Indigo Skies
New Trail Brewing Company

A reasonable example of a west coast IPA. Key word, reasonable. This reminds us of the beers we fell in love with when west coast IPA's were popular but just misses the mark. Granted, we just had the NT W.E.S.P and the Shades which were wonderful. The body of the Indigo Skies is heavier and the finish is ok, again, not what we were hoping for.

Agreed, a not dated can, something that has become important to us because it matters. New Trail has been blowing it up lately and we're buying all their stuff right now but this one misses the mark for us somewhat. Keep working it New Trail!

 

 

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is gold, transparent, head is brighter white and presents 1 finger thick and dissipates to thin top and ring on the glass sides.

Smell is lightly sweet malt, some honey, some toast and light biscuit maybe, hops are fairly limited in the aroma.

Taste is light candy like malt sweetness intermixed with honey, more limited toast and biscuit, some grapenuts, hops are light orange, light mixed tropical, hint of pine. More malt sweetness and grape like note.

Mouthfeel is low/moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, low/moderate bitterness, some limited drying and bitterness on the tongue.

Overall a sweeter spin on the west coast ipa from NT - still lacking a biting bitterness or a more definitive caramel maltiness to get it to lean 'west coast'.

 

 

Initial concerns about a wheat infused IPA were mitigated by the pour of a pint can. The contents fit nicely into a clear Imperial pint glass because and thankfully, there was no starchy white head to contend with. The color of the sixteen fluid ounces is a bright and clear copper-amber. There wasn't much head at all. There's just a little citrusy hopping to smell, but nothing pronounced. Tasty as it may well be, it's too malty and not sharply hopped enough to fit well into the true West Coast IPA category. But, other than not fitting exactly within expectations derived from having west coast on the label, this is a great tasting AIPA. It's mildly piney, citrusy and deliciously earthy. The Germanic malts just might be the most responsible contributor. They carry all the hopping well and add their own character to the overall taste. Yet the malt does nothing to make this sweet. Unfortunately, their contribution to the mouthfeel aren't as noteworthy. It took amping up the pour velocity to get any head at all. Then, it was short-lived. There's no glass lacing. All you get here is a far above average tasting American India Pale Ale that brings layers of earthy malt and hops within a wonderful marriage.

West Coast? This tastes like every other wanna be New England/Juicy trendy IPA. There's nothing west coast about it.

If NT correctly identified it, I'm sure many of you would find it lovely. But a west coast it isn't; hence the rating.

Undated (WTF) can into pint glass. Pours a clear honey color with a nice off-white head. Good lacing. Initial impression is maltier than your typical IPA - reminiscent of a DIPA without the sweetness. (In fact, on that basis alone I might suggest that this is more a low-octane DIPA than a standard AIPA, but apparently New Trail considers it an AIPA.) Anyway - there is muted citrus in the profile but maltiness dominates. Mouthfeel is medium - again, reminds me of a DIPA. Finish is smooth and slightly sweet. Overall, an interesting take on a hybrid IPA style.