Mad Elf

[Javan]

Went in to the store last night for something to drink. The first thing I saw was Troegs Mad Elf!

Oh how I love this time of year when it comes out.
Oh how I hate when I have to pay for this stuff
and lastly,
Oh how I cry when it's all gone.

I first found this beer a few years ago and fell in love with it. It is a beer to be indulged in lightly as it has a heck of a kick (11% ABV does that), but for me at least, it is a beer that makes me sit, relax and smile smile smile. I am now thinking that cloning this might be my goal in getting back into the homebrew hobby.

 

[bucketnative]

This recipe is darn close, with input from Troeg's themselves: http://files.samfoust.com/Uploads/madelf2.html

The recipe is linked in this thread, which is the most complete discussion about Mad Elf cloning: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/troegs-mad-elf.435795/

I made a batch for Christmas this year, and it came out very good. I used a mix of Oregon Fruit tart cherries and sweet cherries.

 

[Lefou]

mad elf mad elf mad elf
holy crap it's on the shelf

gonna look after work, only one place carries it. Is it 5PM yet?

 

[Javan]

Had one so far, followed by a true gentleman, now a Duck Rabbit Milk Stout.

The Elf was nice, like seeing an old friend. Sadly I could not relax while enjoying. Perhaps tomorrow.

 

[S-Met]

Its soo f-ing close to beer o'clock... so close. 10.5% imp. stout from a local brewery in my glass when I get home.

 

[S-Met]

waiting for me when I got home. Wife poured it about 15 min ago. Just about to drinking temp. Didn't even ask, its just like she knew.

Best wife in the world!

 

[Lefou]

So who got off at 5:30 and went to the only place in town stocking Mad Elf for the holiday season?
They had three full cases and a fourth that had been partially raided before I arrived.
The big downside - the price. Two sixpacks cost $34 and a full case $78, plus tax.
Damned scalpers.

...but this ain't no ordinary beer.
Oh no, it's one-of-a-kind happy juice, it truly is. I'm sure they heard me singing on the way out the door, even after being bushwhacked by that damned Elf.

 

[Lefou]

Had one so far, followed by a true gentleman, now a Duck Rabbit Milk Stout.
The Elf was nice, like seeing an old friend. Sadly I could not relax while enjoying. Perhaps tomorrow.

My Elves got hidden, waiting for the opportunity of a cold winter's night. When the first frost or freeze arrives, it's brewing season for me. Right now I'm agonizing over a bock-inspired recipe for a winter beer of my own and trying to decide which strain of yeast to use.
Thanks for tipping me off today, I'd almost forgotten the release date.

 

[Javan]

I had three this weekend. Yesterday's was the best as I was able to enjoy while sitting outside in the sun, with a light breeze and perhaps 50deg. It was so nice, so wonderful. I had a Troegenator afterwards, then supper, where I made the huge mistake of having a glass of red wine. WOW, I felt like a train hit me last night.

 

[Javan]

I remember last year, I went into a store to pick some up (Early December) and the guy said they were out. He said it was gone in less than a month. So, I called around. Wife's company xmas party was that weekend and there was a beer distributor just down the street. I called and they said they had 3 cases left. I stopped on the way to the part, and picked up the last case. My wife about fainted when she saw how much I paid for that stuff.

If you asked me 20 years ago if I'd pay that much for beer, I'd say you were insane. Now that I have done it a few times, sadly, I am getting numb to it. BUT, I still want to get back into brewing. I have the passion for different beers, now just have to find the time to get it started.

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

Got me a wild elf at the store, I have never had the mad one but I am super pumped to pop open the wild cousin!

 

[Lefou]

The Mad Elf is a one-time thing for me.
No way any would get bought regularly at the price they're sold at here. High gravity beers (and sours) aren't my thing but once in a while it's OK. The last six pack of commercial tripel bought - Golden Monkey - lasted me just over a year. The 5 gallon session beers I do last less than a couple months. I have to be up and moving around before the sun comes up so ABV is an issue.