Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale

Brewed by Kiuchi Brewery
Style: Traditional Ale
Ibaraki, Japan

Bottle: Pours to a mostly cloudy light amber body with a distint pinkish-red color when viewed in the right light; atop sits a small white head. The aroma at first has me slightly worried that it might be infected - just some light hints of sourness, funk, mild barnyard, along with some mild nuts, mild soap, light citrus. The taste is slightly sour, nowhere near a lambic, but definitely has a touch of tartness to it. There are some mild lemon, citrus, almost rhubarb-like flavors, watermelon, tart strawberry, very mild barnyard, and some distint sweet flavors coming from the rice. Light-medium bodied, medium-lively carbonated, alcohol totally hidden. Refreshing and unique.

Bottle from Super Saver. Pours turbid deep coppery/magenta with minimal head. Aromas of tart gueuze, a little funky barnyard, some plastic, and some fruit. The flavor was very odd at first, tasting very tart and krieky and spicy, with some malty and plastic flavor hints. The first swig did not go down easy at all. However, as it warmed it seemed to round out a bit, and it gained the character of a sort of Kriek/Flemish sour/gueuze combination, staying on the dry and tart side. I don’t know if I’d buy this one again, but it sure was unique.

Very nice looking with a firm head and welcoming nose. First sip is almost pure wintergreen- very, very odd. I almost poured it out, but the mintyness either won me over or faded away. Very strange beer.

Pours a slightly tawnied tangerine color w/ a shallow spritzy froth. Aroma is slight w/ fruit. Light to medium nectar w/ ample residual effers. Flavors are crisp, slightly tart w/ delicate berry fruit and a slight medicinal character. Finishes w/ a nice tart bittering. Alcohol is well hidden. Overall: This is a refreshing session brew of unique character. Worth a try. I liked it.

Very interesting and flavorful beer brewed with an ancient Japanese red rice. This beer pours to a hazy amber red color, with a tight white head that fades, and a moderate carbonation. The nose on this beer is unique, with a tart, slightly sour "grainy" aroma, the grain in this case being rice. The palate is much like the nose. Flavors of sour mash, and the tart flavors of the red rice are very evident on the palate. This beer finishes with more tart and slightly sour flavor up front, then ends grainy and sour. Very unique, refreshing, and enjoyable. The red rice aromas and flavors of this beer are an aquired taste, thart you are either going to like or dislike. I enjoyed this one, and think it would match very well with sushi.

Aroma is caviar, caramel, and kidney beans. Taste is starchy, with kidney beans and rice. Decent body.

murky reddish/yellow body with a small white head.aroma and flavor was alot like the old school bottles of elmers glue.(you know,the one that had the stick on top of the cap)to bad im still not in pre-school or id absolutely love this beer......

Beautiful red-amber color, with a quickly receding white head. Aroma notes of white paste and alcohol. The flavor remined me of something I tasted in my kindergarten class! Pasty gluten flavor (rice) with a malt note. Was this aged in Elmer’s Glue barrels?