Here’s only my second beer from Ninkasi (after the delightful Oatis Oatmeal Stout) and I think I might be enjoying this one even more than I did the Oatis. Eugene, Oregon’s Ninkasi doesn’t sell its beer here in Georgia, but I’ve purchased a few of their beers through letspour.com. Ninkasi was founded in 2006, so it’s a relatively new brewery, and coincidentally enough that’s the same year that they introduced the beer I’m trying tonight, Believer Double Red Ale.

Believer is a, well, double or imperial red ale of strength 6.9% alcohol by volume. I paid $6.99 for my bottle through letspour, which is quite reasonable I think. Ninkasi says the beer is made with Munich, Crystal, Carahell, and 2-row pale malts. It’s hopped with Centennials and Summits.

About the beer Ninkasi says on the label:

Brewed and dedicated to the believers of Ninkasi. Rich dark malt complexity is balanced by a plentiful hop presence bringing together perfection in every sip. Who knew believing had so many rewards?

They also quote form their ethos:

The ancient Sumerians worshiped the beer they made, and praised the goddess Ninkasi for the miracle of fermentation. Beer is a staple of civilization. Worship the goddess.

Ninkasi Believer Double Red Ale pours to a rich red color with a thick creamy head formation and a deliciously appetizing sweet stewed malt nose. Taking a sip, the beer is big with chewy caramel up front followed by luscious ripe fruit, stewed malt richness and hints of burnt treacle. There’s a sweet nuttiness not unlike Mary Jane candies, buttered toast and in the finish, a very herbal grassy hop bitterness to balance it all out. That bitterness lingers on the tongue a long time after sipping.  A very tasty double red ale, one I would be more than happy to entertain on a regular basis were it available in my area.

Worship the goddess? A few sips of this beer, and you may find yourself doing just that.

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