Beer Mail - Lux From Ninkasi Brewing

I'm going to start up a new feature on Freshpints.com called Beer Mail. Whenever I receive a sample from a brewery, I'll write up a new post under the heading Beer Mail. Rather than just sampling it myself I'm going to share it with my friends, because sharing is caring and why not get more input than just mine? Plus this will make my friends want to hang out with me more.

A couple of weeks ago I received samples from Ninkasi Brewing. Lux, a German-Style Helles Lager, is a seasonal from the Prismatic Lager Series and available from May - August.
Samplers of Lux happened to be five people - 3 men, and 2 women. Tasting took place in a garage because we're fancy like that.  As you can see, 3 sample glasses and 2 rocks glasses were used to sample the beer, which you'll care about if you're a person who's into using proper glassware.  We just drink using whatever's on hand.

Impressions from first sip :
Awesome, slight biscuit flavor, easy drinker, great for summer, crisp, slightly bitter/hoppy in a good way, wish it was canned 'cause this would be a great beer to take camping, tastes like Rolling Rock (and that is a compliment as this person happily drank a lot of Rolling Rock prior to making her way to craftbeer).  The conclusion was this is a beer worth stocking up on for the coming summer. 

Clear disclosure: These were samples sent to me. Thanks Ninkasi!

Below are the stats for Lux from the press release that I posted back on April 23. 

Lux Stats

Style: German-Style Helles Lager
Series: Prismatic Lager Series

Available: May – August 2014

ABV: 5.0%

IBU: 20

Starting Gravity: 1050

Malt: Bohemian Pilsner, Pilsen, Cara-pils, Acidulated

Hops: GR Hallertau Herkules, GR Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, US Hallertau

Packaging: 12-ounce bottles and draft

Distribution: Oregon; Washington; Idaho; Montana; California; Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia

URL: www.ninkasibrewing.com/lux

Description: Illuminate your palate with this traditional German-style lager. Brewed with premium pilsner malt and bittered with German Hallertau hops, this Helles lager pours champagne in color. Bright, crisp and satisfying, enliven any occasion with Lux.

Tasting Notes: The lightest of the European lagers, this Munich-style beer was made to counter the bitter pilsners coming from Northern Germany and the Czech Republic. Lux has a clean aroma with just a touch of grassy hops leading to a sweet, toasty malt flavor. This sustains to a crisp finish with just a hint of noble hop aroma. This beer defines refreshing!

Food Pairings: Brats, Pork Chops with Brown Sauce, Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, Spaetzle

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Over the Pond: Belgium Bound with Ninkasi Brewing

COMMUNITY –MINDED NINKASI BREWING COMPANY PARTNERS WITH ZEPHYR ADVENTURES TO OFFER BEER TRAVEL IN BELGIUM THIS SEPTEMBER

EUGENE, Ore.—May 29, 2014— Ninkasi Brewing Company, announces a new partnership with tour operator, Zephyr Adventures of Red Lodge, MT.  Their goal: to enhance the beer culture and community of Ninkasi Brewing by bringing family, friends, and fans of the brewery to Belgium on a beer-lovers trip of a lifetime this September 16-22, 2014.  The “Over the Pond: Belgium Bound with Ninkasi Brewing” trip features 6 nights and 7 days of travel lead by Zephyr tour guides and accompanied by Ninkasi founding brewer and co-founder, Jamie Floyd. 

“Nikos (Ridge) and I founded Ninkasi on the principle to make products for our customers and run operations for our employees that contribute to a higher quality of life for all and including the communities and individuals where we do business,” relays Floyd.  “I am excited to represent these principles while traveling with a group of beer lovers to Belgium, where beer is an integral part of the cultural foundation and social connectivity of the country.” 

The trip includes visits to over a dozen breweries, abbeys, and beer museums in six cities and villages in Belgium; highlights of the itinerary are:

·         Spending quality beer time in Belgium with Ninkasi Founding Brewer/Owner, Jamie Floyd.

·         Tasting and learning about the many different styles of beer in Belgium which make the country’s beer culture unique and including visits to: Cantillon, who relies on the natural yeasts from their neighborhood for fermentation, sipping on Orval Abbaye beer in the only location in the world that offers it on tap, and visiting Brasserie Caracole which still uses wood fired heat in their brewing facility. 

·         Staying in unique accommodations like Het Anker, a convent come brewery/hotel, overlooking the city of Dinant.

·         Exceptional cuisine in a country also known for its culinary expertise and beer-paired dinners.

A leader in group travel in the U.S. and abroad for 18 years, Zephyr Adventures created the Belgium Beer Tour to “meet the rising demand for fun and educational travel oriented to travelers interested in beer” comments Zephyr Adventures owner, Allan Wright.  He adds that the tour with Ninkasi Brewing “is a natural fit for two companies whose missions are aligned.  This partnership represents an opportunity for a beer traveler to immerse him or herself in another country’s unique beer culture and appreciate how different every brewery and country crafts their beverage.” Additional information regarding the “Over the Pond: Belgium Bound with Ninkasi Brewing” tour can be found on the Zephyr Adventures website.

Ninkasi founding brewer and co-founder, Jamie Floyd, was the Head Brewer at the Steelhead Brewery in Eugene, Ore. prior to starting Ninkasi Brewing with his partner, Nikos Ridge.  The brewery perpetuates better living in the true entrepreneurial spirit in the Whiteaker neighborhood in Eugene.  In 2013, Ninkasi was ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon” and “100 Best Green Companies in Oregon” by Oregon Business Magazine. 

About Ninkasi Brewing Company

Founded in 2006 by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi Brewing Company continues to grow from its first batch of Total Domination IPA, to two brewhouses, a  55-barrel and a 90-barrel brewhouse, located in Eugene, Ore.  Ninkasi’s Flagship beers—Total Domination IPA, Tricerahops Double IPA, Believer Double Red, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, and Vanilla Oatis Oatmeal Stout—are sold throughout Oregon; Alaska; California; Idaho; Montana; Washington; Nevada; and Vancouver, British Columbia. The brewery remains privately-owned and is committed to community support and giving. Ninkasi’s Beer Is Love program offers in-kind donations and support for organizations throughout its footprint.

For more information, call 541.344.2739 or visit www.NinkasiBrewing.com.  

About Zephyr Adventures

Zephyr Adventures has been leading groups and private travelers on active and cultural multi-day wine, beer, and culinary trips throughout the U.S. and overseas for 18 years.  The company hosts the Beer Bloggers Conference, European Beer Bloggers Conference, Wine Bloggers Conference and the Wine Tourism Conference, which bring increased new media recognition to beer and wine.  Zephyr Adventures offers new trips to exciting parts of the world every year.

For more information, call 888.758.8687 or visit http://www.zephyradventures.com

Drink a Pint Today in Memory of Rogue Ales Founder and Craft Beer Pioneer Jack Joyce

Rogue Ales Founder and craft beer pioneer Jack Joyce passed away yesterday at 71.
See the post on Brewpublic  Rogue Ales Craft Beer Pioneer and Founder Jack Joyce Dies