747. Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
I picked up a bottle of this at Downtown Wine & Spirits a week or two ago. I had it tonight while packing for my flight tomorrow. I let this warm to 50º or so and served it in one of my NERAX ping glasses.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Kiuchi Brewery
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: American Double Stout
Appearance (4.5): Pours an opaque black except for the hints of brown at the edges when held to the light. It's topped by a thick brown head that fades to a thin later leaving patches of lace.
Smell (4.0): The coffee smell is evident when the bottle is opened, before the beer hits the glass. In the glass coffee aromas dominate. There's also a nice chocolate aroma and some dark fruit that comes out on swirling.
Taste (4.0): Sweet maltiness upfront. Moves into a nice dark chocolate sweetness, which gives way to a nice coffee bitterness that lingers long into the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.0): Full-bodied, low carbonation. There's an odd chalkiness.
Drinkability (4.0): Very tasty, coffee provides a nice balance.
Overall (4.0)
I picked up a bottle of this at Downtown Wine & Spirits a week or two ago. I had it tonight while packing for my flight tomorrow. I let this warm to 50º or so and served it in one of my NERAX ping glasses.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Kiuchi Brewery
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: American Double Stout
Appearance (4.5): Pours an opaque black except for the hints of brown at the edges when held to the light. It's topped by a thick brown head that fades to a thin later leaving patches of lace.
Smell (4.0): The coffee smell is evident when the bottle is opened, before the beer hits the glass. In the glass coffee aromas dominate. There's also a nice chocolate aroma and some dark fruit that comes out on swirling.
Taste (4.0): Sweet maltiness upfront. Moves into a nice dark chocolate sweetness, which gives way to a nice coffee bitterness that lingers long into the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.0): Full-bodied, low carbonation. There's an odd chalkiness.
Drinkability (4.0): Very tasty, coffee provides a nice balance.
Overall (4.0)
Labels: American Double Stout, Kiuchi Brewery
431. Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale
Published by Unknown on Monday, August 07, 2006 at 12:04 AM.
431. Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale
I purchased this last night at Downtown Wine & Spirits. They had been out of it for several months, so when I noticed that they had some in stock I grabbed a bottle. This beer was warmed to around 40º F and served in my NERAX pint glass.
The bottle's description is:
Brewery: Kiuchi Brewery
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: English India Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a cloudy amber with a thin, creamy, beige head that is fed by vigorous carbonation. Retention is excellent, the head absolutely does not shrink. Lacing is nice.
Smell (4.0): Fruity and bready malts, yeast, and a resiny hop aroma that becomes more prominent as the beer warms. The aroma is very English. There may be hints of cedar, but these are fleeting.
Taste (4.0): Lightly fruity with toasty malts, followed by a resiny and piney hop bitterness with a citric twang. The aftertaste is a lingering woodiness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Very tingly carbonation, but smooth once the carbonation dies down. Medium-bodied with a dry finish.
Drinkability (4.5): Very easy to drink, with a nice hop bittereness.
Overall (4.15): A good interpretation of the English IPA style with an interesting woodiness.
I purchased this last night at Downtown Wine & Spirits. They had been out of it for several months, so when I noticed that they had some in stock I grabbed a bottle. This beer was warmed to around 40º F and served in my NERAX pint glass.
The bottle's description is:
Our Japanese Classic Ale is brewed following the original India Pale Ale brought to Japan in the 19th Century.Beer Stats:
It is slowly matured in Japanese cedar casks which are commonly used in the brewing of traditional Japanese sake.
Brewery: Kiuchi Brewery
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: English India Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a cloudy amber with a thin, creamy, beige head that is fed by vigorous carbonation. Retention is excellent, the head absolutely does not shrink. Lacing is nice.
Smell (4.0): Fruity and bready malts, yeast, and a resiny hop aroma that becomes more prominent as the beer warms. The aroma is very English. There may be hints of cedar, but these are fleeting.
Taste (4.0): Lightly fruity with toasty malts, followed by a resiny and piney hop bitterness with a citric twang. The aftertaste is a lingering woodiness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Very tingly carbonation, but smooth once the carbonation dies down. Medium-bodied with a dry finish.
Drinkability (4.5): Very easy to drink, with a nice hop bittereness.
Overall (4.15): A good interpretation of the English IPA style with an interesting woodiness.
Labels: English IPA, Kiuchi Brewery, Reviews
364. Hitachino Nest Real Ginger Ale
I went to Downtown Wine & Spirits tonight to pick up some new beers to try. I noticed that they had a new offering from Hitachino Nest so I picked up a bottle. I stuck this in the fridge while I showered and it was slightly chilled by the time I was done. I served this in one of my New Belgium snifters. Beer Advocate places this in the catch-all Herbed/Spiced Beer category.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a slightly hazy ruby color, with a thin beige head that thins to a persistent thin layer with nice lacing. The little chunks of ginger floating about were a bit disconcerting.
Smell (4.0): Sharp acidic nose, sweet malts, and spicy ginger.
Taste (4.5): Toasty malt flavors greet the palate upfront. Spicy ginger predominates in the center. Fruity sweetness appears in the finish followed by mild bitterness and spicy alcohol.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Mild carbonation, smooth, oily.
Drinkability (3.5): The flavors are nice, but the alcohol and spiciness in the finish can be harsh.
Overall (4.05): I was worried that the ginger in this beer would be overpowering (like a Ginger Altoid), but they did a really good job of allowing the ginger to be the focus of the beer without letting it overpower the other flavors.
I went to Downtown Wine & Spirits tonight to pick up some new beers to try. I noticed that they had a new offering from Hitachino Nest so I picked up a bottle. I stuck this in the fridge while I showered and it was slightly chilled by the time I was done. I served this in one of my New Belgium snifters. Beer Advocate places this in the catch-all Herbed/Spiced Beer category.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a slightly hazy ruby color, with a thin beige head that thins to a persistent thin layer with nice lacing. The little chunks of ginger floating about were a bit disconcerting.
Smell (4.0): Sharp acidic nose, sweet malts, and spicy ginger.
Taste (4.5): Toasty malt flavors greet the palate upfront. Spicy ginger predominates in the center. Fruity sweetness appears in the finish followed by mild bitterness and spicy alcohol.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Mild carbonation, smooth, oily.
Drinkability (3.5): The flavors are nice, but the alcohol and spiciness in the finish can be harsh.
Overall (4.05): I was worried that the ginger in this beer would be overpowering (like a Ginger Altoid), but they did a really good job of allowing the ginger to be the focus of the beer without letting it overpower the other flavors.
Labels: Herbed/Spiced Beer, Kiuchi Brewery, Reviews
348. Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale
I purchased an 11.2 oz. bottle at Downtown Wine & Spirits. The clerk asked me if I'd had any other Hitachino Nest beers. The bottle says "Ale brewed with red rice". I let this warm to around 50º F and served it in one of my Duvel Tulips.
I'm not sure exactly how to classify this beer. Beer Advocate lists it as a Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Rate Beer assigns it to the catch-all category "Traditional Ale". It definitely doesn't fit into the Belgian Strong Pale category.
Appearance (4.0): Pours a cloudy deep red color with hints of orange. The white foamy head dissipates to a thin layer, but reemerges readily upon swirling.
Smell (3.5): The nose is primarily tart like a sour ale. There are slight hints of phenols, yeast and alcohol.
Taste (3.5): The beer is sweet upfront and moves into a fruity and acidic tartness in the center. The finish is mildly bitter.
Mouthfeel (2.5): Prickly carbonation, smooth, light-bodied with a dry finish. I thought this beer was a little too watery.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty easy to drink, but the hidden alcohol might get you.
Overall (3.5): This beer reminded me a lot of a toned down Flanders Red Ale. It was interesting, and fairly enjoyable. This was a really hard beer to pin down. I wavered a bit on the scores, but in the end I think the overall score comes out about right.
I purchased an 11.2 oz. bottle at Downtown Wine & Spirits. The clerk asked me if I'd had any other Hitachino Nest beers. The bottle says "Ale brewed with red rice". I let this warm to around 50º F and served it in one of my Duvel Tulips.
I'm not sure exactly how to classify this beer. Beer Advocate lists it as a Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Rate Beer assigns it to the catch-all category "Traditional Ale". It definitely doesn't fit into the Belgian Strong Pale category.
Appearance (4.0): Pours a cloudy deep red color with hints of orange. The white foamy head dissipates to a thin layer, but reemerges readily upon swirling.
Smell (3.5): The nose is primarily tart like a sour ale. There are slight hints of phenols, yeast and alcohol.
Taste (3.5): The beer is sweet upfront and moves into a fruity and acidic tartness in the center. The finish is mildly bitter.
Mouthfeel (2.5): Prickly carbonation, smooth, light-bodied with a dry finish. I thought this beer was a little too watery.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty easy to drink, but the hidden alcohol might get you.
Overall (3.5): This beer reminded me a lot of a toned down Flanders Red Ale. It was interesting, and fairly enjoyable. This was a really hard beer to pin down. I wavered a bit on the scores, but in the end I think the overall score comes out about right.
Labels: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Kiuchi Brewery, Reviews
344. Hitachino Nest Celebration Ale 2004
I decided to try this beer because Ali liked it (blog entry coming soon). I picked up a 12 oz. bottle at Downtown Wine and Spirits. The label says "Ale Brewed With Spices: coriander, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla beans". Although not technically the proper glassware I served this in one of my new Duvel Tulips because I really wanted to use one.
Celebration Ale is a Winter Warmer. Many, but not all, winter warmers are brewed with spices though these spices will vary depending on the brewer. The spices used in those that are tend to be evocative of the holiday season. English winter warmers are unspiced. BJCP Style Guide.
Appearance (4.5): Pours a hazy almost opaque amber-brown with a massive fluffy beige head. Spices used in brewing can be seen as clumps floating in the beer. Some of these get caught in the head giving the appearance that spices have been sprinkled on top.
Smell (4.0): Spices are very noticable. There are notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, vanilla and alcohol.
Taste (3.0): This beer is very spicy with a sweet base. I can taste vanilla, citrus, orange, and cinnamon. Bitterness is low. Alcoholic warmth is evident in the finish. The sweetness in this beer isn't well balanced. Maybe increasing the bitterness would improve things.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Celebration Ale is full-bodied, smooth and creamy.
Drinkability (3.0): If this beer wasn't so sweet it would be much more drinkable.
Overall (3.6): This is a decent beer. The spices add some nice flavors, but in the end the beer is too damn sweet.
I decided to try this beer because Ali liked it (blog entry coming soon). I picked up a 12 oz. bottle at Downtown Wine and Spirits. The label says "Ale Brewed With Spices: coriander, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla beans". Although not technically the proper glassware I served this in one of my new Duvel Tulips because I really wanted to use one.
Celebration Ale is a Winter Warmer. Many, but not all, winter warmers are brewed with spices though these spices will vary depending on the brewer. The spices used in those that are tend to be evocative of the holiday season. English winter warmers are unspiced. BJCP Style Guide.
Appearance (4.5): Pours a hazy almost opaque amber-brown with a massive fluffy beige head. Spices used in brewing can be seen as clumps floating in the beer. Some of these get caught in the head giving the appearance that spices have been sprinkled on top.
Smell (4.0): Spices are very noticable. There are notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, vanilla and alcohol.
Taste (3.0): This beer is very spicy with a sweet base. I can taste vanilla, citrus, orange, and cinnamon. Bitterness is low. Alcoholic warmth is evident in the finish. The sweetness in this beer isn't well balanced. Maybe increasing the bitterness would improve things.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Celebration Ale is full-bodied, smooth and creamy.
Drinkability (3.0): If this beer wasn't so sweet it would be much more drinkable.
Overall (3.6): This is a decent beer. The spices add some nice flavors, but in the end the beer is too damn sweet.
Labels: Kiuchi Brewery, Reviews, Winter Warmer
I went to NYC this weekend to visit David and Dave. I arrived in the always clean Port Authority Bus Terminal, and then headed to David's apartment to drop my stuff off. We decided on Sri Lankan food, and since Sigiri is BYOB we stopped at Columbia Deli and Market to pick up some beer to have with dinner. The selection was pretty impressive. We picked up a bottle of McChouffe and a bottle of Hitachino Nest Weizen.
319. McChouffe
McChouffe is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I chose this beer because I've heard good things, and because it's Belgian. We had a 750 mL green bottle with a larger than normal bottle cap, and a Scottish looking gnome character on the front. This had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a hazy brown color. A thick beige head diminishes to a thin layer, but leaves nice lacing.
Smell: This had a surprisingly light aroma. There were some bready sweet aromas, as well as hints of spice.
Taste: Peppery spicy flavors dominate the front of the palate, with light malts in the center. The finish is sweet, with warming alcohol. There was mild bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, and medium bodied.
Drinkability: As with beers of this and similar styles I like the interplay between spicy and sweet flavors. I could drink a lot of this.
320. Hitachino Nest Weizen
Hitachino Nest Weizen is a Hefe Weizen brewed by the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan. We picked this up because I wanted to try more of the Hitachino Nest beers. It came in a 750 mL brown bottle with the owl on the front. As with the McChouffe, this had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a lightly cloudy golden color with little carbonation. A thin fluffy head emerges but quickly vanishes.
Smell: The aroma is fruity, like that of a typical hefe. I get sour apple, clove and banana aromas.
Taste: Sweetness and clove spices are present in the front of the palate. Sourness comes through in the center. There is a very, very light bitterness.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light bodied with mild carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is very light and refreshing.
DEL: "Sour apple aftertaste encourages you to drink another." "Representative of its class in a good way."
Other Beer
We then went to an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre where we each had four PBR cans. After improv we went to a bar and each had a Bud Light on tap. There are two more entries to do for this trip. They include a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery, and some new beers in various bars.
319. McChouffe
McChouffe is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I chose this beer because I've heard good things, and because it's Belgian. We had a 750 mL green bottle with a larger than normal bottle cap, and a Scottish looking gnome character on the front. This had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a hazy brown color. A thick beige head diminishes to a thin layer, but leaves nice lacing.
Smell: This had a surprisingly light aroma. There were some bready sweet aromas, as well as hints of spice.
Taste: Peppery spicy flavors dominate the front of the palate, with light malts in the center. The finish is sweet, with warming alcohol. There was mild bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, and medium bodied.
Drinkability: As with beers of this and similar styles I like the interplay between spicy and sweet flavors. I could drink a lot of this.
320. Hitachino Nest Weizen
Hitachino Nest Weizen is a Hefe Weizen brewed by the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan. We picked this up because I wanted to try more of the Hitachino Nest beers. It came in a 750 mL brown bottle with the owl on the front. As with the McChouffe, this had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a lightly cloudy golden color with little carbonation. A thin fluffy head emerges but quickly vanishes.
Smell: The aroma is fruity, like that of a typical hefe. I get sour apple, clove and banana aromas.
Taste: Sweetness and clove spices are present in the front of the palate. Sourness comes through in the center. There is a very, very light bitterness.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light bodied with mild carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is very light and refreshing.
DEL: "Sour apple aftertaste encourages you to drink another." "Representative of its class in a good way."
Other Beer
We then went to an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre where we each had four PBR cans. After improv we went to a bar and each had a Bud Light on tap. There are two more entries to do for this trip. They include a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery, and some new beers in various bars.
Labels: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Brasserie d'Achouffe, Hefe Weizen, Kiuchi Brewery, NYC, Reviews, Travel
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
311. Hitachino Nest Sweet Stout (Lacto)
Published by Unknown on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 6:09 PM.
311. Hitachino Nest Sweet Stout (Lacto)
The orange owl on the Hitachino Nest logo has always caught my eye, but I've avoided picking one up because my experiences with Japanese beer have consisted of substandard macro-esque lagers. I decided to pick this one up at Downtown Wine & Spirits today on a whim. This was unrefrigerated so I chilled it in the fridge for about 30 minutes (serving temp 50-55ºF) before serving it in a San Francisco Brewing Company pint glass.
This is a Sweet (Milk) Stout. Sweet stouts contain more unfermented sugars than regular stouts in an attempt to balance the roasted flavors that come from use of heavily kilned barley. Milk stouts (sometimes called cream stouts) contain milk sugars, which cannot be fermented by yeast, adding sweetness to the beer. These beers tend to have low alcohol content since not all sugars are fermented. This one is 3.9%.
Appearance (4.5): This beer is very dark brown, nearing black. There is an evident haziness when pouring. A thick beige head that slowly dissipates tops the beer.
Smell (2.5): There's a slight sharpness, but most evident is a sweet aroma and some roasted coffee notes. The interplay of the sweetness and the roasted aromas creates an odd smell.
Taste (3.0): It's malty and sweet at the center of the palate. The sweetness fades into a roasted, almost coffeeish, bitterness at the end. There's an odd flavor here that I can't place. Bitterness from hops is hard to detect.
Mouthfeel (3): There is a tingle of carbonation up front, but otherwise the beer feels very thick, almost viscous.
Drinkability (2.5): This is a really heavy beer, it would be good for pairing with food, but on its own it's somewhat overpowering.
Overall (3.15): The sweetness is a little too much. There are roasted flavors, but rather than providing balance the milk sugars overpower them.
The orange owl on the Hitachino Nest logo has always caught my eye, but I've avoided picking one up because my experiences with Japanese beer have consisted of substandard macro-esque lagers. I decided to pick this one up at Downtown Wine & Spirits today on a whim. This was unrefrigerated so I chilled it in the fridge for about 30 minutes (serving temp 50-55ºF) before serving it in a San Francisco Brewing Company pint glass.
This is a Sweet (Milk) Stout. Sweet stouts contain more unfermented sugars than regular stouts in an attempt to balance the roasted flavors that come from use of heavily kilned barley. Milk stouts (sometimes called cream stouts) contain milk sugars, which cannot be fermented by yeast, adding sweetness to the beer. These beers tend to have low alcohol content since not all sugars are fermented. This one is 3.9%.
Appearance (4.5): This beer is very dark brown, nearing black. There is an evident haziness when pouring. A thick beige head that slowly dissipates tops the beer.
Smell (2.5): There's a slight sharpness, but most evident is a sweet aroma and some roasted coffee notes. The interplay of the sweetness and the roasted aromas creates an odd smell.
Taste (3.0): It's malty and sweet at the center of the palate. The sweetness fades into a roasted, almost coffeeish, bitterness at the end. There's an odd flavor here that I can't place. Bitterness from hops is hard to detect.
Mouthfeel (3): There is a tingle of carbonation up front, but otherwise the beer feels very thick, almost viscous.
Drinkability (2.5): This is a really heavy beer, it would be good for pairing with food, but on its own it's somewhat overpowering.
Overall (3.15): The sweetness is a little too much. There are roasted flavors, but rather than providing balance the milk sugars overpower them.
Labels: Kiuchi Brewery, Reviews, Sweet Stout
