Hitachino Nest Barrel-Aged Commemorative Ale

Brewed by Kiuchi Brewery
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ibaraki, Japan

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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draft, belmont station. unfiltered soft purplish body with a small off-white head. lively acids and esters in the nose; lightly musty, lightly acetic and very pinot-like, or as much as a beer can be from sitting in a pinot barrel. the whiskey, however, is really difficult to discern. dense body but soft and silky front to back with growing acid late. it’s a mixture of dried dark fruits (red grape, black cherry, cranberry) and medium oak tannins with a silken finish and the alcohol well-matched with the round, full body and the medium-low sweetness. a treat.

On tap. Pour is ruby gold with a mild fine bubbled white head in this glass modest retention, eventually ringing the glass, with very light lacing. The noseis the highlight for me. Fruity overtones and wine barrel treatment come through in an excellent way. The flavor profile seems a little muted, the base beer seems a touch simple. There is a big of booze here, with more fruits, wine barrel, grass, and lactic... It could use more heft to counterbalance the barrel treatment

Name: Hitachino Nest Commemorative, Zymatore
Date: October 11, 2011
Mode: Draft
Source: Brick Store Pub
Appearance: opaque dark brown with rusty edges, creamy tan head, drippy lace
Aroma: sweet chocolate aroma, caramel sweetness, touch of fruity wine
Flavor: sweet funky flavor, fruity sweetness, earthy funk, tart winey character
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ** /4