Review: Ninkasi Brewing Company, Believer Double Red Ale

Oh, look what I found today.  A Believer Double Red Ale from the Ninkasi Brewing Company in Eugene, Oregon.  Right away I poured it into a tall pint glass and noticed the ample carbonation.  The head is a light tan color and has a shaving cream texture to it.  This beer changes color from deep red at the bottom to near black at the top of my glass and the head continues to rise slowly for the next few minutes.  It has a sweet, floral hop aroma which seems out of place for this type of beer.  This concoction has a sweet malty caramel flavor at first which blends into sort of a pine-citrus hop flavor.  A really nice combination that gives this medium-bodied beer replay value.  It's a great beer to break into the "imperial amber ale" category due to the drinkability.  This red is 6.9% alcohol by volume with 60 IBU's.  The hops are very present and appealing and it is balanced nicely with the darker malts.  So for now I'm a believer, but I want to try this one on draft.  Anyone know a good place to find it?

Aroma: 9/12   Appearance: 3/3   Flavor: 16/20   Mouthfeel: 3/5  Overall Impression:  8/10  Total:  39/50


I think there could have been less carbonation, but the flavor and appearance were very good examples of this style.  I can certainly taste the alcohol and that's the way it should be with this American Red.  Has anyone had this one before?  

Review: Hopworks Urban Brewery, DOA Deluxe Organic Ale

Hopworks Urban Brewery produces all their beers with "organic" malted barley.  The DOA Deluxe is 6.9% alcohol by volume with 55 IBU's (international bittering units).   It pours into a nice deep golden-brown color with great head retention.  I was expecting some bitterness, but the rich malty flavor hides any attempt to bring out the hops.  It feels very heavy and full-bodied on the tongue and makes for a very nice after dinner drink.  I think this kind of beer would go great with some kind of hot sandwich like a Ruben, or a French Dip.  So, next time you're in Portland, ride your bike over to the HUB and pick up a few for your friends, and me too! They'll also be kind enough to fill your growler for you.

Aroma: 9/12   Appearance: 3/3   Flavor: 14/20   Mouthfeel: 4/5  Overall Impression:  7/10  Total:  37/50

I really wanted to taste more hops in this one, but the rich malty goodness really takes control of this beer which is why I didn't score the flavor higher than I did.  The description on the bottle says, "This unique beer is a trifecta of bold flavors.  Hops, malt and alcohol bully the taste buds on the organic playground while the monitor blows the whistle."  If this is a "trifecta" then I would expect to taste the hops a bit more.  I look forward to trying more beers from the HUB.

Any suggestions on what I should drink next?  Leave a comment!