WILK Friday BeerBuzz–20 April 2012 Troegs JavaHead Stout w/Chris Trogner

One of the biggest stories in my 2011 mybeerbuzz Year in Craft Beer was the story of today’s brewery.  Over a year ago, our pals Chris Trogner & John Trogner started the plans for a new brewery in Hershey, PA.  This was a big move from their Paxton St facility in Harrisburg, and the plans looked amazing.  Jump forward to last fall and I can tell you the facility is even more amazing in person than on paper.

Troegs Hershey facility uses a gorgeous 100bbl BrauKon designed brewhouse not only as their main production brewery, but also as the centerpiece to the new brewpub.  It sits just behind the bar, and the room is filled with the sights smells & scents of brewing. Not to be outdone, just a few feet away is the 15bbl BrauKon designed Scratch brewing system.  Clad in wood and no less amazing, this is the production facility for their one-off and Scratch series beers.  It’s an amazing place for sure and a place you should visit….and tomorrow we will….but first…

Today we welcomed Chris Trogner on the Friday BeerBuzz.  I met Chris in Oct at the press walk through of the new facility and he was a great ambassador for Troegs.  I had a great time sharing a Scratch #49 and just talking beer with Chris.  Later I found out that Chris was getting married later that week.  New brewery & new wife….I give you credit Chris.

Chris was nice enough to join us to sample Troegs JavaHead Stout.  JavaHead is based on their original Oatmeal Stout recipe (which I was VERY fond of) but it’s even better.  JavaHead uses the new Hopback device to infuse additional whole-cone hops as well as locally roasted (St Thomas Roasters in Lingelstown, PA—video here) espresso & Kenyan coffee beans.  This makes for a rich, flavorful stout loaded with flavors of cocoa & coffee and the wonderful body of an oatmeal stout.

So here’s the exciting news….tomorrow (Sat 4/21) we’ll be jumping on the BeerBuzz Bus Trip to go visit Troegs.  I hope you have your tickets and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow AND sampling a Troegs JavaHead Stout with all of you.  This will be an exciting trip and when you’re done you’ll see what I mean about Troegs Hershey!

Thank you to Chris Trogner from Troegs Brewing

, Nancy, John, & Joe for yet another fun Friday.

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together.

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.