Flannel Weather: Motueka
New Trail Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

16oz tallboy can courtesy of JayO'Rear. No freshness date on the can, as far as I can tell. Apparently, this was brewed with Motueka hops.

Poured into an IPA glass, this was a milky yellow, with a big, sudsy, off-white head. Lots of lace and staying power.

Decent melon and mango aroma.

Nice, easygoing mango-like, melon-like flavor, almost dessert-like. No sign of the high abv.

Medium bodied, with a soft yet slightly resiny mouthfeel that also manages (through the use of oats, no doubt) to be rather creamy.

Really nice drinking double hazy. Kinda dangerously so, with an abv of 9%. Started off on the wrong foot with New Trail, but that experience was clearly an aberation, as this beer yet again proves to me, and I'm indebted to Jay for introducing me to what I now realize is an excellent brewery.

Slight late to develop off white head with modest retention... Hazy lemon color... Mild but enticing hop presence on the nose sits atop a rich oats base... Interesting flavor profile... Lots of flavors that I'm struggling to place but I assume that is the Motueka hops that I'm not familiar with... Smooth and medium bodied... Excellent and slightly unique beer that does a wonderful job a highlighting a single hop that i assume is new to most...

Way back in November, that makes it four months now, this clear glass liter mug held a pint can's contents of NT Flannel Weather. It's time for a comparison with this offshoot. The color hasn't changed. They both are murky dirty blonds. There's a better foamy white head to this version, but freshness may come into play here. Just as with the original, the aroma isn't as pronounced as other New Trail hazies. What is discerned is mostly hops, dank and a little spicy. The remainder is contributed to by oats, yeast and alcohol. Both brews do an unbelievable job disguising a 9.0% ABV. They're both very smooth, too. The Motueka hops star here, but they are carried by a supple body and softened nicely. They are wet, earthy and dank, without being juicy. The finish is mildly bitter and dry.There are also some pretty rings of glass lacing. A side by side comparison of the two versions would be nice, but neither will last long enough after its purchase.

 

The NEIPA game is an extremely crowded arena, but New Trail is one that can nail it in their DIPAs. This one with Motueka is no exception. As good as all of their hazy doubles in the last calendar year or so, and there have been a bunch. Just try it

 

 

 

Poured from a 16 oz can into a Dogfish Head tulip

L: Opaque dull golden pour with thick foamy white head. Looks like citrus juice with foam... great retention and lacing.

S: Citrus. Straight up lemon/grapefruit/orange.

T.F: Just like it smells... a pure citrus juice bomb. Strong notes of tangerine, lemon peel, and grapefruit. Sweet guava and lemondrop candy. Delicate and complex... very modest (if any) bitterness. Medium bodied. Creamy mouthfeel and sticky. More citrus at the finish.

O: New Trail has hit a few home-runs lately and this is one of them. Outstanding... and best super fresh. If you like New England IPA juice bombs this will hit the spot.

 

16 oz can poured into a Pilsner glass.

Appearance
Hazed-out, opaque blonde. 1/2 finger of creamy white head.

Nose
Lime, guava, lychee, candied orange, and candy sugar.

Taste
Mango chunks, guava nectar, lime, and touches of lemon. Moderately dank and earthy. Candied orange and white gummy bear. Oaty maltiness with touches of biscuit and candy sugar.

Mouthfeel
Full bodied, silky, smooth, juicy, and lightly bitter.

Overall
Motueka. How I love thee.