Tropical Double Broken Heels
New Trail Brewing Company

 

A 19.2 fluid ounce can gets emptied entirely into a clear glass liter mug with amazing results. There was no excessive foam now endemic with modern American IPAs. Instead, it was a modest just-off-white head produced and it seems to be enduring. As advertised, there's a fruity aroma, without much more to it, leading to fears that this might just taste like a high octane liquid version of Juicyfruit chewing gum. Dull and dark apricot-amber is its color and it's opaque. You get what you ask for here. Points probably shouldn't be deducted for this being exactly what's advertised, but this is far too fruity and sweet to be taken seriously. The only thing that's no joke is the ABV and the overall suffers because of it and the fruity sweetness and lack of depth to the taste. It really isn't that far removed from doing a shot of cheap vodka just after stuffing a pack of Juicyfruit into your mouth. It's nothing close to a real IPA in taste, nor character. The mouthfeel is only a little better than a seltzer, alright, a little better than a little better. Yet. It should be preferred to a sweet mixed drink cocktail, or hard seltzer, but not by much. Behind the seemingly artificial fruit flavors, there is just a hint that this is a beer. This is obviously directed toward those looking for a good and quick beer buzz for people that don't like beer. A serious beer lover can't possibly like this.

 

 

Don't have to add too much to this rating it's a very juicy double IPA that does the work to hide that massive 9.2% ABV. Aggressively fruity not too bitter yet not too malt forward this to me is what you want in a double IPA. Need more smooth and lower alcohol? Get yourself a regular one. Prost!

Too much fruit. Should be more subtle.

 

 

Getting Some mango, papaya and then some grapefruit with the hops on the trailing end. Strong in ABV but not hot whatsoever. Gotta be careful with this one, must resist chugging!

So, I am at a slight disadvantage, having not yet sampled the Double Broken (just the original Broken Heels). Not much for head but the haze is in the house and the nose is throbbing with sweet tropical aromas: pineapple, papaya, and tangerine seem likely.

This is a seriously juicy beer. The tropical flavors are dominant throughout. The hops and bitter are there, they are just swamped. It doesn't taste artificial or anything, but the flavors are very strong. The texture is unable to fully contain both the overflowing juiciness and the abundant alcohol, which is partially hidden, but peeks out sometimes.

This is an ambitious attempt that doesn't fully succeed. I am still eager to try the original, which should put to rest my lingering questions about this one. Some people will love this, so worth a try.

 

Canned on: 2-7-24

A - A very hazy medium golden tan color with dense white lacing.

S - Nice tropical fruit and citrus aroma slams the nose and I can smell it from three feet away. Pineapple, tangerine, orange citrus, papaya. The nose is very juicy.

T - Juicy citrus, tangerine, sweet grapefruit, mango, papaya, pineapple, and ends with a lingering citrus bitterness.

M - Medium body with gentle carbonation.

O - This beer tastes like fruit juice was added? The ABV is also well-hidden and deceptive.

 

 

 

Slightly less than two fingers worth of crisp bone white colored froth... Stellar retention... Color is a moderately hazed pale bronzish gold... True to its name, lots of vibrant tropical fruits... Palate is a bit more muddled than the nose... The tropical fruits are present, but compete with burnt crust and other flavors for priority... Feel starts lush... Medium bodied with moderate carbonation... Finish has a chalky finish... Decent enough beer, but the regular Double Heels is superior in every way...

 

A: Cotton white color and texture for capping above a hazy milky golden lemon pour. A spacious and slow steady rise of effervesce. Head life was moderate, lacing stickage less so. Overall a dense and juicy appearance waters the mouth on a hot summer day during this July heatwave.

S: Fresh peach juice all day long. Sweet, wet and succulent with orange juice and some pineapple flair. Strong sense of initial awareness. Perhaps just a dab of mangos and grapefruit juice on the trail.

T: Flavor of semi-dry pineapple, tart oranges and mangos opens. Some grassy flowery hops, fresh barley grains, sticky pine hop resins come on the finish. A dry bite of tropical alcohol and floral hops.

M: Sticky resins on the mouthful, smooth texture, and lightly dry bread.

O: Overall love the initial wet whirlpool blast of tropical hop aromas. The flavor proceeds to a semi-dry tart tropical assault of flowery hops and fruit. Solid and outstanding in all aspect. Will drink again.

Poured into a narrow pint glass: color is straw gold, hazy but not thick, head is off white with mixed froth/bubbles and presents 1+ fingers thick, head dissipates to solid top with lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is seems artificially tropical - especially compared to other NT brews with limited aroma; big pineapple, some peach and mango, some light citrus.

Taste is more artificial tropical-ness - big pineapple/peach flavor, full bodied with oats/wheat sweetness, some citric notes; tough to get through but abv seems hidden by the full body/strong tropical notes.

Mouthfeel is low carbonation, moderate sweetness and thick feeling, limited bitterness but some drying.

Overall - somewhat expected flavor/feel from this brew, aroma is strong but wondering if thats the artificial tropical notes.