Hit The Trail Ale - Long Trail Brewing Co.

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.61/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours a really nice brown, finger head, good medium lacing
S - Roasted hazelnuts, toffee, slight hint of cocoa, some coffee roasts as well, amidst a smokey malt bed.
T - Taste kinda drops off from the flavor, but you still get a nice nutty ale, toffee, a mild bitterness with a touch of smoke.
M - Good flavors fade to a sort of unwelcoming lingering sour dry bitterness.
O - One of Long Trail's better beers, but still wayyyy off from the mark. I had a fresher one of these prior to now, but it wasnt much different.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:52:56 | More by Omnium

ThomasMetal75

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Reddish-brown, but clear. Real frothy & creamy head. 2 fingers worth of head, then receded to about a finger and never went away.

S- Smoky, dark roasted malts. Has a burning wood kind of scent. Carmel/toffee as well. Some kind of spicy note is detected.

T- Toffee! Buttery quality as well. Dark roast malts, with that smoked thing going on. Finish is somewhat sweet, but not sweet for all that long.

M- medium mouthfeel. Starts watery, but sits more in the medium range overall. Moderate carbination. But overall very easy to drink.

Real good brown ale. I'd like to see less smokiness, and more malty sweetness, but can't complain anymore than that.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 21:18:18 | More by ThomasMetal75

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a ruby-brown coloring, both vibrant and clear, with only a slight ring of film on the surface. Subtle, slightly watery nose, with hints of toffee rich and sweet, as well as some warming spices of nutmeg and all-spice. Flavors are light, as well, with a rich, roasty quality supporting sweet nut and subtle toffee characteristics. Very smooth and rich, but the lighter body keeps the palate manageable. Smooth, rich aftertaste that is light and sweet, with a crisp, clean finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 02:32:38 | More by GarthDanielson

57md

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep, dark copper with a finger of head that leaves little behind except a trace of lace on the glass. There is some subtle nuttiness in the nose. The flavor is bready, but generally light bodied. The finish is semi-dry and makes for a pleasant end to a good, but certainly not exciting offering from a solid, but not exceptional brewery.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 05:02:42 | More by 57md

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another of tone77's many bottles for me to try and I guess that I should be thankful that none of them have been of a killer ABV. Still in all, I will be glad to get back to The CANQuest (TM) where I really belong.

From the bottle: "Take a hike!"; "A very smooth English-style brown ale"; "Our Northern English-style brown ale features three malted barleys blended to produce a light-brown brew with a smooth, sweet finish. Smooth brown, smooth down. Enjoy!"

The heat and humidity of the day may be affecting these beers as well as me. I got a massive two-plus fingers of thick, deep-tan head almost instantly, requiring that I back off of the pour. It all finally settled into mere wisps, but I do not fault the brewers, and instead the broiling temperatures. Color was a deep reddish-brown with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a nuttiness to it, not a bad thing in a brown ale. Mouthfeel was medium and man, was this a nutty flavor on the tongue! Squirrels would die for something like this. As a self-avowed hophead, not so much. Still, it was appropriate for the style and it sure beat drinking a sugary malt bomb. Finish was semi-dry and while I may not want more than one, it was certainly not a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 22:51:25 | More by woodychandler

deltatauhobbit

Maine

3.15/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a dark amber, light brown color, based on the look of it I would have guess amber ale over brown ale, not much of a head which is tan colored, fades fast and leaves only a couple small bits of lacing.

Smell is roasted malt with some good hints of nuttiness, bit of toffee thrown in as well.

Taste is malty with nutty toffee undertones, high carbonation, nothing explosive, mild flavors but nothing to hate either, medium to thin body, easy drinking if you feel like having another.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 20:02:41 | More by deltatauhobbit

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a standard pint glass, color is dark amber to brown with a nice tan head that dissipates to bubbles.

Smell is very mild toasted malt, hints of caramel and maybe some light fruitiness.

Taste is clean pretty crisp, flavors are more pronounced than the scent initially some caramel notes, maybe some toffe and some biscuit or light toast with a lingering fruitiness.

Mouthfeel is very crisp but balanced by some lingering sweetness.

Overall, a solid brown ale flavors are pretty straightforward with a touch of some fruitiness to give a it a more cask type flavor

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 21:34:04 | More by mvanaskie13

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Ba Review #135
Served On: 03/09/2012
Glassware: Pint Glass
Labeled ABV: -
Date/ Code: 12/28/11

This was in the winter 2011 Survival Pack.

Look: The beer poured a clear deep copper color. The head was a thin white cap of spongy foam. Carbonation bubbles were slow but steady.

Smell: No much going on with the aroma. I noticed some English Ale qualities, like some cracker notes and earthy hops.

Taste: First was a rather bland malty note, then an interesting spice in the middle. Maybe like a faint nutmeg. The finish was a dry cracker note. Aftertaste was fairly clean.

Overall this beer was typical of other English styles I’ve had. Rather thin with a couple signature notes that seemed to stand out.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 17:25:13 | More by CraftBeerTastic

Bendurgin

Maine

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Pours mahogany with a small cap of bubbly light khaki head that is short lived.

Nutty malt aroma with some brown sugar and hints of molasses in the background. A hint of wheat toast lingers in the background. Mild flavors on the pallet. Weak nutty flavors with a little bit of a floral hop twinge rounding this out.

The body is very light and the carbonation is suitable.

Not a bad beer but it seems to fall short on flavor. Nothing offensive, but there doesn't seem to be much going on.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 03:42:02 | More by Bendurgin

Zraly

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep chestnut brown into a Dogfish Head glass. Nice, tight, light tan head with notes of brown sugar and malt.

Super smooth and clean, this is a nicely balanced brown ale. Predominant notes include toast, brown sugar, and a touch of butter in the finish. An earthy spice flavor comes through in the finish, rounding out the mouthfeel and leads to a crisp finish. Carbonation is good and is light-medium bodied.

Highly drinkable and made to session. If you like a good brown ale, you really can't go wrong here. Would be awesome with bbq chicken.

Really impressed with the things I've tried from Long Trail. Consistent in quality and hard to beat price-wise. Good choices for those wanting quality brew on a budget.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 00:09:36 | More by Zraly

beerbiatchMD

Maine

3.3/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle into large wine glass.

A: Dark brown, light brown head is minimal.

S: malty and fruity in the nose, plumb and brown sugar.

T: Ok. Mild sweetness. Hint of dark fruit but not as much as in the nose. Pretty standard English ale.

M: Mild carbonation. Reasonably smooth.

O: Maybe above average but in my opinion not amazing. Worth trying however.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 01:13:16 | More by beerbiatchMD

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle with a Bottled On Date of what looks like 093011. Pours a dark brown with ruby hues and no head. Aroma is sweet and malty. Somewhat earthy with some caramel and spices. Taste is somewhat subdued. Spices and some caramel malts but its a pretty light tasting beer. Not a whole lot going on. Thin mouthfeel as well. If it weren't for the flavor of the spices you usually find in Winter beers I'd say this is more of a spring/summer beer. Regardless, its nothing special. Overall, its an ok beer in the Survival Pack but I wont be seeking it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 04:50:20 | More by PicoPapa

abgba121

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: pours a medium brown with very thin head and almost no lace

S: low profile, some malty sweetness, almost no hops. A light brown ale smell

T: light caramel malts, an average ale

M: somewhat on the thin side, good carbonation

O: a good brown ale, very smooth and easy to drink. It could use more depth though

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 04:56:00 | More by abgba121

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This has been made available on tap for the Barley House Restaurant in Concord, N.H. U.S.A. under the moniker of "Black Ice Pond Ale." Sampled on January 15, 2011. The pour was a decent looking amber brown/red with about a half inch of light tan head that leaves a delicate silkiness on top. The aroma is of sweet malts, yeast, and light nuttiness. The mouthfeel was medium. There is a sharp bitterness in the overall flavor coupled with a slightly hopped ending. Quite nice.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 17:47:54 | More by puboflyons

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Off tap at Monty's Old Brick Tavern in Williston this beer is a contract brew. Only available at four locations under this name it can also be found under alternate names as it is THE contract brew produced by Long Trail. For example, I believe it is the exact same beer as the Church Street Tavern Ale Leunig's Ale et. al only under different names. The color of the beer was a classic copper with one finger of off-white head. The aroma was very light, toasted malt and only hints of hops. The flavors were very nutty, toasted malt, a little caramel malt and a touch of floral hops. Clearly very low in alcohol. Dry and slightly bitter at the end. The mouthfeel was ok, the body light and the carbonation medium. Balanced and sessionable but unremarkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 18:20:19 | More by thekevlarkid

Brianmerrilyn

New York

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Another one at the tasting at George Pearce's glass shop on Park Avenue.

A: The color was a mixture of brown and gold leading more to the clear side. Rather good head of a finger or so, laced up initially but fell quickly and sticking sometimes.

S: The nose had overtones of malts and some candy on the toffey side, and subtle floral bouquet and malts.

T: Followed the nose with malts hitting your pallet first and lingering longer with shy bitter hops following. Nice retention by the way.

M: This was the best part of the beer. Extremely smooth delivery and creamy body to back up the taste. I enjoyed the crisp sweet malt and bitter hops.

D: This was my second favorite batch from Long Trail. A good mixture leaning towards complex.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2008 01:09:01 | More by Brianmerrilyn

changeup45

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Fairly thick with a medium tan head and dark drown body. Sweet malty flavor with some spice but not really any bitterness. Smooth and easy drinking and a pretty good Brown Ale. If you like Newcastle then give this one a try, you'll probably like it as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2008 19:06:13 | More by changeup45

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler glass.

A: The beer is a light copper color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of honey, caramelized malts, nuts and some hops.

T: The taste is sweet with flavors of honey and caramel up front. The malt character is hearty but not as much as most beers in the style. There’s a mild hops presence that provides a little balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, decent representation of style. The first time I tried this beer at a tasting along with the regular Long Trail Ale, I wasn’t very thrilled with either of them. Since then, I’ve grown a liking for most of Long Trail’s beers and although this beer tastes better now than when I first tried it, I’m still not liking it too much.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2008 04:00:19 | More by TheManiacalOne

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a darker amber with basically no head. Nose is woody with a touch of caramel and just a touch of dust. Flavor is a bit woody with sweet tones. Robust and thick with flavor. Off the flavor alone I would say this is worth trying. Feel is nice on the liquid and good with the carbonation too. Extremely drinkable. Off the flavor alone, worth going for. This on-tap might be interesting. On cask...who knows.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 06:03:41 | More by RblWthACoz

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at AJ's Bar & Grill, Watertown, Conn.

A: Pours a clean looking amber brown. A nice one-finger head forms and retains itself for most of the brew.

S: Smells a little nutty, hoppy, and fruity all at once. None is too powerful, meaning the taste isn't likely to be either, but it's a fairly complex aroma.

T: Taste is a bit thin, but I found the hops and malts to be balanced very well. There is a little raisin mixed in with the hop, which is more present than I thought it to be, a nice surprise.

M: Mouthfeel is light and refreshing. There is the right amount of bitterness from the hops and no unpleasant aftertaste to speak of.

D: I could see turning this into a nice fall or outdoor session brew. It's low enough in alcohol, yet warming because of the aromas and color. Would definitely get again.

I usually judge Long Trail for making all of their brews just a hair different from the standard Long Trail Ale, but Hit the Trail is unique enough to be certified as an English Brown, and not a bad one to boot.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2007 19:56:33 | More by Gambrinus1184

coalcracker

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle sent down from Vermont. Born on date of 5/9/2007.
Appearance: Pours dark golden color with thick head.
Smell: Very nice scent- almost a bit fruity with some raisin/fig.
Taste: Nice balance of malts and hops, perhaps a bit skewed towards the hops (which jump out first upon tasting). Malt consists of light raisin, brown sugar to a mild extent,molasses. Taste is clean- no lingering aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a mild fizzy effervescense.
Drinkability: Quite drinkable- easy to quaff. Low alcohol content and li/refreshing nature would make this a great brew to take along to, say, a camping trip?

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2007 02:24:04 | More by coalcracker

Durge

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What a great surprise to find this on tap in the hospitality lounge of the Sierra Suites Hotel in East Fishkill, NY this week! Had a couple and was hard to leave for dinner that evening. This had a fairly light, cider-like look. A little cloudy but I didn't notice much of anything sizable floating about. A fair head that held pretty well. The aroma has a light hops and slight citrus tone to it. I tasted a bit of lemon in this and a mild hop, fairly light with fine carbonation. This is very drinkable but tastey. Went well with our salsa snacks as well. Very clean stuff for something that's not filtered! Another hit for Long Trail.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2007 05:05:56 | More by Durge

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured into a nonic glass from a long neck brown bottle with a crimped on cap. Sent to me from Sudsdog 4 out of 6 Long Trails.

Clear,ruby red with a 2" creamy off-white head,fair retention with spotty lacing. Not much carbination the head totaly dissapated by the finish.

A good,clean inviting very moderate. Very nutty and fruity,burnt toffee.some grainy smells,perfumy,a slighty vinous English aroma.

Very clean taste,very fruity and nutty with some light carmell notes and nice tartness. Finishes with a pleasing bittersweetness and crisp tartness.

Very smooth mouthfeel with a grainy feel from the tartness.Goes down extremely well. Could get some lower ratings from a slight watery feel. I thought it was a good English Brown really enjoyable and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2007 00:40:40 | More by jcdiflorio

riversider76

New York

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a redish brown. Looks watery, not much head or lacing. Smell is weak. Some roasted malt, and chocolate. Body is thin,and watery. Taste is ok,but weak. Malty, with some hints of fruit. This beer tasted watered down. Maybe I picked up a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2007 03:02:57 | More by riversider76

billybob

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

nice dark brown color, one finger head that fades to a ring on the glass, with a nice lace to the finish. smell is caramel and toasted malt. taste same with a faint semi sweet chocolate in the balance. mouthfeel is light, smooth, good carbonation and a clean finish. great session beer. wish i had a couple more right now.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2007 00:05:46 | More by billybob