Black Tide Ajisai is a 7% fruited saison from Black Tide Brewing, based in Kesennuma, in Miyagai, Japan. It’s part of their canned and draught line up, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. As the name suggests, Black Tide Ajisai is coloured using blueberries to give it the appearance of the flower known as ajisai, or hydrangea in English. Black Tide Ajisai uses imported Mandarina Bavaria hops.
Black Tide Ajisai : At A Glance
Basics
- Alcohol : 7.0%
- Style : Fruited saison
- Hops : Mandarina Bavaria
- IBU : Unknown
Sale Information
- Availability : Seasonal
- On Sale : From October 2021
- Size : 350ml
- Price : From 700 yen
Aroma & Taste
- Notable Aromas : Blueberry with phenolic yeast aroma. Light herbal aroma.
- Notable Tastes : Sour tart blueberry flavour with hint of floral flavour. Light sweetness to the beer,
Black Tide Ajisai : Aroma & Taste
Black Tide Ajisai poured out a pinkish purple colour with a large pinkish head on top that faded to a few bubbles around the side of the glass, leaving some pinkish purple streaks down the side of the glass. The aroma was a tart phenolic one with blueberry notes coming through. Once Black Tide Ajisai had warmed up, there was a light herbal aroma to boot, but not one that dominated over the fruity aromas in the beer.
Though Black Tide Ajisai is a fruit saison, the flavour lies heavily on the fruited side of the beer than on the saison side. The blueberries were the deliverer of the fruity flavour (obviously!) that dominated over the phenols from the yeast, as well as bringing a tartness to the beer that dominated over the sourness. The beer could do with being a bit more balanced to allow the saison flavour to shine through some more but it was refreshing to drink. The berry flavours carried on into the aftertaste, leaving a slight tartness on the palate.
Black Tide Ajisai : The Bottom Line
Black Tide Ajisai was a good twist on a style that often misses the mark in Japan.
Black Tide Ajisai : Where to Buy It
Black Tide Ajisai can be bought online at the following places:
