Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC is a 4.0% American pale ale from Kiuchi Brewery, based in Ibaraki, Japan. It’s part of their limited draft only release and as such, there are no plans to release it in bottles. Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC uses hops from Yosano town, based in Kyoto, which is part of a collaborative project between towns in the area to increase the reputation of the hop growing area. However, the name is a misnomer as there isn’t a strain of hops called Yosano, rather they grow 29 different kinds of hops imported from the UK, USA, and some naturally from Japan. Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC uses Cascade and Centennial hops from the area.
Slightly muted hop bitterness than usual but drinkable.
Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC Aroma and Taste
Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC came up a hazy golden colour with a frothy white head that collapsed quickly on itself to about 1/4 the size and lasted throughout drinking. The remainder of that head left a sticky white residue on the side of the glass as it went down but then the barman had been furious cleaning the glasses when I walked in. It had a muted citrus and grapefruit aroma – considering Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC had Cascade and Centennial hops in there, it lacked a punch. I’ve seen this advertises as a session IPA too, though that description would be pushing it a bit far.
And it’s in the body where I’m glad Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC isn’t advertised as a session IPA. The body had an initial sharp bitterness that faded all too quickly and was quite softly carbonated – no burping or gas from this beer. The citrus and grapefruit flavours were the strongest of the bunch but even then, they were muted in comparison to what I expected. There was a slight hint of caramel and grapefruit in the aftertaste once Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC had warmed up but by that point, I had lost interest in it as it was neither innovative or interesting.
Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC The Bottom Line
Hitachino Yosano Fresh CC isn’t anything exciting or interesting – just your usual run-of-the-mill pale ale. A shame as Hitachino Nest could have done something special with this to promote Japanese-grown hops.
2 comments
again japanese grown hops lack punch. I honestly dont think hops grow well here. well, they grow but the lupulin doesnt seem as strong or as delicious.
Someone pointed out to me that marijuana can be cultivated really well in Japan; seems strange that hops do not perform so well here as they are quite similar ( same family; Cannabaceae ).