Mad Elf Ale - Tröegs Brewing Company

Mad Elf Ale

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Harrisburg , PA

Overall: 7.77/10 by 2 dudes

Standard Deviation: 0.77 or 9.91%

Trend: 7.77/10 over past 5 reviews

Style: Belgian Dark Strong Ale

ABV: 11.00%

IBU: 15

Season: Winter

Have Another: 100%

370 beers rated with a 7.94 average
  • 8.54/10 have another
  • A: 9.0 | T: 8.0 | L: 8.0 | M: 9.0 | O: 9.0
  • sDev: 9.91% Color: Deep Amber
  • A: Very deep red amber color, looked clear but not thin. Normal foam head, is a little thicker and long lasting then straight average.

    S: Three prominent notes to me were caramel malt, spiciness, and cherries. The aroma is unique and inviting, but hints of potential heavy handedness to come?

    T: My initial thought was overpowering. But fairly quick subsequent tastes revealed a much more balance beer than I first preceived. It's a big brew, don't get me wrong. But, the spiciness is all from yeast and hops so it's much better at melding into the other elements of the beer. While the malt is sweet, it's toffee like and mixed with the serious level of alcohol almost seems liqueur like. And the viscosity is at the perfect level, not overboard and really enriches the dark fruit flavors. Finally, I like the carbonation level, it's just enough from this sometimes flater than I like... big alcohol style.

    O: Really good beer for a winter / holiday brew. I hate spice bombs, but here it comes from the right place/ingredients. Understand, it's more of an after dinner or later in the evening brew, but it will definitely enhance you day.
  • 1,144 characters
  • Reviewed: Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 22:52:41
  • Tasted: Saturday, January 12, 2013
  • $0.00 for 12 oz. bottle
1,470 beers rated with a 7.84 average
  • 7.00/10 have another
  • A: 7.0 | T: 7.0 | L: 7.0 | M: 7.0 | O: 7.0
  • sDev: 9.91% Color: Dark Gold
  • Poured clear with a nice, somewhat frothy foam. Retention was okay. Lacing is blotchy and sporadic.

    Aroma is of a much deeper, darker beer than appears in my glass. Spicy, yeast, cherry, and an overall fruitiness.

    Taste is sweet, tart cherry, yeast, spice, and some type of fruit besides cherry. There is a lingering sweet cherry flavor that I would say is ever so slightly syrupy. No alcohol was evident in the taste for me or the nose.

    Medium carbonation and body. The mouth seems to be a bit thick and syrupy as mentioned before.

    For a holiday beer it is a good drinker but it isn't that good of a Belgian. The cherry sweetness spoils it for me while the spicy yeast is dead on. Enjoy!
  • 700 characters
  • Reviewed: Friday, January 01, 2010 at 19:32:15
  • Tasted: Friday, January 01, 2010
  • $9.99 for 22 oz. bottle
Untappd
  • (3.825)
    over 164,439 ratings
Cost Breakdown
  • $9.99, 1 serving(s), 22 oz. bottles
Beer Swapping
Malts
  • Pilsner, Munich, Chocolate
Hops
  • Saaz, Hallertau
Yeast
  • Belgian Spicy
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