Troegenator - Tröegs Brewing Company, Harrisburg

I've heard of Tröegs in passing a few times before moving to the East Coast, but I was never able to get my hands on any of their beers. The beer I heard the most about was their Nugget Nectar, an IPA that I wasn't really going to go out of my way to try. I just assumed Tröegs was more of an IPA brewery for some reason. After moving to Delaware I started seeing a lot of Troegenator six packs and bombers at the local liquor stores. I tend to get along really well with Doppelbocks so I figured I'd give it a shot. The art on these bottles nearly turned me off though, it's a little too Ed Hardy and tribal tattoo for me... but the guy has a killer beard and demon horns so I'll let it slide.

Troegenator pours a brownish copper color and barely develops any head at all. What few bubbles did collect at the top of the beer were gone by the time I took my first sip. This beer has a solid aroma but it doesn't scream out "Doppelbock" to me. It's nice and malty, very similar to a Scotch Ale with a cinnamon and brown sugar sweetness.

The Troegenator tastes... amazing. That may sound like hyperbole, but I don't remember drinking another Doppelbock that has tasted quite like this. There isn't any one thing that is earth-shattering about this beer, it just tastes nearly perfect... the balance, the sweetness, the carbonation, the malt and everything in between. The Scotch Ale comparison is still true but this beer tastes like it very much it's own beer, if not it's own style entirely. Most of the Doppelbocks I've had before haven't been this bold, this full of flavor or this delicious.

I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this beer. The Troegenator is something I'd expect to be sold in 750ml or bombers, and at a premium price... but it's more widely available and more approachable, which is fantastic. This is a beer I'd gladly share with friends who love beer and those who haven't had craft beer before. Troegenator is great and I think everyone can find something in this beer they'll enjoy.