Ninkasi: A little Oregon in NYC.

The bounty Ninkasi has bestowed upon us.Artsy Guy here.  It makes me happy to type these words: I enjoyed some Ninkasi brews in NYC last night.  Ninkasi Brewing Co. is in Eugene, Oregon, just a short jaunt from my hometown.  It's one of those fantastic local craft beers you can find everywhere on the local market but rarely elsewhere.  Well, the Ninkasi folks were in town (at Blind Tiger) to commemorate a collaboration brew (Allies Win the War) with San Francisco based 21st Amendment Brewing (which is lovely).  I love the stuff coming out of 21st Amendment, and they're incredibly worthy of their own feature.  But you know how it is with the amazing stuff that comes from your own neighborhood, and my 'hood is the Willamette Valley.  I've gotta shout it from the rooftops a li'l bit.  It's part of the magic of the diverse craft community.

In addition to the collaboration, we tasted five beers that made their way across the country: Total Domination IPA, Believer Double Red, Otis Oatmeal Stout, Maiden the Shade (hoppy summer ale), and Sleighr Dark Double Alt (holiday).  Fantastic, all!  I've also got to mention their Tricerahops Double IPA which is stunning as well.  They make this hophead happy, but their brews are always incredibly well-balanced and interesting.

Oh, and FYI, Ninkasi is the name of the Sumerian goddess of fermentation.  These folks are doing it up right, and I hope we see their stuff in the Big Apple again soon.  Until then, get thee to the west coast!  That's what's HOPpenin', y'all!