Tröegs Mad Elf - Tröegs Brewing Company

thlayli87

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear ruby color with two fingers of head that quickly recedes. No lacing.

S - Belgian funkiness, fruity.

T - I definitely get the cherry flavor immediately. Very sweet. Caramel and dark candied fruits. Yeasty.

M - Slightly syrupy. Full bodied with medium carbonation.

O - This is definitely a sipping beer due to the sweetness and high ABV. Unique mixture of flavors. I would get this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 23:26:49 | More by thlayli87

sDon

4.53/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A friend recommended this beer to me, and I was not disappointed.

The beer was dark and served from tap in a 16 oz pint glass. It has instant sweetness in its taste -- cherries and almonds -- that is not too intense and blends well with the general dark beer flavor. Nothing about it seems artificial or forced, as can be the case with some flavored beers.

The ABV was a bit too high and prevented long term drinking, but perhaps this cannot be avoided. I hope that I drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2013 23:28:58 | More by sDon

LTaylor

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Sweet and spicy, a mouthful of Christmas cheer - it's my favorite winter seasonal beer. It's flavorful and complex, but doesn't sit heavy in your stomach, plus the high alcohol content puts you in a nice place if you're with family that drives you nuts during the holidays.

I personally like sweet beers, and this one (with honey, cherries, and chocolate flavors) is definitely on the sweet side, so the subtle spice may not be enough to balance it out for those who prefer more spice and hoppy flavors.

You're supposed to drink Mad Elf out of a glass or chalice, but I had it straight from the bottle on this occasion. I recommend using a glass, because I couldn't smell the beer as well. I got a decent mouthful of both honey and cherry flavor when I tasted it (with moderate carbonation) and the spicy flavors lingered on my tongue, which I enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 19:06:50 | More by LTaylor

Andrew61923

Connecticut

2.88/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from 12 oz bottle into Portsmouth Brewery tulip. Sat out of fridge for ten minutes before opening. Picked this up a few months ago and figured it was time to drink it, even though the holidays have passed.

A: Pours a deep ruby with a quickly dissipating off-white head, which forms a thin halo. Lots of floaties in the glass, which I was not expecting. Not terrible, but I would have liked this to be more filtered.

S: Clove, bubble gum, and cherries. True to the style, but not things I usually want in my beer. It doesn't smell bad by any means, but I can tell this isn't going to be my favorite.

T: Sweet with the same notes of bubble gum and cherries. Again, not my thing.

M: The ABV is high and you can tell. There is a pretty substantial burn at the end of each sip down my throat. I had thought about sitting on this for a year and, while I doubt I would like the flavor that much more, this would have probably improved. As is, however, I'm not a fan.

O: In hindsight, I'm not sure why I bought this beer. I'm not a huge fan of the style and I tried as much as possible to enjoy it, but it's just not growing on me as I drink it more. At least I know to pass on buying it next year and I'm thankful I only got one.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 02:14:16 | More by Andrew61923

dexterk1

Illinois

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

Being the Christmas season I picked up a bottle of this last week. Poured into a pint glass with a dark reddish/amber color. Head disappears quickly.
Odor is sweet and malty. Some fruitiness as well. Smells like cherries and some spice.
Taste is sweet and strong. Flavor is big and there until the end. Cherry and other berries are the predominant flavors. Some maltyness as well and a little lingering alcohol note. Mouth feel is full and rich. Lingers until the end when the alcohol comes through a bit. No hop bitterness at all really.
Overall, not a bad holiday beer. I enjoyed it, however this time of year is the only time.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 21:33:38 | More by dexterk1

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a deep amber to red with just a bit of head that disappates quickly. Little lacing left on the glass. Aroma is cherries and sweet honey - easily detectable. Taste is strong - slight alcohol presence but not surprising at this strength. Reinforces much of the nose - cherries are slightly sour and present up front through the middle where the honey takes over on the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 01:59:28 | More by Oakenator

Kenmo1985

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

A very strong Belgium ale that as a sweet taste that counteracts the alcohol taste very well, a slight hint of cherry flavoring, which is nice, unlike other Cherry Flavored beers that can be to overpowering and taste like cough syrup. the smell is sweet and robust. mouthfeel is smooth as it enters your lips. overall i gave the beer a 5 and i highly suggesst that you get this beer it is very much a winner in my book.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2012 21:40:57 | More by Kenmo1985

inlimbo77

Delaware

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

22oz, 2012
Snifter

A: Nice color on this: reddish amber. Fairly filtered and clear. About a quarter finger of bright white head. Turns into ring around edges.

S: Belgian spices. Candied sugar sweetness. Honey sweetness. Smell those cherries. Tartness is there.

T: Tip of the tongue, spice. Holiday spice notes. Sweet honey sweetness. Those cherries blend in nicely. Get some of that tartness on the palate. Somewhat dry tart finish.

M: Big medium.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 14:44:07 | More by inlimbo77

sommersb

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 12-26-2012
Freshness: 2012 Vintage
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Goblet
Purchased: Received in a trade

It's the day after Christmas, so a little Mad Elf seemed appropriate...

This beer isn't much to look at -- pours a semi-clear reddish-brown with very little head to speak of. The head disappears quickly and leaves no lacing behind.

Smells are malty and sweet, with big fruit and cherry notes. I also get some complex holiday spice aromas such as cinnamon and clove. I think I can also detect the added honey, but maybe that's just because I read it on the label...

Full-flavored ale here, sweet and of dark, ripened fruits like raspberry and cherry. Bitterness is low if not non-existent.

Mouthfeel is full in body with carbonation in the medium range. Finish is fruity and sweet, with a lingering spice flavor. The 11% makes itself known with some pleasing alcohol warmth.

Overall an enjoyable spiced holiday ale. The appearance left something to be desired, but other than that was a brew I'd recommend to anyone who likes malt-forward spiced holiday beers.

Thanks to baybum for this one!

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 04:57:44 | More by sommersb

tobelerone

New Jersey

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

Murky reddish brown body with a small quickly sinking head and some nice slippery lacing. Aroma packed full of yeasty Belgian esters that are both spicy and quite fruity; vague honey notes and booze follow. For me the flavor was much the same, a big punch of yeast esters bringing lots of fruit and spice, with a late arriving wave of honey sweetness and warming alcohol. Decent grainy malt base, cherries overwhelmed by both yeast and booze and fail to bring much in the way of tartness that would clean things up a bit and cut the syrupy character of the beer a bit.

Medium body, medium carbonation that's pretty much right on target for a Belgian style brew. Moderately smooth and sticky. In the end this is a pretty solid take on a dark Belgian but its a bit sweet for my tastes and doesn't surpass the better iterations from overseas.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 04:46:00 | More by tobelerone

LeRose

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle to snifter.

Aroma seems to lack any cherry. Smells boozy, hint of honey like sweetness.

Pours dark honey brown with reddish hues. No appreciable head, but plenty of bubbles. Attractive looking.

Initial taste get the alcohol burn, not getting the cherry. Dry finish, sweetness and honey notes. Still not finding the cherry taste at all despite some medicinal hints. Surprisingly bitter. The honey and sweetness seemed to build, then a bit of sourness after a few minutes. Coats a but with lingering sweetness.

Overall, a little disappointed but this is quite warming and it is pretty old here today. Will keep sippin on it, but nothing I would rush out to buy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 18:36:05 | More by LeRose

StretchZep

Ohio

4.73/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Awesome just the right amount of "heat" and sweet! Wish I had picked up two of these. Got it in the bomber bottle and am three sips into it and bumming out about has little is left. It is the good! Lots of smooth maktyness and a nice bitey cherry finish! Merry Christmas!!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 23:45:28 | More by StretchZep

Treyliff

West Virginia

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

A- pours a clear ruby red color with a small creamy white head that reduces to a ring around the glass with some short lasting lace.

S- ripe cherries with some other dark fruits, slightly medicinal, twizzler candy, sweet honey, and a bit leathery.

T- slightly tart cherry juice up front with some dark fruit notes, transitions into some sweet honey with some peppery spice, medicinal notes creep in afterword. Finish is sweet-yet-dry and warming. Definitely a sipping beer!

M- medium body, low carbonation, a bit heavy in the palate, creamy mouthfeel and velvety finish. Slightly warming on the throat, but hides the alcohol quite well.

O- a string beer that will sneak up on you, however the alcohol is hidden quite well and the cherries make it an enjoyable sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 02:22:54 | More by Treyliff

brewskifan55

Mississippi

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

Poured into a New Belgium chalice at cvm4's holiday sampling. Thanks for the trade, Gus!

A: Opaque, ice tea amber with a half finger head that scampers quickly. Few bubbles.

S: Dark fruits, particularly cherries. Sweet, honey, leather.

T: Cherry sweet, caramel, malts, honey. Robust. A very easy drinker.

M: Medium. Bubbles like crazy.

O: Very festive. Alcohol is well hidden. More malts pop through as it warms. A mad elf worth catching.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 15:51:48 | More by brewskifan55

cvm4

Mississippi

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours amber with a white head to it.

S - The cherry comes through a lot, with bready malts and sweet yeast.

T - A nice spiciness that leads into cherries and sweet malts. I'm surprised at how well hidden the abv is.

M - Medium body & carbonation.

O - Really good, crisp on the palette.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 00:54:02 | More by cvm4

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

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer is the first to emerge from my cellar after a short two month sleep. The beer pours a ruddy ruby, with a light, gently cream colored head. The body of the beer is clear and caramelly with little to no carbonation coming up through. On the nose the beer smells big with honeyed raisins, slight candied sugars, bready caramel, and only the faintest ghost of cherry. Spicy alcohol, similar to what you might find in a quad, is also definitely present in the nose. The beer tastes lightly of cherries and honey, transitioning into bready caramel and Belgian yeast character, with a light alcohol spice. The beer begins with an almost framboise like cherry sweet flavor, mixed quickly with spicy alcohol and then creamy honey which opens the beer into grainier caramel and Belgian yeast notes, and light candied sugars. There is a huge cereal bread taste in the middle of the flavor which dies off quickly, but does leave a light bread lingering in the finish and aftertaste. This beer is hugely complex in flavor, and with only 2 months in the cellar it seems to have none of the huge alcohol flavors that other reviewers describe. On the mouth this beer is smooth and caramelly, sitting on the tongue at a medium to heavy body with nearly no carbonation to speak of. The only bite comes from the faint alcohol at the back of the throat, but this is really quite faint, and considering this is 11%, I really don’t taste the heavy alcohol flavor. Overall, I’m a huge fan of this beer. It is a great holiday sipper, to be had in moderation for sure. I could obviously not slug this beer back, but if you put it in a small glass, swirl it around and observe its holiday appropriate color, and then savor and enjoy it. It kisses the tongue, packs a wallop of alcohol, and seduces my taste buds with warm sweet flavors that I want in a holiday beer. A beer to have on Christmas night for sure!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 00:40:11 | More by Maxwell

themind

New Jersey

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

A nice brew from Troegs. This beer pours a nice head and has good aroma. The cherries can be tasted but the beer is not sour. I must say this was very enjoyable and I will seek out another sixer next year to enjoy. The 11.5% abv is slightly hot but the brew still has a decent mouthfeel.

Bottom Line: A good holiday beer to enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 10:49:15 | More by themind

KajII

North Carolina

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

[Suggested Glassware: Trappist Glass]

The pour was a clear ruby red with a small (less than 1 finger) white fizzy head that dissipated rapidly, down to a small collar with a wisp of residue left floating on top and poor runny lacing.

The aroma was upfront with a nice cherry scent along with a light bread malt and a sweet yeast and had notes of honey, cinnamon, a bit of spice and a little more than mild alcohol tinge.

The taste was fruity sweet and a very lightly malty with a touch of cherry and honey throughout, with the finish becoming rather yeasty with a hint of cinnamon and a slight spicy alcohol ending. The flavor lasted a decently long time following the swallow, having a nice yeasty and fruity cherry taste along with a mild alcohol warming sensation left behind.

Mouthfeel was a few shades above light in body and dry in texture with an almost prickly carbonation.

Overall I found this brew to be exceptionally tasty with a good fruity flavor that was blended very well with the yeast and spices, allowing for a very good concealing of the exceptionally high ABV thus creating a superb drinkability. I do believe this is the best Winter Seasonal I have tasted to date, and I want more…

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 14:03:34 | More by KajII

ChrisPratz

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

A: Poured from a 12 oz glass, shows a ruby reddish brown color with about an inch of head with large bubbles that dissipates quickly. No lacing down the glass.

S: Sweet cherry coming thru on the nose with a large spice profile from the yeast. Some malty sweetness as well.

T: Nice, not overly sweet cherry flavoring up from leads right into a nice spiciness that leads into some heat from the alcohol. Some nice candy notes on the after taste with that spice and alcohol heat clinging to the palette.

M: Nice carbonation, with some heat and dryness from the high alcohol content.

O: NIce enjoyable winter holiday ale. Good cherry flavor that isn't overly sweet and the spiciness works well with the heat form the alcohol. Would def get a sixer to enjoy on a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:12:50 | More by ChrisPratz

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a mad elf glass

A: pours a dark ruby red, with a finger of off white head, no lacing to speak of.

S: bit of honey, a bit of cherry, a bit of brown and candy sugar, and a while lot of Soicy Belgian yeast aroma.

T: much like the nose, I taste honey, and cherry with alotnofnapice coming from te Belgian yeast, caramel and alcohol

M: medium with light carbonation almost syrupy, bit lush a the same time.

O: a nice winter time beer, deffiantly a sipper for a cold night, especially if you like spicy Belgian yeast. The only thing holding me back from giving a higher score here is that i personally not a fan of spicy Belgian yeast, and by that I mean cloveyness, that's the best way I can explain it, but if you are a fan I could see how this is an excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 01:52:40 | More by PeterIngemi

Pinknuggets

Vermont

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

Bomber to worthy sniffer

A: ruby red not even brown almost like a Shirley temple in terms of color with a white to grey head that goes away quickly with no ring. The thought of dark cherries is there.

S: I don't know what it is but as soon as I smelt it my first thought was "this is definitely a belgian style" its that spiciness i guess. There are strong smells were I feel like I can almost smell the hidden alcohol but I cannot smell it directly. The smell is very pungent but I can't describe what it smells like other then belgian maybe a hint of cherries but thats a reach.

T: It has that spicy nature to it that follows the nose the honey sweetness and flavor is actually fairly easy to distinguish. As the flavor continues the cherries definitely start to come out there is a tart flavor there that balances well with complex malt flavors in the finish. It is also a good combination with the spices that comes out as well in the finish.

M:Light carbonation surprisingly that makes the feel more delicate. It is very oily but not necessarily thin. The abv is literally no where to be found this stuff is dangerous its not sniffer totally drinkable and it will knock you out quick if your not careful but this isn't my first rodeo with this beer.

O: First off I tried this beer for the first time last year solely for the name/label (with the drunk elf) and the abv so ill give it that as selling point. The taste is decent but did not blow me away above average for sure but not greatness same is true for the mouthfeel. The fact that blows me away and will keep me coming back to this beer is the back that the abv is 11% and its totally drinkable., the average person wouldn't even notice. Needless to say it will warm you up quick during the holidays and as long as its tasty ill take it.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 00:28:44 | More by Pinknuggets

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

PsilohsaiBiN

New York

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Reddish amber, with a head that dissipates fairly quickly.

Smell: Cherries with some vinous undertones and some honey underneath it all. Pretty strong and pleasant.

Taste: Cherries, booze, malts and belgian style yeast. The ending is a bit too boozy for my liking, in that it's not covered effectively enough to hide the 11%. If the funky(corianderish), boozy ending could be fixed through aging, I'd probably buy these a year early, just to mellow them out before I drank them. Being that I bought a sixer of this and I'm not exactly crazy about it, that will probably happen. I guess I'm just not crazy about coriander type ending.

Mouthfeel: A bit thick with average carbonation.

Overall: Again, there's just something going on in the ending, be it strong booze and/or coriander, that just doesn't do it for me. I bet that if you let this age, the cherries will eventually hit harder on the back end. I don't know if aging can fix this, but one can dream...can't they?

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 04:47:52 | More by PsilohsaiBiN

FosterJM

California

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

1646th Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet
12oz

2012 Bottling
Thanks to TroyG2352 for this one.

App- A almost pure ruby red color with a good amount of density and weight behind it. Poured out of the bottle a bit thicker than I was thinking for some reason. A good bit of deeper reds on outside with only a small 1/4-1/2" head that was there and gone. No lacing or cling.

Smell- Right upfront I get most of the cherries and that honey kick is there. I am pretty against honey but will try it when its in beers. Hell maybe one day Ill like it. The spices come into play and seem to be so-so on this. Not the most well integrated with the style but drowned out a bit by the 11% as well.

Taste- This just reminds me of a spiced beer blended with Wisconsin Belgian Red. Big bold cherry with some good honey note (still not sold on honey in beer) A lot of spices from the style direction but just tastes flat and un balanced to me. Not necessarily a harmonious thing.

Mouth- A big full medium body with a good medium carbonation level. Residual cherry and spice are there and this was the best aspect of the beer.

Drink- I was given a few bottles of this. I will hold some back for a year or two and see what happens as the 11% mellows and fades and just changes this beer. I can see good things but not really fresh.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 17:30:54 | More by FosterJM