Japanese Craft Beer: Hitachino Nest XH

In recent years, Japanese craft brewers have been making huge strides into the beer connoisseur market with interesting ales. For the most part, Japan and beer are known for such rice adjunct beers like Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin. Recently a raft brewer has paralled Sake brewing to beer, this being Hitachino. Hitachino is most well known for their Nest Ales, in particular the Espresso Stout which has received much acclaim in the craft beer community. Other craft breweries such as Ise Kadoya have begun to distribute their products to North America as well.

Hitachino is brewed at Kuichi Brewery in Ibaraki, Japan. Since only a few Hitachino beers are currently distributed in my area, I figured I would pick up the cheapest one to try. This happened to be the Hitachino Nest XH (Extra High) Ale, which

is apparently matured to 8% ABV in sake casks is a Belgian Strong Ale.

I was slightly apprehensive due to the unknown flavors which would be imparted on the beer by the sake casks and the alteration of the unique yeast taste character which I love in Belgian Style beers. However, I found that in the end, Hitachino Nest XH is a unique brew but maintains the depth and character common in a Belgian Strong Ale.

The pour is a dark brown color nearing on a shade of black with a thin off white head. Complex aroma involving strong yeasty esters, rich toffee malts, slight hops and a grassy mould like aroma. First taste is extremely smooth and sweet with yeasts and malts at the forefront. Subtle and complex hints of grass, earth and spice. A lovely Belgian Strong Ale, but I was unable to place the Sake cask maturation flavors at all. None-the-less, the Nest XH is a very drinkable and enjoyable 8% ABV beer.

Charlevoix La Vache Folle

I recently bought a four pack of Charlevoix La Vache Folle beers. Included in the package were two ESB's, one Imperial Milk Stout and one Amarillo Double IPA. Microbrasserie Charlevoix is a craft brewer located in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec which opened in 1998. Their flagship beers are the Dominus Vobiscum Belgian Style Ales as well as the "Mad Cow" La Vache Folle beers.

The most incredible beer was the Imperial Milk Stout which was a truly wonderful experience. A big beer with amazing coffee, chocolate, roasted malts and cream. A unique mixture of the roasted malts with creamy flavors.

The ESB was the only beer in the pack which could be considered a session beer. Hugely drinkable and very crisp, clean and has a delicious malty hops taste complex. Beautiful pour with bountiful white head.

The last of the beers I tried was the Amarillo Double IPA, which was an unusual Imperial IPA. The first taste is extremely sweet with forward hop bitterness. Floral hops, grass, lemon, lime, grapefruit with mild malts throughout are also detected. A very drinkable Imperial IPA.

Grand River Brewing Galt Knife Old Style Lager

A few weeks ago, I did a video review for a beer given to me from an old friend. This beer, Galt Knife Old Style Lager, was from Grand River Brewing in Cambridge, Ontario (http://www.grandriverbrewing.com/). Grand River Brewing, unheard of by me, operates out of a historic factory once home to the Galt Knife Company. The beer itself was quite good, especially for a Premium Lager which is one of my least favorite beer styles.

The pour is bright amber copper body with about a finger of clingy white head. A complex aroma involving sweet toffee malts co-mingled with lots of floral grain and sweet hops. Being only 4.4% alcohol did not reflect the full body and crisp drinkability of the Galt Knife Old Style. Sweet malts are predominant but then replaced by grassy hops with hints of fruit. Slightly bitter aftertaste is unexpected, but fully welcome. For me, this is a great session lager for many occasions.