Let's start this review off with a song...
Beer Run. A song by Todd Snider and an IPA from Ninkasi Brewing Company's Special Release Series.
When we were first approached by Ninkasi to review their Beer Run IPA, I was assuming that this beer would be a Session IPA. I think it was the word "Run" that threw me off and had me thinking that this was a post-workout kind of beer (a low ABV beer that will (a) replace some electrolytes (b) quench your thirst and (c) possess just enough alcohol to take the edge off without putting you down for the count ). Upon further inspection, i.e. trying one of the six bottles that we received via Beer Mail (or should I say Beer mmm-Ale???), I quickly found out that this was most definitely NOT a Session IPA. Before we get to our review, let's find out a bit more info about this beer from the brewers themselves. Below is a short video by Ninkasi Brewing Company that was inspired by the creation of their Beer Run IPA:
Let's get on with the review...
- Appearance: Pale orange color with minimal off-white foam and lacing.
- ABV: 7.3%
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Aroma
- Limpd: Great aroma. Lots of pine and grapefruit tang. A little syrupy sweetness.
- G-LO: Smells as an IPA should with loads of citrus, some pine, and a hint of sweet honeyed malts. Also picking up some herbal notes in the background.
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Taste
- Limpd: Lots of bubbles in the glass so I was expecting it to be a little more carbonated. Medium mouthfeel. A little muted in terms of flavor after the aroma. Easy drinking with mild sweetness and a good balance between the malts and the bitterness. The bitterness grows in the finish (not overly bitter, just a little more bitter).
- G-LO: Lightly carbonated with a medium mouthfeel. As far as the flavors go, this beer is pretty consistent from the start to its crisp, clean finish. I'm getting citrusy hops with a bit of resinous pine balanced with that subtle sweet malt which makes for one very drinkable IPA.
The Verdict
- Limpd: The aroma led me to believe that this might be more of hop bomb. I was pleasantly surprised to find this to be far from that. Beer Run IPA has a nice balance in terms of the flavors, and a great finish. This is one easy drinking IPA. That said, I fear the moderately high ABV might turn this into one dangerous beer, i.e. it's high drinkability might make those 7.3% glasses of beer add up pretty quickly.
- G-LO: This is our second Ninkasi beer review and it looks like we have another winner! There's nothing particularly groundbreaking here, just a well crafted and highly drinkable IPA. Well done!
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Many thanks to Ninkasi Brewing Company for sending us these very generous samples!
Categories: Brew Review, Ninkasi Brewing
Tagged as: Beer, Beertography, Craft Beer, Drinkwire, Glotography, IPA, Ninkasi Beer Run IPA, Ninkasi Brewing, Review, Reviews, Todd Snider
