Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale is a 4.5% mild ale by Tamamura Honten, based in Nagano, Japan. It’s part of their annual summer seasonal release and can be found in both bottles and on tap too. Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale was originally brewed with Nøgne Ø, a Norwegian brewery, for the Tokyo Beer Festival back in 2009, though this year is the first that only the Shiga Kogen name has appeared on the label. The reason for this is that Kjetil Jikuin left Nøgne Ø, who was one of the main contributors to Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale. It’s a limited batch beer, with less than 2000 bottles prepared, so don’t be surprised if this beer is sold out before this review comes out.
Just like an English mild but slightly hoppier.
Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale Aroma and Taste
Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale poured out a deep hazy brown colour with a large fluffy white head, though it did have some flecks of red coming through, on top that clung to the side of the glass. Even though American hops were used, it’s unknown which ones went into making the beer, yet it was the burnt caramel aroma that came through first, with some hints of floral hoppiness too. Quite straight forward and nothing too spectacular – a bit of a let down considering some of Tamamura Honten’s previous efforts have been much bolder or aromatic than this.
Milds, for me, remind of my grandad pulling out a couple of bottles from under the stairs and drinking them “warm” so I thought I’d do the same with Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale. And I’m glad I did. The sweetness from the malts lent more towards a caramel-like flavour, though the hops did bring some bitterness to it. However, it was fairly one-dimensional from start to finish with not enough carbonation to bring some of the lighter aromas I had expected from it. Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale limped through until the end, leaving an ever-so-slight piney aftertaste that faded too fast.
Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale The Bottom Line
This is perhaps the first Shiga Kogen beer that I’ve been disappointed with. Perhaps it’s the style or maybe just not a summer beer but Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale is simply not really worth buying or hunting out.
Where to Buy Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale
Shiga Kogen Not So Mild Ale can be bought online at the following places:
1 comment
for me this beer kinda sucks, like it doesnt know what it wants to be. rather than not so mild, i found it extremely mild and boring, like their dpa