A taste of… Troegs Hop Back Amber Ale

Troegs Brewing Co.
800 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104-1652
(717) 232-1297

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Troegs Amber Ale was purchased for $3.04(USD) at Gristede’s Supermarket in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is no date code on the bottle.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: A crystal clear deep red copper colored brew with a very light carbonation of tiny bubbles is capped with a light sparkling sandy tan head of tiny to medium sized bubbles. The Belgian lace clings to the head as it slips down the side of the glass.

Aroma: The first impression is of fresh green herbal accents with a hint of balsam fir. The second “nosing” revealed brown sugar aromas with a hint of molasses. The third nosedive found a whisper of wet wood.

Flavor: The refreshing first sip brought a rock sugar candy introduction followed by a slight spike of metallic flavor. The second sip brought up more of the brown sugar sweetness. The third swallow had the olfactory and flavor receptors exchanging notes and enjoying the tang of the green vegetal flavors.

Mouth feel: A creamy first sensation and then a more refined body follows.

Finish: The spike of hops is enjoyable and prepares the drinker to explore the next sip or the meal before them should they be so lucky.

Comments: What we have here is brown ale, almost a mild, with a noticeable hop flavor.

Food & Beer: As I mentioned above… this would be a good table beverage for everyday supper, if you are lucky enough to be able to sit and enjoy a leisurely meal at the end of your day. If not… you now have an excuse to do so.

The Brewery: http://www.troegs.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/694/6322

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/troegs-hopback-amber-ale/17495/