SCRATCH #95-2013 – Kölsch

RELEASE DATE: 5/24/13

The next installment in our Scratch Beer Series is another German style, the Kölsch. Developed in Cologne, Germany, this particular beer is warm fermented, then cold conditioned (or “lagered”) to bolster the fruity attributes present in the Kölsch yeast strain. Pale and straw-colored with a foamy white head, this refreshing, medium-bodied ale offers subtle hop bitterness and a slightly dry finish with hints of white grapes, spiced apple, and citrus fruit.

Availability: draft and growler fills only.

ABV is 5.2% and IBU is 26.

MALT German Pilsner, Vienna, White Wheat

Pilsner carries a strong, sweet malt flavor, while Vienna provides a distinctive biscuit-like aroma. White Wheat imparts a mild bread dough character and improves head and foam retention.

HOPS

German Northern Brewer, Hersbrucker

German Northern Brewers provide a slight hint of mint-like evergreen. Hersbrucker hops work well with the yeast to deliver a mix of fruit and spice with some mild floral characteristics.

YEAST

Kölsch

May’s Full Flower Moon represents the increasing fertility of spring. Plants are in bloom, frosts have subsided, and temperatures are on the rise. Spring also conjures images of newness and rebirth. To commemorate, we’re offering seven firkins for our Full Moon Firkin event on Saturday, May 25. In addition to our year-round Perpetual IPA, we will also debut a new Scratch Porter. The first person who orders a pint from one of the firkins gets to tap it. We’ve planted the seeds. Will you come to enjoy the fruits of our labor?

Love the full moon. Love the firkin.

Splinter Gold was released on Friday, May 17 in both our Tasting Room and General Store. Splinter Gold originates from the Scratch #3 Triple recipe and is fully fermented with Westmalle yeast. The beer is then inoculated with two barrels of Splinter Gold (2010) infusing the beer with Brettanomyces for a secondary fermentation in oak wine barrels from Allegro Winery & Vineyards and virgin Pennsylvania oak barrels sourced from Keystone Cooperage. Three years in the making, Splinter Gold is a highly-carbonated, bone-dry wild ale boasting a rich Bret “funk” married with lush vanilla, toasted coconut, and oaky tannins.

Cellared to perfection – pop the cork, pour into a chalice… and savor!

Splinter Gold bottles are currently sold out in our General Store. Bottles are still available for on-site consumption in the Tasting Room for $22.95 + tax per 750ml bottle. Limit one bottle per person/per day.

We are pleased to announce that Tröegs was recently named one of the top fifty craft breweries in the United States based on production statistics from The Brewers Association, the largest organization of brewers in the country. “Out of 2200 breweries, we are number fifty,” said John Trogner. “It’s amazing to see how we’ve grown from our humble beginnings over the years.” Since moving our operations from Harrisburg to Hershey in October 2011 and tripling our floor space, we have been able to increase production to meet current demand for such popular beers as Perpetual IPA, Nugget Nectar, and Mad Elf Ale. “We’re still growing in our home market,” said Chris Trogner. “Sixty percent of the beer we produce is sold in PA.” With that said, we’re expanding our capacity in 2013 in order to make the brewery more efficient while keeping our creative juices flowing. Currently, we are in the process of adding two new bottling lines, an automated packaging line, and more fermentation tanks, which will allow us to expand our Splinter series, add corked and caged bottle releases, and bring 22oz. bomber bottles back into the mix. “The new tanks will also allow us more flexibility to experiment with our Scratch beer series, our line of limited small-batch beers,” said John Trogner. This year should prove to be an exciting and pivotal one for us, and you can count on Tröegs to keep bringing fresh, flavorful and inspired beers to the table in 2013 and beyond!

Flying Mouflan, our bold and intense American-style Barleywine Ale, is currently being shipped to wholesalers in all of our distribution markets. Described as “pushing Nugget Nectar off the side of a cliff,” Flying Mouflan is delicious and complex. Think hops dipped in candied sugar and rolled in dark chocolate nibs, and you get an idea of what this beer is all about. Due to the commissioning of our new packaging line, Flying Mouflan will not be available in bottles this year. Expect Flying Mouflan to start popping up in drinking establishments and retailers throughout our eight-state distribution footprint in the coming weeks. Growler fills are also available in our Tasting Room at the brewery.

We are pleased to introduce the newest rage in hop transportation technology. Enter a better beer dimension with the Tröegs HopCyclone™!

Click here to learn more about The HopCyclone™.

Consumer Nation and CNBC Beer News recently embarked on a most noble task: To find the most-loved beer label in a March Madness-inspired contest. After a gruelling week-long competition, we are pleased to announce that Nugget Nectar has reigned supreme! Thanks to everyone who voted to help propel Nugget to the top!

Click here to view the full competition brackets.

Click here to see all the upcoming events happening at Tröegs!