| What better place is there to stop by on a 70 | | | | carbonated bubbles streaming everywhere. It |
| degree Tuesday, March evening than at the local | | | | reminded me much more of maybe a Yuengling lager |
| microbrew bottleshop? In the mood to pick up | | | | than a finely produced craft beer. |
| something good for embibing while watching the | | | | When it came to actually finally tasting it, after all of |
| hockey game tonight, I picked up a few known good | | | | the previously written thoughts swirling through my |
| picks and then, out of the corner of my eye, spied a | | | | mind, it was heaven on earth. This is truly nectar of |
| new addition in the cooler selection roster. Could it | | | | the gods. As I've sample many stronger IPA's in my |
| be? | | | | time, and given the aroma, I was expecting a more |
| Yes, it was, one of the microbrews I've been | | | | standard run of the mill grapefruity type IPA. This |
| wanting to try but haven't had the $40.00 to cough | | | | one gave off the grapefruit flavors but not in a most |
| up for a whole 24 bottle case (crazy Pennsylvania | | | | astringent manner. There was a malty, almost |
| liquor laws). Troegs Nugget Nectar has been high on | | | | creamy backbone there that very classily offset |
| my wish list lately, and luckily my local bottle shop | | | | some of the commonality of the boasted high level |
| just got a supply in and decided to stock it in the | | | | IBU's (93ish IBU's as per the bottle label for those |
| general assembly section of the cooler row. | | | | keeping track). |
| Troegs is an independent microbrewery located in | | | | Lacing on my mug was highly prevalent and it |
| Harrisburg, PA and has long been known, especially | | | | transferred well to a somewhat slick feel on the |
| amongst us Pennsylvanians, to put out some very | | | | palate but not in an annoyingly obtrusive way. A |
| high quality and tasty microbrews over the years | | | | pleasant aftertaste of sip #1 quickly led to #2 and so |
| (one of my seasonal favorites being the | | | | on. |
| Christmastime issued Mad Elf, but more on that one | | | | On the quick, I would say I could picture myself |
| later). | | | | downing a six pack of these on a hot summers day |
| Anyway, I picked up two 12 ounce bottles and, | | | | while doing yard work. But upon closer inspection of |
| needless to say, by the second bottle I just had to | | | | the bottle, the 7.5% ABV rating would make me |
| post a few notes on this very impressive Imperial | | | | seriously consider otherwise. This one is extremely |
| IPA offering (to be accurate, the label touts this as | | | | drinkable, almost to a sessionable point but it's due to |
| an Imperial Amber). Pouring my slightly chilled bottle | | | | it's incredible balance of all factors involved. |
| into a standard 10 ounce beer mug I am greeting | | | | Despite my initial predispositions, and Nugget Nectar's |
| with pungent hop aromas wafting up, out and all | | | | predominant assault on the ol' olfactory, Troeg's |
| around the mug, sink basin and nearly the entire | | | | Nugget Nectar doesn't evolve to obscene extremes |
| kitchen area in which it was poured. This one really | | | | in any one particular area except for it's highly overall |
| eminates an evident "have you been drinking?" clue | | | | enjoyable drinkability. My impression is one of a high |
| even if you've only just poured one into a glass to sit | | | | expectation, leading to complete validation with some |
| and admire the sight of it. | | | | meandering surprises along the way, a microbrew |
| The sight of it however is not its strongest pint...I | | | | with an amiable character and one that I will |
| mean point (Freudian slip there, sorry). It did boast a | | | | remember and look for in the months and years to |
| fairly respectable head of about two fingers that | | | | come. I can honestly say that I will be seeking out an |
| stuck around for maybe three or four minutes. But | | | | entire case (yes at the $40.00 price tag) on my next |
| the thing that really struck me was the absolute | | | | visit to one of my local area distributors and I will |
| clarity of this brew. A lighter amber color in my mug, | | | | highly recommend that you do too if given the |
| it was essentially a crystal clear presentation, | | | | chance. |
