Espresso Stout-Hitachnio Nest
Label
Japanese Dark Ale brewed with Coffee Beans
Kounosu Naka-Shi Ibark, Japan
Kiuchi Brewery
ABV: 7.5%
Appearance
Head: Dark khaki, fluffy, long lasting
Body: Roasted, hoppy, coffee, chocolate
Taste: Burnt, roasted, strong coffee flavor, light body for a stout, hoppy bitter bite, coffee aftertaste, hints of chocolate, hint of cream.
Stu’s Review
I really wanted to enjoy this beer. I mean the only Japanese Beer I’ve had is Sapporo so I wanted to see how the micro brewing differs in our brothers to the west (in The US its to the west). This beer was missing something vital. It’s consistency and taste was akin to that last cup of coffee in the morning batch…you know the kind, its kinda cold, and a little thicker than it should be. It’s got a bitter bite, but the light body is where I think this beer went wrong. When I have a stout I want body, I want a creamy meal in a glass, not some puny coffee black water…I am not sure whats going on either because if you look at beeradvocate they rank this beer an A-…well now you know why we don’t rank. Before I go on a rant about rankings let me finish this review. The flavor/light body combo doesn’t work. Its got a hint of cream…hint…not enough to change my mind. Try one, maybe I’m crazy (as people will tell you I am), see what you think. I find that stouts are very hit or miss with me. In comparison to its competitor, Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout, it falls flat on its crazy japanese label.
Where I got it
2001 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 986-5002
Get directions
$5.00—–> not worth the price.
Now for my rating rant. To rate you must be a judge. To judge you must be qualified. To be qualified you must be educated. To be educated you must gain experience through learning which takes time. Who is to say that this beer is a 100 or this is an A, there are too many factors to go into deciding: the persons mood, the atmosphere, the glass, health, what you ate today…you get my drift. That’s why we beer barons don’t tout one beer as our all time 100 or A+, because whose to say that we won’t find another A+ or 100. It can’t be done and we won’t do it. Live well. Drink good beer.
