Y Market Ncha by Y Market Brewing

Y Market Ncha is a 4.5% pilsner from Y Market Brewing, based in Nagoya, Japan. It’s part of a collaborative effort Y Market Brewing did with Gambrinus Roppongi as their in-house beer. Y Market Ncha uses locally sourced brown rice tea that is roasted then added during secondary fermentation – essentially steeping tea.

Y Market Ncha Aroma and Taste

Y Market Ncha came up a clear golden orange colour with a smidgen of pure white head on top. The head faded fast but that’s enough of the appearance. Let’s talk about the aroma. IT SMELT LIKE ROASTED TEA! It was pretty much hard to get anything else out of my head once the nose was there – I tried to smell for hops but that tea nose was strong enough to dominate other everything else – but not so dominant that it was unpleasant.

Y Market Ncha is not subtle with its approach to the tea and the body was more of the same. The roasted brown rice tea was not potent or offensive but just strong enough to let you know it’s there. I doubt it would have worked with a different light beer – an IPA would be too confusing, a weizen would be muddled, a witbier would just be … you get the point. There was no bitterness to Y Market Ncha though it did have a hint of malt sweetness to it. The tea lingered on into the aftertaste.

Y Market Ncha The Bottom Line

I’ll be honest – Y Market Ncha isn’t for everyone and I doubt everyone would want to drink it but it is interesting enough to warrant a try.