Kunitachi Natsu no Awai is a 6% sour saison, specifically a Philly sour saison, from Kunitachi Brewery, based in Kunitachi, in Tokyo, Japan. It’s part of their summer lineup and can be found in both bottles and on tap. Kunitachi Natsu no Awai takes its name from the being between summer and another season, though if that is spring and summer, or summer and autumn is left up to you to decide. Kunitachi Natsu no Awai is fermented using Wildbrew Philly Sour and also Belle Saison yeast, both from Lallemond.
Basics
- Alcohol : 6%
- Style : Sour Saison / Philly sour saison
- Hops : US Citra, Loral, and Nelson Sauvin, French Barbe Rouge
- IBU : N/A
Sale Information
- Availability : Summer
- On Sale : From Summer 2021
- Size : 350ml bottle
- Price : From 650 yen
Aroma & Taste
- Notable Aromas : Jammy nose with some sour twang, along with a light citrus nose. Some peachy phenolics when warm.
- Notable Tastes : Jammy sour body, with smooth taste. Light sweetness.
Kunitachi Natsu no Awai : Aroma and Taste
Kunitachi Natsu no Awai poured out a dark orange colour with a plump white head on top though that faded fast to a few bubbles around the edge of the beer. The aroma was an interesting, if peculiar, one of a jammy berry like nose to it, that featured some sour notes to Kunitachi Natsu no Awai. Once it had warmed up, there was also the typical peachy phenolics that are associated with saisons – nothing too punchy or powerful but definitely noticeable. There was also a touch of citrus to the nose, with a lemon aroma just peeking through.
In spite of Kunitachi Natsu no Awai being labelled as a sour saison, it wasn’t face turning, not overly sour, but it was noticeable that this wasn’t your normal saison. The jammy berry flavour from the hops, combined with a citrus flavour, and the peachy phenols made Kunitachi Natsu no Awai taste bolder than perhaps it should have been; however, I can imagine that in summer, this would have gone down well. The body was light and refreshing, with the sourness being pleasant rather than gut wrecking. Kunitachi Natsu no Awai finished off with the fruity flavours lingering on, leaving just a slight sticky residue on the palate.
Kunitachi Natsu no Awai : The Bottom Line
Kunitachi Natsu no Awai is a nice little twist on a style that is often missed.
Kunitachi Natsu no Awai : Where to Buy It
Kunitachi Natsu no Awai can be bought at the following places:
