West Coast Kuno Like Shonan is a 4.5% session IPA from West Coast Brewing Company based in Shizuoka, in Shizuoka, Japan. It’s part of their canned and draft lineup, though its availability at the time of writing is unknown. West Coast Kuno Like Shonan is brewed using milk sugar and Nelson hops, so those people who are lactose intolerant would probably be wise to avoid this.
West Coast Kuno Like Shonan Aroma and Taste
West Coast Kuno Like Shonan poured out a slightly hazy golden amber colour with barely any head to it. What head there was quickly dissipated to a few bubbles around the outside of the glass, and a slightly swirly pattern on top. In spite of West Coast Kuno Like Shonan being a session IPA, and more importantly an IPA-esque beer from West Coast Brewing, the beer lacked the expectant punch of hops from it. In fact, it was the creamy lactose nose that was the most dominant aroma throughout drinking, with only a faint twinge of citrus lemon and grapefruit coming off the beer. The sweetness from the lactose also dominated over the malts too, with them barely coming through either after West Coast Kuno Like Shonan had warmed up.
Like in the nose, I was expecting something hoppy and bitter, but then it never really came in the body either. West Coast Kuno Like Shonan was smooth and gentle in the palate, but for a session IPA, it was more like a session hazy IPA. The citrus flavours from the Nelson hops were just about present, but the milk sugar dominated again with a creaminess to the beer that didn’t abate. The hops didn’t really get going either once the beer had warmed up, with just a faint hint of them in the aftertaste too.
West Coast Kuno Like Shonan The Bottom Line
West Coast Kuno Like Shonan is a session-lite IPA and left me disappointed.
Where to Buy West Coast Kuno Like Shonan
West Coast Kuno Like Shonan can be bought online at the following places:
