Ninkasi Spring Reign Ale
Serving: 22oz Bomber
Style: American Blond Ale
ABV: 6.0%
This is my first beer from Ninkasi, and I've heard good things about their double IPA (Tricerahops) and other hoppy brews. Pours a nice yellow golden color with a hint of orange and bubbles triumphantly upon pouring. Kind of smells like an average IPA would, so I am expecting some hoppy character.
As the beer first hits my tongue there is a blast of malty sweetness, which surprisingly switches over to mellow bitterness very quickly. The first thing that jumps into my head is that this reminds me of a much more mellowed out Barleywine. It has a similar progression of flavor, yet in more modest amounts. As I sip, a burnt caramel aroma wafts into my nostrils, along with some faint citrus notes.
There is perhaps a bit too much bitterness at the end, and detracts from the overall balance of the brew. It lingers and is rather unwelcome to my pallet. After sipping on this for awhile the bitterness starts to become less intense, but is still out of balance with the rest of the brew.
Overall, a pretty average Ale from Ninkasi. It certainly doesn't inspire me to run out and purchase the rest of their offerings. I should still give some of their other brews a chance...and I plan to review another from them.
Final Grade: C
-Has some nice malty character going for it in the beginning, but is unbalanced by bitterness at the end. Evens out to an average beer for me, might be slightly more appetizing for hopheads out there. The hop character isn't very good though. I think I'd rather be drinking a PBR.
SIDE NOTE:
Helped Mike Adams start his homebrew earlier this week! It was super fun and was a lot easier than I thought. Cant really afford homebrew supplies right now...but hopefully when I get a job I can invest in a decent setup. I had an interview at OHSU yesterday so hopefully I made a good impression so I can start brewing some beer!
