Kiuchi Brewery
Hitachino Nest Pale Ale
5.5%
Naka, Japan

Hitachino Nest Beers are a selection of Japanese craft beer by Kiuchi Brewery. I first tried the pale ale in a lovely cafe called Wyndham Teas in Cardiff. Since then I’ve been scouting beers by the Japanese brewery in craft beer shops like Clapton Craft and so on.

Kiuchi Brewery was established in 1823. Craft beer production began in 1996 after a change in Japanese law governing micro brewing. A number of Kiuchi’s products seek to combine European beer-making technology with traditional Japanese brewing techniques. Brewed in traditional English brewing method with English malts and hops. It has a malty, hoppy note which creates a rich, full bodied flavour.

The smell of Hitachino Nest Pale Ale is quite strong, the aroma is like an IPA. It has an orange glow but doesn’t really taste like a traditional pale ale. It actually reminds me of an amber or British bitter. There is an initial hit of sweetness but for a pale ale it is quite bitter and malty. It’s a good pale ale but I think there are better pales out there and the brewery itself has a couple of brilliant beers like their IPA.

OVERALL: 2.5/5