Scratch Beer 69 - 2012 (More Helles, Less Bock) - Tröegs Brewing Company

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Troegs, reviewed this before 70, but adding now from notes -served chilled in a stange at the tasting room in Hershey.

The color is golden, clear brilliant shade -a bright (helles)appearance with thick white cream with tiny bead and visible carbonation with excellent retention. Smell is very malty with some toasted pilsner malt aroma with subtle tinge of floral hops and light yeast ester which adds a bready element to the nose. The feel is very good, moderately full with bready and creamy yeast with subtle spice of hop and mostly dry body with moderately high caronation and finish is sem-sweet w/ slight tinge of bitter and mild toast/mineral in the background.

The helles is nicely balanced with some semihigh pils malt flavor with some herbal elements of hops which compliment the flavor well with mild yeast taste whichis dry and adds to the cracker-like malt wth spicy hints of hops and toast which trade off with mild alcohol in the final sips. The slight caramel element gives body and helps reinforce the bock part of the flavor with grainy grassy flavors in the finish.
Overall this is a great blend of both -blurring the lines of each style if you wanted a stronger helles or more drinkable bock this should fit the bill.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2012 16:48:43 | More by Slatetank

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

In a stange at the brewery. Two glasses in, I was in love.

A: The helles bock sure is light, a robust golden straw color that I can clearly see through. A steady stream of bubbles makes the long trek from the bottom of the glass to the top - all in support of a half finger of white head. Lacing follows in a predictable layered pattern.

S: The nose is bready with plenty of sweeter notes running around. Nuts and breads, a bit of toast, lead to sweeter floral aromas with a fruity finish. The malty side is dominant, but the hops and yeast manage to sneak a few pops in. Very robust without being to strong.

T: Plenty light but the lager sure has a great feel. The toasted breads are strong, biscuit and caramel along with some nuts. Hops follow with an earthy feel - almost like noble but with more citrus than herbs - and accompany the malts nicely. The lager has just a bit of fruitiness running around mid sip, light enough to be noticed but not so strong as to change the nature of the bock. The result is dangerously drinkable, a four star untappd call at that point. The finish brings more breadiness to the surface before riding off into the sunset.

M: Two stanges in and I was wishing that I brought along a growler. The lightness, flavorful without being too strong, hit the right notes for me. This one should have been part of the PBW to do.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2012 18:16:51 | More by akorsak

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ the brewery on 6/7/12. Served in a stange.

Pours a clear gold, topped with a rich ½ finger of bright-white frothy head. This stays robust, leaving back some thick spotty lacing behind. The aroma smells leafy, spicy, and citric, with maybe a touch of mineral notes as well. The malts and to a lesser degree, the ABV give a push up from the underneath, with sweetness and light warms propping those hops up nicely.

The taste definitely has a bit of a Bock-like thickness to it with sweet notes of honey and buttered toast. The hops here are actually fairly aggressive as well, with a bitter spiciness that spreads out and then green citrus character that works well with the malts. The finish on this is very dry with lingering notes of spice and bitter earth. The mouthfeel is medium, maybe just a touch fuller, with a silky smooth crispness to it that just prickles the tongue a bit as it glides along. There is a little beefiness to this along the back but that Helles side definitely brings it home in the overall feel department with a crisp and drinkable presence.

I liked this, as it definitely delivered what was promised here, with a bit of a sweet and beefy Bock character to it but then in the end the overall crisp and refreshing hop presence of a Helles wins out. This was really tasty and unique and I appreciate the experimentation here. This beer is what the Scratch series is all about IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2012 18:00:11 | More by Kegatron

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at the brewery.

A - Pours clear golden yellow with a nice one and a half finger tall white head leaving thin rings of sticky lace down most of the glass.

S - Smells of mildly toasted grain, caramel, herbal hops, toasted nuts and some light fruitiness. A flowery note creeps in as it warms up. Nothing too over the top, just a solid nose.

T - Starts off with the toasted grains quickly giving way to hints of caramel sweetness, herbal noble hops and some freshly toasted nuts. Finish is a little chewy with some caramel malt sweetness, lingering on the palate for a little while after consumption.

M - Light body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Crisp, chewy feel just like 64 but with a bit of extra sweetness. It took me a few extra sips to finish this one, still very easy to drink however.

O - Fairly similar to Scratch 64, maybe with a bit more sweetness this time. They have really been making some great German beers recently and this one is no exception. I will get my fill while it is around.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 20:22:34 | More by orangesol