Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale

Brewed by Kiuchi Brewery
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Ibaraki, Japan

This beer is bottle conditioned and therefore the bottle poured a cloudy, dark amber colored beverage with a small fizzy white head that was mostly diminishing and left fair lacing on the glass. The aroma was complex but dominated by hops as it should be. The aroma reminded me greatly of Rogue Old Crustacean Barleywine with a moderate to heavy presence of pepper, and fruit along with subtle notes of old leather, herbs and grass. The body was quite full with an oily texture and lively carbonation. There was light astringency and alcohol warmth in the long finish. The flavor started off somewhat fruity sweet with lots of herbs, pepper and grapefruit peel. As it matured, the grapefruit character became more pronounced. This beer may be misrepresented as an IPA ... it truly tastes more like a good barleywine.

Don’t know if I’d call this an IPA, despite the brewers note. Hops are not too apparent, and even for a traditional english style IPA, I’d expect some. Poured a nice golden color, with a big white head. Good lacing apparent. Aroma was unusual, with little hops, but almost a lambic scent. Maybe the cedar casks? Taste was very medicinal to me. Again not much hops. I’d probably try this again, just to see if the bottle I had was an exception, but based on this, I’m not a fan.

I found this beer wonderful!! orange brown hazy liquid, dense. huge rocky mushroom head. nose of sweet fruit, apricots, pepper, citrus, and as the beer warms candy smartee nose dominates. the palate was a full bodied monusha of sweet fruit that soon intensified into nice grapefruit bittering characters. Very unique and vibrant. breaking away from the norm, x-tra points for uniqueness.

Bottle. Pepper and orange aroma. Amber color with explosive head. White pepper and malt flavor with hints of orange - I would have never guessed that this was an IPA. Not much hops flavor to this but a truly unique taste.

Glowing orange/gold. Insignificant, off white head settles completely. A few yeast floaters in there. Nose is fruity, cedary, flowery, citrus-y, with a touch of spicy-ness. Same flavors- dry, big time citrus, fresh bitterness, and some bread crust. Full, well carbonated body and a dry finish. Absolutely excellent, unique.

Pours a cloudy golden color, bordering on copper. Fluffy white head and an fragrant aroma of citrus rinds and various other fruits. Tasty but has an unfiltered yeasty chewy conistency in the mouthfeel. Great flavors, outside of the mouthfeel, deliciously malty and well balanced.

From a 24 oz bottle.

Pours a cloudy, hazy yellow amber, looking almost like a wheat beer. The aroma is gently fruited hops and some sour yeast, a bit of fruit and a hint of pepperwood. The flavor is slightly sour, mellow on the hops for an IPA but not disappointingly so. Terrific complexity in the flavor, wheat and hops and a hint of apricot; pepper and cedar, full and refreshing at the same time.

This beer was a delight to drink, and the mouthfeel was spot-on. I’m really surprised at what low ratings this one has drawn on average. I think it’s superb.

Pours a hazy golden orange with a small lingering off white head. Nice lacing as you swirl the glass. Smells citrusy, orange peel, a touch of maltiness, and a slight earthy almost belgian like sweetness. Strong grapefruit and hop bitterness initially, with a good malt balance. The oak character begins to come through in the finish as the beer warms. Nice medium body. This didn’t really blow me away but it is a good solid IPA.