains aromatic and nearly without degradation. Faint oxidation for a five year-old beer is somewhat noticeable though the robust aroma of smooth caramel and biscuit malt which builds a base below the floral clove honey nuances and faint tart cherry skin notes but doesn't quite distract from the joy within. And while the beer has mellowed, spicy alcohol still manages to break free with undertones of earthy clay and clove yeast esters behind.

T - Thick maltiness seems to have diminished in oomph slightly, offering a light caramel drizzled nutty biscuit flavor that's quickly overwhelmed by the beer's developing complexity of fruit and spice. Faint noble hop herbal qualities and smooth yeast esters encourage notes of clove (along with the sweet honey), clay, and white pepper with a touch of solvent alcohol peeking through, but even with age, the focus seems on the cherries, both sweet and tart!

M - Smooth feeling with a voluptuous, full body that's not cloying or syrupy, this hearty holiday ale has a delicate carbonation tickle and complimentary alcohol dryness that maintains balance with a kiss of tart cherry skins on the finish. Alcohol is perceived in retro-nasal breathing but, due to it's age, it's rather smooth, producing a wonderfully satisfying warmth in the belly!

O - An absolutely fantastic holiday treat, Tröegs Mad Elf is a masterful concoction of subtle Belgian yeast that produces spice nuances without the straight addition of spice. Honey sweetness never becomes cloying but adds a little something extra with the delicate cherry tartness. Just as exceptional fresh, age continues to do this strong beer favors, developing into a delectable and soothing winter sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2012 17:26:41 | More by BeerFMAndy

francisweizen

Australia

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is damn good stuff from Troegs. This 11%ABV monster pours out a dark, blood-red colour with no head to be found. Aromas are all over the board and consist of honey, cherries, spices, yeast, candy sugar, malts, and light hops. The taste is a melange of sweet honey and cherry flavors. Like cherries dipped in alchol, sugar, and honey. The mouthfeel is a bit much....a little too syrupy and cloying for my tastes, but still decent. The drinkability is good, but this is a 1 or 2 in a night, kind of beer!

F

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2003 19:01:30 | More by francisweizen