Neither Here Nor There
New Trail Brewing Company

 

Two fingers worth of lush light khaki colored frothy goodness... Thick hazy pale gold color with sluggish carbonation... Smells like an orange creamsicle in a glass... Wonderful palate of earthy hops, fresh citrus and rich malts... Medium bodied with wonderful balance... Stellar in terms of depth and complexity.... I would drink this any day of the week...

Background: The 10th review of this brewery by me. Eight have been hazy IPAs under an array of names, such as Neither Here Nor There. This was a pint can poured into a clear glass liter mug. Again, a murky strawberry blonde brew with soft carbonation that produces little head, but a significant glass lacing. The aroma approaches bold, with hops, malts, dankness, citrus and even a hint of pepper. It keeps those characteristics in the taste, which is what one almost always gets from New Trail. The malts are rich and complex. The hops are rich and complex. There actually is a slight peppery property to the hop hit. Another amazing HIPA from New Trail, just a little off of their others. Yes, there's a slight taste of alcohol, but at almost 10 % ABV, that's expected. I'm one who believes beer needs at least a hint of alcohol to complete the taste. I never could accept the taste of decaffeinated coffee, either. As disappointed I am that I can almost never go back to my favorite of theirs, Goggles, I must say that they make the best hazies I know outside of New England. I've passed on a few, just to protest their lack of consistency, although Broken Heels seems to remain often available. That's good enough and I imagine my position has cost me tasting other great, no, world class beers.

this is a very nice example of the class - recommended
L: drinking from the can. can art is minimalist but classy
S; relatively subdued. some sweet citrus for sure. maybe a bit of pine
T: delivers on the nose & kicks it up a notch. citrus. tangerine. bit of the booze. hop dankness. Tastes good!
F: smooth. rich. not much carbonation.
Definitely worth your attention!

Poured into a narrow pint glass: color is murky gold, pretty dense looking, head is off white with fine/small bubbles, some lacing on the glass sides, head remains with a solid top.

Smell is better than the last few NT HIPAs - off the pour it even has some aroma to it - citrus rind, tangerine, pine and herbs, light melon, minimal malt but definite candied sugar sweetness.

Taste follows with similar big hop notes of citrus, tangerine, pine, earth, less melon, more candied sugar and some boozy burn.

Mouthfeel is low carbonation, moderate/strong sweetness, strong burn from the strength, biting finish.

Overall this iteration does not seem to hide the booziness - not a bad thing, but can overtake the flavors and aroma presenting up front at times.

This beer is slightly sweet upfront, with a earthy, dank finish. Nice body and slightly heavy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Received in a trade and shared with JLindros.

A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a nice hazy golden orange hue with a thin white head that fades to leave light lacing and thin blanket.

S - Big aromas of spicy dank hops, little earthy. Flashes of citrus as well as a little melon. Light malty sweetness.

T - Taste is similar to the nose with nice candies orange flesh and peel. Good lightly dank earthy hops, nice slightly sweet citrus and pineapple as well.

M - Mouthfeel is nicely carbonated, little creamy, alcohol hidden really really nice.

O - Overall this was a solid enough dipa, hops are solid and candied. Pleasant with the alcohol hidden nicely.

Serving Type: can

Thanks to rudzud
Light foamy small head, lower retention, soapy lacing, very hazy cloudy apricot orange color

Nose like a tree house, loads of citrus and some tropical fruit, orange tangerine, sweet tropical fruits, papaya, candied fruit, light doughy malt and mineral notes

Taste more tree house like pithy citrus, doughy creamy malt, little chalky mineral but soft juicy creamy, orange tangerine and a little grapefruit, papaya and tropical fruit, mango skin, medium bitterness, very low alcohol, light pithy spicy hop finish, spicy hop

Mouth is med bod, creamy like and medium carb,

Overall fairly solid, not incredible but good

 

 

Undated can into pint glass. (I wish they would date all IPAs - pet peeve of mine.) Pours a very turbid dirty brown amber - looks promising! And it's not a disappointment, either - extra juicy citrus, grapefruit, mango, tangerine, and orange. Mouthfeel is fairly soft, but it has a carbonation bite that actually enhances the flavors. Alcohol is dangerously well hidden. Finish is slightly bitter, but enticingly so.
This is excellent. It's kind of a NEIPA with a lot of horsepower behind it.