Troegs HopBack amber ale gets its name for the hopback vessel held in the Troegs brewhouse. Each batch spins through the vessel in cycles, adding the rich taste and aroma that is present in this ale.

Bottle: As is usual with Troegs beer, this bottle has a vibrant and eye-catching label that adds to the collection of my favorite bottles with each new variety found. This one features the image of vividly green hops on the front with a backdrop of a yellow sky, which seems to hint at the color of the beer, although much lighter than the dark red-brown liquid inside.

Pour: A thick, tall head of foam sits atop the pour, which is a rich mixture of red and brown. Carbonation is present in the beer and there is a long-standing lace on the beer even after sitting for some time.

Aroma: Hops, of course, come first. They are offset by a caramel undertone afterwards.

Flavor: The flavor is a fantastic blend of floral hints with caramel base and a pleasant taste of hops. It isn’t too bitter and finishes strong with one last burst of flavor which is sweet and satisfying.

Mouthfeel: Despite being an amber ale with a thick and foamy pour, the mouthfeel is surprisingly refreshing and clean. This is in no way a detriment but instead just adds to the allure of this craft.

Structure: There is a variety of flavors and levels in each sip of this brew. Sweet to bitter, back to sweet. All the while keeping a base flavor that gives the beer its trademark.

Food Pairing: The possibilities for food pairing here are endless. It has the full texture of an ale yet goes down incredibly clean and smooth, especially served ice cold. It can be carried around a casual backyard barbecue or anchored alongside a full plate of steak.

Overall Rating Out of 5 Possible Beer Mugs: