Scratch Beer 46 - 2011 (Naked Elf)
Tröegs Brewing Company

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From:
Tröegs Brewing Company
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
7.8%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.91 | pDev: 10.74%
Reviews:
79
Ratings:
263
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 25, 2023
Added:
May 06, 2006
Wants:
  11
Gots:
  46
Naked Elf takes a hard look at the less-is-more theory. Ever since we developed The Mad Elf, we’ve speculated what it would taste like without the cherries and honey. So what lies beneath the fruit? Naked Elf is unfiltered, so the spicy yeast taste is more prominent in this strong, hazy orange ale. The combination of the Pilsner, and Vienna malts give a lot of body and minimal sweetness, but Naked Elf has a dry finish. Finally, the heat of the alcohol makes its presence known in the finish. The Naked Elf’s finest quality is the delicate balancing act between a lively yeast kick and a slight alcohol note that lingers in the back of the mouth—constantly reminding us not to overindulge in this complex, warming elixir.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by smcolw:
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Good head (end of the keg) that lasts throughout the tasting. No lace though. Hazy, amber color.

Strong candy sugar aroma. A bit of alcohol and dark cherry. Very much like a barley wine, but without sherry aspects.

First impression is the watery aspect to the body. The low carbonation enhances this. The flavor starts off surprisingly soft but the sugars and the unexpected hop touch take over. The alcohol is pronounced. All of this comes together in the swallow nicely. The aftertaste is strong but dies rapidly. Thin bodied considering the sugars. Low carbonation.
Nov 23, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.03 by FrancisM12 from New Jersey

Nov 25, 2023
Photo of AlfromPA
Reviewed by AlfromPA from Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up a recently canned 4 pack of this at the Troegs brewery last week. Victory has been very successful with Golden Monkey, and Naked Elf would seem to be an obvious competitor. It still has some of the spice flavors of Mad Elf, without the heavy cherry overlay. It is not as sweet as either Mad Elf or Golden Monkey. If they bumped up the ABV slightly the latter would have a real competitor.
Aug 23, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by Corburk from Pennsylvania

Jul 18, 2021
Photo of crazyspicychef
Rated by crazyspicychef from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I prefer this over the Mad Elf.
Oct 29, 2020
Photo of q33jeff
Reviewed by q33jeff from New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Copper color. Creamy off white head. Good retention.

Belgian yeast, apple, cinnamon, plum,

Orange, coriander, lemon peel. Bread. Wine. Molasses.

A little flat, but medium body plus.

Good winter dark Belgian. Rough around the edges, but tasty.
Sep 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.18 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

May 18, 2018
Photo of Newbeergeek1
Reviewed by Newbeergeek1 from Maine

3.81/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Cloudy with a reddish tinge, a fruity smelly, malty(ish), can really taste the spices and that’s OK, kind of a course heavy mouth feel. Overall a nice beer.
Oct 17, 2017
 
Rated: 4.21 by kkazemi from North Carolina

Oct 15, 2017
Photo of MikeWard
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
marked here as retired, but clearly resurrected by Troegs, as it was available in the tasting room this afternoon. This is a stripped down version of their Mad Elf, without the honey and cherries. As a disclaimer, I do not care for Mad Elf.

Looks pretty good, slightly hazy red/brown body, small off white head, some lacing.

Not much on the nose, except a hint of belgian yeast and spices

i can detect the mad elf base, the yeast is prominent. a little on the sweet side, alcohol well hidden.

mouth is medium, finish is slightly sweet and yeasty.

Overall, i guess i should avoid beers with the word elf in it, as this did not hit my palate well. on the other hand, they have a wild elf fermenting away for release in 2018, so........
Sep 17, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by ajdemma from New York

Aug 10, 2017
 
Rated: 3.98 by cyber_phoenix from Pennsylvania

Jul 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.03 by Trentt2 from Alaska

Jul 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by k47k from New York

Jan 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.07 by jcole524 from Pennsylvania

Sep 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.13 by jschwamb from Pennsylvania

Aug 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.99 by JoeMans from New York

Aug 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by BeerTwigs from New York

Aug 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.37 by Tim725 from New Jersey

Jul 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.55 by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

Jul 16, 2016
Scratch Beer 46 - 2011 (Naked Elf) from Tröegs Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 263 ratings