Hopback Amber Ale | Tröegs Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Tröegs Brewing Company
Pennsylvania, United States
troegs.com
Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Standing 12 ft. tall at the center of the brew deck is our HopBack vessel; here, whole flower hops swirl in hot wort coaxing hop oil into aromas of grapefruit pith and pinesap. This bright hop nose is counterbalanced with malt tones of toffee and Caramel.
Hops: Cascade, Willamette, Nugget, Crystal
55 IBU
Added by Maestro on 09-29-2002
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 3,119 | Reviews: 1,176
4.42/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Review from 6/16/2012: pours a hazy copper reddish color with a 1 finger foamy tan head with tons of bubbles in it that faded slowly, leaving very good lacing and rings as it went down.
Smells of juicy hops up front, with sweet floral hops, piney hops, grapefruit, caramel, cracker, biscuit, citrus hops, herbs and some earthy notes; very nice balance, this is quite hoppy like a pale ale that wants to creep up to the IPA border. Not what I expected from an amber ale, but it is perfect for the name HopBack and I really thought it smelled wonderful.
Tastes like it smells with floral hops, piney hops, citrus hops, grapefruit, orange peel, cracker, biscuit, toffee, caramel, toasted grains, herbs, spices like pepper and coriander, grass, cardboard and some earthy notes and light spices at the end; tasted like dry hops were still floating in the brew, and the balance was excellent leading up to a slightly bitter finish.
Mouthfeel was slick and crisp at the same time, with average carbonation, a medium body and a nice bready grain treat before the hops paved the way for the slightly bitter finish that’s on the dry side.
Very high drinkability, this was complex, balanced and tasty, and for me could be a year round session beer. A definite recommendation.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Review from 6/16/2012: pours a hazy copper reddish color with a 1 finger foamy tan head with tons of bubbles in it that faded slowly, leaving very good lacing and rings as it went down.
Smells of juicy hops up front, with sweet floral hops, piney hops, grapefruit, caramel, cracker, biscuit, citrus hops, herbs and some earthy notes; very nice balance, this is quite hoppy like a pale ale that wants to creep up to the IPA border. Not what I expected from an amber ale, but it is perfect for the name HopBack and I really thought it smelled wonderful.
Tastes like it smells with floral hops, piney hops, citrus hops, grapefruit, orange peel, cracker, biscuit, toffee, caramel, toasted grains, herbs, spices like pepper and coriander, grass, cardboard and some earthy notes and light spices at the end; tasted like dry hops were still floating in the brew, and the balance was excellent leading up to a slightly bitter finish.
Mouthfeel was slick and crisp at the same time, with average carbonation, a medium body and a nice bready grain treat before the hops paved the way for the slightly bitter finish that’s on the dry side.
Very high drinkability, this was complex, balanced and tasty, and for me could be a year round session beer. A definite recommendation.
1,274 characters
3.88/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up at the brewery several weeks ago. Pours a clear brownish amber with delightful; small bubbled carbonation streams, decent head and lacing.
Aroma of caramelized malts with a mild citrus undertone. Hops are more apparent in the bitterness of the finish, which transitions from sweetness to dryness abruptly but well. Less citrus than I'd personally choose, but enough going on to warrant the praise.
A beer (and a brewery) I'd recommend to any American Amber fans!
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up at the brewery several weeks ago. Pours a clear brownish amber with delightful; small bubbled carbonation streams, decent head and lacing.
Aroma of caramelized malts with a mild citrus undertone. Hops are more apparent in the bitterness of the finish, which transitions from sweetness to dryness abruptly but well. Less citrus than I'd personally choose, but enough going on to warrant the praise.
A beer (and a brewery) I'd recommend to any American Amber fans!
475 characters
4.42/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Was lucky enough to have this for the first time this evening–one of the only redeeming things about this evening, what with the Celtics coming apart in Game 7 of the Eastern Conf. Finals. Twelve ounce bottle into a snifter style glass my buddy bought over at TrueBeer.com (good place for inexpensive glassware). Review is from notes.
Appearance (4/5): Tröegs Hopback Amber Ale pours a dense, bubbly, two and a half finger, white head of foam, which sits atop a clear, deep amber body of beer. It looks a tad darker to my eye than most amber ales I've had. The beer looks great in the stemmed snifter.
Smell (4.5/5): One of the best aspects of this beer, hands down. First whiff lets you know what you're in for: strong hop aroma that lend a beautifully piney and fruity quality to the overall smell, which is rounded out by a light caramel sweetness. I always know a beer has a special nose on it when it makes me want to share it with others–I immediately tell my buddy, "you've GOT to smell this," and I don't care how geeky that is. Whatever.
Taste (4.5/5): Sharp, piney hops hit first and give way to a slightly resinous, bitter, fruity flavor that calls to mind apricot. Caramel flavors from the malt flex as well and lend a sweetness to balance against the bitterness, but the malt is clearly meant to play a VERY subordinate role to the hops. And no complaints here; the beer tastes just as good as it smells. Finishes dry. I really am enjoying it, and liking how it warms. Room temperature Hopback is just too good. No alcohol flavor to be noticed, except a little warming in the (late) finish.
Mouthfeel (4/5): The mouthfeel is medium, due mainly to its slightly resinous quality. This doesn't put a damper on its drinkability, and the tongue/tastebuds don't get tired of being coated with this somewhat sticky, hoppy elixir. Good carbonation–right where it should be–and a nice creamy feel on each sip. Good stuff, and quite nice for the style.
Overall (4.5/5): Hopback really was a very pleasant surprise–I wasn't really expecting such great hop flavor from an amber ale, but boy, does Hopback bring it. Tröegs did a great job with this refreshing take on an amber ale. Now that I've tried it, I'll have to seek it out. Yes, most people are drinking wheat beers, saisons, and IPAs during the warmer months, but I honestly think Tröegs Hopback should get consideration, despite its being an amber since it's nice and light and features a refreshingly juicy hop bite. Highly recommended.
2,520 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Was lucky enough to have this for the first time this evening–one of the only redeeming things about this evening, what with the Celtics coming apart in Game 7 of the Eastern Conf. Finals. Twelve ounce bottle into a snifter style glass my buddy bought over at TrueBeer.com (good place for inexpensive glassware). Review is from notes.
Appearance (4/5): Tröegs Hopback Amber Ale pours a dense, bubbly, two and a half finger, white head of foam, which sits atop a clear, deep amber body of beer. It looks a tad darker to my eye than most amber ales I've had. The beer looks great in the stemmed snifter.
Smell (4.5/5): One of the best aspects of this beer, hands down. First whiff lets you know what you're in for: strong hop aroma that lend a beautifully piney and fruity quality to the overall smell, which is rounded out by a light caramel sweetness. I always know a beer has a special nose on it when it makes me want to share it with others–I immediately tell my buddy, "you've GOT to smell this," and I don't care how geeky that is. Whatever.
Taste (4.5/5): Sharp, piney hops hit first and give way to a slightly resinous, bitter, fruity flavor that calls to mind apricot. Caramel flavors from the malt flex as well and lend a sweetness to balance against the bitterness, but the malt is clearly meant to play a VERY subordinate role to the hops. And no complaints here; the beer tastes just as good as it smells. Finishes dry. I really am enjoying it, and liking how it warms. Room temperature Hopback is just too good. No alcohol flavor to be noticed, except a little warming in the (late) finish.
Mouthfeel (4/5): The mouthfeel is medium, due mainly to its slightly resinous quality. This doesn't put a damper on its drinkability, and the tongue/tastebuds don't get tired of being coated with this somewhat sticky, hoppy elixir. Good carbonation–right where it should be–and a nice creamy feel on each sip. Good stuff, and quite nice for the style.
Overall (4.5/5): Hopback really was a very pleasant surprise–I wasn't really expecting such great hop flavor from an amber ale, but boy, does Hopback bring it. Tröegs did a great job with this refreshing take on an amber ale. Now that I've tried it, I'll have to seek it out. Yes, most people are drinking wheat beers, saisons, and IPAs during the warmer months, but I honestly think Tröegs Hopback should get consideration, despite its being an amber since it's nice and light and features a refreshingly juicy hop bite. Highly recommended.
2,520 characters
Hopback Amber Ale from Tröegs Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.97 out of
5 with
3,119 ratings
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