Hitachino Nest Beer White Ale (Japan)

www.kodawari.cc
Hitachino Nest Beer White Ale
Kiuchi Brewery
5.5% ABV

Due to the popularity of the Belgium beer Hoegarden in Japan - Hitachino Nest (Kiuchi Brewery) decided to make their own version.  In 1998 the beer was brewed.  Because of Japanese tax laws stating that anything containing less than 50% malt could be taxed at a lot less than beer the brewery worked on a recipe that produced a result they were happy with and managing to brew with less than 50% of malt in the brew.  The brewery used flaked barley and flaked wheat along with pilsner malt to give it is flavour and Perle hops are used for bittering and Styrian Golding are used for aroma.  The addition of orange juice, coriander, nutmeg and orange peel adds to it's flavour profile.

Review

Subtle citrus notes are present on the nose along with the mild sweetness that is found in all wheat beers.  The beer itself is a hazy pale golden yellow beer with a quickly disappearing white head.  On tasting - the typical wheat beer characteristics are present very subtle spices are there along with the sweetness of the wheat and the citrus that is added from the oranges.  The beer has a well weighted medium body.  A pretty good wheat beer although wheat beers are not my thing.

Scores: -

Aroma 5/10
Appearance 3.5/5
Taste 5/10
Palate 4/5
Overall 14/20  

Total 63%

Brew Dog Punk IPA (Scotland)

www.brewdog.com
Punk IPA
Brew Dog Breweries
5.6% ABV

Perhaps it's the first Scottish infact British beer that has been designed to replicate the hugely popular American Pale Ale style.  Throwing the book at the rules of classic British Pale Ales, Brew Dog have tried to capture what is exciting about the American style.  First brewed in 2007 Brew Dog have tried to market themselves as a post modern brewer.

Review

The beer is brewed with Chinock, Crystal and Motoeka hops and the combination gives it a bucketful of aroma - citrus and tropical fruit like passion fruit and guava are present along with the Maris Otter extra pale malt.  Appearance wise the beer is a golden colour with a frothy white head, it is quite cloudy and almost reminds me of a home brew.  On tasting the beer has a very metallic taste and not a lot else.  The beer did get better towards the end of the glass with a very subtle melon flavour.  This is along with the expected bitterness.  The beer has a medium body with a drying finish.

Overall this beer has an amazing aroma from the mix of hops but a very disappointing taste.  I wonder why it is so popular or well known?

Scores: -

Aroma 8.5/10
Appearance 3.5/5
Taste 4/10
Palate 3.5/5
Overall 10/20

Total 59%