Beer 207: Eugene City Fake Out...and Ninkasi Double Red

You get two reviews for the price of one today. I got the fake out from Eugene City Brewing. It's part of Rogue's family, which I reviewed last week but I really liked the beer and feel compelled to tell you about it.

But first I'm going to wax poetic about the Ninkasi Believer Double Red Ale.. It poured a deep red-tinged amber in the glass with a thick tan head.


I couldn't smell anything...I think my allergies had finally found me in Portland after a day hiking outdoors. Rats. I think this one is best described as a slightly hopped up Irish red. It drank nice and smooth...tasted of caramel malts and finished hoppy. Very good.

I didn't get the toffee and figs that Ninkasi mentions in its description. I do, however, agree that it is incredibly drinkable and full flavored.

***



And just because I really enjoyed it, here is what I thought of Eugene City Brewery's Honey Orange Wheat Ale. . It poured a hazy, dark straw color with no head and was served with a totally superfluous orange wedge. 

Smelling it reminded me of orange blossom honey. The taste had orange undertones...wheat...and a smoothness and light sweetness from the honey. It was awesome!




p.s. This is how hot it is right now....








...Totally necessary for survival.

Cheers!

You Have Cholera

Beer #195 Mason's Irish Style Red Ale / Ninkasi Brewing Company, Eugene, OR

Portland has been awesome, mostly because the food and beer have been stellar.  We're on the road today, headed up to Seattle for the last leg of our journey.  Sigh, the real world will be here soon enough, I fear.

Today's beer was the Irish Red from Ninkasi Brewing Company out of Eugene.  It has a reddish amber hue in the glass with a fluffy white head.  You get aromas of sweet malt, and when you drink it you get hints of caramel, malt, with a hop bitterness on the finish, although nothing too dramatic.  This plus a few dozen oysters ended up being our dinner, with leftover Voodoo Doughnuts from last night for dessert.  Heavenly.

Thing to Think About Today:
We spent some time hiking/driving along the Columbia River and the trail used by Lewis and Clark on their famous 1805 expedition to explore routes to the Pacific Ocean.  So OF COURSE the thing to think about today is the greatest video game from my childhood, The Oregon Trail.  This didn't have the excitement of Atari or Nintendo games and their slick joystick action; this educational game taught you about the life of settlers moving west across the plains on their way to the coast.  You also learned that people died of dysentery a whole bunch back in the day.

Haven't played in a while?  Feel free to check out one of the online versions, which is how I'm spending my evening.  I'm a nerd.  And if you know what's good for you, always ferry across the river.  Always.