Radiant Beer

What happens when three friends – former co-workers at The Bruery, combine forces to open their own new brewery during a pandemic? Having officially opened just two weeks ago, they’re only beginning to ramp up, and one thing we know for certain, the beer being made at Radiant Beer is already turning heads.

The birth of Radiant Beer has been a long time coming, as starting their own brewery has long been a dream of it’s founders, including President Jonas Nemura (most recently Director of Operations at Chapman Crafted Brewing), Director of Brewing Andrew Bell (most recently Innovation Manager at The Bruery), and Director of Marketing Cambria Griffith (most recently Director of Marketing at Figueroa Mountain Brewing).

The beginnings of this new endeavor came to light when Jonas passed by the former Towne Park Brewery, located just west of I-5 and downtown Anaheim, California, on his daily commute to find that it was available for lease. He proceeded to reach out to the building’s management last May, then confirmed both Andrew and Cambria’s interest in starting a partnership, and ultimately hosted their soft open mid-January.

With all three partners having extensive tenures in the brewing industry, each bringing their own specialized approach to the table, as well as a depth of experience in launching new brands, they’ve proven themselves up to the challenge in pushing Radiant into the light of day. Doing so in short order, without the benefit of traditional opening events, has opened the gates of creativity and practicality as they’ve gone right into home delivery, created a larger outdoor space and a drive-thru window on-site, and also launching beautiful can art made in collaboration with Portland-based designer Eric Sena.

As far as the beer goes, they’re focusing on beers they love to drink, namely hoppy beers and Lagers to start, with even more variety than most right off the bat. Of course they’re already planning for what’s next, as they look to create a barrel program focused on big stouts initially, but also hope to get into mixed-fermentation and more of the creative experimentations they’ve explored in the past.

So it’s with great excitement we’re able to showcase Radiant Beer, arriving in Oregon for the first time! We’ve just received all six of their initial beers which yesterday started landing in Central Oregon, as well as Hillsboro/Beaverton and Portland proper. Keep your eyes peeled for these distinctly colorful can labels and if you don’t see them at your favorite shop, tell them to hit us up for future offerings.

• Becoming More Real – Hazy IPA ~ Our first release has all the features we’ve come to love in a hazy IPA – a smooth and satisfying mouthfeel and soft, tropical fruit-forward notes of peach, coconut and guava with a citrus balance thanks to Citra, Mosaic, and Cashmere hops – 6.6%.
• Blank Slate – Witbier ~ We’re appealing to all the senses with this wheat beer brewed with citrus peels and our special spice blend that incorporates coriander, chamomile, and at least one more secret spice for a subtle twist on an approachable style – 5.2%.
• Parallel Path – West Coast IPA ~ Our first west coast IPA is led by Simcoe hops and features Mosaic and farm-sourced Motueka from New Zealand, for a refreshing and dry IPA with notes of lime zest, papaya, orange sherbet, and a bright, grassy dankness – 7.2%.
• Recommission – Lagerbier ~ In a respectful (and adoring) nod to traditional beer recipes, we stayed true-to-style on this lager. Recommission is light on the palate but well-structured with crisp carbonation and pleasant hoppy, grassiness. Gentle notes of honeysuckle and black tea from noble hops blend seamlessly with this style’s traditionally crackery, malty sweetness – 5.2%.
• That Track Is A Groove – West Coast IPA ~ And you will find yourself in a focused, flavorful experience that captures the brightness of Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Mosaic. Bursting with hop character, this beer showcases the intensity of tangerine zest, fresh cut pine, gooseberry, and ganja dankness. Dry and clean with the crisp, bright, bitter balance we love in a fresh IPA – 7.2%.
• This Is Happening – Hazy Double IPA ~ Let the sunshine into your glass with a hazy DIPA of the deepest dankness. This is an assertive beer, no doubt, and plays quite differently on the nose than in the taste thanks to a blend of Mosaic, Strata, and Amarillo hops. Seriously dank, almost herbal notes meld with peach aromas, while the flavor is straight tropical fruitiness with guava, mango and coconut making appearances. With a low bitterness and a soft mouthfeel, those fruit-forward qualities taste all the juicier – 8.5%.

Content for this article sourced from Radiant Beer Co., Brewbound, The Full Pint Podcast EP 191 – The Butcher, The Baker, and The Candlestick Maker, The Unfiltered Gentlemen, Batch 228: Radiant Beer Company, and Terms Of Enbeerment.