6th Orbit
New Trail Brewing Company

 

Poured into a wide mouth grip shaped goblet: color is straw gold and thick hazy, head is brighter white with fine bubbles and presents 1/4 inch thick.

Smell is big pithy citrus, light berry, notable malt, honey sweetness, floral and herbal notes as well; much more aromatic depth than most NT HIPAs.

Taste is more subtle with a bit of boozy burn - notes of citrus pith, berry, floral and herbal hops, lighter malt and pilsner in flavor.

Mouthfeel is low carbonation, moderate sweetness, low/moderate bitterness - very soft for the strength, would like a bit more bitterness.

Overall quite good for the strength - more aromatics than a typical NT brew, seems to have taken on some boozy bite with a bit of aging but not a bad feature, just want more bitterness.

16oz can into a pint glass. Canned 4/9/25, so a month old.

Slightly hazy yellow body, persistent bright white head, impressive given the abv. Aroma is hoppy and fruity. On tasting, a smooth beer, hoppy, but little bite. Where the hell is the abv? Finish is smooth, though an odd dry candy note popped up every mouthful.

Overall, there is almost zero evidence of the 10.6abv. Quite astounding. (Then again, I haven't stood up yet)

6th Orbit - from New Trails. 16 fl oz can purchased from Franklin Beer Co, Franklin, PA, 24/04/24, $ 4.50 (Including tax), $ 0.281/fl oz. Reviewed 07/05/24 (Review 3272). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Stamped on the bottom of the can “CANNED ON 04/09/24”. Stored in reefer at the distributor, 34 degrees at home. Served at 44.2 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 53.4 degrees F.
Appearance – 4.
First pour – Pale Straw (SRM 2), hazy.
Body – Straw (SRM 3), opaque. Under direct light same. When rear-lite, same.
Head – Large (Maximum 4.2 cm, aggressive center pour), white, high density with a rocky top, average retention, leaving a 0.5 – 0.7 cm crown and a partial rocky cap.
Lacing – Good. Three-dimensional, wide band of tiny to medium bubbles.
Aroma – 4.5 – Primarily citrus and tropical fruit with some woodiness/herbaceous tinges. No yeast, no malt, no alcohol (10.6 % ABV as marked on the label).
Flavor – 4 – Follows nose, just a bit bitter. No yeast, no malt, no alcohol. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Mild gastric warming.
Palate – 4.25 – Medium; creamy; soft but lively carbonation.
Final Impression and summation: 4.25 Very aromatic and tasty IIPA with well-hidden ethanol. Excellent price point – it’s a bargain!

Very nice NE TIPA with a very smooth finish. The 10.6 abv is well-hidden.

 

A fingers worth of crisp bone white colored head... Color is a mostly hazed tangerine... Delightful nose of tropical fruits, mild citrus and a touch of earthiness... Flavors people mirrors the nose but everything is dialed up a few notches... Powerful but not overwhelming... On the fuller side of medium bodied... Sleek with just a modest touch of carbonation... Goes down surprisingly smoothly given the ten plus percent ABV... Excellent beer with tons of nuance and complexity...

Canned on:

A - Opaque medium golden orange tan color with dense, creamy, lightly frothy lacing that sticks to the glass.

S - Big fruity, citrus, spicy floral, and herbally aroma.

T - Peach, mango, grapefruit, citrus, a little bit of lime buried down under, apricot, some spicy floral, and a little bit of peppery fruit rind.

M - Big full body that's chewy, pillowy soft, pulpy, and has some prickly carbonation punching the tongue.

O - For the ABV, it's pretty well-hidden. Recommended.