Why we picked it: We usually have Troegs' Mad Elf in the 24 DoB. This year we passed on the Mad Elf and added Troegs' seasonal, Blizzard of Hops.
About Tröegs' Blizzard Of Hops Winter IPA: We created this Winter IPA to toast hop growers around the world for another successful harvest. This storm of hoppy citrus and pine notes is a bright reminder the end of the Hop Cycle is only the beginning.
Beer Advocate Score: 85
Malt: Pilsner, Unmalted Wheat, White Wheat
Hops: Centennial, Chinook, El Dorado
Dry Hops: Chinook, Galaxy
Yeast: Ale
Color: Deep Gold
Serving Suggestions: Tumbler, 45-50 degrees
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: 80
Case Cost: $36
*website: http://www.troegs.com/beer/blizzard-of-hops/
7 pm and no comments yet? Come on people. Walk in the door and crack open the beer. Highlight of every December day. I'm a huge Troegs fan (yes, even the Elf). This is the first beer of the month that I had before, last December at ChurchKey. Let's just say it wasn't my first beer of the evening and I made some sarcastic comment about it needing more hops. Much better tonight. Definitely my style of beer even if it doesn't include cascade, the greatest of all great hops. Gave Ro a sip and she promptly took half. Which is good that she liked it but bad that I'm only getting six ounces. I won't even have enough to pair it with the banana bread I just burned that is cooling....
ReplyDeleteThis is up there with the Toaster Pastry for me. May need to hunt both down for a December 25th side by side comparison.
Since I'm here, I'd just like to say that I really depend on the 24 days of beer to keep me sane and optimistic at this tough time of year. The days are short and cold, I've got to move a fucking elf every night, my brother-in-law sent his 14 photos for the "family calendar" that I am in charge of creating via individual text messages, and I have zero gift ideas for anyone. Thank again to Tony and Mark.
Bill - spot on , people are horrible. We need focus, concentration on these beers. Let's get our priorities in order
DeleteDamn good!! I agree, right up there with the Toaster Pastry.
ReplyDeleteI have a list of the selections I like the best, where can I find them?
Tony charges a 1$ restocking fee for anything you'd like more of. Free delivery.
DeleteNow there's a smell I like!!! Can't wait to taste this. Nice color on this too. From the smell I expected this taste. I like it very much. I like my IPAs and I am certainly a fan of this beer. Not the best IPA I've had, but this is good. Grade 8.5 of 10, B+
ReplyDeleteI concur, this is top 3 thus far! Did the beer in your Pilsner glass dance like Champagne , wow this thing was excited to be out of the can.
DeleteWhen it comes to Troegs, Mad Elf and Troeganator will always be winners their winners. That being said, this one was still pretty good. Hops with a little winter ale taste which makes a decent combination.
ReplyDeleteIs it bad that the 24 beers is one of the first things I think about each day? Certainly makes it easier to get through a day of teaching middle schoolers who are progressively getting more crazy with Winter Break on the horizon.
It's only crazy if you start taking the days beer with you to work, sitting it on the desk and giving it that come hither look. Actually that's kinda awesome.
DeleteDo not neglect the troegs nugget nectar. Always a solid addition to your rotation when it is around.
DeleteI definitely like this one, it goes down pretty smooth for an IPA and the double bonus is I don't think Megan is going to open hers so the second one will probably be even smoother. I'm also like the design of this label and how the hand writing font continues on the stats.
ReplyDeleteWe need a separate board for all these asthetic comments about the cans. I especially like the big snowflake on the right side, it has a very geometric shape and is a nice contrast to the background color
DeleteI like the winter tones on this one. I was worried it might be a little too citrus-y based off of the description, but was really happy with it. 4-stars on Untappd...
ReplyDelete"Refills all around"
ReplyDeleteVery tasty, not over powering yet very nice hop nose followed by a smooth bitterness. Nice pine notes!
I'm still having Mad Elf 😀
I'm cutting and pasting my comment from yesterday, replacing Schlafly with Troegs. And giving a lower score cuz I don't like IPA's
ReplyDeleteEh... unremarkable. Especially coming from Troegs. Probably the most boring beer so far and dare I say biggest disappointment yet. If this came from another brewery my score would probably be higher but I know Troegs can do way better. C-!
Word association can be a terrible thing. I logged in earlier today to see what was in store. Blizzard of Hops. Reminded me of Ozzie Osborne's "Blizzard of Oz" album (1981). Have had "Mr, Crowley" looping endlessly in my head. All afternoon. Nice. Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is really good. Crisp and refreshing with a nice bite. I've never had this before, but after 24DOB introduced me to Mad Elf a couple of years ago, I have enjoyed most of Troeg's offerings including Hopback Amber. This one goes on the "Nice" list.
The new number 1 on my list of the beers tasted so far. I have enjoyed tasting all the beers and look forward to continuing the countdown.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, I like Troges beer and normally hate IPA. Unfortunately, even a Troegs IPA can't tickle my taste buds in a positive way. Won't be seeking this beer out in the future
ReplyDeleteI drank this one around 630 but am now almost 4 hours later commenting... it was above the bar I guess.. I don't really remember. It wasn't bad.
ReplyDeleteI was looking forward to this one after I saw the can. I like name and I like the can art. I'm intrigued by the description of the "storm of hoppy citrus and pine notes" and am hoping that the citrus more than balances out the pine. Upon opening and pouring I can't help but get a great noseful of hopiness. I can definitely pick out the fruity/citrusy element, which I really like. For my tastes, this is "very hoppy", but not to the point of being unpleasant. I was waiting for a harsh bitter aftertaste that never came - very nice! I really had no idea what to expect from the malt side. It's definitely in the background, playing a supporting role. I'm at the bottom of my glass and wish I could have one more. Overall I really like this beer and would definitely like to try it again sometime. Another good one!
ReplyDeletePine reference and yet anchor steam is many days away
DeleteI have had this every year since its conception and it is an excellent showcase of hops used correctly.
ReplyDeleteSits on the tongue like a welcome guest, citrusy with some pine... Smooth for the style, it eggs you on the drink deeper. juicy and lively-hopped, not piney or too zesty. this one has always known exactly how far to push when it comes to hoppiness.
*to, not "the", sorry.
DeleteJust cracking this one open at midnight. This was...okay. not too exciting. Taste like a standard IPA. Not sure I've had any other winter IPAs.
ReplyDeleteI closed the restaurant tonight and we tapped a keg of the Green Bullet this afternoon. I had to do some quality control and have 1.5 pints of this 10.1% monster triple IPA. Then I crushed a schlafly Schwartz. I am feeling great right now at the wee hours of the morning.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why I expected this to be darker when I poured it...
I love this beer! It is complex and wonderfully hoppy. Hops and malts play together and I get a nice little sweet fruitiness in the mid palate.
I'll definitely snag a sixer if this the next time I see it. It will also make its way into my permanent holiday rotation.
Sincere apologies for one-day-late entry, but this beer was pleasant enough to be worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteAlready an IPA guy, I was looking forward to that nice mix of hops, and I wasn't disappointed. Troegs didn't knock socks off with this one, but it delivered a very enjoyable beer with an enticing aroma and a relaxing citrus-ness. It was surprisingly balanced, considering the 80 IBUs, but that's right in my wheelhouse. I was a little disappointed when I got to the bottom of the can, and I wouldn't mind another one or two. So while this beer won't make it onto my "List of Best Beers Ever List," it will probably be up there with Toaster Pastry as a damn fine 2015 selection - and it will certainly make it into my belly after leaving a smile on my face.
Oh man, this beer is delicious! Enjoyed every bit of it. My kinda IPA!
ReplyDeleteA-
I dig troegs, especially their seasonal ones. Great stuff, though I fell asleep while drinking this and it was better cold than warm.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy that while reading the flavors on the outside of the can, I could actually taste them too - especially the pine.
DeleteApologies for being a day late. I went to company holiday party yesterday, and my palet was dead by the time I got home.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I waited because this is right up my alley. A drinkable IPA with just the right amount of hoppy bite. I immediately wanted another. Troegs does it again 4.25/5.
pretty good but too bitter
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