Black Tide Azure Wind is a 8.5% rice beer from Black Tide Brewing Company, based in Kesennuma, in Miyagi, Japan. It’s part of their canned and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. Black Tide Azure Wind is a collaborative effort with a local sake brewery called Otokoyama and uses locally grown rice from the area, as well as the same yeast that Otokoyama use in the making of their sake.
Black Tide Azure Wind Aroma and Taste
Black Tide Azure Wind poured out a very light straw colour with a thin layer of white head on top that faded to a few bubbles around the side of the glass. The aroma coming off Black Tide Azure Wind reminded me very much of sake – the distinct rice-like quality to the nose was present throughout, and had a slight yeasty twang to it. It’s hard to explain how the yeast had a twang, but I am a complete novice with sake and have only just begun to notice the variety of aromas sake has. Black Tide Azure Wind had some fruitiness to it, and a subtle sweetness coming through, but those looking for hops and malts may be left disappointed as there wasn’t really anything there. Once Black Tide Azure Wind had warmed up, there was a bit more alcohol heat to the body, but it was light, rather than rich aroma.
The body began with a light and crisp flavour texture to it, belying its strength. If I didn’t know that Black Tide Azure Wind was strong, then I wouldn’t have guessed as the alcohol heat never really packed a punch, instead it teased and played with the taste-buds. Black Tide Azure Wind carried on with the sake theme, with a light, rice-like flavour to it, followed up with some of the yeast fruitiness as found in the nose. There wasn’t any potent hoppiness in the beer – perhaps a light citrusy flavour but then that could have just been me. Black Tide Azure Wind finished with a light, yeasty flavour that faded fast.
Black Tide Azure Wind The Bottom Line
Black Tide Azure Wind is more of a gentle breeze in flavour – light but won’t blow you away.
Where to Buy Black Tide Azure Wind
Black Tide Azure Wind can be bought online at the following places:
