Every craft beer drinker has their favorite breweries; breweries that seem to brew beers that fit our pallet perfectly. For me, this week’s beer review comes from a brewery located in my home state, PA, and one who seems to nail any beer they produce. This weekend Tröegs HopBack Amber Ale is What’s on Tap!
Producing beer in the middle of Pennsylvania and within a stone’s throw from Hersey, PA, Tröegs is a brewery that is rapidly gaining more and more loyal drinkers. From their Mad Elf winter seasonal to their sough after Nugget Nectar, Tröegs’ seasonals are ridiculously good. But their year-round HopBack is a great brew that I can drink anytime.
What I love about HopBack is there is nothing hidden in it. Meaning the aroma and taste are true to the brew. On the nose HopBack is full of grainy malts, citrusy hops, and a touch of sweetness and true to form, each sip is filled with those same notes. The only real difference is there is a touch of sweetness interspersed with a nice bitterness on the backend. To say this brew is high drinkable would be an understatement.
Given this brews full flavor of the malt hop combination and the lasting bitterness I recommend any dish with bold flavors. This weekend I am grilling a flank steak that has been marinated in HopBack for almost 12 hours. I am going to use a sweet and spicy sauce for the steak when it is finished but the meat and beer will be the perfect pair.
Cheers!
Beer Stats
Style: Amber Ale
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.0%
Bitterness (IBUs): 55
Color: Amber / Reddish
Malts: Pilsner, Munich, Crystal
Hops: Cascade, Williamette, Nugget
HopBack Hops: Nugget, Crustal
Yeast: Ale
Beer Review Stats
Beer Advocate: 89
Rate Beer: 96
Tasting Notes
Deep amber in color under a huge creamy head. HopBack Amber Ales aroma is very apparent, bold and spicy with a slight floral character. Balanced with caramel malt, this well-rounded amber ale has an up-front floral spice that builds with a flush of sweetness.
