Tröegs releases annual Nugget Nectar with fresh Yakima hops

Tröegs Independent Brewing rolled out its once-a-year Nugget Nectar, a heavily dry-hopped Imperial Amber Ale that celebrates the brewery’s annual hop selection trek to Yakima, Washington. The beer’s 7.5 percent ABV and bold hop-forward profile make it a seasonal draw for hop heads and amber lovers alike.

Nugget hops lead the charge with dank pine and grapefruit notes while Simcoe brings hints of ripe mango and creamsicle, all balanced by kilned malts that add body and a touch of sweetness. The result is a striking orange pour with pronounced hop flavor that benefits from drinking fresh to capture the volatile aromatics dry hopping provides.

Packaging received a nostalgic refresh after last year’s throwback proved popular. The new label returns the familiar hop-squeezing hand, ups the stacked font for shelf presence, and adds a bright burst of orange designed to help cans and bottles pop in crowded coolers. Nugget Nectar is being distributed on draft, in 12-ounce cans and bottles, and in 16-ounce cans in markets where Tröegs sells larger formats.

To mark the release, Tröegs is staging a launch party at its Hershey brewery on Saturday, January 24. The event will pour Nugget Nectar alongside Double Nugget and Nitro Nugget and will feature a gravity-fed firkin pour at 4:00 p.m. Attendees can expect live screen-printing, swag giveaways, music, and a themed photo and phone lounge. Across Tröegs’ distribution footprint, additional gatherings such as First Squeeze and Remember Your First Nugget Nectar meetups will give fans more chances to chase fresh cans and draft versions.

“For this beer, the annual trip to Yakima matters because freshness drives the aroma and flavor,” the brewery emphasized through tasting notes, while co-founding brother and brewmaster John Trogner said, “To this day, Nugget is still one of our most popular and sought-after beers.”

The practical takeaway for homebrewers and local drinkers is straightforward: if you chase hop character, buy and drink Nugget Nectar early in its run. Look for 16-ounce cans in markets where Tröegs distributes them, swing by taprooms and release events if you want specialty pours like Nitro or firkin, and stash a few 12-ounce bottles if you enjoy keeping a beer cellar for comparison. Our two cents? Treat Nugget Nectar like a fresh hop release — enjoy the aromatics now and use it as a benchmark for how dry hopping and hop choice shape big amber ales.