Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA is an annual beer produced for the Snow Monkey Live festival head in March in Shiga Kogen. It is a 5.5% American style IPA that is produced in limited quantities in both draught form and in bottles.
Sometimes comes with a CD from the festival. If you’re lucky.
Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA Aroma and Taste
Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA poured out a mixed orange colour – it appeared brown and cloudy at times though overall it looked like a dulled mandarin that could have done with a good wash. The head was frothy and a hoppy aroma emanated from the beer though not as potent as most American IPAs that I’ve come across. It had one of the most mellow IPA aromas I’ve experienced, resembling the aroma of the Shiga Kogen House IPA but far easier on the nose.
But don’t let that fool you as what it lacks in the nose, Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA more than makes up for it in the body. The citrus burst came rushing through on the palate that just seemed to get stronger and stronger the more I drank of it. The bitter flourish at the end rounded off an IPA that could be mistaken for a hoppy pale ale though don’t let it. Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA was extremely refreshing and I regret only buying two of them now.
Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA One Line Review
It’s a shame that Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA is only brewed for the Snow Monkey Festival as it’s a great introduction into IPAs for those weary of the over-hopped beers that are being imported from the USA.
Where to Buy Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey IPA
It’s best to keep an eye out on the ゆるブル – Yuru Blog, which is the Ego-brewer blog from Tamamura Honten, for the availability of this beer. I got my bottles from Liquors Hasegawa in the Yaesu district near Tokyo station.
2 comments
loved it, last year and hoping to drink a few in snow monkey
Me too! Got some in the fridge still – hoping to pick up a few of their beers from the brewery too.