After the previous day's hop bomb, I definitely needed something a little sweeter and maltier. I decided to go with Ninkasi's summer seasonal, Radiant Ale.
Radiant pours a clear amber with a large, effervescent ivory head. The retention is great considering it was a minute or two before it even considered dying down. The smell is fruity and yeasty, almost like a wheat beer. It smells pretty malty with only a slight grassy hop scent.
The taste is pretty mild, which seems to be typical of summer seasonals that I have tried. It is only slightly sweet, with a bigger hop present than was evident in the scent. A lot of these hops seem to be the bittering variety, which shows up in the dry, bitter finish. It's not overwhelming, but I could have done with it dialed back a bit.
A solid medium carbonation delivers the thin body effectively, while the bitterness slightly puckers the mouth on the finish.
This was a strange beer. It is categorized as an American Pale Ale, but it drinks and smells almost like a hoppy wheat beer. It is very drinkable and would be even more so if it wasn't for the out of nowhere bitter finish. I'd rather drink this than Oberon, regardless, but I don't much care for Oberon. I give Ninkasi Brewing Company's Radiant Summer Ale a B.
Style: American Pale Ale
ABV: 6%
IBU: 40
Beer Advocate: B
Ratebeer: 86/87
Acquired via a generous Beer Advocate in Oregon. Not distributed out this way.
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