Rail Jam
Mother Earth Brew Co.

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: New England IPA
Glass: Melvin 14-oz. Spiegelau IPA glass
Price: $3.25
From: Trader Joe’s in La Mesa, Calif.
Purchased: June 2, 2021
Consumed: June 3, 2021
Misc.: Canned on April 14, 2021 at 8:47 a.m. PT

Had Rachel pick me up this at Trader Joe’s with some other stuff. Had liked the last few Mother Earth IPAs I’d tried and I was hoping this would be the same. Their website called this “This ultra-soft HIPA with rolled wheat and oats, creating a smooth, medium body mid-palate. At under 5 SRM, the appearance presents an almost chartreuse-like limeiness that glows off of suspended proteins. Lemon drop hops layer a delicate citrus aroma on top of an herbaceous and fruity core. The net net is that Rail Jam drinks exceptionally smooth, with almost no pronounced bitterness to speak of, with bright lemon-lime qualities in addition to melon, peach, and tangerine.”

Poured a medium yellow-to-light golden color with 1-to-2 fingers of frothy off-white head. Could see some bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. Average watery lacing. Decent retention. (Sight - 3.50)

Smelled candied lemon drop, lime, herbal, menthol, melon, peach, tangerine, honey and citrus zest. A little better out of the can. (Smell - 3.75)

Tasted a little better than the nose. Got candied lemon drop, lime, herbal, menthol, honey, melon, peach, apricot, tangerine, citrus zest and hints of lemon tart. (Taste - 3.75)

Medium body. Oily texture. Soft carbonation. Citrusy finish. (Feel - 4.00)

This was a good one. Probably even better than I thought it would be. Very good overall. (Overall - 3.75)

3.76 | 85 | B+

 

I really like mother Earth, but this didn't do it for me. On the other hand, I had a dust bowl peace love and haze right afterward, and I usually love that but didn't. Maybe my taste buds are off this time.

 

the latest from these guys, i think i expected a more hazy beer from the tap, its insanely light looking, more like a pils than a conventional ipa, especially from mother earth, and frankly quite light to drink too. the hops lead the way as they should, but this is a softer side of hoppy beer, and i get some neat fruity layers from banana and apple to more familiar mild citrus and pineapple, a cool mix of hops for sure, mostly dry hopped it seems, and not needing to be too intense with how light the grain base is. feels fluffy like wheat or oats, but is not even in the medium body range, also super dry which i like, perhaps a quick little flash of yeast esters that makes me think wit for a second, but without any linger like that once i swallow it. a hint of ripe peach, canned pineapple, and tangerine at the end, but overall way lighter than i expected in both feel and flavor, more of a summer brew from this project x series, which i am certainly not complaining about. good time of year for it, and it worked just fine for me on a sunny patio. not the best of their hoppy beers, but definitely something a bit different here...

Light color and haze but still has distinct mouthfeel with noticeable particle articulation. Smell and taste well within the bounds of a solid/good hazy ipa.

 

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Deep golden body with a light haze, foamy white head. Bready aroma, grassy, light hop presence. Malty flavors, light sweetness, soft bitterness.

Labeled as a NEIPA, but pours clearer than most WCIPAs these days. The aroma isn’t too bad, only because it’s not too prominent. But the sips brings out a harsh Lemon Pledge character, with a hint of juiciness and a green hop burn that’s just off. Rough landing. This is going to be a tough one to finish.

 

16oz canned 4/14 and poured into an IPA glass. Pours a mostly clear light gold with some fluffy head. Fruity and floral aromatics of melon and faint grapefruit, minor pine with some grainy malt undertones. Smooth, fruity, and juicy, faintly tropical with a mild impression of coconut. Very minor bitterness in a smooth, refreshing body.