What Tröegs has to say: 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.
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: 80
Fun Fact: Tröegs Independent Brewing, based in Hershey, has emerged as one of America's leading craft brewers. In 2016, thew brewery ranked 38th in size among America's craft breweries and is sold in 10 states. The company has won 18 medals at the Great American Beer Festival since 2006. In 2012, the festival honored Troegs as the Mid-Size Brewer of the Year.
Ok, I'm really behind on my reviews. I won't try to play catch-up but last nights Ninkasa was one of my favorites. 4 out of 5. Then again, pretty much anything tastes good after 7.5 hours in the family van. The Imperial Stout the night before was my least favorite so far. Had an odd, liquid soap like aftertaste.
ReplyDeleteBlizzard of Hops rates high. I think I'm developing a thing for citrusy hops. I don't get how that's a winter thing though. 4 out of 5 Bumpus Hounds.
Liked the Troegs - I learn I should try more Troegs. I give it 4 Hells Bells. Almost surprised I like it, as I admit I'm a rookie from across the pond who doesnt know craft beer. I'm learning. Also, I admit I liked those original UK IPAs I was used to / and I'm not used to the overcharged Hops or ABV with which craft brewers have gone off at a tangent. I like more of the Session IPAs - and you can have more than one and run circles around a pole without falling over :) Funny story: prior to getting home tonight Mary [without asking] raided fridge for beer for fish batter as she cooked fish and chips tonight. She randomly chose one of the sacred remaining '24 days' beers. On arrival home I almost wished she'd chosen the Storm King Imperial stout over the others remaining [I am 3 beers behind, still catching up - but am not relishing the 'V']. Seems Victory Stout is a survivor. I've got a german riesling in my fridge that I'd wager is higher quality / lower ABV than the big V ...
ReplyDeleteSo what did she chose? How was the fish and chips?
DeleteFirst, awesome to see this post from you. Second, which beer was utilized for Fish and Chips? Third, how was the fish?
DeleteWe need more KH entries on this blog - love this post and your story.
Mary chose the Heavy Seas Winter Storm ESB. She left me 1/3 bottle, and that was fine - and it was enough, if you know what I mean. I give her fish 4.75 Hells Bells; sadly the Heavy Seas was a mere 3. Not sure where I got the AC/DC reference. Maybe its from these darker beers of late lmao. So far the Brooklyn Winter has been my favorite
DeleteAnother reliable winter brew and IPA is always appreciated in the mix of stouts and overly winter brew. Not sure what makes this a winter theme, but that's OK. This a good, but not great one. Good solid hop, but the finish was a bit off. I give it 3.25 snowballs out of 5.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it has a toasty flavor - and that's where I am thinking the "winter/blizzard" theme comes in. Maybe?
ReplyDeleteSolid. A bit sweet, but hoppy. A little toasty, but very smooth and goes down easy. I give it 4 Hershey Bars, even though Hershey (while sort of fun) is one of the creepiest places I have ever been. It's not quite the town that Chevy Chase travels to in "Nothing But Trouble," but something tells me it may not be that far from it. Go check out the 1,000 tributes to Milton B. Hershey in the town's pseudo-museums, and you might understand what I mean. I actually always really loved Hershey's chocolate bars, until they messed with the recipe. (You might notice, that the Chocolate World ride at Hershey now focuses on cows and milk, rather than cocoa beans.) Anyway, thank you to Troeg's for taking up the mantle as the pride of Hershey. Please don't replace the hops with some weird synthetic.
ReplyDeleteHad this many times and big fan. A consolation prize since we could not find enough large format Mad Elfs (Elves) to get us all completely drunk on Christmas Eve. So Troegs consolation prize which is never a bad thing. Just a great IPA. Am I thinking it's a bit wheaty since it says winter and I think white or is there actually something to that? And no, I don't even know what I mean when I say "wheaty" but I mean "Belgiany" or "Allagashy". These are terrible descriptions but I'm sure you all know what I mean right? Anyway, great beer. Love it. So does Ro and so I only got half. 4 out of 5 Hershey Bears.
ReplyDeleteMy first taste made me think Apricot. But that seemed to fade, and it became more mellow. I'm not sure either what makes this a winter beer, or a "hop blizzard" for that matter. Its a decent beer, but not my favorite from Tröegs. Their pale ale is still my favorite pale ale, and have a number of other outstanding beers. This one is fine, just not outstanding.
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