ALERAISERS

The Beer Of the Week for the week of 6/2/2011 is:

Ninkasi Brewing Company’s Spring Reign

On a recent trip to Spokane, WA( that’s Sp-OH-CAN for the non-natives) to see my little brother graduate from high school, Ms. HG and I took a trip to the local Rosauers in search of some new-to-us west coast beer.  $50 later we walked out with a basket full of beer we’d never tried and a covetous desire to live in the Pacific Northwest for a while–a least until we’ve tried all their beers.  In honor of Bug, the graduate, and his aspirations at the University of Oregon, this weeks BOW comes from non other then Eugene Oregon–the home of the Fighting Ducks and some of the ugliest football uniforms on the face of the planet.

From the bottle:  ”Spring forward with this refreshing seasonal ale.  Notes of toasted malt up front, finished with a bright and refreshing Northwest hop aroma, it’s a session beer that anyone can enjoy!”

Spring Reign pours a golden blonde with foamy white head.  The aroma is slightly floral with a refreshingly subtle malt underlay.  The taste is maltly, slightly sweet and floral–not overly sweet like an imperial beer, but simple and refreshing.  It also has a nice, clean bitter finish.  The body is light, and the carbonation is low.  This is an ultra refreshing summer beer–good flavor, nothing overpowering, and easy to drink on a hot summer day (not that they know what that is in Eugene, OR).

Purchased at Rosauers in Spokane, WA.

3.7/5.0