Scratch Beer 52 - 2011 (T2 Ale)
Tröegs Brewing Company
- From:
- Tröegs Brewing Company
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Style:
- American Amber / Red Ale
- ABV:
- 6.9%
- Score:
- 86
- Avg:
- 3.81 | pDev: 11.81%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 14
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 31, 2014
- Added:
- Nov 10, 2011
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
86
Very Good
86
Very Good
T2 Ale – is the beginning of a great adventure and a grand experiment. The first brew through the new brewhouse was designed to research yield and extraction rates, test our new boiler system and dial in the hop dosing system and hopback. The results? Our fermentable extraction rate was higher than expected meaning T2 Ale is a bit higher in alcohol than planned The hop dosing system and new boiling system were equally efficient creating an intense, lingering bitterness stronger than expected. Scratch #52 will be served two ways – filtered and unfiltered – so try them both. It was 100% naturally carbonated and we are excited to share this first brew with our customers.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland
3.15/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.15/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On tap at Churchkey in DC, served in a snifter. Beer is red and mostly clear with a thin lazy white head, low lacing low carbonation low retention.
Aroma is sweet and malty, mild grassiness and hops but not a hoppy aroma at all.
Beer is cloyingly sweet and hot somehow with a like syrupy body and a sticky finish, harsh overall and not a repeat.
Feb 28, 2012Aroma is sweet and malty, mild grassiness and hops but not a hoppy aroma at all.
Beer is cloyingly sweet and hot somehow with a like syrupy body and a sticky finish, harsh overall and not a repeat.
Reviewed by Thorpe429 from Illinois
2.91/5 rDev -23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
2.91/5 rDev -23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Churchkey. Served in a snifter.
Pours a nice copper color with a good white head and a bit of lacing on the way down. The nose carries some faint pine and citrus notes along with a bit of bready malt. Nothing too special there; a disappointment compared to HopBack and Nugget Nectar. The flavor falls a bit further off with some malt and not too much in the way of hops. Light-medium feel with some slight chewiness and a faint bitterness. Decent, though not to Troegs' normal level.
Feb 25, 2012Pours a nice copper color with a good white head and a bit of lacing on the way down. The nose carries some faint pine and citrus notes along with a bit of bready malt. Nothing too special there; a disappointment compared to HopBack and Nugget Nectar. The flavor falls a bit further off with some malt and not too much in the way of hops. Light-medium feel with some slight chewiness and a faint bitterness. Decent, though not to Troegs' normal level.
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts
3.82/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.82/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had on tap at New World Tavern--served into a pint glass
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, moderate carbonation, dark brown in color, clear
Smell: big time pine and caramel
Taste: sweet caramel start, big time pine in the middle--the end is where the flavors combine
Mouthfeel: light body, sweet start bitter middle less bitter end, moderate carbonation
Overall: I could have a couple pints. Probably my favorite Troeg's amber. Abv is very sneaky on this one. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but very tasty.
Feb 04, 2012Appearance: 1/4 inch head, moderate carbonation, dark brown in color, clear
Smell: big time pine and caramel
Taste: sweet caramel start, big time pine in the middle--the end is where the flavors combine
Mouthfeel: light body, sweet start bitter middle less bitter end, moderate carbonation
Overall: I could have a couple pints. Probably my favorite Troeg's amber. Abv is very sneaky on this one. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but very tasty.
Reviewed by Bierman9 from New Hampshire
3.79/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.79/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I stopped by Tröegs new brewery/tasting room on 25JAN12 and started with a pint of #52, for $5.00.
My tall pint glass was filled with a lovely brew. It was deep copper in color, with a touch of haziness. Carbo was plentiful, and the head was a creamy, light beige layer of foam with excellent lace left in its wake. The nose was very mild, as I had to strain to pick up anything (the brewhouse background aromas didn't help). There was a touch of toastiness, with a smidge of florality. 52 was quite smooth and creamy on the tongue, and the body was solidly medium.
Light sweetness hit the palate, with some toasty, biscuity caramel following suit. It presented a hint of apricot, as well as some minty, herbal notes. Lightly hoppy, it had more of a sweetly fruity finish. Solid. Zum Wohl!
3.83/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
1433
Jan 30, 2012My tall pint glass was filled with a lovely brew. It was deep copper in color, with a touch of haziness. Carbo was plentiful, and the head was a creamy, light beige layer of foam with excellent lace left in its wake. The nose was very mild, as I had to strain to pick up anything (the brewhouse background aromas didn't help). There was a touch of toastiness, with a smidge of florality. 52 was quite smooth and creamy on the tongue, and the body was solidly medium.
Light sweetness hit the palate, with some toasty, biscuity caramel following suit. It presented a hint of apricot, as well as some minty, herbal notes. Lightly hoppy, it had more of a sweetly fruity finish. Solid. Zum Wohl!
3.83/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
1433
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania
3.23/5 rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.23/5 rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Thanks to wishuwerebeer for sharing this growler of the unfiltered version. From the growler, this brew emerges a hazed color of amber to copper. A tan frothy yellowish stained cap displays decent retention. As it fades, spots of lace stick to the glass and it rests as a thin layer atop.
The smell is herbal and catty with some tropical fruit element, rinds and pulp from the hops. There is a sweetness of toasty grain included that is somewhat familiar with almost a rue aspect about it. There is a green yeasty tinge throughout which accents the fruity alcohol quality. As it warms, it picks up a scent of dirty cantaloupe.
The taste is herbal with the same dirty cantaloupe thatbid present on the back-end of the aroma. There is a fruity quality about this brew that is melon-like that fades into more of a veggie aspect. Some toasty malts are present mixed with minerals. The bitterness is modest and enjoyable countered by the grain inclusion. The aftertaste is a strange mix of cheese, catty quality and sulfur.
This is a medium bodied brew with a light level of carbonation. There is a light alcohol impact in both flavor and warmth. Overall it isnt bad but it just didn't hit the mark for me. I wanted to like this but there is something going on in some of Troegs hoppy offerings that are off-putting to me.
Jan 04, 2012The smell is herbal and catty with some tropical fruit element, rinds and pulp from the hops. There is a sweetness of toasty grain included that is somewhat familiar with almost a rue aspect about it. There is a green yeasty tinge throughout which accents the fruity alcohol quality. As it warms, it picks up a scent of dirty cantaloupe.
The taste is herbal with the same dirty cantaloupe thatbid present on the back-end of the aroma. There is a fruity quality about this brew that is melon-like that fades into more of a veggie aspect. Some toasty malts are present mixed with minerals. The bitterness is modest and enjoyable countered by the grain inclusion. The aftertaste is a strange mix of cheese, catty quality and sulfur.
This is a medium bodied brew with a light level of carbonation. There is a light alcohol impact in both flavor and warmth. Overall it isnt bad but it just didn't hit the mark for me. I wanted to like this but there is something going on in some of Troegs hoppy offerings that are off-putting to me.
Reviewed by RonfromJersey from New Jersey
4.35/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.35/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deep copper body, good clarity, topped by massive billowing off-white foam. Good lacing.
Aroma features pine up front with a strong citrus back-up. Enticing and assertive.
Strong firm malt caramel foundation. Aggressive piney hops. Good bitter bite at the swallow. Lingering pine and bitterness.
Smooth medium plus mouthfeel. Chewy.
An interesting big brother of hop back amber, though a mighty long way from nugget nectar.
Dec 31, 2011Aroma features pine up front with a strong citrus back-up. Enticing and assertive.
Strong firm malt caramel foundation. Aggressive piney hops. Good bitter bite at the swallow. Lingering pine and bitterness.
Smooth medium plus mouthfeel. Chewy.
An interesting big brother of hop back amber, though a mighty long way from nugget nectar.
Reviewed by yourefragile from District of Columbia
4/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Unfiltered version on draft at T2 a month or two ago.
Cloudy dark copper with a large white head that leaves behind sample lace. Nugget Nectar like aroma, citrus with pale and caramel malt. This tastes a little bigger than the ABV would suggest and is definitely an imperial amber. Sweet balance of juicy citrus hops with caramel malt and some mint. Not overly bitter, sweet and smooth throughout. Liked it better than Hopback, but obviously no NN.
Dec 29, 2011Cloudy dark copper with a large white head that leaves behind sample lace. Nugget Nectar like aroma, citrus with pale and caramel malt. This tastes a little bigger than the ABV would suggest and is definitely an imperial amber. Sweet balance of juicy citrus hops with caramel malt and some mint. Not overly bitter, sweet and smooth throughout. Liked it better than Hopback, but obviously no NN.
Reviewed by Billolick from New York
4.03/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
1/2 growler filled at DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY.
Pours a darker and bold shade of honey amber, nice frothy oatmeal head, stays and stays, before leaving all sorts of froth, collar, sheeting and abundant lacing. Impressive looking brew.
Maple malts and minty hops infuse the nose.
Densely flavorful and tasty brew, maple maltyness, caramel sweetness, met with more mint hop notes, just as with the nose. As it warms the hops become more prominant with mint, and some earthyness coming to mind.
Medium body, adequate carbonation. Nicely balanced and highly enjoyable. Fine beer to enjoy on a winters nite.
Dec 24, 2011Pours a darker and bold shade of honey amber, nice frothy oatmeal head, stays and stays, before leaving all sorts of froth, collar, sheeting and abundant lacing. Impressive looking brew.
Maple malts and minty hops infuse the nose.
Densely flavorful and tasty brew, maple maltyness, caramel sweetness, met with more mint hop notes, just as with the nose. As it warms the hops become more prominant with mint, and some earthyness coming to mind.
Medium body, adequate carbonation. Nicely balanced and highly enjoyable. Fine beer to enjoy on a winters nite.
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