Brewery:
Name/style:
Radiant Ale – Seasonal Summer Ale
IBUs: 40
ABV: 6%
Ninkasi is a Northwest Brewery based in Eugene, OR. I’ve only recently stumbled upon their beers, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Radiant Ale is their seasonal Summertime offering. Most summer-themed ales out there are in the pilsner-esque category. Lighter beers, sometimes heavily hopped, sometimes not. The goal is usually refreshing over total substance, and in the middle of summer who doesn’t want that?
However, Ninkasi got their namesake from the Sumerian Goddess of fermentation. Fearing her wrath, they decided that going big was the only way to go with their Radiant Ale. It is a wonderfully bright copper-blonde colored ale that pours a decent white head. The beer has a definite complex malt presence. Not complex as in too much flavor, but complex refreshing. It has a medium mouthfeel, but ends up washing away rather quickly. A tiny bit of citrus makes it’s way to the nose, as does a faint bit of alcohol. The hops are well balanced for this beer. They cut through the maltiness to deliver a refreshing citrusy aroma and moderately assertive bitterness. However, if you pair it with food, the maltiness fades to the background fast and you’re left with a mouthful of hops.
Given the higher body of this beer, this makes for more of a summer evening ale, rather than a middle-of-the-day thirst quencher. Definitely worth the 3.99 I paid for the 22oz’er. If you can get your hands on it, do it before summer is over or you’ll end up with a Sumerian deity trying to destroy your city.
Obligatory Ghostbuster reference:
Cheers.
John
mistressothepit
Darrin
Andy
Adam
beerisdirus
Portland Dad
August 3, 2010
I have been enjoying the Ninkasi seasonal beers, the Spring Reign still make me look back fondly and smile.
Adam
August 3, 2010
I think they just recently became available up here in my neck of the woods. I had the double red as well, that one was really good. I think i’ll try and make my way through their whole line up.
Brew Mahn
August 4, 2010
You should look into Oakshire, another Eugene Brewery.
Adam
August 4, 2010
If I can get them up this way, I will be on the look out. I live north of Everett, WA. I can usually find a decent amount of OR beer, it just depends on where I look.