Ginga Kogen Ko Mugi Beer

Brewed by Ginga Kogen Beer Company
Style: German Hefeweizen
Waga-gun, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Serve in Weizen

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330ml can bought at CitySuper in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Cloudy hazy dull light golden colour with grapefruit hue; Less than half finger head with weak white foam which last for about 30 seconds; Small lacing and notable slight carbonation; Very fragrant aroma of banana, orange, light grapefruit, light caramel, malt and light cloves; Light taste of malt, mashed banana, orange, slight grapefruit, yeast, cloves, spices, very light citrus and faint glass; Medium to light body, slightly thick but crisp palate; Taste is non-sweet malt light malt in a very light tart background, with pleasant orange and grapefruit, light banana, cloves and spices; Hoppiness is minimal, mostly light citrus taste but with hint of bitterness; Finishing is very light citrus and tartness; Quite dry after taste, very easy to mouth.

Comments: A good weizen from a big-name Japanese micro which is beyond my expectations. I know that GK has a hefeweiss proper known as ‘Weizen’, so I guess this one is purposely created as a hybrid of hefeweiss and wheat ale. The weak looking head is deceiving, as its taste is very crisp, dry and clean, with colourful fruity characters including some rare grapefruit. This serves as the stellar example for the likes of Koedo and Echigo in making good German weiss. Recommended.

My Bottom Line:
This rather dry Weizen shares plenty of bananas and wheat while floral nuances prepare a mineral touch in the finish.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A sheet of foam quickly depletes atop the cloudy beige.
-Carbonation is appropriately high, just like in most Bavarian examples.
-The mouthfeel could be tighter and smoother, but the flavor profile is nicely expressive and engaging.
-Wheat is cleanly expressed from aroma to finish ; there is more than fermentation character in this brew...

Can.

Can. Golden colour with a white head. Lemon, wheat aroma. Flavour is fruity, sweet.

35 cl can thanks to Ingo! Sampled on April 8, 2013. Marked (BB?) 13.06, purchased late December 2012.
Murky yellow color, white head. Sweet, sugary, fruity, banana, esters, phenoles, butterscotch scent. Sweet, banana, estery, clove taste. Medium to spritzy mouthfeel, low bitterness. Estery banana aftertaste.

Can (33 cl), courtesy of Ingo. Cloudy golden, medium white head. Fruity, bready, abit sugary and vinuous, slightly spicy and herbal. Medium bodied, medium to high carbonation. Semi dry, medium bitterness.

Thank you again to Chris for this rare gift. Pours a bright yellowish, hazy golden with a full, bubbly white head. Aroma is banana, orange, wheat, and spices. It has a very Belgian impression to it. The taste is similar to the aroma. The banana stands out the most, followed by the orange and spices. Short aftertaste of banana and spice. Some bubbly carbonation up front, but it seems to be more flat at the end. Light in body with a slick texture. It is refreshing to drink. I had this many years ago on a visit to Japan. I think I liked it more back then when I was more naive. However I’m pleased to say that I think this is still very good.

Blue tinted bottle with blue label, white reindeers and ’premium unfiltered beer’ under them. Pale yellow color with slight haziness, strong fruity smell, high carbonation, slightly bitter citrusy taste, long finish. A nice hefeweizen.

Bottle from "Japan" at EPCOT. Pours cloudy dark golden color with white head. Aromas of banana, clove, corriander and wheat. Similar flavors with some yeast. Medium body with moderate carbonation. Decent but not great.

Decent Belgian white but a bit thin on the palate. A bit fruity and pretty dry and drinkable.

Aroma- Crispy, sweet, Wheat, some lemon Appearance- cloudy golden with a nice fluffy white head. Average lasting head with nice lacing. Flavor- Floral, crisp,some lemon and grass.