Red Skies
New Trail Brewing Company

There's an inclusion of Germanic malts within, so this review shouldn't turn into a rant about the absence of barley malt within an IPA. The pour from a pint can into a clear glass liter mug begins encouraging enough, as there's no big foamy stark white head that would recede unevenly. Instead, there's a modest stark white head that recedes somewhat unevenly. It's divulged that there is wheat in the wort and that's its first noticeable "contribution". The color is a slightly fuzzy light amber. A good piney hop aroma is apparent, with a little vague starchiness behind it. This is a fine drinking IPA. With the wheat inclusion, the hops aren't as biting as with the great West Coast IPAs, but this was intended to be softer. What's really nice is the body, because the wheat didn't thin it out too terribly, the way it often can. Accepting the described goal of the brewer, this is right on target. It's on the light side for almost any significant IPA category, except for the 7% ABV, which is barely noticed. Overall, the taste and body are decent enough for a casual IPA drinker. This won't delight those that love a sharp piney bite within a supplely malted body, but it's not bad.

 

 

 

Undated (WTF) can into pint glass. Pours a clear gold with a nice off-white head that quickly reduces to a skim. Initial impression is a little sweeter than I was expecting for a West Coast IPA, but this one is "modern" so maybe I'm just behind the times. Citrus dominates, with floral and tropical fruits also evident. A touch of pine resin maintains the West Coast connection, though. Mouthfeel is medium, as is carbonation. Finish is more citrus, fading to a slightly resinous bitterness. Overall, I'd say this is more a hybrid between the two styles - but a very enjoyable hybrid. I'll revisit.

 

 

Poured into tall pint glass, color is straw gold, transparent (!), head is brighter white, head presents 1 finger thick and then dissipates to a thin top, some lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is citrus, light pine, herbs, I do get a sage note possibly from the talus, some malt, light toast.

Taste is similar with citrus, pine, herbal notes, some floral/tropical fruits, maybe some stone fruit, light malty notes of toast, very light caramel, maybe some biscuit.

Mouthfeel is low/moderate carbonation, lower sweetness, moderate bitterness.

Overall a very good IPA, nice new hop aroma/flavor with an herbal, citric, earthy hop presence and light but notable malt character.