Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale is a 5.5% English pale ale from Hakone Beer, based in Kanagawa, Japan. It’s part of their spring seasonal range of beers, on sale from the beginning of March until stocks sell out, and can be found in both bottles and on tap across the Kanto area. It’s also won a couple of awards at the Asia Beer cup – with a bronze back in 2008 and a silver medal in 2016 – but neither of those are emblazoned on the bottle. However, it’s unknown what hops or malts are used in brewing Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale.
Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale Aroma and Taste
Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale poured out a light golden orange colour with a large firm frothy head on top too that lasted a while before fading away to some bubble around the outside of the glass. Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale was fairly one-dimensional when chilled as it had a subtle malty biscuit aroma with some earthy hop aroma, but when it had warmed up, those aromas were followed by some light citrus fruits of lemon and orange.
The body was more lager-like than expected, with it being quite light and dry, and the high carbonation level meant it was a tad gassy and burpy for your usual English pale ale. Not to say that it is a bad beer by any means but the carbonation meant it was quite filling. The citrus aromas found in the aroma were present in the body with lemon and orange coming through, with just a faint hint of earthiness too. Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale finished off with a slight bitter twang and the citrus flavours lingering briefly on the palate.
Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale The Bottom Line
Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale i quite unusual for an English pale ale to be so forward in those flavours but I guess the pale ale market as moved towards the American style in Japan.
Where to Buy Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale
Hakone Harumeki Pale Ale can be bought online at the following places: