Tröegs Mad Elf - Tröegs Brewing Company

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap and in a snifter glass. Elegant pour yields a receding inch of head. An antiquated amber-orange color with some kind of mystique. No lacing to speak of, as of yet.

Boozy, sour cherry in the far distance, clover honey... very pale, some juicy mandarin, a little bit of soured white wine and a whole lot of clove/banana Belgian yeast character.

Honey in the front, tart cherry/berry in the middle-end, and spicy yeast and alcohol strength on the finish. Estery in a muddled sort of way. Very hot. Lively and a little woody. A sureshot sipper.

A bit thick and raisiny. Sticky and coating. Low carbonation leaves a syrupy mouthfeel, moreso than the beer is actually that thick. A holiday warmer.

A classic, especially out here in PA. Got more at home in the cellar.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 02:49:33 | More by thecheapies

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark reddish-purple, small head is gone quickly, forms to a ring.

Smell is a little weak, but lots of dark fruit, sweet caramel malts, some alcohol in the nose.

Taste is better, very intense dark fruit here, lots of cherries, plum, berries. Slight honey, brown sugar and maybe a hint of chocolate pile on the sweetness that's evened out nicely with some toasted biscuit malt.

High on the carbonation, booze and sweetness is a bit much but it's a nice complex beer that keeps you sipping.

I had this a few times last year, I've enjoyed it each time. Definitely an American-ish take on a Belgian but the intense dark fruit/sweetness/toastiness works out well here as a winter seasonal.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 20:17:21 | More by Chico1985

ssznyter

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Red with a thin layer of foam on top that quickly disappeared. Really enjoyed how just the look of this one was enough to put anyone in the holiday spirit.
Smell: Hint of cherry and a nice Belgian yeast. Sweet and sour.
Taste: Really great. You can definitely taste the alcohol but its not as strong as expected at 11%. The cherry flavor really comes out, especially as it warms up. A nice yeast finish.
Mouthfeel: Light carbonation but pretty good for the beer. I felt like the lower carbonation definitely helps bring out the cherries.
Overall: Great seasonal from Troegs. I'll definitely seek this one out every holiday season both for taste and novelty. Definitely a conversation piece when broken out at holiday get-togethers, and with the 11% alcohol content it definitely helps to warm you up on even the coldest winter nights.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 02:04:25 | More by ssznyter

HopsYeast

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a-pours a clear dark reddish amber with a 1/4 finger pale white head that quickly fads and leaves no lacing.

s-honey, cherries, raisens, heavy alcohol smell, and also has a somewhat sour smell thats a bit of a turn off.

t-taste is a reverse of the smell. a nice warm alcohol flavor mixed in with dark fruits, maltiness, and the slightest hops. lots of dark fruit flavor is preset.

m-somewhat syrupy with very minimal carbonation.

o-well i think im starting to finally get this beer. year after year i tried it and it turned me off completely. this was the first time on tap so it may have been the difference. its deep flavor and warming sensation bought on by the alcohol makes it a good fit for the cold holiday season.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 01:05:59 | More by HopsYeast

Outchillen

Pennsylvania

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

Ive had this on tap, and bottles

A: Nice ruby color. Clear with thin white head

S: Banana and clove belgian yeast, Honey and cherries

T: Sweet honey and cherries, a little clovey yeast, little boozey finish

M: Light to medium body. Medium carbonation.

O: Great winter warmer Belgian beer, sweet and silky smooth, one of my favorites of the year

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 02:22:29 | More by Outchillen

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: on tap at ? (Eulogy maybe)

I have Mad Elf more on tap these days than in bottles, and the profile is similar, though perhaps they've mellowed out a bit with the recipe so that the taste isn't completely overwhelming. Pours--typically into a stem glass--copper-brown with reddish-orange hues that become more visible in the light. Typically, as with the bottle, an off-white head that retains and laces well, and perhaps is more pronounced when being served on tap. Nose of fruitcake, cherries, honey, dark malts, raisins, and cloves. Some alcohol notable. The taste follows the smell almost to a "t," with complex flavors of dark caramel malts, honey and brown sugar, cherries and raisins, and subtle spice. Some alcohol burn. Medium bodied, full-flavored, and highly desirable. I give it points off overall, because despite the fact that I do like it, it is one of the most inconsistent beers year to year as far as flavor goes.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2011 00:18:47 | More by Rifugium

Stanhagen

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Quite simply my favorite beer on earth. I used to look forward to Santa showing up for christmas, now i look forward to the Mad Elf's arrival. Santa used to bring me chocolate covered cherries, now I get to drink a liquid form of the sweet treat with alcohol added.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 04:41:17 | More by Stanhagen

dtivp

West Virginia

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

Poured on tap at Pickles in State College, Pa.
Appearance was an amber/brown with a small off white head that receded quickly into a thin collar with slight lacing.

Aroma of sweet candy with spicy yeast and tart cherries.

Taste followed thew nose with a slight sugar candy sweetness with some spices and the tart cherries. You also knew the alcohol was there.

Mouthfell was a little syrupy, sticky, medium body with some carbonation and a good warming from the alcohol.

This is a very nice beer to drink slowly and enjoy. I would caution enjoying more than two in one sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 19:34:14 | More by dtivp

Durge

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Found at the Wild Horse in Beverly, MA this one's a brilliant light mohogany, reddish-copper color with a fair whispy white head and good lace. The aroma brings a eucalyptus cherry caramel malt. Very pleasant. The flavor follows suit with clove and fruit nougat and a subtle lemony hop front. It carrys a thin maltiness with some granny apple hints and yeast overtones. I think this comes off better on tap than it did from the bottle. The cherry backbone seems a bit deeper. Carbonation is kind of fine. It's medium bodied with a slightly syrupy feel. Drinkability is modest, there's a mild alcohol presence. Overall, a nice change up choice on tap, well done with a bit of an edge.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 07:37:53 | More by Durge

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

3.3/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2009 Vintage Keg on-tap at Hudson Street Stackhouse 1/18/11

A - Clear ruby, almost no head nor lacing.

S - Sour cherry.

T - Cherry, bread, belgian yeast, and other wierd but welcomed flavours that I couldn't sort out.

M - Thick, slightly syrupy, low carbonation.

D - The alcohol was hidden very well, but the sweetness got to me a bit more than I would have liked.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2011 21:28:07 | More by Rickythejeweler

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

Spider889

Ohio

2.53/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Had on tap at winking Lizard last month, review from notes.

To be honest, this one did not live up to the hype in the slightest. There seems to be a really strong following of this one, but I found it to be lackluster and undesirable for future sessions.

Appearance is a cloudy pinkish red color. Not much in the way of head or lace.

Smelled faintly like a triple - it has that slightly sweet yeasty Belgian character. Other scents: a sour cidery quality, clove, and ginger.

The taste was fairly one dimensional and stunted imo. Tart cherries and an apparent sweetness dominate. Not much in the way of other spices, but ginger once more makes a brief appearance.

Too low on carbonation. In fact, on further retrospection the carbonation was way too low considering that this is a Belgian style ale.

Again, I won't be paying for this again. There's been an increasingly large influx of new Christmas beers every year, and that coupled with the old staples that always wow will ensure that I always have many better options for my seasonal fix. The one bump I do give to drinkability is that the 11% abv was very well hidden considering.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2011 19:46:55 | More by Spider889

vfgccp

New York

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Medium grade maple syrup

S - Bright but not overpowering. Raspberry, citrus hops, clove.

T - A fun beer. The flavors are interesting and meld into each other surprisingly well. There isn't any one flavor that stands up and smacks you in the face. Primary flavors are clove, allspice, and brown breads. Touch of bitter melon and bananas deep in the profile.

M - Light body but not overly so. Smooth mouth feel. Finishes sweet with a touch of warm alcohol.

D - Very drinkable. Spice profile isn't overwhelming and there's enough flavor to keep you coming back.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 15:57:30 | More by vfgccp

Chincino

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer a couple of times during a recent trip to Philadelphia. I first had it at the Troegs brewery in Harrisburg as part of a beer sampler of the beers that were on tap that day (8). I also had this beer from a bottle at the Standard Tap in Philly.

A friend of a friend commented that the Mad Elf was a "big beer" which was very true. This Christmas Belgian Ale was had a spicy aroma and really smelled both spicy and sweet at the same time. I wouldn't say this was one of my favorite beers, but it was a good seasonal beer and worth checking out in my book.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 03:19:05 | More by Chincino

Bmoyer0301

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance:

Poured into a standard snifter at O'Riley's pub in Harrisburg. Very Thin bright white head that is fading very quickly as I write. When I hold it up to the light appears to be crystal clear ruby red/ pinkish with absolutely no haze or yeast chunk. Very Very pretty looking. As I give a little swirl I notice the viscosity is pretty heavy but not quite syrupy.

Smell:

Right off the start I am pulling out the cherries, black licorice, sugar honey like sweetness, some medicinal notes that remind of of some cough drops or children cherry cough syrup. Maybe some menthol ? There is some heat alcohol in the finish.

Taste:

Bright honey sweetness, cherries and yeasty phenolic funk are the front and center stage here. Some sour apples, cloves, bananas and absolutely no hops to mention of. This is sweet but not cloyingly overdone. As I keep going cider notes are coming through and I hate to say this maybe pencil shavings?

Drinkability:

I LOVE Troegs but this is one of those beers that never does it for me. I usually have one or two a year just to see how the batch came out and I really should try aging some. I might have better results. Good beer, just not for me for 12% it drinks dangerously smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 12:51:09 | More by Bmoyer0301

PearlJam1221

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this in a snifter at Good Dog bar in Philadelphia.

I ordered this knowing nothing about the beer (I know, that's unacceptable for a BA from Philly, but please bear with me). Fantastic smell, slight cherry, malt, and hops come through in the end. Head was minimal and disappeared quickly. I was surprised by the taste, cherries came through rather strongly, then some alcohol,
Mouthfeel was a little thicker than I prefer or expected, but good for the style. I appreciated that it wasn't sticky and very little alcohol burn. I couldn't believe that the beer was 11% when I checked BA on my phone as I finished the beer. I could easily see ordering a 2nd, but I hadn't eaten yet!

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2010 21:06:45 | More by PearlJam1221

JunkYardJake

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Molly's Pub in Lancaster.
Suprisingly (and probably unlawfully) served in a 16oz pint glass. Looks yummy. Has a larger head than expected for an 11% brew. Crystal clear and crimson in color. Smells absolutely potent and delicious. Dark fruit, cherries, and honey. Palate is very raw and powerful. The tart cherries stand out without feeling like a ''fruit beer''. The alcohol is very strong and warming, which is perfect for a snowy afternoon in the pub. A bit spicy but not over-spiced. Very unique and delicious. Obviously, this is not a beer meant to chug but is plenty drinkable. Probably the best holiday beer I've come across.
12/17/11 Side note: Had a side-by-side tasting with a fresh bottle and one aged a year in my cellar. Wow. What a difference a year makes. The booziness is all but gone and the cherry flavor really stands out. Great beer fresh and even better with some age on it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2010 02:11:47 | More by JunkYardJake

StormKing47

Pennsylvania

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

Enjoyed on tap at my local establishment and reviewed from my napkin notes. We can't all carry around notebooks all the time now can we? So away we go...

A- A glowing ruby red appeal with a dark amber hue that invites you in for more than a smell and taste. It's captivating, almost looks like a fine wine. There is almost no head to speak of because of the ridiculous amount of carb. It's even more razor thin than razor thin. Love that this one comes around every year for Christmas, because it looks like Christmas in a glass.

S- Wow that is an uppercut to the nose. Right away a swell hello from Mr. Abv himself along with some spices, sweet cherries and a cloying honey. As it warms the cherries come to the front and are mellowed by the sweet honey. There are also hints of vanilla and spice notes from the Belgian yeast strain.

T- Kapow! A plague of sweet cherries and a warming of alcohol wake up the taste buds right away. It is a rush of cherry and honey sweetness that has a spiciness and big abv burn to finish. As it warms the abv burn in the finish is subtle and the yeast spiciness takes over to make the beer much more enjoyable.

M- Chewy and thick with a warming sensation like a weak brandy. A little syrupy, but not too thick. Very coating and sticky.

D- Honestly it is very drinkable because the abv is hidden as it warms up and it mellows a little and allows the sweetness of the honey and cherries to come out. Obviously the high abv warrants sipping, so it is all at the discretion of the drinker. Enjoy!

A welcomed winter brew that I look forward to each year. Brings in the cold weather with a tingling warmth. Always a fun time with this beer. Thanks Troegs.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2010 04:19:53 | More by StormKing47

LordAdmNelson

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I like this beer a lot, surpasses Great Lakes Christmas in my book for sure. A dark red brown color with smallish head on it. Nose is sweet malt, some fruitiness (cherries?), some nice spicing to it too. Very holiday, honestly. Flavor follows with some of the same notes, almost fruit-cake-y overall if you up the spicing (cinnamon, nutmeg, and others)--very good. Very smooth and an easy drink. Nice beer, one that I will be getting again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2010 03:50:22 | More by LordAdmNelson

taigor

New York

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into 8oz glass.

A - Poured clear amber color with medium head that slowly dissipated leaving moderate amount of lacing around the glass.

S - Smell is sweet malts, raisins and cherries.

T - Taste is overly sweet with malts and honey. Cherries and slight chocolate taste come through as well.

M - Medium bodied with average carbonation.

D - Alcohol is high and not masked. I would recommend it but dont go out of your way to get it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2010 18:09:49 | More by taigor

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Damn, this is a difficult one to track down if you don't buy some or all of it the moment it comes out, huh?! Gave up trying to find singles or bombers of this - I ain't paying $18 for a six-pack, sorry. Had it at my local today - the first time in a few years trying it - and I gotta say, it's good, just maybe not quite worth the (local) hype.

A decent finger-width, rocky head topped it off to start, but it sunk down quietly and refused to lace. Not expecting much on that end, however, what an intense, gorgeous ruby glow it puts out! (+ 0.5 pts) Big honey and cherry sultriness in the aroma, round and silky smooth, but it never transcends far beyond "hints" and "notes".

You do, however, get a sense that the taste offers a much more concentrated intensity of these scents. Honey carries the bulk of the flavor and feel, coming across like a fruit-flavored mead/braggot. Awfully smooth (one of the most apropos uses of this word) and light - perhaps a result of the quiet-storm profile of the alcohol (which now decides to come out and play). You almost don't feel this flowing through, going down.

Don't be mistaken, the cherry addition to this recipe is substantial as well, and thankfully not in a cough drop or maraschino way - simply a mellow cordial, and in wonderful harmony with the honey. I couldn't, for the life of me, pick out what, if anything, the chocolate malt added to the flavor.

It's remarkable how much I was reminded of my favorite non-beer alc-beverage, Drambuie, when tasting this. It's a well-made brew, if not mind-blowing. A nice digestif - at the least, something to have on a special occasion - but with the slow-creeping and dope-ifying and dastardly-concealed 11%, I'd have trouble putting down more than one at a time.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2010 03:29:35 | More by Bouleboubier

ixodus

New Jersey

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

On tap at the Mohawk House in Sparta, NJ.

A: Light red wine looking color with a very small head that dissipates into little white spots on the top.

S - Sweet Malts, Sweet Medicinal Cherry flavor, Cranberries, Honey, Alcohol.

T - Lots of dark cherry flavor with some cranberries . Slight hopiness and a touch of alcohol.

M - Medium bodied with a nice amount of carbonation. Great Mouth-feel

D - I can see me having a few of these on a Christmas day. I noticed the alcohol but it's not overpowering

Delicious. Despite the high abv I really didn't get any warming feeling.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2010 23:37:08 | More by ixodus

JayS2629

Alabama

5/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My favorite beer ever so far. Only the Rochefort 10 gives it competition in complexity.

A- A ruby amber with a slim tan head. Slightly translucent, but a rich deep color.

S- Sweet with a strong belgian yeast at the front. Hints of rich dark cherry and spices. A slight apple and honey smell. Very nice.

T- The honey outweighs the cherry, but it is ver nice. A bit heavy with a slight apple taste. The spice is strong and similar to chai. You can tell its strong, but its masked well with sweetness. Smooth when cold.

M- Full bodied. A bit heavy, but masked so well when cold it goes down to easy to be 11%. Great Christmas beer.

D- full of soul. So smooth when cold you would never guess the alcohol content. Slight burn at the back of throat just to let you know you aren't messing around. Overall sweet and spicy. Absolutely delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2010 03:34:55 | More by JayS2629

SamuelJackson45

Pennsylvania

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

I had this beer about over 6 months span from my first time in season to 2 weeks ago when 6 month age. And this beer mature very well. The sourness of the cherries die down and just so sweet the beer is like liquid candy with some kick. The age made it sweeter but also stronger which is good to my liking. I do enjoy this beer and wish this was a year round beer. The Troegs brothers got this making beer down and just impressing me and more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2010 13:26:16 | More by SamuelJackson45

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a deep orangeish red with a small head, minimal lacing

S: Cfruits on the front, notes of cherries and grapes, some honey in there along with banana. Smells quite nice

T: Sweet with fruit flavors, cherries and grapes, this gives way to a bitterness in the middle which seems out of balance with the delicate sweet flavors on the front. The finish has some spicy notes and a long finish

MF: very light for the ABV, alcohol is well masked. Carbonation is nice.

Great brew!

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2010 22:03:30 | More by cdizinno