Troegenator Double Bock
Fall is a great time for beer people for two reasons, and I'm happy to say that Troegenator fits the bill on both counts. The first reason that fall is great, is that dark full beers taste better in cooler weather. The second reason for autumn glory in the beer world is the announcement of the winners of the Great American Beer Festival, held every October in Denver. The Great American Beer Festival competition involves hundreds of American craft brewers and nearly 3,000 beers entered into categories based on beer style. Each beer is tasted and tested by a panel of qualified judges and narrowed down, sometimes from hundreds in a single style; to a few that really stand out from the rest. A gold medal winner in the competition is considered a world-class example of the style. So then, by definition, Troegenator is a world-class beer. I couldn't agree more. Troegnator is a double bock, which is typically an amber German-style beer that is like a high octane Oktoberfest. Double bocks aren't usually flavor bombs, like a big porter or stout, but they are pleasantly balanced beers which make them amazingly easy to drink. This beer is rich and creamy with a strong caramel flavor but a light enough body to go down easy. The beer holds big amount of brown sugar and sweet raisin flavor with a solid floral German hop bite to counter the malt sweetness. Double bocks in general and Troegenator in particular are tricky. These are big beers, alcohol-wise, but it's hard to tell. Resist the urge to gulp and sip this one slowly. Troegenator is a year-round release and available at many better beer stores in Hampton Roads. Pick up a six-pack and watch the leaves fall as you taste a bona fide world class beer that we are lucky enough try.