Juicy Secret
New Glory Craft Brewery

Can poured into a Mountain Rambler Brewery pint glass

A: Pours hazy golden yellow with a frothy off white head that settles to a light layer and laces nicely.

S: Mix of juicy citrus, melon, tropical and stone fruit, subtle earthy herbal notes, biscuity malt, and caramel sweetness.

T: Juicy citrus, tangerine, lemon lime, and grapefruit, tropical and orchard fruit, pineapple, peach, apricot, pear, guava, and watermelon, underlying herbal notes, biscuity malt, and caramel sweetness.

M: A touch on the lighter side of medium body, moderate carbonation, somewhat soft on the palate.

O: Given my history with El Dorado hops, and Idaho 7 on occasion, I really wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I do. All the flavors really come together nicely.
(Full disclosure, I grabbed this based off it previously featuring Citra & Vic Secret, so I was a little worried when I read the label and saw the updated hop combo.)

On tap, cloudy, burnt orange color with half finger head. Smells of citrus, pineapple and a hint of pine. Flavors of sweet orange, lemon, peach, and vanilla. The hops sneak up on you a bit late. A full bodied IPA with a creamy texture and smooth carbonation.

 

New Glory is quite under appreciated in my humble opinion. They don't always hit but when they do, the results are fabulous. This is a good example of the hybrid west coast / NE IPA that a number of northern california brewers are working on - Alvarado, Cellarmaker, Fieldwork, Moonraker, etc. The attempts to harness the best of the NE style but retain the drinkability and, yes, balancing bitterness of west coast can lead to very good beers, such as this one, but they fall in a weird limbo. West coast adherents and locals appreciate them but no more so than any west coast IPA; NE fanatics wish they were hazier and "juicier". Context aside, this is excellent. Dank, crisp, balanced bitterness, fruit character without the soft and sweet body that fatigues the palate. Maybe my favorite from New Glory thus far and a notable beer.