Hitachino Nest Classic Ale (Soujun Weizen)

Hitachino Nest – Classic Ale 5% (Wit/Weizen – Green Label) Bottle at K’s Hostel, Kyoto. Cloudy amber – white head. Wheaty, fruity, coriander, spicy, orange, yeasty, licorice yeasty, Plain.

Bottle from Shinjuku Isetan. Bright, lemony yellow color, with interesting depth. Slightly lighter than the usual. Lemony aroma, less fragrant than the regular, drier, with a bit of horse blanket and just a touch of banana. Tart, lemony flavor with barckground bananas and cloves. Slighty like a wit, with a slight lambic quality as well. Cedar taste comes through clearly without overpowering. Finish is quite bitter. Amazingly refreshing and very original. Great stuff, with pronounced barrel-aged character. Wish it was more widely available.