Tröegs Independent Brewing announces the release of its beloved once-a-year holiday ale, Mad Elf.
First released in 2002, this iconic beer was instrumental in putting the independent, family-owned brewery on the craft beer map.
“Mad Elf captures so many things about the season for so many people,” says Tröegs co-founding brother Chris Trogner. “And not just beer lovers. A lot of people who typically don’t drink beer have a special connection with Mad Elf.”
The essence of Mad Elf is born from five varieties of tree-ripened cherries. Bing, Lambert, Van, and Royal Ann contribute a bright and juicy sweetness, while Montmorency adds a touch of tartness. The cherries also provide another hallmark of the beer – its lovely ruby red glow.
The other key ingredient of Mad Elf is Pennsylvania honey. Each year, the Tröegs sources 25,000 pounds of local wildflower honey from The Happy Beekeeper in nearby Carlisle, PA.
Whether it’s the beer’s festive nature, nostalgia, decadence, flavors or whimsy, many fans feel that Mad Elf represents the essence of the season in a glass.
“It’s a beer that’s found a place in people’s annual traditions and has become synonymous with the season,” adds Trogner. “We like to say that it’s not the holidays until you’ve had your first Mad Elf.”
Mad Elf is available in 12-oz. bottles and cans at the brewery and across its entire distribution footprint, with draft to follow in the coming weeks.
To learn more about Mad Elf, including its origins and brewing process, please visit the Tröegs blog.
Joining the celebration again this year is Mad Elf Grand Cru, a beer Tröegs describes as the “director’s cut” of Mad Elf. Brewed exclusively with tart Balaton cherries, this limited beer is available in 4-packs of 375mL cork & cage bottles.
Like its counterpart, Mad Elf Grand Cru starts with chocolate, Munich, and pilsner malts and features a large addition of local Pennsylvania wildflower honey. It is fermented with the same spicy Belgian yeast strain as Mad Elf, which lends flavors of cinnamon, clove, and allspice.
Beer drinkers can find these and other beers near them using the Tröegs Brew Finder.
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