Thunderclap
New Trail Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

It's a great brewery overall, but what they consistently do best are their hazies. So, as a pint can's contents are emptied into a clear Imperial pint glass, expectations run high. First comes great relief that the pour didn't produce the ridiculous amount of foam most modern American IPAs now do. Oppositely, there's no head at all, which can happen with beers bringing a 9.7% ABV. The aroma has notes of tropical fruit, possibly mango and/or passionfruit. It could be that a little alcohol is in the mix, as well. The initial taste is sweetly fruity, but not overly so. There's also a pleasant earthiness accompanying. It's almost amazing that with this much potency, the mouthfeel is as smooth as it is. The alcohol doesn't present itself until the esophagus begins to warm. There aren't many taste layers, but it dries out nicely during the finish. It's like tropical fruit transitioning to orange-grapefruit, but with almost no astringency. Just another example of how this brewery puts out some of the absolute best hazies outside of Vermont. Here's another that just tastes too good and goes down too easily for its ABV, it's dangerous. It's captured the right balance of wheat and oats to give it body, without becoming sticky, nor chalky. There's just enough from the three varieties of hops to give it an ale flavor and bite. Whatever New Trails produces in the double hazy IPA category seems to be exceptionally good. This is no exception.

 

Poured into a wide mouth, grip shaped goblet: color is straw gold, hazy but not too dense, head is off white and presents 1 finger thick, head laces the glass well.

Smell is candied fruit, tropicals, hint of citrus / grapefruit, light malt and oats.

Taste is more candied fruit / tropicals, citrus with grapefruit pith forward, malt is light and biscuity with some oat/bready notes; light boozy esters.

Mouthfeel is low carbonation, moderate sweet/fullness, lower bitterness and starts to have a drying booziness with warmth.

Overall a big NEIPA that has moderate backing malt and hops to balance significant boozy qualities.