About
Initiated by 3 young graduates, the Ninkasi was born from a simple idea: to implant the concept of American micro-breweries in France. This project was completed in 1997 and takes place in Lyon, on the Gerland site. In 2012, the factory moved 50km from Lyon, to Tarare more precisely (1 avenue Edouard Herriot). The new playground for our brewers has a capacity of 5,000 liters per brew (i.e. 23,000 HL / year). In 2023, Ninkasi moved to its new brewery, still in Tarare.
Note: The original Gerland location closed for works until 2027.
Note: The original Gerland location closed for works until 2027.
6.3/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 7
Overall 6
Bottle shared at French campsite near Civray. A clear pale gold coloured pour with a decent white head. Aroma is semi sweet, brown bread, stewed hop, light cinnamon spice. Palate is semi sweet, airy carbonation, frothy. Flavour is composed of semi sweet vanilla, nutty malts, bruised apple, light alcohol bite. Palate is semi sweet airy carbonation, abrasive. Bit too sweet and chewy for my tastes.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Aug 2026
at 21:31
6.5/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 6.5
Texture 7
Overall 6.5
750ml bottle. Opalescent, dark amber colour with average to huge, frothy, slowly diminishing, moderately lacing, white head. Earthy, herbal-leafy hoppy aroma, caramel malty background, a touch of mint and woodruff, tobacco. Taste is slightly bitter, earthy, herbal-leafy hoppy, caramel malty basis with low residual sweetness, hints of mint, woodruff, a touch of tobacco.
Oily texture, smooth and soft, minimally greasy, simultaneously slightly dry palate, medium to fine, dense, foamy, mildly prickly carbonation.
Quite earthy, quite oily - OK.
Oily texture, smooth and soft, minimally greasy, simultaneously slightly dry palate, medium to fine, dense, foamy, mildly prickly carbonation.
Quite earthy, quite oily - OK.
Tried
from Bottle
on 05 Jun 2026
at 19:11
6.9/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Robe claire et légèrement trouble, mousse fine mais assez fugace. Nez plus malté avec des notes résineuses de pin. En bouche, l’ensemble reste fruité avec une dominante d’agrumes, surtout citron et pamplemousse. Amertume modérée, texture sèche mais pas trop austère, bel équilibre entre le malt et le houblon. Une Brut IPA originale et agréable, sympa.
Tried
on 13 May 2026
at 18:36
7.8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7.5
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Finding this beer, in the franprix, porte de St-Cloud. Drinking it now, at my hotel, Mercure, gare de Lyon. A light helles, bohemian ale before to sleep, refreshing, malty, bready, a bit crispy, mineral, touch of sweetness and strawberry, fairly bitter, 12.05.24
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Feb 2026
at 10:45
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Thanks Fred for this bottle coming from go go drink, Lancy. On my personal view, this ipa on the American way that it is not a French creation of the heart of the wine country was good, rather dry, watery with decent notes of hops, dry malt, 10.05.21, rating it at home, Epalinges.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Aug 2025
at 10:09
6.1/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Bottle. Color: Hazy amber, off-white head. Aroma: Hop pallets. Taste: Harsh hop pallets, some citrus fruit and stone fruit. Moderate sweet, harsh medium bitterness. Medium body, just below average carbonation. Mwah. A bit like eating hop pellets.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Jul 2025
at 14:18
6.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Old rating - A 330ml bottle from Dunnell's in Jersey. It pours a dark amber with a white foamy head. Aromas & tastes of fruits, citrus, grass, spices & malt. Medium bitter finish. Reasonable IPA
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Jun 2025
at 19:28
6.4/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Old rating - A 330ml bottle from Dunnels here on Jersey. Pours amber with a long foamy white head. Aromas & tastes of flora, honey, hints of liquorice & spice. Enjoyable
Tried
from Bottle
on 22 Jun 2025
at 15:45
6.8/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Old rating - A 330ml bottle from Dunnell's in Jersey. Pours hazy amber with a white head. Aromas & tastes of citrus, banana, cereal, grains & rye malt. Medium body. Mild finish. Enjoyable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Jun 2025
at 21:24
6.8/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Old rating - A 330ml bottle from Dunell's in Jersey. Pours black with a off white head. Aromas & tastes of caramel, dark fruits, roasted malt, bread, liquorice & prunes. Medium body. Smooth malty finish. Enjoyable ale, but not a wee heavy as such.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Jun 2025
at 12:57