Tröegs Brewing Returns A Honey And Cherry Beer For The Ages

Yes it’s a holiday beer but it’s more than that. It’s a beer with a deep sense of pastoral place and we wish it was available all year.

Based in Hershey, Pennsylvania Tröegs Independent Brewing is renowned for many beers but probably their most beloved is Mad Elf Ale, a big, bold 11% ABV Belgian-style holiday offering which is legend on the East Coast.

Back in 2002, when founding brothers Chris and John were busy brewing, cleaning, bartending and even giving tours on weekends, they hatched a plan to catch their breath and have a little holiday fun. They decided to brew a rule-breaking holiday ale with a little something extra.

On the very first brew day, the brothers added cherries and honey to the mix and punched out. When they returned the next day, “You could smell this really fruity aroma in the air,” says John. “We were excited … until we got back to the fermentation tanks and found a sticky, foamy mess all over the ground.

“That first batch may have gone sideways,” wrote the brewery “but a legend was born.”

The essence of this once-a-year holiday ale, along with its ruby red glow, is born from five varieties of tree-ripened cherries. Bing, Lambert, Van and Royal contribute a bright and juicy sweetness, and Montmorency adds a touch of tartness.

Local wildflower honey sweetens the celebration. Every year, when it’s time to brew Mad Elf, the brewery sources 25,000 pounds of honey from a neighbor in Carlisle, PA, called The Happy Beekeeper.

“When you taste honey, you’re getting a slice of nature,” says the beekeeper’s daughter. “And it’s best to get that pure, local source.”

“For many beer drinkers, the holidays don’t truly start until they’ve had their first Mad Elf,” said Tröegs founding brother and brewmaster John Trogner. “We think Tröegs has a place on every holiday table.”

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(All image credits: Tröegs Independent Brewing)