Ninkasi Releases Maiden the Shade

EUGENE, Ore.—Nothing marks the return of summer like the release of Maiden the Shade from Ninkasi Brewing Company’s Special Release Series. Officially released for the first time in 2009, this summer-style India Pale Ale has quickly become a summer favorite at the brewery and for those who worship the return of warmer months and outdoor adventures.

“This beer is for summer festival fun and, more specifically, in celebration of the Oregon Country Fair held just outside of Eugene,” explains Jamie Floyd, founding brewer and co-founder of Ninkasi, discussing a festival that inspired the creation of Maiden the Shade. “It’s about enjoying summer with friends and family with a special, hoppy treat made just for the occasion.”

This year, Maiden the Shade fans can look forward to a bigger, bolder hop profile. “We bumped up the front hop perception and aroma this year to give it even more delicious flavor,” says Floyd. Brewed with eight different hop varieties, this beer has an even bigger, more flavorful hop profile that is as delicious as much as it is smooth.

Maiden the Shade can be found in 22-ounce bottles and on-draft May through August.

Maiden the Shade Stats

Style: Summer-Style IPAÔÇ¿Series: Special Release Series

Available: May — August 2014

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 72

Starting Gravity: 1065

Malt: 2-Row Pale, Vienna, Flaked Barley

Hops: Summit, Centennial, Simcoe, Columbus, Crystal, Palisade, Amarillo, Magnum

Packaging: 22-ounce bottles and draft

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

URL: www.ninkasibrewing.com/maiden-the-shade

Description: In salute to the playful side of summer, we had fun with this beer! Maiden the Shade has a big, robust hop character from the liberal use of seven different hop varieties. It’s completed with a light-colored malt backbone to stay in balance. Kick back and enjoy!

Tasting Notes: This beer has been dubbed a summer IPA. Big powerful combinations of many different kinds of hops give a big hop profile. We added flaked barley to the beer to make for the smooth body and lighter summer-style IPA. Another Ninkasi cult favorite!

Food Pairings: BBQ, Fresh Vegetables, Fish Tacos, Savory French Toast

Learn more about Ninkasi’s line-up of craft beers at www.NinkasiBrewing.com/beers.

About Ninkasi Brewing Company: Independently Owned, Community Driven

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.