Hitachino Nest New Year Celebration Ale

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

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.

Bottled. An unclear amber beer with a light sediment floating around under a lazing light tan head. The aroma is sweet and acidic with notes of malt and citrus. The flavor is sweet malty combined with citrusy notes, leading to a dry bitter finish. Thanks Papsoe for sharing.

Pours a dark red/mahogany color with a head that doesn’t last which is strange for a beer with so much carbonation. Too much carbonation really - this beer seems to get frothy, and expand in my mouth. Taste is caramel, citrus hops, dark fruits and sugar, maybe a touch of pine. Tastes like a barley wine. Alcohol is noticeable, but not overpowering.

Bottle. Pours an amber body with a tan head. Sweet fruity spices. Orange citrus and apple. Dry with spices cinnamon. A moderate hop bitterness tea and grapefruit. Good beer as usual all over the place.

A deep amber to brown color with a large beige head. The aroma oddly reminds me of Trois Pistoles. A yeasty presence with some coriander, nutmeg, caramel, toffee, and some spices. Freaking amazing! The flavor is very complex with some citrus, caramel, cinammon, vanilla, toffee, and other spices. The mouthfeel is carbonated. BURP! I’m against the grain here but I really do love this beer.

11.2 oz. bottle, consumed on 1-23-09. 2004 vintage. Yeasty, floral, barley-wine-like aroma features citrus, yellow plum, and fruitcake scents. Rich and appetizing smell. Pours a light to medium brown or dark amber with a large amount of thick, fluffy, long-lasting, beige head. The liquid is hazy with many small bubbles. Good looking beer! Rich and spicy flavor features licorice, lemon zest, orange, cake, caramel, and toffee notes. Tastes like a bitter barley wine. Long, dull, lightly bitter aftertaste. Light to medium body (I didn’t expect it to be this light). Heavily carbonated, fizzy, and frothy in the palate. Hitachino Nest New Year Celebration Ale 2004 is a unique and tasty treat.