Hitachino Nest New Year Celebration Ale

Brewed by Kiuchi Brewery
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Ibaraki, Japan

Red-amber with a large beige head. Lots of spice in the nose (surprise!), most identifiable are orange, nutmeg and pepper, Flavor is yeasty with some citrus, slightly metallic, and actually rather sweet. Moderate palate, lots of carbonation, but ends a little chalky, definitely in the finish. Nice beer, of course unique, but not among their best.

Pours amber and hazy with a huge amount of carbonation. Smells of Smells of nutmeg, vanilla, coriander, citrus. Taste blends the spices nicely with a dry sweet finish. Enjoyable.

Sampled a 2004 New Year Celebration Ale next to a 2009 Commemorative Ale. Both pour cloudy orange with an obnoxiously huge and lasting light orange hued tan head. The 04 is slightly browner in body. 04 has a big belgian spice aroma, coriander and nutmeg. The 09 presents the citrus and vanilla more with trailing nutmeg. Taste in the 04 is a nice orange note over caramel, with finishes of nutmeg and coriander, the 09 is more forward caramel and dark brown sugar, fruits, raisins, and some spiciness over top. Both are great but very different from each other.

Bottle of "Commemorative Ale" from City Beer Store in SF. Cloudy golden color with a huge beige head that takes the better part of the evening to go away. I do not recommend drinking the foam as I did, as it is a little weak on flavor (surprisingly!). Aroma is very nice with wheat, yeast, light fruits, and spices. Flavor is wheaty and nicely spiced with yeast, orange, and pepper. Lively mouthfeel. Interesting beer overall, well put-together.

Bottle, labeled as commemorative ale. Pours an opaque tawny brown with a remarkably large maple sugar colored head (took up 4/5s the glass at first, finally settled down to a manageable level). Aromas of spices, piles of yeast, and even a little funk. Body is medium, but ripe with carbonation. Slightly sweet on the mouth, but with a lot of other things going on. Finishes with more yeast and earthy bread flavors. Very interesting.

11.2 oz. Bottle. 2009 Vintage. Amber red pour with a medium frothy white foam. Nose is somewhat spicy with hints of white pepper, bread, wheat and mild fruitiness. Flavor tends to show the coriander primarily and a late hint of vanilla, but none of the other spices stand out. Overall the flavor is spicy and complex, but not overpowering. Mouthfeel is fizzy and lighter than expected with a high level of carbonation. Finishes dry and spicy with a lingering presence on the tongue. Alcohol is very well hidden throughout. Would not be surprised if some Belgian yeast strains were at work in this one. Definitely a beer that is not from the beaten path.

Stemware sampler at local beer seminar. Fairly clear, orange/amber hue, with an off white head of small bubbles. Aroma presented bready, light fruit and spicy notes. Orange peel and coriander were highlights of the flavor. Light bitterness and fizzy carbonation finish the experience. Changes my perception of Japanese brews.

Bottle from Holiday. Dark orange with a foamy white head. Sweet floral and bready aroma. Pleasant tastes of nectar, cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of rose water in the finish.