A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link...

With that in mind, I decided that in order for me to derive a fair and comprehensive conclusion about the current state of beer affairs in the greater Seattle region, it was time for me to take a break from the craft beer cortège, and try a brew or two from the other end of the spectrum.

Enter, Rainier Beer (or as my roommate so lovingly referred to it, “Vitamin R”)

When I set out to test the waters of Seattle’s water-y beer, I had two requirements in mind, that the beer be local, and cheap. I’d never hear of Rainier Beer, and at approximately 13-bucks for a suitcase of eighteen cans, I knew I had my beer.

With not much on the docket Friday night, I decided to throw on a DVD, and get right down to business (as this beer would be decidedly less complex that my usual specimen I felt it was acceptable to leave the pen and notebook tucked away for this one and go based on “feel”).

As the I cracked open the first icy can I noticed that the beer is brewed from Yakima Valley hops. Impressive I thought, and swiftly chugged half the can.

If you’ve spent as much time drinking, reflecting on, and talking about beers of different calibers, you know that when it comes to bottom-of-the barrel lagers, you can’t really get a feel for the taste of the beer until your 5th or 6th can (fortunately, they were going down quite nicely and I had no problem hitting that target).

I’ve stated openly on many occasions that although I love craft beer, I am absolutely NOT a beer snob as many of my fellow beer-bloggers proudly self-proclaim. The best beer for you is the beer you love best and there is a time and a place for even the lightest of lagers (don’t believe me, than spend a summer in Phoenix and tell me what you’d prefer poolside on an August afternoon, and imperial IPA or a Corona with a wedge of lime?).

With all of that said, I expected (and had every reason to expect) to very much dislike Rainier Beer...

That was not the case.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I liked it, or that I have plans to buy it again anytime soon, but I didn’t hate it.

It was unbearably light, it was only questionably alcoholic (even at my Professional status as a beer-drinker, I should feel SOMETHING after 5 beers), and it didn’t retain any of the crisp and refreshing ‘hop’ characteristics that the can boasts.

But it wasn’t terrible.

As I read up about the history of the brewery and the changes it underwent through the years I started to like their storied history as much (or more) than I liked the beer. It reminded me of my days in Chicago and of how I would occasionally enjoy an ice cold Old Style at Wrigley Field... Even as my roommates now make fun of me for bringing home Rainier, I remember being teased in Chicago for bringing home Old Style “you got Olde Style?? That’s not what you buy, the kind of beer you steal from you grandfather!!”

I digress.

The moral of the story (if there is one), and what I suppose I’m getting at with all of this rambling is that if the chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link, and Rainier is the weakest link in Seattle beer-chain... than Seattle is doing alright.

-Prost!
D.Lux

You can learn more about Rainier Beer by checking out their website here.