Review – Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock
Where to begin with this beer? I must admit that the first bottle did not leave me wanting to open another immediately. I tried it again, once more pouring it into a pint glass and drinking it by itself. Same result. Tonight, I took a slightly different approach. When I held it up to the light, I noticed that it had the same color as my favorite tawny port, Whiskers Blake. When I took a sip, keeping in mind the quality of the tawny, I began to hold this beer in much higher esteem. Then when I paired it with brats and garlic mashed potatoes, it rose to even greater prominence.
Troegs Trogenator Double Bock – Purchased from Dawson’s Liquors in Severna Park, MD. Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. 8.2% abv.
Appearance: Somewhere between topaz and garnet. A deep reddish rust reminiscent of a fine, barrel-aged port.
Nose: Molasses, apricots and prunes.
Taste: Sweet, caramelized fruit balanced out with nuts and breads.
Mouthfeel: Thick and syrupy. The carbonation helps keep the viscosity from completely registering in your brain.
Drinkability: By itself, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially at the back of your throat; it’s a bit heavy to be considered the equivalent of an “aperitif.” Once paired with something substantial (not seafood or light pasta), however, it becomes the perfect accompaniment. At 8.2% ABV you’re better off leaving this for after dinner or toward the end of a meal. I will have to try pairing this with a Romeo y Julieta Maduro Reserve on a cool autumn evening, that could be magical.
