Hitachino Nest Nipponia was one of the first beers on the Japanese craft beer market to use domestic hops and barley; the Sorachi Ace and Kaneko Golden respectively. First brewed in 2009, Hitachino Nest Nipponia was exclusively top-fermented; however, since summer 2011, it has been bottom fermented instead. It is a cross between a golden ale and a blond ale.
Unfortunately, this only comes in larger size bottles. Shame to waste it once it’s opened.
Hitachino Nest Nipponia Aroma and Taste
A special beer deserves a special glass. Hitachino Nest Nipponia had a hazy golden-straw like body to it but didn’t appear to have any sediment in the glass. The head was a nice fluffy white colour that lasted for a while and seemed airy. The floral notes coming off of the beer were soft but not sweet as that was left to the caramel aroma instead. Some spices, perhaps a little coriander, was noted but it was quite faint.
Hitachino Nest Nipponia had a fairly hoppy body to it but that was to expect with the selling point of it being the rejuvenated hops. The hops are not as overpowering as a double IPA but they are noticeable. The expected citrus taste from the hops was much more succinct too than what I have had in the past from other hopped beers but the bitter malt was balanced well with this. The grassy aftertaste that remained in my mouth lingered briefly before being washed away with another sip of Hitachino Nest Nipponia.
Hitachino Nest Nipponia One-Line Review
Hitachino Nest Nipponia is an interesting throwback and it’s great to see the revival of traditional hops and malt.
Where to Buy Hitachino Nest Nipponia
Hitachino Nest Nipponia can be bought on the Kiuchi Brewery online store here. Else larger department stores and independent stores will stock it. It can also be found on Sakaya Okadaya here, and Craftbeers.jp here at the time of writing.
