Ninkasi Brewing Co., Radiant (Seasonal Summer Ale)

Radiant, by Ninkasi Brewing Company: Summer Ale, 6% ABV, 1 pint 6 oz bottle

In the classic Ninkasi style this light summer ale is balance with hops and is bitter for being a summer ale. Their slogan is “Worship the Goddess” referring to Ninkasi, the goddesses of Fermentation, but I feel this brewery might want to look towards Ceres, the Roman goddess of Agriculture. They sure do love their hops.

At first poor there is suggestions of hop and yeast flavors to come but as the foam dissipates the nose becomes a mellow combination of malt with some flowery back tones. Foam retention isn’t a strong point for this beer but who cares as it’s made for a hot summer night when you’re going to want to drink it cold. The taste is similar to an English ESP with just a bit less malt. The mouthfill is smooth and crisp while the hops add a refreshing bitter after taste.

Unfortunately I don’t have any fruit in the house right now because I would love to see how this would compliment a slice a melon or a bowl of cherries. It’s summer time and for me that’s what summer ales should do; compliment the fruits and home grown veggies of the season by cleaning the palate and filling our spirits.

Next Beer: Blue Moon (some times you have to drink on the cheap!)

Sierra Nevada, Kellerweis (Bavarian HefeWeizen made in CA)

Kellerweis, by Sierra Nevada: Wheat Ale, 4.8% ABV, 12 oz bottles only, Do not know if it was bottle conditioned

Brewed by Sierra Nevada in the style traditional Bavarian Style of using open fermentation.

I think I have just tasted my new favorite American Hefeweizen!!! Thanks J-time for donating this great beer.

The nose is a perfect blend of clover, yeast, and fruit. It has a wonderful retention of its white foamy head, and its color is a nicely clouded golden haze. The taste is not as fruity as its German counter parts but it does have a nice complex of mix of flavors ranging from clove to banana. There is no need for a lemon or orange slice in this glass!

I would combine this brew with something light. I thinks perhaps a nice Chinese Chicken Salad, grilled chicken with a citrus glaze, or even maybe a bowl of diced fruit. I know this is one of their knew year round brews but think spring and summer when matching this to your next meal.

Next Beer: ?

The Wise

The Wise, ESB (Extra Special Bitter): English Style Bitter, 5.9% ABV, 39 IBU, 22 oz Bottle

Brewed by Elysian Brewing

Being inspired of late by various friends, I have finally decided to sit down and review another beer. So after making the trip down to the basement, into the Kegerator, I found myself having to make a choice. As some of you may know I keep a variety of bottled beers on hand. Seeing that I just had a bit of dessert sweetness was on my mind, I choose The Wise.

At first poor you will notice its amazing dark copper color and white head. The Nose is very subtle and very much ruled by its malts while giving just hints of its hops with the slightest biscuit aroma. The taste is sweet with an unexpected light mouthfeel and backed astringent feel of being slightly hoppy. The bitterness of this beer is not overpowering, as you will find with many IPA’s, it serves more as an after thought to the sweet malt flavors.

Although I am enjoying this beer without food, I would suggest combining this brew together with a steak or grilled portabella mushroom (I don’t eat red meat). Maybe even a good Sheppard’s pie (vegetarian in my case).

This brew is great beer when, like some of us, you’ve been to one too many Hop Festivals and you’re kind of tired of extremely bitter beers.


Next Beer: ?

Stone Brewery's 13th Anniversary Ale: by Ben Sooking

Stone Brewery's 13th Anniversary Ale

Stone 13th Anniversary Ale pours brilliant deep red with a light tan foam. Up front, the aroma is all piney, resinous and citrus hops. Upon tasting, the hops are still on the front, and they are balanced with the malty, toffee like flavors contributed from the blend of crystal and amber malts used in the brewhouse.

The finish is deliciously bitter, with a touch of warmth provided by the 9.5% alcohol. Bitterness comes in at 90+ IBU.

Not for the casual beer drinker.. posted for Ben Sooking

Ninkasi Brewing Company: Total Domination IPA

Ninkasi, Total Domination IPA: India Pale Ale, 6.7% ABV, 1pint 6 oz,

Brewed by Ninkasi Brewing Company out of Eugene Oregon.

This beer has a nice hop aroma. Great caramel color and light white head. The taste is slightly malty and bitter with hints of spice. The mouth feel is light and refreshing.

Since it’s 11:30 PM I’m drinking this beer alone (no food) and finding it a great late night treat. It’s bitter but not too bitter. This is a really good IPA to end the day with.

Funny Note: I’m sitting down to an IPA while brewing up a batch of wheat beer that will have very little hops. I’m not a big hop lover but this brew is an excellent example of a drinkable IPA.

Next Beer: Why don’t you make a suggestion?

Schneider Weisse, Hefe-Weizen (The Original German Hefe-Weizen, Ale)

Schneider Weisse, Hefe-Weizen: German Style Wheat Ale, ? ABV, 1pint 0.9 oz, Bottle Fermented

Brewed by G. Scheidner & Sohn according to the Reinheitsgebot, product of Bavaria/Germany.

The first thing you will notice is that this Hefe-Weizen is darker in color than it’s U.S. counter parts. The aroma is malty with hints of clove. The taste is sweet with hints of spice and cloves; there is no need for any additional fruit flavor so put away that lemon. The mouth feel is light and refreshing and has the feel of a sweet Champaign. It’s hard to belief that they got such a great beer while sticking to the Reinheitsgebot law.

I would combine this brew with any summer time favorite Grilled Chicken, Roasted Pork, Watermelon, or hey what the hell more beer.

After a long day of working on tile it feels good to sit down to a nice German Hefe-Weizen. This is an excellent summer beer and happens to be one of my personal favorites. I recall spending at least an hour in front of their booth at a Hops Festival and spending most of my chips drinking one after another. Trust me this beer may be more expensive than your average brew but it is worth it.

Next Beer: Ninkasi’s Total Domination IPA

La Fin Du Monde (The End of the World)

La Fin Du Monde (The End of the World): Strong Triple-style Golden Ale, 9% ABV, 1pint 9.4 oz, Bottle Fermented

The sweet fruity aroma is delightfully mouth watering. A true Belgium Triple with all the fruit and spice with the warming effect of a big beer. As with the other three brews this beer is big without the bite, it is well balanced.

It’s late at night and I just got home from the gym so I won’t be pairing this ale with anything. But for those who plan on having it with a meal the brewery suggests that you pair it with aged cheese, scallops, filet mignon, or duck.

This one ends my tour of the Unibroue Brewery and it’s one tasty end. So if you happen to pick up one of these brews I suggest you share what you think of this beer.

Next Beer: Scheider Weise Hefe-weizen

Maudite (Damned)

Maudite (Damned): Strong Amber-Red Ale, 8% ABV, 1pint 9.4 oz, Bottle Fermented

The aroma is mostly malt with just a slight hint of spice. This Red is big and robust in flavor with a nice hop finish. Although not as high in alcohol as the previous 2 beers this beer differently has the warming effect of a big brew.

The brewery suggests some ideas of dinning with this beer such as a stew or pork tenderloin but, I think this beer is filling enough on it’s own. If you do want to pair this up with a meal, think hearty.

In closing I think this beer would fit in perfectly with the Winter Ale Festival (Portland, OR) as it’s all that is expected of a big dark beer on a cold night. It is filling, warming, and will get you slurring your words in no time.

Funny Note: Earlier today a friend and fellow drinker said that he thought the fad of the Red Beer is all but gone, I say to him: Taste This Beer!

Trois Pistoles (Three Coins)

Trois Pistoles (Three Coins): Strong Dark Ale, 9% ABV, 1pint 9.4 oz

The aroma was of malt with a hint of ripened fruit. The flavor was very robust with a nice sweet fruit background, it reminded me of raisons. Once again this brewery is great at hiding its alcohol profile, it's hard to believe that it's a big beer.

The brewery suggests drinking this beer after dinner as they feel it’s an ideal companion to desert, artisan chocolate to be exact. I decided to take their word for it and armed myself with the Toblerone Swiss Milk Chocolate and Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Raspberry Filling squares. It was movie night so I figured why not.

First I tried it with the Troblerone, it was a good pairing, not great but good. The sweetness and fruit flavors seemed to go well with the smooth chocolate. Then I tried it with the Ghirardelli raspberry filled squares, wow, the robust coffee and fruit flavors of the beer mixed perfectly with the smooth sweet taste of raspberry. It reminded me of when Max Tieger, former brewer at Tuck’s & Max’s Fanno Creek, made a Framboise and refused to serve me a glass unless I drank it mixed with a Stout. Great combination of flavors!

I suggest if you plan on trying this beer you pick up some chocolate to pair it with.

Don De Dieu (Gift Of God)

Don De Dieu (Gift of God): Triple Wheat Ale, 9% ABV, 1pint 9.4 oz

When you first pour this beer you will notice the traditional hay color of a triple, along with cloudy appearance of all wheat beers. The aroma is spectacular, as you can almost taste the sugar through your nose. As I drink I find that this triple wheat ale is truly a treat to my palate. It has a fruity malt taste, followed by the unmistakable taste of yeast presence, along with a smooth mouth fill. I am amazed that with a 9% ABV that I can’t taste any trace of alcohol.

It is funny that Triple Belgians always remind me of sitting down to a nice big bowl of Frosted Flakes. This beer is that sweet and not for those that prefer hops over malt.

This beer is truly worth its being corked and not capped.