Frequently Asked Questions
General Brewery Questions
What’s in the name Tröegs?
Tröegs is a family nickname, from the founders’ surname Trogner. When combined with a Flemish word “Kroeg,” meaning “pub,” we get Tröegs.
How long has Tröegs Brewery been open?
Tröegs Brewery was founded in 1996 by brothers John and Chris Trogner. The first keg was sold to a local restaurant in Harrisburg on July 18, 1997. Tröegs Brewery was situated in Harrisburg, PA until October 2011, at which time operations were moved to Hershey, PA.
Is the original brewery still open in Harrisburg?
No. As of October 2011, we have moved our entire operation to 200 E. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey PA 17033. All current production takes place at our Hershey facility. You can still check out the old location, which is now a used and refurbished furniture store for Habitat For Humanity.
Where can I find Tröegs beer?
Check out our Beer Finder to locate Tröegs beer near you. Simply enter your zip code to find retailers in your area that carry Tröegs beer.
We currently distribute our beers to the following states: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA and VA. Of course, you can come to our brewery in Hershey, PA and buy all the Tröegs beer you’d like right from our General Store. We also fill growlers in our Tasting Room.
Does Tröegs plan to expand distribution to my area?
We do not currently have immediate plans to expand distribution.
Can you ship beer?
Unfortunately, no.
Do you sell kegs?
We sell most of our year-round and seasonal beers in kegs in the General Store. Limited availability on certain sizes and styles can vary. Contact the General Store for current options and to reserve your keg for later pickup.
What is Scratch Beer?
Our Scratch Beers are brewed in limited, small batches and are available at Tröegs Brewery. While every Scratch Beer we release can be found on tap in our Tasting Room, not all are bottled. Those that are bottled are not distributed to any of our current markets with the exception of four select Scratch Beers, which appear in our seasonal Anthology sampler packs. Occasionally, you may find Scratch Beers on tap at special events such as Tap Takeovers or Pint Nights throughout our distribution footprint. Please refer to our EVENTS PAGE for a complete listing of all Tröegs-related events. Click HERE for more information on our Scratch Beer Series.
Do any of the Scratch Beers ever become year-round or seasonal beers?
Yes. For example, Perpetual IPA began life as a Scratch Beer, which soon became a seasonal release, and finally the year-round beer that everyone knows and loves. All of our Hop Cycle seasonal beers went through several test batches in our Scratch Beer Series before we settled on final recipes. While virtually everyone at Tröegs has ideas about new beers, ultimately this decision falls to John and Chris Trogner.
What is Splinter Beer?
The foeders in our Splinter Cellar and barrels in our Barrel Aging room contain potential future batches of our Splinter beer releases. Our Splinter Series beers are special limited batches that have been matured in various wood barrels before being packaged and released to the public. Some of these releases are also bottle-conditioned. Please be patient; just like children, it takes a long time for the beer to fully mature (although the male beers definitely take much longer than the female beers). Click HERE to learn more about our Splinter Series.
When are Nugget Nectar and Mad Elf available? Why aren’t they brewed year-round?
Mad Elf is our Once a Year holiday ale release. It is typically released in bottles in mid-October and on draft just before Thanksgiving.
Nugget Nectar, our Once a Year winter release, is available starting in January. You can use the following as a general release guideline: Central PA (including Dauphin, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Cumberland, Perry, Adams, and Franklin Counties) during the first half of January; remaining PA footprint (1-2 weeks after initial release); NJ, MD and DE (first week of February); and CT, MA, NC, NY, OH and VA (mid-February).
We feel it is best to keep Mad Elf and Nugget Nectar as a limited release so fans have something special to look forward to each year.
How long can I store/keep Tröegs beer?
Each bottle and case of Tröegs beer is stamped with a “Freshest By” date. Although some of our beers can be aged for many years (Mad Elf, Splinter Series), the majority of our beers should be consumed by this date for optimum freshness. For beers like Mad Elf and our Splinter Series, feel free to store in a cool area (50-55° F) away from direct light for several years.
Will my beer go bad if it warms up during travel or transport?
While the majority of our beer ships out of the brewery from our cold storage warehouse, the beer is not delivered on refrigerated trucks. However, it is a common misconception that cold beer becomes “skunked” when it gets warm.
Do you use GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in your beer?
No, we do not use GMOs in any of our beers.
Do you make gluten-free beer?
We currently have no gluten-free beer options available.
Do John and Chris still work here?
Yes, the brothers are still an integral part of the day-to-day business of the brewery. In a nutshell, John oversees the brewing side of the brewery, while Chris handles the business end.
Who does your artwork?
We have an in-house marketing and design team that handles the majority of the brewery’s creative output, but occasionally we employ outside marketing or advertising firms on a case-by-case basis.
Can I get a job here?
If you think you’ve got what it takes to fulfill your dream of working at a brewery, then feel free to check out our Job Openings on our website for details. Good luck!
Do you offer private tours for groups?
Private Guided Production Tours for up to 15 adults are available 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. All guests must be 21+, no exceptions. Included is a 1-hour brewery tour, a welcome beer, additional beer samples and a souvenir pint glass. $200 per group. Please schedule 3 weeks in advance by emailing tour@troegs.com.
Visitor and Tour Information
Please go to Tröegs.com/visit for the latest information to plan your visit.
