317. Hitachino Nest White Ale
This is yet another Belgian-Style ale. I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits along with Tripel Karmeliet. The beer came in a brown 11.2 oz. bottle with a red owl on a blue background. I let it warm to approximately 50°F, and served it in an imperial pint glass.
This is a Witbier, a Belgian style. Witbiers are cloudy Belgian wheat beers that are hazy because they are unfiltered and have a high protein content. Witbiers are lightly hopped and are spiced with coriander, orange peel and sometimes other spices. A good description of the style and its history can be found here.
Appearance (4.0): This beer pours a very hazy golden color; it almost seems to emit light. The beer is moderately carbonated, with a few soda-like bubbles sticking to the side of the glass. The beer is topped by a thick white head that diminishes quickly.
Smell (4.0): I get a dominant sour apple aroma, with some citrus and yeast notes.
Taste (4.0): The flavors at the front of the palate are masked by the carbonation, but I get spicy notes, with a slightly medicinal flavor. Sweetness makes a brief appearance at the center, but is overtaken by a citrusy sour character. The beer finishes dry with a lingering bitterness. Hops are present throughout the palate, but are mild and restrained, becoming most evident in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.5): The carbonation is tingly, but only moderately so. The beer is on the medium side of light-bodied. It has a creamy almost oily feel.
Drinability (5.0): This is a nice beer, the flavors good, and it's really refreshing. The beer is definitely easy to drink.
Overall (BA: 4.15, TC: 4.225): I enjoyed this beer. The spices are nice without being overdone, and as mentioned above, the beer is very refreshing.
This is yet another Belgian-Style ale. I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits along with Tripel Karmeliet. The beer came in a brown 11.2 oz. bottle with a red owl on a blue background. I let it warm to approximately 50°F, and served it in an imperial pint glass.
This is a Witbier, a Belgian style. Witbiers are cloudy Belgian wheat beers that are hazy because they are unfiltered and have a high protein content. Witbiers are lightly hopped and are spiced with coriander, orange peel and sometimes other spices. A good description of the style and its history can be found here.
Appearance (4.0): This beer pours a very hazy golden color; it almost seems to emit light. The beer is moderately carbonated, with a few soda-like bubbles sticking to the side of the glass. The beer is topped by a thick white head that diminishes quickly.
Smell (4.0): I get a dominant sour apple aroma, with some citrus and yeast notes.
Taste (4.0): The flavors at the front of the palate are masked by the carbonation, but I get spicy notes, with a slightly medicinal flavor. Sweetness makes a brief appearance at the center, but is overtaken by a citrusy sour character. The beer finishes dry with a lingering bitterness. Hops are present throughout the palate, but are mild and restrained, becoming most evident in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.5): The carbonation is tingly, but only moderately so. The beer is on the medium side of light-bodied. It has a creamy almost oily feel.
Drinability (5.0): This is a nice beer, the flavors good, and it's really refreshing. The beer is definitely easy to drink.
Overall (BA: 4.15, TC: 4.225): I enjoyed this beer. The spices are nice without being overdone, and as mentioned above, the beer is very refreshing.
Labels: Kiuchi Brewery, Reviews, Witbier
