Japan and Microbrewery are not two words that would inspire images of amazing beer. Recently my local beer store has been supplying several brands of microbrewery beers, such as Hitachino Nest Beer. I have tried two so far and both have been quite nice.
Name: Hitachino Nest Beer White Ale
Origin: Japan
Style: Malt Beer (5.0%)
Appearance: A cloudy, unfiltered dull yellow colour. Obvious floaties appear in the beer, but that is to be expected with an unfiltered white ale. The beer is quite fizzy, with a medium head and excellent retention.
Taste: It has a very powerful citrusy orange aroma. The taste starts with sweet and sour citrus flavours, mostly orange, with some hints of grapefruit. The beer has a mild bitterness, but is mostly tangy, incense-like wheat ale flavour. It finishes with a sour citrus flavour. The aftertaste does not linger.
Mouth Feel: Sharp and filling, this beer is very carbonated but still refreshing and light bodies overall.
Final Thoughts (3.5 out of 5): This is what a white ale should taste like. A very solid, very enjoyable beer that is probably well traveled considering the distance required to import it.
This beer is full of u-ma-i