Modern West Coast Experimental IPA
New Trail Brewing Company

Good flavor a west coast ipa, this one was alright.

 

 

From an undated 12oz can (mix pack box dated 2/17/22) into a pint glass.

Pours a very murky yellowish brownish orange with about one finger of off-white head. Lots of floaties in this one. Ok retention, decent lacing. not a very appetizing look...

Crack of the can smells purely of pine-like pine in the forest. The pour lets some citrus aromas loose, mainly orange. Perhaps just a bit of pineapple in there.

Taste is mainly bitter pine and resin but offset by some citrus. This doesn't really work for me in this beer. Not very balanced.

Medium to full-bodied slightly sticky mouthfeel. Bitter aftertaste. Medium carbonation.

Something about this beer rubs me the wrong way. Maybe too yeasty? Generally disappointing but not gonna drain pour it.

 

 

12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass. No canning information, but it was just added to BA a month ago, so I'll assume pretty fresh.

L---Not quite crystal clear, light amber color. Mild white head faded quickly to a ring with an island. Very nice lacing.

S---Yes, they hit their west coast mark. Pine, citrus, resin. Just about spot on.

T---Citrus, maybe apricot. Honey. Some lightly dank pine. Very nice.

F---Medium bodied with good carbonation. Just a touch of astringency.

O---A really good one. They hit their mark perfectly.

 

 

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is nearly transparent gold, head is off white and presents 1 finger thick, head then dissipates to a thin top with light lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is mixed hop aromatics with light citrus, pine, earth, then notable sweetness in the aroma possibly a combination of the hops and malt backing; limited hop character otherwise.

Taste is similar with mixed hops and sweeter character from malt/hop combination: hops are citrus, pine, berry like sweetness, malt is limited in grainy character but has as syrupy sweetness.

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

Overall a sweeter rendition of the NT 'modern west coast' IPA - combination of hop/malt creates a sweeter aroma/flavor/feeling that is a bit distracting and not countered by a strong, traditional west coast bitterness.

Slightly less then a finger's worth of bone white froth... Limited retention... Clear light copper color... The nose is musky and dank... Light palate of butter biscuit and some faint earthy hops... Feel is light and delicate... Decent and quaffable, but nothing more than solidly average...

This called for two twelve ounce cans to be emptied into a clear glass liter mug. The head is a starchy white mess and that's the first concern. These cans were chilled and the pour was gentle. Whilst waiting to see how the too big head resolves itself, attention is diverted to the liquid itself. It's a light and bright copper-amber that's quite translucent. This stands out in stark contrast from a brewery that usually nails hazies. There's plenty of carbonation, keeping most of the head intact, although it's ebbing unevenly. It is leaving dense glass lacing, but that's short-lived.There's a good hoppy aroma, mostly piney, but sharp in the west coast style. It drinks way too thinly to be a good version of the category. The hops aren't hoppy enough and the body and counterbalance isn't malty enough to give this version a good rating. It crosses the tongue too lightly and brings a shortchanged dose of west coast hoppiness. This is a shame, because this is a great brewery. They succeed so many times with their incredibly diverse labels and styles. This is a rare misfire.

 

Pours a pale amber with a cream colored head.

Bright fruity and dank with a floral bouquet and some resinous wood.

Citrus orange and grapefruit up front with some dank pine and finishing dry and floral with some earthy wood notes.