Getting back to our Amber series we look at a very regional brewery and Tröegs Nugget Nectar
News
Tonight’s news comes from the state of Oregon, where if a group of state lawmakers gets its way, the tax on beer might go up 1,800 percent. Five legislators have introduced Oregon House Bill 2461, which would impose a $49.61 tax on each barrel of beer produced by Oregon brewers. The aim is to increase revenue for the state; specifically, says the bill, to fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs for those addicted to alcohol and other substances.
The last malt beverage tax increase in the state was 32 years ago, and it currently ranks next to last among states in such taxation rates. Opponents of the bill say the low tax rate is one of the major factors in making Oregon an attractive place for brewers.
They say passage of the increase would raise the price of beer, probably cost jobs, and result in lowered revenues for the state in the long run. This also could be the story across the nation, with more and more states considering raising the taxes. Look for higher prices in the future.
Tröegs Nuggest Nectar
- Tonight’s beer comes from Tröegs Brewing Company, a brewery that we may not have talked about for a while if at all.
- Tröegs is located in Harrisburg, PA and is not widely distributed. In fact, I am not sure if you can get this outside of the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.
- The name Tröegs is actually a combination of the name of the founders, John and Chris Trogner, and the Dutch word for pub, kröeg.
- Established in 1997, Tröegs was founded in Harrisburg because John and Chris wanted to start a brewery in Colorado, but it had to much competition. It was a simple case of supply and demand, there was demand in PA, and not much supply.
- Tonight’s beer, Nugget Necatar weighs in at 7.5% abv and is advertised as one of the hoppiest ambers out there. Made with Nugget, Warrior and Tomahawk Hops, it has an IBU of 93. They say this beer is their Hopback beer just turned up a few notches.
- We haven’t talked about IBU’s much on this show, but they stand for international bitterness units and is generally a way to tell about how bitter the beer is. The higher the number, the more bitter the beer. So 93, is pretty bitter.
- The beer pours a light amber with a nice white head that sticks around a while.
- The smell very hoppy. This is one of the most hop forward smells we have talked about in a long time. There may be a little malt back bone in this beer, but really it is very low.
- The beer is hoppy, but almost a slightly sweet hoppy. Some beers that are this hoppy can be almost undrinkable in my opinion, just overpowering, but this one is actually just about perfect, just up to the level. It is very drinkable and smooth.
Next Week
Alright, next week we have one beer left in the amber series, Abita’s Amber Ale.
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