Ninkasi Brewing Debuts 2016 Flagship Series

Known for its highly-hopped offerings like Total Domination India Pale Ale, Tricerahops Double India Pale Ale, andDawn of the Red India Red Ale, Ninkasi has grown to become the 36th largest craft brewery in the United States and prides itself on making well-balanced, high-quality craft beers for a wide range of palates. Founded in 2006 by Nikos Ridge and Jamie Floyd, Ninkasi first debuted with Total Domination IPA. Since then, the brewery has developed its Flagship Series to include seven diverse beer styles all available year-round.

In 2016, craft beer drinkers can find new additions to Ninkasi’s year-round lineup including Helles Belles, a Helles Lager. After the brewery first released Lux, a German-Style Helles Lager, to its Flagship Series in 2015, it decided to revisit the recipe and brand. “We love Lux, which is why we gave it an upgrade,” explains Jamie Floyd, Ninkasi co-founder and founding brewer. “Helles Belles has a slightly higher ABV and IBU, offering a beer that is a little more expressive and playful for a German-Style Lager.” New branding also demonstrates the brewery’s more playful side, capturing its affinity for rock-‘n’-roll.

Also making its way to Ninkasi’s Flagship Series is Easy Way IPA, a drinkable India Pale Ale. At 4.7% ABV, Easy Way IPA supplements Ninkasi’s year-round IPA lineup by offering a beer that is as aromatic and hoppy as expected with a sessionable character. “This beer still has all that you would expect out of an IPA,” says Floyd. “A big hop aroma and a big hop flavor make it reminiscent of a traditional IPA but with less alcohol; it’s unexpectedly drinkable.”

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Helles Belles, Helles Lager

Offering a double-dose of everything loved in an IPA, Tricerahops has acquired a cult-like following since it was first brewed in 2007. Offering a big, earthy, floral hop hit, this beer is balanced by a generous amount of malt, making for a drinkable double IPA.

Enjoyed Since: 2007 | OG: 1080 | IBUs: 100 | ABV: 8.0%

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Dawn of the Red, India Red Ale

Developed out of a desire to craft an IRA using new hop varieties, Dawn of the Red possesses an intoxicating level of tropical notes. Brewed with El Dorado and Mosaic hops, this beer bursts with notes of mango, papaya and pineapple, and is sustained by a subtle malt flavor. Since its first R&D release, Dawn of the Red immediately became a favored Ninkasi offering and joined the Ninkasi Flagship Series in 2015.

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Oatis, Oatmeal Stout

Brewed in 2007 as the second winter seasonal produced by Ninkasi, a love for Oatis developed right away. Named after a brewer’s dog, the popularity of Oatis promoted its move from a seasonal brew to a year-round offering in 2008. This stout has a dry finish with a significant amount of roasted flavor upfront. Its smooth mouthfeel comes from the use of rolled oats paired with a caramel complexity and coffee flavors.

Enjoyed Since: 2007 | OG: 1072 | IBUs: 50 | ABV: 7.0%

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Vanilla Oatis, Oatmeal Stout with Vanilla

A more decadent take on Oatis, Vanilla Oatis features the addition of whole Madagascar vanilla beans. During the brewing process of Oatis, a portion of the beer is set aside in the brite tanks where hand-cut vanilla beans are added – the same process used to dry-hop a beer. This addition of pure vanilla acts as a natural sweetener, adding a more roasted flavor upfront followed by a vanilla finish.